CCe-FP Newsletter
Current Newsletter - Issue 16, Fall 2011
From the Director
I’ve just begun reading Daniel Yergin’s new book, The Quest: Energy, Security of the Remaking of the Modern World. Since writing The Prize in 1991, Yergin has established himself as a leading authority on energy policy. The Quest is must reading for anyone with an interest in energy, and it has caused me to reflect further on the role of fluid power in providing the world’s energy.
Research Highlights
The Compact Rescue Robot
A major feature of the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center program is the emphasis on test beds. Test beds are primarily intended to provide 1) a means for demonstration of the applicability of research projects to real world applications and 2) a guide the formation of additional research projects to meet the challenges seen in implementing relevant portions of the test bed’s functionality. In addition they illustrate the potential of fluid power to prospective students and excite their imagination for a career in the related areas. The CCEFP test beds are selected to collectively cover a broad range of power levels and Test Bed 4, the Compact Rescue Robot, represents applications in the 100W to 1 kW range, roughly human scale applications. In this range you will not find many current fluid power applications on the market and contrary to applications at a higher range of power, such as the excavator and passenger vehicle, the Center elected a more exotic application: a walking rescue robot with a large number of degrees of freedom and a limited market at this time. While this has endured some scrutiny from those involved in more conventional applications, a rescue robot epitomizes many challenges that can be found in this power range, and illustrates opportunities for some new products in the fluid power industry.
Industry
IAB Site Meeting at Purdue University
The latest IAB meeting was held at Purdue University on September 14th &15th. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Monika Ivantsynova at the Maha Fluid Power Research Center and was well attended with 21 Industry representatives participating in the two day meeting.
Education & Outreach
Student Leadership Council Update
The Student Leadership Council (SLC) held its annual student retreat in conjunction with the NFPA’s Industry and Economic Outlook Conference in Schaumberg, Illinois on August 15-16. Approximately 20 students from the Center participated in this event. Newly elected President Tim Deppen began by giving an overview presentation about the new direction of the SLC, which includes an orientation program for new students, travel funds to be requested by students to collaborate with projects and industry, and fewer officers with more responsibilities. The SLC also held a meeting with the primary goals of approving the new by-laws and officer elections.
Getting to Know Us
Profiles on Chao Yong (Vanderbilt), Jonathan Meyer (Univ. of Minnesota), Doug Cook (MSOE) and Jun Ueda (Georgia Tech).