With a generous donation of $40,000 from ConocoPhillips, the Energy Institute recently awarded eight fellowships to recognize the need for energy research and to support outstanding graduate students. Over 40 applicants were nominated by faculty members from 16 different departments. With a diverse pool of applicants and many outstanding entries, we are pleased to announce the inaugural class of Energy Institute Fellows:

• Hyun Soo Kim, "A High-Throughput Microfluidic Microalgae Screening Platform to Investigate Biofuel Production," Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; nominated by Dr. Arum Han;
• Christopher Lyons, "Understanding Plant Associated Microorganisms - Viral Infections of Bioenergy-Related Model Grasses," Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology; nominated by Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof;
• Norimichi Nanami, "Assessment of a Multi-section Modular Composite Wind Turbine Blade," Department of Mechanical Engineering; nominated by Dr. Ozden Ochoa;
• Vanita Negandhi, "Implementation and Optimization Strategies for High-Performance HVAC Systems in Commercial Buildings in Hot and Humid Climates," Department of Architecture; nominated by Dr. Charles Culp;
• Brian Owens, "Aeroelastic Modeling of Large Offshore Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines," Department of Aerospace Engineering; nominated by Dr. John Hurtado;
• Xiong Pu, "High Energy Density and High Power Density Materials for Next-Generation Li-ion Batteries," Department of Materials Science Engineering; nominated by Dr. Choongho Yu;
• Tony Rocha-Valadez, "Sustained Casing Pressure Modeling and Well Integrity," Department of Chemical Engineering; nominated by Dr. Sam Mannan; and
• Julian Sculley, "High-Throughput Analysis Model that Predicts Energy Requirements of Mixed Gas Separations," Department of Chemistry; nominated by Dr. Hong-Cai (Joe) Zhou.

This conference, hosted by the Texas A&M Energy Institute and the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), will highlight many of the cutting-edge research programs at Texas A&M University that explore the challenges and opportunities of conventional and emerging energy technologies that rely on the use and reuse of water. Student research will also be showcased during a reception where students will exhibit posters and answer questions about their current energy projects.

WHEN:     October 3-4, 2012

WHERE:    Hilton College Station & Conference Center

With participants from state agencies, multiple departments and other Texas A&M University System components, this conference will be of interest to faculty, students, community leaders, economic development professionals, and industry stakeholders throughout Texas.

Online registration is available at http://growingtexas.tamu.edu/. Early-bird registration is $95.00 until September 21. After September 21, registration is $125.00. Registration includes continental breakfast both days, lunch and a reception.

Registration is free of charge to TAMU (College Station) faculty, staff and students but everyone must register to attend. There is no charge for non-TAMU students to attend.

For more information, visit our web site at energy.tamu.edu. 

With funding from the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), the Texas A&M Clean Energy Incubator is poised to offer global entrepreneurs a best-in-class environment for the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies.

The Texas A&M Clean Energy Incubator (TAMCEI) will be established in College Station. As a hub-and-spoke incubator, TAMCEI will function as a catalyst for industrial innovation by fast-tracking agile and talented entrepreneurs who can leverage Texas A&M's internationally renowned resources to advance their competitiveness and success within the global marketplace. Led by the Texas A&M Energy Institute and through a suite of business services managed in conjunction with The Research Valley Partnership, a public-private non-profit economic development corporation, TAMCEI is committed to bringing together a substantial network of clean energy scholars, university research labs, worldwide test bed facilities, as well as strategic partnering energy corporations, investors, international clean energy mentors, and bottom-line focused consultants to support top-flight clean energy companies as they go to market.

Read more about the TAMCEI. 

Aggies have stepped up to endow a department head chair at Texas A&M University.

The chair honors the service of an outstanding leader in petroleum engineering, Dr. Stephen A. Holditch, who recently stepped down as head of the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering after eight years of leading and developing Texas A&M petroleum engineering into one of the top programs in the nation.

The Dr. Stephen A. Holditch '69 Department Head Chair in Petroleum Engineering, funded through the Texas A&M Foundation, is being created to recruit and retain his replacement and provide funding for key faculty. Holditch will remain a part of the faculty and is currently director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute.

Many Aggie petroleum engineering former students have come forth to kick off the funding for this chair. The goal for this chair is $5 million and funding efforts are ongoing.

To read more, click here.

An article by Dr. Stephen A. Holditch was recently featured in the August 2012 issue of Chemical Engineering Progress, a publication of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

The article, entitled "Getting the Gas Out of the Ground," discusses how technologies developed in the oil and gas industry over the past 60+ years are now being used to produce shale gas.  

Read the complete article here.

You keep hearing about all of the energy research going on around Texas A&M University but do you know who is doing the research? That information, and more, can be found on the Energy Institute's web site at our new web address energy.tamu.edu.

Currently, there are nearly 150 faculty researchers listed by research area - Bioenergy, Electric Power, Energy Efficiency, Geothermal, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Solar and Wind. Clicking on the desired research area will take you to a page specific to that area. Once there, click on the "Faculty Expertise" tab which will direct you to a listing of all of the faculty members doing research in that area and their areas of expertise.

If you are involved in energy research at Texas A&M University and are not listed on the EI web site but would like to be, please contact Robyn Pearson at rlpearson@tamu.edu or 979-458-1685.