Department of Mechanical Engineering

Program Director: Professor Terry Meyer 

The clean energy technologies program investigates alternative energy, energy efficiency, and advanced processes and materials that have reduced resource demand and environmental impact. The fast-growing needs of emerging economies cannot be met over the long term without advances in the energy sciences. Driven by the escalating price of fuel, geopolitical instability, and air and water pollution, we are developing a new technological paradigm to power the world’s economy. Our research on alternative energy encompasses solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and advanced nuclear energy systems, and our work on energy efficiency technologies encompasses building energy use, fuel cells and distributed power systems, advanced hybrid vehicles and transportation systems, and low carbon emission power systems. Our work is directed at innovations that reduce carbon emissions and water consumption, while providing low-cost, high-performance substitutes for depleting natural resources.

Links:

• Read about the recent ISU Roundtable on Carbon Sequestration
• Read about the recent ISU Roundtable on Organic Solar Cells