Programs in Alternative Vehicular Programs in Alternative Vehicular Transportation Systems at MTUTransportation Systems at MTU

David R. ShonnardDavid R. Shonnard Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering,

Michigan Technological University, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931Houghton, MI 49931

Presentation to US-Brazil TeleconferencePresentation to US-Brazil TeleconferenceJune 18, 2007June 18, 2007

How is Michigan Tech Addressing the How is Michigan Tech Addressing the Sustainability Challenge?Sustainability Challenge?

Sustainable Futures Institute:Sustainable Futures Institute:Established – January 2004Established – January 2004

60 faculty/staff and 30 60 faculty/staff and 30 graduate scholars engaged in graduate scholars engaged in research and educationresearch and education

Sustainable Futures Institute

www.sfi.mtu.edu

MISSION Create and disseminate new principles, processes, and products that support / promote sustainable development

MISSION Create and disseminate new principles, processes, and products that support / promote sustainable development

Center for Sci & Env Outreach

SFI External Advisory Board

SFI AFFILIATED CENTERS / INITIATIVES

School of Forest Resources and Environmental ScienceSchool of Business & Econ.

College of Sciences & ArtsSocial Sci. Computer Sci.Biology Chemistry Physics

SFI Partners & Graduate Scholars

College of EngineeringCiv & Env Matl Sci. BioMedGeo & Min Electrical Engr FundChemical Mechanical

Educational Opportunity

Center

NSF REUSite

SFI DirectorateMTU Administration

NSFMUSES,

W2W

NSFIGERT

NSF Major Research

Infrastructure

www.sfi.mtu.edu

Bio-Fuels ResearchBio-Fuels Research

Forest ResourcesForest Resources

Biotechnology/Genetic Biotechnology/Genetic engineeringengineering

Forest policy and Forest policy and managementmanagement

Carbon cyclingCarbon cycling

Bio-processingBio-processing

Enzyme improvementEnzyme improvement

Pilot plant operationsPilot plant operations

Metabolic Metabolic engineeringengineering

Vehicle/EnginesVehicle/Engines

Engine researchEngine research

Engine tests Engine tests w/emissionsw/emissions

Hybrid vehicle designHybrid vehicle design

Vehicle dynamometerVehicle dynamometer

Michigan Tech’s Expertise

Assessment/Assessment/DecisionsDecisions

Technology evaluationTechnology evaluation

Logistics and facilitiesLogistics and facilities

Life-cycle, Life-cycle, environmental, and environmental, and policy assessmentspolicy assessments

Bio-Fuels ResearchBio-Fuels Research

Completed ProjectsCompleted Projects: : CaterpillarCaterpillar – Evaluation of Low Greenhouse Gas Bio-Based Energy – Evaluation of Low Greenhouse Gas Bio-Based Energy

Technologies”Technologies” American Process, Inc. (API)American Process, Inc. (API) – Co-production of pulp and ethanol from – Co-production of pulp and ethanol from

woodwood Ongoing ProjectsOngoing Projects: :

NSF NSF – Plant Genome Research Project– Plant Genome Research Project NSFNSF – Biocomplexity - Materials Use: Science Engineering and Society – Biocomplexity - Materials Use: Science Engineering and Society

(MUSES) project on lignocellulosic-based ethanol production(MUSES) project on lignocellulosic-based ethanol production MTU Research ExcellenceMTU Research Excellence ProgramProgram –Peptidomimetic research project –Peptidomimetic research project NSFNSF – Major Research Instrumentation project on combustion vessel to be – Major Research Instrumentation project on combustion vessel to be

integrated into MTU Alternative Fuels Combustion Laboratory integrated into MTU Alternative Fuels Combustion Laboratory GMGM – – Ethanol Flex-Fuel Engine Optimization Ethanol Flex-Fuel Engine Optimization NSFNSF – Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program – Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program

(IGERT) project(IGERT) project NSFNSF – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project UOP LLCUOP LLC – – Life Cycle Assessment Comparing Green Diesel to BiodieselLife Cycle Assessment Comparing Green Diesel to Biodiesel

Pending ProjectsPending Projects: : MTU MTU – – Wood-to-Wheels Graduate EnterpriseWood-to-Wheels Graduate Enterprise NSFNSF – Engineering Research Center (ERC) Wood-to-Wheels – Engineering Research Center (ERC) Wood-to-Wheels GMGM – – Forestry Biomass for Co-Production of Biofuels and Biopolymers ProjectForestry Biomass for Co-Production of Biofuels and Biopolymers Project DCXDCX – Multi-cylinder ethanol engine research program – Multi-cylinder ethanol engine research program

$1.7 million, 2005-2010

NSF MUSES: NSF MUSES: Renewable Energy from Forest Resources: An Investigation into the Viability of Large-Scale Production of Sustainable Transportation Fuels from Lignicellulosic BiomassSchool of Forestry (3), Chemical Engineering (1), Mechanical Engineering (1), Environmental Engineering (1), Social Science (2)

Wood-to-Wheels (W2W) ConceptWood-to-Wheels (W2W) ConceptResearch Thematic AreasResearch Thematic Areas

Woody Biomass Resource Research

CO2

Bio-Processing ResearchPhoto: Glacial Lakes Energy

Vehicle Systems Research

Saturn Hybrid

SustainabilityAssessments /

Decision-Making

W2W Cellulosic Ethanol Research W2W Cellulosic Ethanol Research Impacts:Impacts:Displacement of US Petroleum ConsumptionDisplacement of US Petroleum Consumption

Biobased Fuel30%

Biobased Fuel withBioprocess + ICE Optimization

39%

Engines &Vehicles Optimization

1 BillionTons ofBiomass

Flex-FuelHybrid

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

2005

US Petroleum

Consumption

(Millions of Barrels)

Total Persian GulfImports

Biomass Bio+ICE Opt

Potential Bio Impact

Petroleum70%

Hydrogen Fuel Cells ResearchHydrogen Fuel Cells Research

ExpertiseExpertise Polymers, Composite and Membrane materialsPolymers, Composite and Membrane materials Heat transfer and fluid flow applied to fuel cellsHeat transfer and fluid flow applied to fuel cells Hydrogen internal combustion engineHydrogen internal combustion engine Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cellsPolymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells Hybrid Powertrains Hybrid Powertrains

ActivitiesActivities John Deere – MTU E-Gator team retrofitted a John Deere John Deere – MTU E-Gator team retrofitted a John Deere

E-Gator with a hydrogen PEM fuel cell E-Gator with a hydrogen PEM fuel cell Army Research Labs – the Keweenaw Research Center Army Research Labs – the Keweenaw Research Center

of Michigan Tech has built a fuel cell powered of Michigan Tech has built a fuel cell powered unmanned ground vehicle unmanned ground vehicle

MTU – MTU – Alternative Fuels Group (AFG) EnterpriseAlternative Fuels Group (AFG) Enterprise NSF Grant Opportunities for Liaison with Industry NSF Grant Opportunities for Liaison with Industry

(GOALI) project – recyclable polymer with multiple (GOALI) project – recyclable polymer with multiple carbon fillers for lightweight fuel cell bipolar plates. carbon fillers for lightweight fuel cell bipolar plates.

MTU - Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) MTU - Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) team team

Questions?Questions?

Midwestern land cover (USFS North Central Research Station image)