SEAS Seminar Series: Engineering Challenges in the 21st Century

Energy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities

Presenter: Professor Stephen Hsu
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Monday, October 5, 2009 at 6:30 pm
GW Foggy Bottom Campus, Duques Hall, Room 651 (2201 G Street, NW)

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Abstract:
In July 2008, the price of crude oil reached an historical high level of US$147 per barrel. The resulting shock wave brought home the reality of the effect of a $4/gallon price on our daily lives. There were many reasons for the spike, but the tight supply and demand was an over-riding cause. Amidst our pending energy crisis, we also have to heed the global warming and environmental deterioration warnings. The International Energy Agency projects various scenarios that the world might face by 2050, as well as the collective decisions the world will have to make to avert disasters in order to meet the energy/sustainability challenges.

This talk will examine the current energy situation and outline the technical strategies and options available for responding to it. The dual challenges of meeting our energy needs and creating competitive alternative energy industries in the U.S. in the next 20 years are matched only by the opportunities and aspirations of our next generation of engineers and scientists.

Short bio:
Prof. Hsu started his career at the Amoco Oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana, after graduating from Pennsylvania State University. After four years, he joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD, where he started his own group conducting research on materials. Over the next 25 years, he worked with the U.S. Department of Energy on materials issues in various energy efficient technologies such as heat rejection engines, gas turbines, and energy efficient engine technologies. Since 2005, he has served as the vice-chair and operating agent for the International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on advanced materials for transportation. In January 2009 he joined GW, creating a wind energy consortium and leading the SEAS energy research effort. He is a Fellow of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers), and has more than 250 publications, seven patents, and many honors and awards.

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