Purdue creates grad program in up-and-coming field

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue plans the launch of a new graduate engineering certificate program in hybrid vehicles.

It’s a specialty that’s expected to increase in demand as hybrids become more and more common on the roads.

"This program is a great example of integrating research and education," said Leah H. Jamieson, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering and Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "The program gives students technical depth and also breadth, and is responsive to industry needs."

The new program is overseen by the School of Mechanical Engineering, but it’s really open to any engineering graduate student.

"We expect the program to grow and become permanent at Purdue," said Gregory Shaver, an associate professor of mechanical engineering. "After the program ramps up, we hope to issue 10 certificates per year and to have 30 students enrolled at any given time."

Students in the program would be required to take at least one course in each of three areas.

The first area is architecture: the integrated layout of the powertrain, which consists of the engine, motor, generator, transmission and other components.

The second is energy storage and controls, with courses focusing on batteries or the design of algorithms needed to control the system.

And the last is the “prime movers” area. This refers to the design of engines, electric motors and generators, hydraulic motors and pumps, and systems that capture braking energy with flywheels.

The systems use electric motors as generators while the vehicle is braking, which produces power to recharge the battery.

The Hybrid Vehicle Systems Certificate program was developed through the Hoosier Heavy Hybrid Center of Excellence (H3CoE), which was formed last year and funded with a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Graduate Automotive Technology Education initiative.

The center will hold a hybrid vehicles workshop at Purdue on Sept. 12.

At the workshop industry and academia experts will discuss the newest technologies and challenges for hybrid trucks and cars.

More information about the workshop is available by contacting Pankaj Sharma , managing director of the Energy Center, at 765-496-7452.

The workshop will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, Room 121, at the University's Discovery Park.

Registration is free but limited to students and faculty members who are working in, or interested in areas related to medium and heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

Seating is limited, and prior registration is needed by Sept. 11 before 9 a.m.

Head to Purdue’s site to get registered.

Registered students will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from companies.

A luncheon will include a presentation about future center activities, including industry co-funded projects.

The Purdue center is one of seven "centers of excellence" at U.S. colleges, universities and research institutions formed through $6.4 million in DOE funding over the next five years.