Federal Funding to Support RIT’s Creation of Hydrogen-Technology Learning Center
The goal of this hydrogen-technology learning center is to educate students, potential end users, elected leaders and the public about the vision of a fuel cell economy. Areas of research include hydrogen applications, its safe use as an energy carrier and other related challenges.
CIMS will be one of four learning center sites established through $750,000 in Department of Energy funding. Two centers will be in California and the other in Florida. According to Nabil Nasr, CIMS director, this brings together the three states with the most hydrogen-related activities.
“Our center would serve as the catalyst for education and research throughout the Northeast as the fuel cell economy moves from the planning stages to reality,” explains Nasr.
The project, which will be conducted over 18 months, is in collaboration with University of Central Florida, San Diego Miramar College, University of California at Davis, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the California Energy Commission.
“This partnership will open the door to a variety of opportunities for RIT,” says Nasr. “For example, the University of Central Florida is bringing NASA into this program through one of their existing partnerships.” The NASA hydrogen research program, with an annual budget of $8 million, explores hydrogen applications for space travel and new propellants for future space vehicles.
Plans for the hydrogen-technology learning centers include hands-on and interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and various forms of media as educational resources. Also, a national conference will be held at one of the centers next year.
The RIT partnership was one of three projects selected for funding by the Department of Energy—which received a total of 61 proposals. The aim is to combine state and federal efforts to address the nation’s energy challenges.
“The collaborative is proving extremely successful in other areas,” states David Garman, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. “We look forward to positive results from these new awards.”
BACKGROUND: The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology exists to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers through applied technology and training. Established in 1992, CIMS provides technology and workforce development solutions that strengthen industrial clients’ ability to compete in the global marketplace. CIMS represents a dynamic collaboration of in-house technical experts, as well as academic, industry and government resources.
Major initiatives sponsored by CIMS include the National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NCR3), the System Modernization and Sustainment Center, the Sustainable Systems Research Center, the Center for Excellence in Lean Enterprise, the Manufacturing Technologies Program, the Imaging Products Laboratory and the Occupational Safety and Ergonomics Excellence Program.