October 28, 2004
'Engineer of the Century' to speak at Purdue energy conference
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – An inventor widely regarded as one of the top engineers of the 20th century will speak on Nov. 11 as part of an energy conference at Purdue University.
Keynote speaker Paul MacCready, world-renowned inventor of human-powered planes and solar-powered planes and cars, will give the keynote speech at the colloquium Indiana's Energy Technology Sizzle! at 2:45 p.m. in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. The speech, which also is Purdue's sixth annual William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture, is free and open to the public.
The conference aims to bring together scientists, researchers, state and federal energy experts, industrialists and Indiana research park directors. The goal of the one-day conference is to determine Indiana's current energy assets, future needs and how state energy policy can encourage high-tech energy research and commercialization. Registration for the event, which costs $80, is available by calling (317) 549-4134 or online.
Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will welcome attendees at 8:30 a.m. in the Stewart Center, room 218. Subsequent sessions and discussion will cover 21st century cars, ships, planes and power distribution systems. There also are track sessions on power issues in transportation or power issues and opportunities in the military and tracks on power issues and opportunities with the grid or manufacturing needs for advanced energy technologies of the future. The conference will end at 4 p.m.
The attendees will consider public policy initiatives on energy issues and partnership building. Electricore, the Indianapolis-based organization that facilitates collaboration among industry and universities for design, demonstration and deployment of advanced technologies and related activities in private public partnerships, is co-sponsoring the conference with the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Purdue and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
MacCready, who received his bachelor's degree in physics and his doctorate in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology, became internationally known in 1977 as the "father of human-powered flight" when his Gossamer Condor made the first sustained, controlled flight by a heavier-than-air craft powered solely by its pilot's muscles. He also invented a totally solar-powered airplane and a solar-powered car that accelerated from zero to 60 mph in eight seconds.
The recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, MacCready was awarded the Engineer of the Century gold medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1980. In 1991 he was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame.
Graham Toft, senior fellow and director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Economic Competitiveness, said the conference goal is to ask the big questions about the state's energy future related to capacity needs and economic development.
"How can we mobilize Indiana's existing strengths in next-generation energy technologies to the advantage of both existing and new companies' growth and state economic growth?" Toft asked in the announcement of the conference. "We already possess a competitive advantage in power management systems, advanced electric motors, hybrid buses and trucks, clean diesel engines and other energy technologies.
"Where do we go next? How do we double our efforts in joint ventures in research and development, innovation and commercialization? How do we contribute to making the distribution grid more efficient and safer?"
Writer: Mike Lillich, (765) 494-2077, mlillich@purdue.edu
Source: John Schneider, Purdue assistant vice president for industry research, (765) 494-5532, jas@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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