Cal State L.A. garners top ranking in a peer review report for its Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Education project
Los Angeles, CA – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Education (HFCE) project at Cal State L.A. was ranked no. 1 among 13 educational programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), according to DOE’s recently published 2010 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Report (page 4 of 40).
CSULA’s HFCE project, which received a 3.6 overall score, is coordinated through the University’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology. The project was evaluated at the DOE 2010 Hydrogen Program and Vehicle Technologies Program joint peer review meeting in Washington, D.C.
Technology Professor David Blekhman (South Pasadena resident), the principal investigator of the DOE-funded project at CSULA, said, “I would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the project. I also would like to recognize the genuine support from CSULA’s College, Department of Technology and Center for Energy and Sustainability in this endeavor.”
CSULA is one of only five universities selected by the DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Education Subprogram focused on fuel cell curriculum development. A Sustainable Hydrogen Facility—which will further the research and educational objectives of the HFCE project —is currently under construction on the CSULA campus and is slated for completion in spring 2011.
Working toward implementing a comprehensive set of curriculum development and training activities, CSULA’s HFCE project also aims to:
- develop and offer courses in fuel cell technologies, hydrogen and alternative fuels production, alternative and renewable energy technologies as a means of zero-carbon emissions economy and sustainable environment;
- establish a zero-emissions proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and hydrogen laboratory supporting curriculum and graduate students’ teaching and research experiences;
- provide engaging capstone projects for multi-disciplinary teams of senior undergraduate students;
- and foster partnerships with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), energy providers, community colleges, government agencies and other stakeholder.
Additionally, the CSULA HFCE project is featured in DOE’s recently published 2010 Annual Progress Report (X.3), which summarizes the innovative work of scientists and engineers from industry, academia, and national laboratories supported by the DOE Hydrogen Program.
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