FRS 004 — Sec. 005 — (2 units) — CRN 92656 — F 2:10-4:00pm — 2130 Bainer
Alternative Fuels Technology

Instructor: Paul Erickson, Department of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, College of Engineering

Description: UC Davis is unique in its expertise regarding alternative fuels, including hydrogen and fuel cell systems. This freshman seminar will review the basics of alternative fuels, their sources and conversion techniques using these fuels. The UC Davis Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Laboratories and facilities will be toured and introduced. These will include the Hydrogen Production and Utilization Laboratory, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Burning Transit Buses, UC Davis Hydrogen Refueling Station, and the Battery and Fuel Cell Laboratory of the Institute of Transportation Studies. A tour of the nearby California Fuel cell Partnership in Sacramento will also be arranged. Students will become familiar with the various types of fuel technologies through discussions led by the instructor and presentations. It is expected that the Students will become aware of the promises and challenges of alternative fuel technology. Students should learn the basics regarding conversion technologies and the major technical challenges in both energy conversion and in using various primary resources.

Format: A trip to the California fuel cell partnership in West Sacramento will be arranged by the instructor. A trip to PVUSA in Davis will also be arranged. Other trips will be arranged during contact time and on UC Davis campus. Reading will include articles from technical journals and books available through the Physical Science and Engineering Library. This class will be administered on a pass/no pass basis. Attendance and class participation is required. Short summaries covering previous discussions will be required. Grading: A passing grade will be based 50% on the quality of the written summaries and 50% on individual participation.

About the Instructor: Professor Erickson is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. He is formally affiliated with the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis and teaches courses in both the Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Department and in the Transportation Technology and Policy Graduate group. He also co-directs the UC Davis student team involved in the Challenge X Vehicle Competition with the US department of Energy. Professor Erickson’s research involves the production and utilization of hydrogen for fuel cell systems including fuel cell and hydrogen burning vehicles. Fundamentally Professor Erickson seeks to further the understanding of hydrogen production methods and to find approaches that will overcome the limiting steps in such processes. This includes studying the reformation of fuels such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline, diesel, coal and logistic fuels as well as studying hydrogen production from renewable sources. In applied studies Professor Erickson has been instrumental in quantifying the benefits of operational fuel cell vehicles and has experience in the design, operation, and testing of prototype fuel cell buses.