http://www.caer.uky.eduThe CAER investigates energy technologies to improve the environment; contributes to technically sound policies related to coal, energy and the environment.en-usUK CAERalice@caer.uky.eduFeedSpring - http://feedspring.com/Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:07 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000335.htmlRead the September - October 2009 Real Time Report to find out about the latest about CAER's outreach efforts: - University of Kentucky Renewable Fuels Laboratory is now open for business. - CAER Highlights include information about CAER Researchers and Staff. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:46:04 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000334.htmlCAER chemist Tonya Morgan organized a technical seminar taught by Agilent Technologies experts on gas chromatography. In addition to the center’s chemists, the training session was attended by faculty from UK’s Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department and a faculty member and chemistry students from nearby Georgetown College. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:43:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000333.htmlThe fall meetng of the CAER's advisory board was held November 11-12th at the UK Faculty Club. The board was honored with the presence of UK President, Dr. Lee Todd who gave an overall perspective of energy research and funding at the university. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:43:02 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000332.htmlThe Kentucky Coal and Mining Trade Mission, led by the Kentucky World Trade Center, recently returned from a successful 10-day trip to South Africa. During the visit, the delegation met with representatives of the Chemical Engineering Department, University of Cape Town; US Department of Commerce (Johannesburg); the South Africa Department of Mineral and Energy and the South Africa Trade and Investment Department (Pretoria); and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Johannesburg).Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:38:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000331.htmlCAER has partnered with Russell Cave Elementary for seven years now. This year's activities include CAER researcher Bob Rathbone teaching a lesson on watershed pollution with Russ Turpin, who is an Extension Associate with UK College of Agriculture. At a field trip to a nearby 4H Camp, they taught the students about watersheds, the different types of pollution impacting the watersheds, and how to reduce the amount of pollution going into them.Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:50:50 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000330.htmlA forum on the negatives and positives of coal in Kentucky was held by the University of Kentucky on November 5th. Keynote speakers represented both sides of the debate. CAER Director Rodney Andrews spoke on coal research in the state.Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:57:14 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000329.htmlThe University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research has published another podcast for individuals interested in energy issues. It explored the topic of Ettringite Revisted by Dr. Fred Glasser from the University of Aberdeen located in Old Aberdeen, Scotland UK. <guid>http://www.caer.uky.edu/podcast/caerpodcasts.shtml#podcast18</guid>http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000328.htmlA group of K-12 teachers ended a two day energy education tour by learning about cutting edge energy research at the CAER. For the second consequetive year, Bluegrass PRIDE, a nonprofit environmental education organization, led teachers on a tour of coal towns, mines, and utilities, finishing the program at the CAER.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:24:50 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000327.htmlWASHINGTON DC.— Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) and Congressman Geoff Davis (KY-04) today announced that a $2 million grant will be awarded to the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (UK-CAER) for the development of coal-to-liquids technology that would reduce dependence on foreign oil and open new markets for Kentucky’s coal mining economy. The funding comes from Congressional appropriations that Reps. Rogers and Davis secured in the FY10 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by the President today. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:57:08 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000326.htmlFifteen UK sophomores in business and engineering toured the CAER recently. They are part of a special Scholars in Engineering And Management (SEAM) program provides an opportunity for engineering and business majors to come together. The course, taught by Dr. Bruce Walcott, Associate Dean, College of Engineering, presents the information from both an engineering and business perspective in various sectors (transportation, consumer electronics, biotechnology, and energy). They wanted to see the research occurring at CAER as well as discuss business opportunities for this research.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:17:29 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000325.htmlThe annual review meeting of the Carbon Management Research Group (CMRG) took place on October 27th. The group is made of up a government/university/industry consortium, which anticipates carrying out a $24M ten-year research and development program. Funding comes from utilities (Duke Energy, E.ON, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Kentucky Power Cooperative), along with EPRI, the industry's national research arm, and the Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence. The purpose of this meeting was to update the parties involved on research progress toward the goal of CO2 reduction. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:17:03 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000324.htmlContinuing last spring's inititial endeavor to incorporate ash into their furniture, UK College of Design students, and teacher Rives Rash, met with researchers from CAER's Environmental and Coal Technologies group on October 27th to learn about the properties of ash and how to use it successfully in furniture.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:16:37 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000323.htmlA delegation from seven European countries visited the CAER on October 26th. The World Affairs Council is hosting the delegates. The individuals were journalists from: Italy, Armenia, Slovenia, Ireland, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. The delegates were accompanied by the US Department of State English Language Officer and a representative from the World Affairs Council of Kentucky/Southern Indiana. They were specifically interested in the power generation and coal combustion by-products research.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:16:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000322.htmlThe first article of the new Coal Combustion and Gasification Products journal is on-line at: http://www.coalcgp-journal.org/ It is a unique peer-reviewed journal designed specifically to communicate coal ash research and emerging new technologies. CCGP is a joint venture between the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER) and the American Coal Ash Association (ACAA). The organizations' primary goal is to bring together research that currently is published in disparate sources. This premiere article is entitled "Optical Properties of Coal Combustion Byproducts for Particle-Size Analysis by Laser Diffraction" and is authored by Robert B. Jewell, Robert F. Rathbone, University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Jim Hower is the Editor-in-chief. Alice Markberry assists with the journal. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:28:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000321.htmlTotal funding of $2.5 million has been received from the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Program for a project entitled Development of Optimal Catalyst Designs and Operating Strategies for Lean NOx Reduction in Coupled LNT-SCR Systems. The project is a collaboration between the University of Houston, University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, Ford Motor Company, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and BASF, and involves the research and development of coupled NOx storage-reduction and selective catalytic reduction that enables efficient conversion of NOx under the lean conditions typical of a diesel or lean burn gasoline vehicle. The project goal is to identify the mechanisms responsible for the synergy of coupled lean NOx trap (LNT) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts, and to use this knowledge to design optimized LNT-SCR systems in terms of catalyst architecture and operating strategies. Dr. Michael Harold of the University of Houston will serve as the project PI, while Dr. Mark Crocker (co-PI) will direct research activities at UK, whose portion of the grant is around $850K. The work will begin around November 1st. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:45:12 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000320.htmlIn addition to exhibiting at the 2009 Kentucky Governor's Conference on the Environment, CAER made funding possible for three UK students to attend. Director Rodney Andrews participated in panel discussions on "New Directions and Opportunities for Energy and the Environment" and "Fossil Energy, Coal to Liquid, and Coal to Gas." Associate Director for Biofuels, Mark Crocker participated in a technical session on "Carbon Management." Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:46:03 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000319.htmlJack Groppo has won the 2009 Stefanko Best Paper Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) for a paper titled, "Recovery and Utilization of Bottom Ash Magnetics for Coal Cleaning Medium." The award will be presented at the Coal & Energy Division Luncheon of the SME Annual Meeting in Arizona next March. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:45:24 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000318.htmlBig Blue Went Green and came to the CAER. As part of the university's push to make students, staff and faculty aware of the greening of UK, the university is in the middle of a two-week series of lectures, tours, and online educational events with the goal of advertising its entities' sustainability initiatives. At the CAER, the group toured the algae green house, the emissions control lab, briquetted fuels lab, electrochemistry lab and the coal combustion by-products/low-energy cements area. KGS representatives also explained their work on carbon sequestration.Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:32:08 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000316.htmlJim Hower has co-authored a USGS publication on coal fires. It is titled, Emissions from Coal Fires and Their Impact on the Environment, and can be viewed at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3084/. