Mar 1 2010
There are changes happening in the labs of Ohio University's Russ College of Engineering and Technology. The college recently established the Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research (CEER) and renamed the Center for Intelligent, Distributed and Dependable Systems.
Currently funded by grants from the Ohio Department of Development and the U.S. Department of Defense, CEER includes a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory facility to advance electrochemical research. The facility has already developed technology that converts ammonia from human waste water into hydrogen fuel. The lab will enable researchers to perform in-situ electrochemistry combined with modeling and simulations to further electrochemical projects.
"CEER is poised to continue the leadership of Ohio University on the development of advanced electrochemical technologies," said Gerri Botte, CEER director. "This is a unique center in the state and perhaps the world that will guide the development of new technologies from the fundamental stage until the demonstration phase."
CEER's goals focus on research concerning environmentally friendly power generation and electrochemical remediation of environmental pollutants. The center has received two federal appropriations to support work done with the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center-Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL).
The project with ERDC-CERL, which aims to provide hydrogen for fuel cells, will create a safe and convenient power alternative to diesel generators. Using CEER-developed urea electrolysis technology, the process enables the direct conversion of urine to hydrogen.
The center will provide work and research opportunities for electrochemical engineering students and will support economic development through commercialization of electrochemical technologies.
Another Russ College lab is undergoing a change. The former Center for Intelligent, Distributed and Dependable Systems is now known as the Center for Scientific Computing and Immersive Technologies (CSCIT).
"The new name more accurately describes the research activities conducted within the center," said Lonnie Welch, CSCIT director and Stuckey Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
CSCIT is known for its research in bioinformatics -- information technologies that inform the life sciences, such as compiling electronic databases for the human genome. The center also focuses on the use of supercomputers to advance scientific knowledge and solve engineering problems. In addition, CSCIT houses research on immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and streaming audio and video.