The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is helping to overcome a growing national problem of a diminishing number of new energy experts by engaging faculty and students through its Office of Research and Development, with a focus on coal and power system research.

While energy is the cornerstone of the nation's economy, recent collegiate trends have shown a decreasing interest in science and engineering, more specifically in the energy and energy-related environmental arenas. NETL's Office of Research and Development (ORD) has entered into more than 100 University-supported projects since 2005, where university and NETL researchers work side-by-side for the duration of each project. Unlike other programs where “visiting” students spend a week or month conducting research in a government or private laboratory, this effort establishes relationships between university and NETL researchers who work on projects ranging from materials development to modeling, sensors and controls, process simulations, fuel cells, gas hydrates, and measurement, mitigation & verification. All research for these projects is being conducted at NETL laboratories in Albany, Morgantown, and Pittsburgh.

These research efforts support the overall mission of NETL to assure that U.S. fossil energy resources can meet the increasing demand for affordable energy without compromising the quality of life for future generations of Americans. Building closer ties with universities strengthens NETL research efforts on energy and energy-related environmental systems development, while helping to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers who will be helping to overcome the challenges of environmental impact, supply, and reliability so often associated with fossil fuel use. Through theseprojetcs, NETL hopes to tap student talent for medicine, computers, and roboticsand apply that talent in the energy arena. A goal of these projects is to allow students the opportunity to experience in non-academic settings.

For more information on the University Collaboration projects, contact: Nancy Andres.