22 Attend First Sustainable Energy Engineering Summer Course at Tech

Twenty two high school students from New Mexico and throughout the nation attended the first summer mini-course in Sustainable Energy Engineering at New Mexico Tech. The course was taught by Dr. Don Weinkauf in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Students measured the combustion efficiency of a potato canon, fabricated a hydrogen fuel cell and measured its performance, as well as synthesized biodiesel and bioethanol in the laboratory. At the conclusion of the course, the students tested their biofuel products by running them in the Biodiesel Go-Cart and the Bioethanol Lawn Mower.

"There is an intense push toward the development of alternative transportation fuels. Through the course, the students get a deep appreciation for the chemical processing, purification, and energy required to produce these fuels." says Weinkauf. "Ultimately, it is this level of understanding being instilled in this generation of young minds which will generate the best solutions to our energy needs. More importantly, I think we demonstrated that you can certainly have fun in the process ... that is with the exception of the Thermodynamics lectures."

The course was largely developed under a grant from the State of New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources. Funding was also provided by New Mexico Tech. The biofuels learning modules were developed by the NMTech Chemical Engineering students in their spring Junior Design Clinic.

The course was offered as part of New Mexico Tech's Summer Mini-Course Program. For more information about sustainable energy engineering research and education programs at New Mexico Tech contact, Dr. Don Weinkauf. in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Photos: (L) Alyssa Rose admiring her biodiesel creation. (R) Laurie Merchant enjoying a biodiesel powered drive around the Tech campus. (Below) Trevor Zinser uses an air-brush to deposit platinum catalysts used in the fabrication of PEM hydrogen fuel cells.