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:13:51 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000315.htmlAbout a decade ago, a young undergraduate worked for Darrell Taulbee here at CAER. After graduation, the student worked his way up in a German Co. which owns a plant in Paducah, KY. Keeping in touch with his mentor all these years led Josh to call Darrell and inquire about civil engineering graduate programs at UK. Now, Josh has returned to work on his Ph.D. in civil engineering, while working with Tom Robl in the ECT group, and pursuing his MBA. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:11:27 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000314.htmlNew September/October 2009 Energeia Newsletter now published, including: - Reclamation of Abandoned Surface Coal Mined Lands Using Flue Gas Desulfurization Products - Renewable Energy Event Hosted by CAER - Henderson Algae Symposium - Commentary - Crafting Kentucky's Energy PolicyWed, 16 Sep 2009 18:02:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000313.htmlThe 33rd Governor's Conference on the Environment Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2009 Lexington Convention Center This year's conference focuses on Kentucky's energy challenges and opportunities, and how we can meet our future energy needs in an environmentally sound manner. Topics that will be discussed at the conference include: • How do we achieve energy security in a carbon-constrained world? • How do we develop our biomass resources? • What opportunities do we have to increase our renewable energy portfolio? • How can smart grid technologies help us achieve our energy efficiency objectives? • How are actions at the federal level going to affect Kentucky's energy landscape? Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:02:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000312.htmlThe UK algae research program involving CAER and the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering has a new, prominent web page. To learn more about it, go to: http://www.caer.uky.edu/greenhouse/home.shtml Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:54:56 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000310.htmlThe University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research has published another podcast for individuals interested in energy issues. It explored the topics of Role of renewable resources in chemistry with special focus on polymer systems for binders by Dr. Manfred Selig from the Wacker Chemical Corporation located in Adrian, MI. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:26:46 GMTPodcast from the University of Kentucky's CAERhttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000309.htmlNew July/August 2009 Energeia Newsletter now published, including: - Sustainable Energy and Carbon Recycling through Microalgal Engineering - World of Coal Ash 2009 - University of Kentucky Biofuels Laboratory - Commentary - Cap and Bill Trade Gets Us Nowhere by Tom RoblWed, 26 Aug 2009 17:39:01 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000308.htmlThe National Science Foundation has awarded several UK entities $1,984,322 through its EFRI (Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation) program. Project investigators include: Rodney Andrews, Mark Crocker, Samuel Morton (CAER), Mark Meier (Chemistry), Seth DeBolt (Horticulture), and Mike Montross (Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering).Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:38:36 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000307.htmlUK's Center for Applied Energy Research held the first Ohio Rvier Valley Algae Symposium in Henderson, Kentucky August 12-13th. The symposium was co-organized with Ohio Unversity and sponsored by: the Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence; Henderson Chamber of Commerce; Henderson Fiscal Court. The day and a half symposium was attended about around 150 with 22 speakers from the algae industry, government, and academia.Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:37:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000306.htmlLea Masson is a graduate student intern from France, who will be working at the lab for about two weeks with the Biofuels Research Group. She is earning her Master's degree from ENSAIA University in France. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:37:25 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000305.htmlCAER senior researcher BK Parekh has been appointed by the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (SME) to the Strategic Nominating Committee. In that capacity, he will help oversee nominations of qualified profesionals to various committees. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:45:32 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000304.htmlMr. Doug Keaton, whose creative and innovative style of teaching energy at the Russell Area Technology Center have gained the notice of CAER, will be here for three weeks. He plans to observe laboratory techniques for classroom adaptation and help us in technical projects. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:45:07 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000303.htmlMIT undergraduate Lindsay Wilhelmus was coming home to Kentucky for the summer and was looking for a job. Her mother had read articles about the work of Dr. Steve Lipka's group at CAER. Because her daughter Lindsay is a chemical engineering major, she told her about Lipka's electrochemical energy storage work. Lindsay contacted Lipka and is now working in the group for the summer. Welcome home. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:08:34 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000302.htmlNew May/June 2009 Energeia Newsletter now published, including: - Adoption of the North Carolina Renewable Portfolio Standard - A Model for Kentucky? - Institute for Briquetting and Agglomeration Meeting - Spring News - CAER Events - Commentary: Washington Should Turn Off Its Air Conditioning by Don Surber Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:32:34 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000301.htmlThe CAER research proposal focuses on Gas-To-Liquids (GTL) technology, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is at the heart of this process. The proposal involves understanding how promoters on cobalt-alumina catalysts influence the kinetic parameters and product distributions. UK-CAER will carry out the preparation, characterization, and testing of promoted catalysts and Texas A&M Qatar will carry out computer modeling in order to gain insight into the kinetics and reaction mechanism. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:11:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000300.htmlThe fourth grade class of Russell Cave Elementary toured the CAER on June 2nd. The lab has shared a seven year partnership with the school. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:11:12 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000299.htmlBurt Davis's Clean Fuels and Chemicals researchers -- and co-authors -- have been recognized by the publishing company, Elsevier, as part of the top 50 highly cited authors for 2004-2008. Of that upper echelon, the CFC group contributed two papers. There will be a reception in their honor sponsored by Elsevier during the 21st North American Catalysis Society Meeting in San Francisco this June. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:10:42 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000298.htmlCAER researcher Jim Neathery, carbon management expert, was interviewed by UK President Lee Todd on reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. Emissions reductions could be critical to the future of Kentucky's power industry. The CAER recently formed an industry consortium with E.ON US, American Electric Power, KY Power CO., East Kentucky Power Coop, the Electric Power Research Institute, Duke Energy, the Kentucky Dept. of Energy, and CAER. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:10:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000297.htmlLongtime CAER catalysis expert, Burt Davis, spent the spring in Oregon researching his former mentor, and well-known scientist Dr. Paul Emmett (the "E" in the "BET" equation)Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:09:52 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000296.htmlThe CAER Advisory Board met in April. Members include: (from left) Paul Thompson (E.ON), Jim Cobb (KGS), Sara Smith (Smith Management Group), Rodney Andrews (CAER), Robert Wombles (Koppers Industries, Inc.), David Drake (retired, EKPC), Joe Craft (Alliance Resource Partners, L.P.), John Wright (Owensboro Grain Co.), John Larsen (The Energy Institute), and Robert Addington (EnviRes LLC). Not shown: Rocky Adkins (State Representative), David Boswell (State Senator), Frank Burke (Consol Energy, Inc.), Bill Caylor (Kentucky Coal Association), David Gray (Noblis), Rick Honaker (UK Dept. of Mining Engineering), Len Peters (Kentucky Secretary of Energy & Environment), William Sturgill (East KY Investment Co.) Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:09:22 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000295.htmlThe Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Louisville (U of L) are partnering with Argonne National Laboratory to establish a national Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center to help develop and deploy a domestic supply of advanced battery technologies for vehicle applications that will aid in securing U.S. energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help strengthen the economy. “Advanced batteries will play a significant role in the future energy and economic security of the United States,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “At this time, nearly all large-scale advanced battery production is in Asia, with the United States having only limited manufacturing capabilities. To address this situation, the United States must quickly develop improved advanced battery technologies and significantly ramp up domestic production capabilities in order to become the hands-down global leader of these technologies.” Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:08:53 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000294.htmlCAER carbon researcher David Jacques and director Rodney Andrews were awarded a patent on March 17th. It is titled "Continuous Production of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes." Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:08:27 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000293.htmlSteve Lipka's alternative energy research is featured in the Winter 2009 issue of Odyssey Magazine. http://www.research.uky.edu/odyssey/winter09/contents.html Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:07:56 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000292.htmlCAER researcher Kevin R. Henke recently had a book published by respected scientific book publisher, Wiley Publishing. Wiley's scientific publishing serves the world's research and scholarly communities, and is the largest publisher for professional and scholarly societies. Kevin's book is titled, "Arsenic -- Environmental Chemistry, Health Threats and Waste Treatment." He edited, authored, or co-authored most of the book's chapters. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:04:30 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000291.htmlThe first meeting the new CAER-led consortium CMRG (Carbon Management Research Group) was held on February 19th. This is a first of its kind academic-industrial collaborative aimed at the pilot and demonstration scale research of carbon management in Kentucky. The longterm goal of this venture is to develop cost effective technologies for scrubbing CO2 from fossil fuel power plants. The participants included representatives from: E.ON US, AEP, KY Power CO., EKPC EPRI, Duke Energy, Ky. Dept. of Energy, and CAER.Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:04:06 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000290.htmlMichael H. Wilson, who received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, has joined the Biofuels Group and will be working for Mark Crocker.Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:03:43 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000289.htmlDr. Khalid Azzam is a postdoctoral scholar from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. He will be working for Dr. Burt Davis on catalysis research through 2011. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:03:21 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000288.htmlFor the next year, the Environmental and Coal Technologies Group will host Yongmin Zhou from Nanjing University of Technology in China. His research area is in materials science and engineering.Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:02:53 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000287.htmlA CAER researcher recently received the The Robert Stefanko Best Paper Award at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration meeting in Denver, CO on February 24th. Datta Patil authored the paper with Kelvin Kiang, Maiming Fan and Daniel Tao.It was entitled “An innovative rotary triboelectrostatic separator for fly ash purification” and was presented in the Coal and Energy Division. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:02:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000286.htmlLEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2009) – University of Kentucky researchers have found that fuels engineered from biomass and coal fines can be burned to produce energy and fewer emissions without requiring modifications to conventional coal-fired stoker furnaces. The researchers, led by Darrell Taulbee at UK’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), developed briquettes of biomass and coal fines – small coal particles that often are discarded as waste. The biomass consisted of sawdust, processed sorghum and weeds taken from reclaimed surface mines and fallow fields in eastern Kentucky. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:34:31 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000285.htmlThe Mapping of Mammoth Cave by Roger Brucker is part of the 2009 haney Lecture series at the University of Kentucky.Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:49:04 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000284.htmlMeriadeg Revaud and Delphine Franchi of the ESIREM Materials Engineering Program in Dijon, France arrived in Kentucky for a several month research program. CAER has hosted students from ESIREM every year since 1999. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:48:10 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000282.htmlNew January/February 2009 Energeia Newsletter now published, including: - Performance and Risks of Advanced Pulverized-Coal Plants by Hermine Nalbandian - Recent Biomass Test Burn Proves Successful - News Release - World of Coal Ash 2009 Conference - News Release - West Liberty Open House - Commentary - Who should I Believe? by Marybeth McAlister - News Release - Energeia Logo Receives Facelift Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:47:41 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000281.htmlUK CAER and the American Coal Ash Association announce the creation of the journal, Coal Combustion and Gasification Products. This is a unique, peer-reviewed journal to communicate coal ash research and emerging new technologies. The organizations’ primary goal is to bring together research that currently is published in various publications. For more information on the journal, contact the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. James Hower (hower@caer.uky.edu) or go the the journal's web site. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:47:17 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000279.htmlThe February issue of Kentucky Living describes the work that Steve Lipka and his group are doing in electrochemistry storage.Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:46:50 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000278.htmlMembers of Alliance Resources Partners Mr. Craft and Mr. Brock) listen to Director, Andrews during a tour of the facility. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:46:24 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000277.htmlA new class called Energy Systems (CME599) will be taught in UK's Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering this spring by Drs. Rodney Andrews, Jim Neathery, and Jack Groppo. Among the topics included are: clean coal technologies, electricity transmission and distribution, natural gas generation, nuclear generation, renewable generation, carbon capture and sequestration, as well as economic considerations. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:45:51 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000276.htmlCAER Director, Rodney Andrews participated in a call-in show at Louisville's WFPL public radio station. He was joined by Tom Fitzgerald (Kentucky Resources Council), Bill Caylor (Kentucky Coal Association), and Paul Thompson (E.ON). The program's purpose was to explain what exactly is considered clean coal technology. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:22:52 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000275.htmlWind, solar, biofuels and fossil fuels were on the agenda for the CAER's annual energy fair January 21st. Fourth-grade students from Breckinridge, Millcreek and Harrison elementary schools were treated to stage demonstrations and informal hands-on science learning at the individual exhibits. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:22:06 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000273.htmlThe University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research has published another podcast for individuals interested in energy issues. It explored the topics of Experimental testing system for fiber reinforced polymer(FRP) strengthened concrete panels under uniform pressure loads by Dr. Jeffrey Helm from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Lafayette College located in Easton, PA. This talk covered the basis of three-dimensional digital image correlation for the measurement of surface displacement and strain, the development of the slab test system and preliminary results from the experimental studies. http://www.caer.uky.edu/http://www.caer.uky.edu/Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:37:42 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000272.htmlSustainability, What? Brown Bag Lunch Series at the University of KentuckyFri, 16 Jan 2009 23:36:20 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000271.htmlMore new students have entered our doors. Tyler Flynn is an EBCE high school student from Tates Creek High School who will be with us for five weeks. He is working in Mark Crocker's group on biofuels. Here for a longer stay is David Cajka, a civil engineering graduate student sent to us from Dr. Mauboub. David will be working in the ECT group with Bob Rathbone. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:35:43 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000270.htmlCAER senior researcher BK Parekh has been named to the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center Board of Directors. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:35:18 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000269.htmlMembers of the CRN (Cooperative Research Network) visited the Center on January 7th. They represent the research arm of the trade association of the rural electric cooperatives. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:34:56 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000268.htmlA new undergraduate student (Caio) from the Universidade Federal do Parana in Brazil will be working in the Biofuels Group until July. A familiar French student has returned to work on her doctorate in materials engineering at UK. Tristana Duvallet was here with the most recent group of French exchange students in the longterm program with ESIREM in Dijon, France. She will again be working with the Environmental and Coal Technology Group. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:34:33 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000267.htmlTitle: An experimental testing system for fiber reinforced polymer(FRP) strengthened concrete panels under uniform pressure loads Speaker: Jeff Helm, Lafayette College, Easton, PA Date: Wednesday, January 14th, 10:00 am Ben Bandy Conference Room UK Center for Applied Energy Research Abstract: Though numerous experimental studies have been conducted on the use of externally-bonded glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers to externally strengthen reinforced concrete beams, columns, and joints, relatively little experimental work has been conducted on the external strengthening of two-way slabs in flexure. Two-way slab testing is necessary because the influence of complex stress fields and membrane action cannot be anticipated from the previous experimental work conducted on beams. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:47:01 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000266.htmlJim Hower has been named to the editorial advisory board of the Central European Journal of Geoscience. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:33:02 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000265.htmlhttp://www.caer.uky.edu/energeia/PDF/vol19_6.pdf Go to the link above to see the newest online issue of Energeia. It features an article on hydrogen, as well as multiple CAER staff authors describing their energy road trip. As a bonus, the director's editorial includes allusions to the Indiana Jones franchise. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:32:37 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000264.htmlA new patent has been awarded to Mahendra Kumar Sunkara and Shashank Sharma (University of Louisville); and Burt Davis and Uschi Graham (UK Center for Applied Energy Research). The patent is titled "Formation of Metal Oxide Nanowire Netowrks (Nanowebs) of Low-Melting Metals." It was awarded November 4th, 2008. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:55:41 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000263.htmlThe CAER's eastern Kentucky office held its first Open House on December 9th to introduce the lab's program managers, their research, and industrial support to those who might utilize these services. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:55:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000262.htmlThe UK CAER began its 7th year partnering with Russel Cave Elementary School by doing a cool fossil experiment taught by Bob Rathbone and others.Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:54:47 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000261.htmlAlexander Kroumov has joined the Biofuels and Environmental Catalysis Research Group as an Engineer. He is originally from Bulgaria and earned his Ph.D from the Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:53:35 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000260.htmlAutomobile Lean-Burn Emissions and Fuel Economy Speaker: Bob McCabe Ford Research and Advanced Engineering Increasing awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and the need for both fuel conservation and sustainability has triggered accelerated research within the automobile industry toward the development of vehicles with higher fuel economy. At the same time, regulatory agencies worldwide are continuing to push for lower and lower vehicle emissions of regulated exhaust pollutants (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter).Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:53:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000259.htmlThe Bluegrass Pride organization received a grant to educate area teachers on Kentucky energy issues. As part of that education, the group toured the CAER. It came at the end of their two-day trip to surface and underground mines and a visit to a power plant. The group heard a timely presentation on energy issues by Associate Director, Don Challman, followed by demonstrations from researchers. One teacher said, "The more I learn about energy, the more complicated it becomes. I see that the issues aren't as black and white as I thought." Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:52:27 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000258.htmlLEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2008) The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) is providing energy outreach to citizens in eastern Kentucky. The CAER recently opened an 'energy extension' office in West Liberty (Morgan County). The office is housed within Morehead State University's Regional Enterprise Center. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:25:06 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000257.htmlWang Jin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is our newest postdoctoral researcher. He is working for Mark Crocker in the Biofuels Environmental Catalysis Group, where he will be responsible for automotive catalysis.Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:16:40 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000256.htmlBoth CAER and the Kentucky Geological Survey send reprsentatives to Kentucky's Dept. for Energy Development and Independence to advise/consult on energy-related questions from the public and staff. The overall picture is to provide technical expertise and information to the energy policy makers. This is a serindipitous approach to providing ongoing dialogue between the university and the state. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:16:16 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000255.htmlThe University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and the Beijing Research Institute of Coal Chemistry have made a formal agreement to promote education and academic exchanges between the universities. The two organizations will: pursue joint research activities; collaborate on academic publications; host visiting scientists; and exchange graduate and undergraduate students to pursue their studies.Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:15:47 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000254.htmlYing Shu (graduate student) and Daniel Ampleford (undergraduate) presented their energy research before a group of state legislators recently to illustrate energy projects under investigation by students at the University of Kentucky. Daniel, a chemical engineering student, is in his second co-op semester with the CAER and is working on carbon capture in power plants. His talk was entitled "Post Combustion CO2 Capture Research."Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:15:18 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000253.htmlJim Hower has been named co-program chair for the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference (PCC). This is an umlimited term appointment. The CAER has a long history with this distinguished conference. The next conference will be September 21-24, 2009 at the Westin Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh.Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:14:45 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000252.htmlThe September 15, 2008 issue of C & E News includes an article titled "Improving Catalysts for Fuel Synthesis," which quotes CAER's Fischer-Tropsch expert Burt Davis. There is also a short side-bar on Cleaning up the coal-to-liquids process. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:14:08 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/director/director.shtml#dirvidWatch the video on the Director's Web Page.Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:11:43 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000251.htmlThe Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System recently received the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professional's Exemplary System Award for 2008, which was presented at the 2008 Kentucky Geographical Information Systems Conference held in Lexington. The CAER group has been headed by John Hiett for 30 years. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:08:14 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000250.htmlSarah Mardon successfully defended her MS in Earth & Environmental Sciences on September 23rd. Jim Hower, longtime CAER petrologist, was her advisor. She currently is employed as a geologist by the Kentucky Division of Water. She worked in the CAER's petrology group as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:07:47 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000249.htmlThe U.S. Dept. of Energy recently announced funding for Fischer-Tropsch research converting biomass-derived syngas, as well as syngas derived from coal and biomass mixtures. Davis and Jacobs will carry out experiments on water-gas-shift and fischer-tropsch processes, but also on the catalyst structure-function properties (DOE share: $1,135,746; UK share: $285,850). The duration is 36 months. In addition, they received a subcontract ($380,000) from TDA Research to study the effects of coal and biomass contaminants on the performance and life of WGS and FT catalysts. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:07:21 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000248.htmlProfessor June Zhang, from China's Southeast University, will be a visiting scientist at the CAER for one year. He teaches thermal engineering in the Department of Energy and Environment at his home university. While at the CAER, he will join researchers in the Power Generation and Utility Fuels Group. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:06:53 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000247.htmlHelena Varela-Rizo has just arrived at the Center from Spain. She is a chemical engineering graduate student from the University of Alicante. She will be working for Matt Weisenberger in the Carbon Materials Group until mid-December. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:06:26 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000246.htmlAlmost ten years ago, the CAER helped start the Lafayette High School Pre-engineering Program, as part of the educational outreach portion of a National Science Foundation grant. That beginning has come full circle as we recently agreed to provide a research opportunity in our electrochemistry group for the two young men pictured above. What makes this alliance even more serendipitous is that they were not aware of this history, and found us by researching our web site. They thought our work looked interesting. We are thrilled to participate in this prestigious program. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:05:55 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000245.htmlEighteen staff members spent three days in August touring important energy sites throughout Kentucky to learn more about the business of energy. The companies that graciously allowed the crew to tour were: Armstrong Coal's surface and underground mines (Centertown); Owensboro Grain's biodiesel plant (Owensboro); Century Aluminum's Smelter (Hawesville); Cemex Cement Plant (Kosmosdale); Lafarge's Wallboard Plant (Silver Grove); and EKPC's Spurlock/Gilbert Power Station (Maysville).Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:37:47 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000244.htmlCAER's mine mapping group made news not long ago in both the popular press and a trade journal for their online expertise. The Kentucky Mine Mapping Initiative was the front page story in the summer edition of GIS Mine Post. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:37:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000243.htmlCAER Program Manager, Mark Crocker, recently discussed biofuels with UK President Lee Todd on the radio program "UK Perspectives," which aired August 8th. Listen to the Segment's Podcast. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:36:53 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000242.htmlResearchers at the University of Kentucky have won a four-year, $2 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to study how nanoparticles enter the body. The grant will allow a team of researchers, led by the College of Pharmacy, to define the basic properties of nanoparticles and the effects of those properties in living organisms. The CAER's contribution to this project will consist of studying the effects of ceria nanoparticles using high resolution electron microscopy after the nanoparticles are administered systemically. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:53:42 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000241.htmlJohn Dunaway and Greg Copley were recently hired by the CAER to extend our reach to the Western and Eastern parts of the Commonwealth. John will be located in Henderson, while Greg maintains the West Liberty office. The goal of this new endeavor is to assist local governments and industry in the development of energy projects by introducing them to the capabilities of the Center as well as the University as a whole.Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:29:21 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000240.htmlOn August 15, Congressmen Hal Rogers and Geoff Davis announced more than $1.426 million in federal funding to support research at the CAER to advance ongoing research into the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) method of converting coal into liquid fuels by allowing the center to build a mini-refinery.Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:28:43 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000239.htmlThe Center's first Biomass to Biofuels Short Course was held August 14-15th with great feedback. Nearly 90 participants attended from industry, government, and academia. In addition to presenters from the CAER, UK was also represented by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. (Pictured above) Mark Lyons of Alltech also made a presentation.Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:30:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000238.htmlA group at Cornell University was searching for carbon-based materials to replace expensive, rigid silicon in solar cells to convert light to energy. Professor John Anthony, UK Department of Chemistry, worked with these scientists to develop carbon materials that can be painted onto surfaces to yield nanostructured films that perform this energy conversion.Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:30:13 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000237.htmlA patent entitled "Method and System for Beneficiating Gasification Slag" was granted to CAER researcher Dr. Jack Groppo, along with C.E. Price and W.L. Barnwell. