Purdue experts can discuss State of the Union energy proposals

January 31, 2006

Purdue experts can discuss State of the Union energy proposals

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University experts can talk about the research and potential use of alternative fuels in conjunction with President George W. Bush's State of the Union address to be given at 9 p.m. (EST) today (Jan. 31).

As part of his speech, Bush is expected to talk about renewed efforts to make the United States independent of foreign oil through increased reliance on nuclear energy, bio-energy, clean coal, solar energy and other alternate fuels.

Research at Purdue's new Energy Center in Discovery Park is helping lead research on new and more efficient fuels.

For example, Purdue Energy Center researchers are studying how to utilize hydrogen to increase the efficiency of solar cells such as those used in exterior lighting fixtures and calculators. Also, the U.S. Department of Energy has budgeted an $85 million grant to be shared among Purdue's Center for Coal Technology Research and similar centers in Illinois and Kentucky will help researchers study how to develop cleaner coal.

Another example is Purdue's Laboratory for Renewable Resource Engineering that is turning agricultural waste into transportation fuels. In addition, research at the laboratory includes the transformation of biomass, ethanol and soy-diesel into a source of hydrogen.

Experts who are available to talk about energy research include:

Jay Gore, interim director of the Energy Center and Vincent P. Reilly Professor in Mechanical Engineering, can talk about energy research in general. His office number is (765) 494-1452, his cell phone number is (765) 427-1500, and his home number is (765) 463-7411; gore@purdue.edu.

Rusi Taleyarkhan, Arden L. Bement Jr. Professor of Nuclear Engineering, can talk about nuclear energy. His office number is (765) 420-7537, and home number is (765) 447-8851; rusi@purdue.edu.

Michael Ladisch, distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering, can talk about bio-energies such as ethanol and bio-diesel. His office number is (765) 494-7022, and his home number is (765) 743-8332; ladisch@purdue.edu.

Purdue's Energy Center was established in 2005 with seed money from Lilly Endowment. The center focuses on the development of economical and environmentally sound energy sources and to help change policies and perceptions about the way we use energy. The center was one of four new centers Purdue created at its Discovery Park. The other centers study cancer, cyber infrastructure and the environment. Discovery Park is the university's hub of interdisciplinary research and enterprise that was originally funded through a $51 million grant from Lilly Endowment.

Writer: Cynthia Sequin, (765) 494-4192, csequin@purdue.edu

Phillip Fiorini, (765) 496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

URL addresses to past announcements about energy research at Purdue:
Purdue University announces new Energy Center

Purdue agricultural and biological engineering tops in nation

Lab helps companies find cost-effective environmental solutions

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