Tech & Science
Technology and Science news from Boulder, Colorado
CU-Boulder, USCS to lead E-vehicle studies
Oct 17th

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Colorado Boulder faculty will join with University of Colorado Colorado Springs faculty to teach courses in the design and implementation of electric vehicle drivetrains to new and retraining engineers.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently provided a five-year $954,000 grant to UCCS for the development of courses to prepare engineers for careers in developing new technologies for vehicles having electric drivetrains. The master’s-level courses will be taught by both UCCS and CU Boulder faculty members with expertise in batteries, battery controls, and power electronics.
The courses will be available through distance learning technologies such as online courses and, possibly, CISCO Telepresence, in addition to traditional in-person classrooms, making them available to people nationwide.
“There are thousands of engineers who have either been displaced as the U.S. auto industry shifted or who have an interest in learning about creating vehicles of the future,” Greg Plett, professor, UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science, said. “This program offers them the opportunity to retrain without relocating.”
Plett, the principal investigator on the project, has spent his career working with battery controls and has close relationships to many Colorado-based companies who manufacture batteries or their controls as well as large corporations such as General Motors. Plett is working with General Motors’ engineers on new methods for battery controls in future extended range electric vehicles, beyond the Chevy Volt.
The GATE Center of Excellence in Innovative Drivetrains in Electric Automotive Technology Education will provide students the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology by taking four courses in battery dynamics, battery controls, power electronics and detailed courses in adjustable alternating current drives. Plans also call for creating options for students in master’s of science in electrical engineering programs at UCCS and CU-Boulder to pursue specialization in fields such as battery controls, taught by UCCS faculty, and vehicle power electronics taught by CU-Boulder faculty members.
CU-Boulder faculty will build upon strengths of the Colorado Power Electronics Center research and education programs, including a highly successful Professional Certification in Power Electronics already offered online by the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s distance education program (http://cuengineeringonline.colorado.edu/)
“This program combines the strengths of the faculty of two CU campuses for the benefit of students,” Plett said.
Plett also believes the collaboration of faculty will lead to new research in battery technology. Battery life and power outputs have long been considered hindrances to the development of electric vehicles including cars, trucks and mass transit vehicles.
Plett envisions that fellowships to reduce the cost of the graduate coursework will be available with 30 to 40 students enrolled annually beginning with the fall 2012 semester.
Working with Plett will be Scott Trimboli, assistant professor, UCCS College of Engineering, and Regan Zane, associate professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, CU-Boulder, and Dragan Maksimovic, professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, CU-Boulder.
For more about Plett, visit http://mocha-java.uccs.edu/. For more information about the UCCS College of Engineering and Applied Science, visit http://www.eas.uccs.edu/ .For more information about the CU-Boulder Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, visit http://ecee.colorado.edu/.
Big bucks for zero waste
Oct 13th
Funding for zero waste programs available through Boulder County Resource Conservation
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Resource Conservation Division has allocated $50,000 for its 2012 Community Outreach Program for local organizations looking to fund projects that focus on zero waste, reuse, recycling and composting.
Proposals must be received at the Resource Conservation office by Monday, Nov. 14. Project funding will commence in January.
A pre-proposal workshop will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63rd St. in Boulder. Attendance is highly recommended for new applicants but not required. Questions about the program and the application process will be answered, and other details provided.
Please contact Jessica Johnson at 720-564-2226 or jljohnson@bouldercounty.org to obtain an application and r more information.
The minimum funding amount available for a project is $1,000 with a maximum of $10,000. Local governments, nonprofit organizations, school districts, schools, private companies and individuals may apply as long as the scope of work is in Boulder County or the City and County of Broomfield, and insurance requirements are met.
With the adoption of Boulder County’s Zero Waste resolution and the Zero Waste Action Plan, the commencement of the single-stream collection and processing program, and curbside composting collection, there are opportunities to support these programs with new Community Outreach Program initiatives.
In addition to the programs supported in prior years, an emphasis on single-stream collections and education and/or zero waste programs (establishing collection of single-stream recyclables, organic materials, etc.) for residents, businesses and governmental buildings is encouraged. However, applications for programs that fall outside of this limited focus will continue to be accepted and considered.
-BoulderCounty.org-