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:28:03 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000236.htmlBiomass to Biofuels: An Overview Short Course Organized by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research Thursday-Friday, August 14-15, 2008 Hyatt Regency Hotel - Lexington, Kentucky Cost: $250.00 Open to the public Nine engineering professional development hours are offered with this course The development of low cost, high capacity processes for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals is essential for expanding the use of carbon neutral processes, reducing dependency on fossil fuel resources, and increasing rural income. Although the recent "food versus fuel" debate has raised doubts about the benefits of biofuels derived from food crops, there is a general consensus that biofuels production will continue to expand, based increasingly on non-food crops. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:27:40 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000234.htmlAn article highlighting Darrell Taulbee's work with blast mitigation is currently on the UK Research Web Site. www.research.uky.edu/. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:27:08 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000233.htmlJose Fernandez is a master's degree graduate student in chemistry from University of Alicante, Spain. He is here as part of an exchange program. He will be at the CAER for three months and is working in the Carbon Materials Group. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:26:37 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000232.htmlPaul Yeary is a Chemistry Professor at Alice Lloyd College located in Pippa Passes, Kentucky. He is at the CAER for the second summer working with the Carbon Materials Group. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:26:13 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000231.htmlThe CAER won first place in the Communication and Outreach category of the 2008 Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) Awards. The C2P2 Program is a cooperative effort among the U.S. EPA, Dept. of Energy, Dept. of Ag, Federal Highway Admin., EPRI, USWAG, and ACAA to promote the use of coal combustion by-products. The award was for the new ash education web site (http://www.caer.uky.edu/kyasheducation/index.html), which is a general introduction to what CCBs are for the general public. The original funding for the site came from the UK Commonwealth Collaborative Program. The web site development team members were: Jack Groppo, Alice Marksberry, Marybeth McAlister, Bob Rathbone, and Tom Robl. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:25:44 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000230.htmlThe UK CAER Clean Fuels Research Group's work has been recognized as one of the "Top 50 most cited articles" as published in Elsevier's Catalysis journals 2003 - 2007. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:50:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000229.htmlFischer-Tropsch expert, Burt Davis, shows Kentucky Energy Secretary Len Peters (middle) and Asst. Secretary Hank List (right) wax made from coal during a recent visit to the CAER. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:49:49 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000228.htmlJames Smith is a chemical engineering undergraduate from the University of Louisville and will be at the lab until the end of June. He is an E.ON co-op this semester and is working with several CAER research groups. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:49:26 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000227.htmlOn June 9th, a large group of Chinese visitors toured the CAER and listened to presentations. They represented a Chinese coal company and university. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:48:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000226.htmlDr. Steve Lipka is among the few scientists to receive an award from an international research competition conducted by utility giant E.ON. More than 50 international universities and institutes from 11 countries submitted ideas on energy-storage technologies. The University of Kentucky was the only U.S. university to receive one of these awards. Steve's research will focus on carbon capacitors to store energy. Specifically, CAER will study how to store energy using asymmetric carbon-based electrochemical capacitors instead of battereis, as has been done previously.Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:22:07 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000225.htmlLongtime CAER Petrologist, Jim Hower, has received the Society of Organic Petrology's highest honor based on his significant and lasting contributions to the field of coal geology in research, service to the community, educational outreach, and teaching. The group says his work in almost every aspect of coal geology, including organic and inorganic petrology, coal quality, coal utilization, combustion by-products, and environmental aspects of coal utilization is the benchmark in the coal research community.Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:21:39 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000224.htmlCAER Director, Rodney Andrews, made a presentation on the lab's current research relating to carbon capture at the 48th Annual Kentucky Geological Survey Seminar, May 23rd.Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:21:10 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000223.htmlAnother year of the CAER-Russell Cave Elementary 'Scientists in the Classroom' program is complete. The class visited CAER on Monday, May 19th, where they participated in liquid nitrogen, fluidized bed, carbon material, and fly ash experiments. This year, for the first time, the students worked on a long-term project with researchers where they created, and periodically measured, the strength of concrete with -- and without -- fly ash. In addition to learning about coal combustion by-products, this project included graphing and mathematical components.Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:20:45 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000222.htmlAn excerpt from the January/March 2008 issue of "SasolNews" publication -- Burt Davis speaks at Sasol's Golden Anniversary: "It was then Professor Burt Davis's turn to captivate the room. Hailing from the University of Kentucky, Prof. Davis is an international Fischer-Tropsch expert and associate director of the Center for Applied Energy Research at the University of Kentucky. The prof transported everybody into a new era with his vision for the future Sasol R&D."Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:20:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000221.htmlThree Georgetown College students will be working in the Biofuels Group this summer. Ben and Daniel Schlipf area both chemistry majors. While Daniel Grubb will soon transfer into UK's College of Engineering.Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:19:44 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000220.htmlYesterday in Somerset, Kentucky U.S. Representative Hal Rogers announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Institute for Hometown Security would fund security solutions to help protect the country from disasters. Of the 15 projects awarded to UK, U of L, and WKU, the CAER was the recipient of three: Darrell Taulbee, Rodney Andrews and Tom RoblTue, 13 May 2008 18:45:02 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000219.htmlDarrell Taulbee's work to make the U.S. a safer place will be highlighted in the upcoming issue of Odyssey Magazine (the UK research sector's award-winning publication that features exception and interesting research). Darrell has been researching a method of coating potential volatile ammonium nitrate, which can be used to make bombs, with coal ash to lessen the impact of potential explosions. One of Odyssey's writers and a photographer came to CAER recently for a photoshoot of Taulbee.Tue, 13 May 2008 18:44:17 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000218.htmlJim Hower (CAER) and Maria Mastalerz (Indiana Geological Survey) wrote an article on coal petrology for SCIRUS's Topic Pages, a free wiki-like internet service that publishes authoritative topic summaries written by scientific experts. This new form of educational outreach facilitates knowledge sharing and provides the latest and most relevant journal and web results.Fri, 09 May 2008 14:37:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000217.htmlThe CAER staff would like to congratulate several of our students who are graduating this spring: - Victor Kunadian (Mechanical Engineering) and Jen O'Keefe (Earth & Environmental Sciences) will receive their PhDs. - Brad Toon (Mechanical Engineering) will receive his Masters Degree - Allison Richardson (Earth & Environmental Sciences) will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Some of these students have spent years with us, conducting research while working on their degrees. We are proud of them all. Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36:46 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000216.htmlA group from E-ON U.S., as well as their International Research Board, met at the CAER in April for presentations and a tour of appropriate research areas.Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36:10 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000215.htmlThe Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System (headed by John Hiett and administered through the CAER) received the Best of Kentucky technology award in the Best Online Services category at the Kentucky Digital Government Summit. The conference brings government information technology leaders together to share innovations and accomplishments. Development of the information system began in May 2004 with a $1 million grant from the Mine Safety and Health Administration and continues with support from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining. The Internet site, http://minemaps.ky.gov, provides online digitized and georeferenced maps showing the location and extent of underground mines in Kentucky. The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing has confirmed the presence of more than 30,000 abandoned mines in Kentucky and its collection of over 165,000 individual mine documents is the largest in the world. Underground mining has occurred in Kentucky for well over 100 years. Many of these early abandoned mines present a danger to the public and the environment in terms of subsidence, blowouts, and other hazards. The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System is serving a vital role in the areas of miner and public safety as well as environmental protection. The demand for this type of information is reflected in the fact that the Internet site experiences an average of 600,000 hits monthly. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:24:30 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000214.htmlUK President Lee Todd, along with the presidents from Centre College, Berea College, and the University of Louisville, held a press conference recently for a new collaboration called "Energizing Kentucky." CAER Director Rodney Andrews has been instrumental in organizing this event, which will include three conferences during 2008. For more details on the event, go to: www.energizingkentucky.com.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:23:56 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000213.htmlCAER researcher Bob Rathbone presented awards last night at the Kentucky Theatre for the UK Smart Blues House competition. This moves the university toward the national design competition for the US Department of Energy's 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington DC. Each competing university is attempting to design, build and operate the most attractive, effective and energy-sufficient solar-powered house. Five of 25 submitted designs were given awards last night.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:22:55 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000212.htmlThe Biofuels and Environmental Catalysis Group is the recipient of a University Research Program grant from Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI). The grant will be used to fund a three year project to optimize catalyst systems in order to decrease NOx emissions from diesel exhaust gas. Program Director, Mark Crocker is the Principal Investigator on the project.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:22:29 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000211.htmlhe Tri-State Catalysis Society will host a seminar by Professor Hans Schulz from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, with a focus on Principles of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). Professor Schulz has been a pioneer in advancing FTS and the lecture will highlight some of his recent work. The seminar is scheduled at the Offices of Sud-Chemie Inc. in Louisville Kentucky, located on 1600 West Hill Street. · Presentation: Principles of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:22:02 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000210.htmlThe center has participated in the local high school mentoring program for many years with great success. This year's students arrived recently to shadow researchers and perform their own scientific investigations. Kory Figueroa (top) and Evan Schroader are from Tates Creek High School. Kory will be working with Bob Rathbone in the Environmental and Coal Technologies Group, while Evan will do carbon research with Matt Weisenberger in the Carbon Materials Group.Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:54:32 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000209.htmlDonald C. Haney Distinguished Lecture From the Gulf Coast to the Black Warrior Basin: The Geology and Future Resources of Alabama Greater Louisville, Inc. – The Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Business at Breakfast The Future of Energy: Reliability, Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship Mining Engineering Foundation Distinguished Lecture Fossil Fuels in a Future with Biomass Power, Biofuels and Climate ChangeMon, 07 Apr 2008 19:24:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000208.htmlOpen page 22 of the April, 2008 issue of Kentucky Living and you will see a large photo of CAER employees, Jim Neathery and Steve Summers, working on a pilot-scale power plant scrubber - (pdf). The article that accompanies the photo describes both CAER's, and KGS's, work on carbon management and sequestration. (Review blog entry for link to article.)Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:24:08 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000207.htmlVictor Kunadian has won first place in the Oral Presentation category in the second annual University of Kentucky Graduate Student Interdisciplinary Conference. This award comes with a $100 honorarium. He presented on "Deposition profiles of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in a CVD reactor." His co-authors were CAER Director Rodney Andrews, along with CAER carbon materials researcher Dali Qian and Pinar Menguc, Professor of Mechancial Engineering at UK. Victor received the second place award last year. He has worked at CAER as a graduate student from the UK Mechanical Engineering for the last few years.Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:23:22 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000206.htmlThe published joint paper by the UK CAER Clean Fuels Research Group and Argonne National Laboratory is listed as the 14th top download on the Applied Catalysis A: General website for October - December 2007 according to ScienceDirect. This is the third article to crack the top 25 status in less than a year. Jacobs, G.; Ji, Y.; Davis, B.H.; Cronauer, D.; Kropf, A.J.; Marshall, C.L. (with Argonne National Laboratory); Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: temperature programmed EXAFS/XANES investigation of the influence of support type, cobalt loading, and noble metal promoter addition to the reduction behavior of cobalt oxide particles, Appl. Catal. A: General 333 (2007) 177. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:50:41 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000205.htmlThe UK Department of Mining Engineering will be hosting a Distinguished Lecturer - Michael Schaal from DOE EIA - on April 17, 2008 at the Mining and Mineral Resources Building on campus. It is free and open to the public but registration is recommended. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:50:06 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000203.htmlThe March/April 2008 issue of CAER's Energeia Newsletter has now been added to the CAER web site. Articles include: -- Will Kentucky Lead the Way in Synthetic Fuels Production? -A History Lesson- by Mike Musulin -- Commentary - A Multi-Pronged Approach to Preparing Science Professionals for the Future by Mark MeierThu, 27 Mar 2008 18:07:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000202.htmlSeveral researchers had their adjunct positions renewed recently. They include: Tom Robl (Earth and Environmental Sciences); Burt Davis (Chemistry); and BK Parekh (Mining Engineering). In addition, Director Rodney Andrews received an appointment as Associate Professor in both the Departments of Mechanical and Chemical/Materials Engineering.Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:22:18 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000201.htmlAfter considering recommendations by members of the former Sustainability Task Force and nominations from campus leaders, University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr. recently appointed the members of a new Sustainability Advisory Committee. One of the members is Bob Rathbone, veteran researcher of CAER. Bob spends much of his free time on environmental projects. He also helps to spearhead CAER's educational outreach program for elementary students at Russell Cave Elementary.Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:21:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000200.htmlDr. John Anthony, who is a CAER faculty associate from the UK Department of Chemistry, has found recent acclaim. He was awarded the Hubbard Professorship in Chemistry, which is a departmental endowment. Then on March 4th he was approved for a University Research Professorship by the UK Board of Trustees. The designation carries a $35,000 award for one year. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:52:45 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000199.htmlKaren Petty is a busy lady. In addition to working as a lab technician at CAER, she is a chemical engineering student at UK. Her hard work paid off recently when she was awarded first place for her poster entitled "Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Filled Epoxy: Viscosity and Electrical Conductivity" at LSAMP.Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:52:13 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000197.htmlCAER Engineer Program Manager, Shiela Medina, recently arranged a meeting, presentation, and tour of the lab for members of the Utilities' Information Exchange (UIE). Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:51:39 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000196.htmlTristana Duvallet (left) and Cedric Morin came to the CAER in February as French materials engineering students from France's ESIREM program in Dijon, have done for the last nine years. Over the next several months they will perform research in the labs that will qualify for their senior year internship.Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:51:04 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000195.htmlThe CAER would like to welcome Xiansen Li, who is a Post Doctoral Scholar in the Power Generation and Utility Fuels group.Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:50:32 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000194.htmlThe 2008 first issue of the CAER's Energeia Newsletter has now been added to the CAER web site. Articles include: -- Production of Coal-Based Fuels and Value-Added Products: Coal to Liquids Using Petroleum Refinery Streams by Caroline E. Burgess Clifford and Harold H. Schobert -- Energy Fair to Students Commentary by Marybeth McAlister -- The Kentucky Ash Education Site Announcement by Marybeth McAlister Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:59:44 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000193.htmlThe UK CAER has now launched a new educational web site ... the KENTUCKY ASH EDUCATION SITE. This web site was originally the product of a grant from the University of Kentucky President’s Office called a Commonwealth Collaborative. The interactive web site provides clear explanations of the issues surrounding coal combustion (by-) products, their potential for beneficial utilization, environmental cleanup, and what the University of Kentucky is doing to study them. The story is told in non-technical terms and is organized and scripted with the help of professionals with relevant expertise in communicating with the public. The information will be useable at the high school level, but also to be useful to communicate with others, including legislators and non-specialists in the field of energy production. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:34:57 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000192.htmlThe Center for Applied Energy Research has partnered with over sixteen different departments and centers at the University of Kentucky to collaborate in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. The US Department of Energy bi-annually conducts the US Solar Decathlon in Washington, DC (www.solardecathlon.org). This is a competition ....Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:34:24 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000191.htmlOn January 23rd, fourth and fifth grade students from Johnson, Linlee, Mary Todd and Russell Cave elementary schools came to the University of Kentucky for a day-long energy education fair, which featured displays by energy-related organizations from both inside and outside the university. Before touring the exhibits, each class got to see ... Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:33:47 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000190.htmlThe CAER supplied all judges for this year's Russell Cave Elementary Science Fair. The six judges took on the 4th grade class, which also enjoys individual science demos by CAER researchers on a monthly basis.Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:33:16 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000189.htmlCAER employee Matthew Weisenberger successfully defended his dissertation in late November. Dr. Weisenberger's Ph.D. is in materials science and engineering. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:32:51 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000188.htmlMauro Ribeiro, who is working towards his Ph.D. in chemistry, will be at the CAER for the next seven months. He is from Sao Paulo University in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He will be doing research on a project in the catalysis group.Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:32:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000187.htmlSamuel Morton is a visiting scientist at the CAER for one year. He is from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, where he is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. While here, he will be working in the Biofuels Group. His research area of interest is in 'green separations,' while reducing energy demands. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:32:00 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000186.htmlAdrian Morrison, a Paul Laurence Dunbar high school student, is carrying out experiments at the lab, under the mentorship of Tom Robl, Associate Director of the Environmental and Coal Technologies group. Adrian is part of the EBCE (Experience Based Career Education) program. According to the EBCE web site ....Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:31:34 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000185.htmlCAER employee, Darryl McLean (right), was featured in three media outlets this week. He was in both UK News and the Lexington Herald-Leader newspapers and was on the UK Web Site. To see the stories, check out the website.Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:31:03 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000183.htmlMr. Matthew Simmons, author of "Twilight in the Desert," was the 2007 CAER Distinguished Lecturer on November 15th. A quick Google search gives 139,000 hits for Matthew Simmons. He is very much in the news now and the Center was extremely lucky to have him as this year's speaker. A video of the evening's lecture and a copy of his PPT are available. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:30:05 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000180.htmlDr. Rodney Andrews, CAER Director, is interviewed during this 2 1/2 minute spot that was played during halftime of the UK men's basketball regular-season opening game held on November 6, 2007. The MP3 version of this interview is made available courtesy of the University of Kentucky. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:16:01 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000179.htmlInternational Fischer-Tropsch expert (and CAER Associate Director) Burt Davis was honored during Sasol's recent 50th anniversary celebrations.Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:15:25 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000178.htmlCAER was featured in audio and video media recently. UK's Department of Public Relations chose to highlight the CAER's 30th Anniversary by first broadcasting a short video of Associate Director Burt Davis and Director Rodney Andrews; and then airing a radio spot. Both stories were featured during half-time of the UK men's basketball games.Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:14:57 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000177.htmlEduardo Santillan-Jimenez, a student working with CAER's Mark Crocker (Biofuels Group) has been awarded a Dissertation Enhancement Award by the Graduate School. This will enable him to spend 3-4 months at the University of Alicante, Spain (Carbon Materials & Environment Group), where he'll conduct research in support of his Ph.D. thesis (concerning the development of NOx reduction catalysts based on carbon nanotubes).Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:14:23 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000176.htmlCAER Program Manager, Kunlei Liu, organized a short course on Pollution Control that was held October 24th in Frankfort, Kentucky. The course was attended by about 30 attendees from industry, government, and universities.Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:13:55 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000175.htmlThe CAER held a day of discussions and presentations on October 11th with the Kentucky Energy Summit, designed to bring international speakers to Lexington with the goal of celebrating the Center's 30 years as an energy lab, while promoting stimulating ideas on energy. The presentations, audio recordings, and much more information on this event can be found at: Kentucky Energy Summit Web Site.Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:56:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000174.htmlThe fifth issue (September/October) of the 2007 University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research's publication, "Energeia" has now published.Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:55:59 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/podcast/caerpodcasts.shtml#podcast6The following podcasts are from the 2007 Kentucky Energy Summit hosted by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research.Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:55:22 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000172.htmlChris Swartz, formerly a postdoctoral researcher in the Carbon Materials Group, has become a fulltime scientist.Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:21:55 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000171.htmlRecently, three people who have 'done' their time as students and post docs at CAER, became full-fledged employees of the lab. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:21:22 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000170.htmlIn addition to the folks who have recently moved from being students to professionals at CAER, there are also some fresh faces. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:20:43 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000169.htmlDr. Irena Jordanova Kostova, from the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (Bulgaria), will be on sabbatical at the CAER for five months (September 2007 - January 2008) as a visiting scientist in the Coal Petrology Laboratory.Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:20:09 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000168.htmlThe research of Darrell taulbee and Burt Davis are in the news. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:10:26 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000167.htmlWith funding by the the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, the CAER has developed two new tools for the general public to learn about clean coal technologies. The web site (http://www.caer.uky.edu/cct/ccthome.html) and DVD are intended as means to inform policy makers, legislators and the general public about clean coal technologies.Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:07:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000166.htmlhe University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research has published its fifth podcast. This Podcast is produced for anyone interested in energy issues. It explored the Evaluation of Ionic Liquids for Green Separations, presented by Dr. Samuel A. Morton III of Lafayette College located in Easton, PA. http://www.caer.uky.edu/podcast/morton-podcast-Aug2007.mp3Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:08:10 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000165.htmlDr. Rodney Andrews, currently serving as the Acting Director of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, will become Director of the Center effective August 15, 2007, subject to UK Board of Trustees approval. Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:03:59 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000163.htmlThe CAER Carbon Materials Group presented a strong showing at the 2007 Carbon Conference in Seattle, WA. The American Carbon Society's 50th Anniversary was partially organized by Teresa Epperson, and Rodney Andrews is a board member. In addition, several researchers and students made oral or poster presentations.Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:03:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000162.htmlCAER researchers recently taught sessions at an all-day workshop designed to help teachers teach science. Demonstrations/experiments ranged from how to build a battery to minerals separations.Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:40:57 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000161.htmlKentucky House Bill 299 - "Report on Coal to Liquids and Synthetic Natural Gas Technologies" produced by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (Lexington, KY) has been made available in PDF format.Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:03:29 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000160.htmlFive students from Centre College went to the UK CAER for a tour in July. UK chemistry professor and visiting scientist, Mark Meier, led the tour. Three of these students are supported by the UK-WV Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation grant from the national Science Foundation.Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:02:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000158.htmlCoal to Liquids is an energy topic which is of interest to legislators, news media and the public alike. Take a look at this short explanation and diagram which is provided by the Center for Applied Energy Research at the University of Kentucky.Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:35:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000159.htmlRead the May-June Real Time Report to find out about the latest about CAER's outreach efforts: - The 2007 World of Coal Ash Conference (WOCA) is the world's largest meeting devoted to coal combustion (by) products hosted by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and the American Coal Ash Association. - CAER's educational outreach partnership with the Russell Cave School system Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:35:07 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000157.htmlThe Center for Applied Energy Research's (CAER) Clean Fuels and Chemicals Research Group at the University of Kentucky is ranking high in terms of articles published in "top download counts" within the Catalysis research field. In addition to a recent "top 50" ranking, the group is now recognized for TWO TOP 25 rankings .... Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:55:12 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000156.htmlPodcasts (audio recordings) of the 2007 World of Coal Ash (WOCA) Conference Plenary Speakers is now available via the CAER Web site or directly from the WOCA Conference Web site. Plenary speakers included: Ms. Catherine Vial, Team Leader of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Ms. Maria Parisi Vickers, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; and Mr. John J. Roebel, Senior Vice President at Duke Energy.Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:08:38 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000155.htmlCoal to Liquids (CTL) research is the topical focus of interviews with both Dr. Burt Davis and Dr. Rodney Andrews, Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) scientists, made available via video in this Newswise article. Newswise is a service that is sent to and utilized by journalists across the country.Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:05:27 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000154.htmlThe Kentucky Governor's Office of Energy Policy announced that it will provide funding to the University of Kentucky for energy research projects. The CAER received two awards ...Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:04:48 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000153.htmlDarrell Taulbee, CAER scientist, was a headliner recently in the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper. Read more about his research in coating potential volatile ammonium nitrate (used to make bombs) with coal ash to lessen the impact of potential explosions.Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:03:54 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000152.htmlLearning Without Grades: A research laboratory's links to the traditional university examines the many ways that CAER contributes to student education by mirroring the the University of Kentucky's historical land grant mission of instruction - public service and research. Authored by Marybeth McAlister, CAER communications manager, this article appeared in the American Coal Council's Magazine, American Coal, issue #1, 2007. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:19:35 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000151.htmlA 2002 paper from the CAER's Clean Fuels and Chemicals (Catalysis) Group has recently been recognised in the "Top-50 most cited articles" as published in Elsevier's Catalysis journals 2002-2006 (as cited by Scopus). The article, written by CAER scientists including Gary Jacobs and Burt Davis, was published in the Applied Catalysis A: General Journal. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:18:53 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000150.htmlWant to find out what has been happening at the CAER? Tours, Tours, Tours! Read more about our activities such as educational outreach, meetings and other presentations in the March-April 2007 Real Time Report. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:45:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000149.htmlCAER researcher Darrell Taulbee's work on ammonium nitrate explosive reduction is featured in a recent addition of "The Breathitt County Voice." In addition to highlighting important work that could reduce terrorism, the article features one of its native sons. Taulbee is from Frozen Creek in Breathitt Co., where some of the explosives tests were performed. To view the article online, go to: Breathitt Voice Article. http://www.caer.uky.eduFri, 01 Jun 2007 21:44:21 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000148.htmlRocky Adkins, Kentucky's House Majority Floor Leader, talks about energy issues in a Morehead State University Podcast. Mr. Adkins mentions CAER's energy research during the interview. To review please go to Morehead's "Front Page with Chuck Mraz" and locate the podcast dated 5-01-07. http://www.caer.uky.eduFri, 25 May 2007 21:43:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000147.htmlDr. Jacek Jagiello is a visiting scientist at the CAER. He has spent most of his professional life working on adsorption phenomena and studying adsorption properties of non-porous and porous materials - with special interest in understanding and characterization of activated carbons. http://www.caer.uky.eduMon, 21 May 2007 21:42:12 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000146.htmlCAER researcher mark Crocker was recently awarded a grant from the Governor's Office of Energy Policy. It is entitled, “Construction of a Fixed Bed Reactor for Continuous Production of Biodiesel;” The amount of the grant is $58,413. http://www.caer.uky.eduFri, 18 May 2007 21:41:15 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000145.htmlDaniel Bortz, an undergraduate mechanical engineering student, who does research at CAER, has won the Capstone Design Award. In the mechanical engineering 411/412 Capstone Design course, students work in teams of four or five each to carry out a comprehensive design effort encompassing two semeters.http://www.caer.uky.eduTue, 15 May 2007 21:40:10 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000144.htmlOn April 26th, a group of state legislators, along with several members of the state's Legislative Research Commission learned about Kentucky's energy resources and what the CAER does to find out more about them. After presentations, the group toured the coal to liquids; ash; biofuels; emissions; and carbon materials sections of the lab. http://www.caer.uky.eduFri, 27 Apr 2007 21:39:14 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000143.htmlJavier Ruiz-Martinez is a Spanish graduate student from the University of Alicante. He is working in the Clean Fuels and Chemicals group at the CAER as part of a scholar exchange program with the Spanish institution. http://www.caer.uky.eduMon, 23 Apr 2007 21:37:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000142.htmlThe CAER is happy to announce Illayathambi (Victor) Kunadian has won second place in the oral presentation division of the University of Kentucky Graduate Student Interdisciplinary Conference for his presentation "Growth Kinetics of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized via Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition." http://www.caer.uky.edu/Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:31:40 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000141.htmlDr. Lee Todd toured the CAER on April 9th and spoke with staff about the CAER's place within the university. Dr. Todd learned about nanotechnology, Fischer-Tropsch liquefaction, biomass research, and power plant emissions reduction work at the Center. Afterwards, he spoke to CAER staff regarding the university's quest to be a top 20 research institute, including energy's unique way of helping in that objective. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:10:48 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000140.htmlThe CAER is happy to announce the recent hiring of three new employees. Adam Poole will be working with the Clean Fuels and Chemicals Group. Shelly Hopps is a chemist with the analytical services group. And Mark Warren is working for the new PowerGen Group. We welcome them all to the lab. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:10:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000139.htmlCAER Acting Director Rodney Andrews was interviewed recently on WEKU regarding Kentucky coal. Specifically, he was asked to respond to a new MIT study that indicates demand for Kentucky coal could climbafter power producers control carbon dioxide emissions. Listen to that interview. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:09:33 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000138.htmlFor the second time in four months, Dr. Burt Davis was featured in one of the state's television newscasts. The feature was on coal-to-liquids technology and its impact on Kentucky. The story was broadast by WKYT on February 16th. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:08:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000137.htmlA new short course offering entitled “Pollution Control in Power Plants” will be offered in the Fall of 2007. CAER experts and members of industry have pooled their talents to offer a half-day course for power plant engineers, regulators, and anyone working in industries with heavy energy consumption. The course will focus on carbon emissions and its mitigation, control technologies, and real world problem solving. This course also offers Professional Development Credits. More information can be found at the CAER's PowerGen Group hompage. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:08:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000136.htmlDr. Rui Xiao is a visiting scientist from China, who will be doing research at the CAER for one year. He is a professor at the South East University in China, where he is a chemical engineer. He will be working in the Power Generation and Utility Fuels Group. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:07:36 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000135.htmlCarrying on a nine-year tradition, two french students from ESIREM in Dijon, France will be working at the CAER in 2007. These materials engineering students will be working in the Carbon Materials and Clean Fuels and Chemicals Groups for the next five months as part of their senior practicum. They are: (from left) Harold Evin and Remi Borron.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:52:57 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000134.htmlDr. Burt Davis is the editor of a prestigious new book entitled, “Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Catalysts and Catalysis.” His co-editor is M.L. Occelli, of MLO Consultants Atlanta, GA. This book is part of publisher, Elsevier’s Studies in Surface Sciences and Catalysis series. Dr. Davis is also the author of three chapters in the book.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:52:28 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000133.htmlDr. B.K.Parekh, Senior Research Engineer with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, has assumed the Editor-in-Chief position for the Coal Preparation journal starting January 2007.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:51:54 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000132.htmlThe Winter 2007 issue of Odyssey Magazine is devoted to articles on green energy research at the university. It features three stories on CAER's work. The first story on "Biomass to Bio-Oil" describes the collaborations of Mark Crocker* and UK Biosystems and Ag. Engr. professor Czarena Crofcheck. An article entitled, "Packaging Green Energy: the Fine Coal/Sawdust Briquette," features the work of Darrell Taulbee* and BK Parekh*, along with Rick Honaker of UK's Department of Mining Engineering. Lastly, "Solar Cells on the Cheap," highlights acting director Rodney Andrews* and John Anthony of the Dept. of Chemistry, and their joint work on creating plastic solar cells with nanotubes.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:51:07 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000131.htmlVolume 18, issue number 1 of the CAER's Energiea Newsletter has been published and can be viewed from the CAER website. The feature article was "Spanish Jet: Seomthing More Than a Gemstone with Magical Properties" authored by I. Suarez-Ruiz and M.J. Iglesias. This issues's commentary, "What are CCPs?" was authored by Dave Goss.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:50:27 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000130.htmlThe newest edition (November-December 2006) of CAER's "Real Time" online report is now available from the CAER website. Darryl McLean, Santa's Helper is the feature article. Highlights include a link to to four part series on coal's potential as a transportation fuel in which the Dr. Burt Davis, CAER Scientist was extensively interviewed.Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:48:58 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/podcast/vodcast-davis.shtmlWYMT, of Hazard, Kentucky recently ran a four-part series on coal's potential as a transportation fuel. Dr. Burt Davis of CAER was extensively interviewed and consulted as an expert on coal-to-liquids research. Rocky Adkins, Majority Floor Leader, Kentucky House of Representatives (and a CAER Advisory Board member) was also featured in a separate half hour interview on "Issues and Answers --- The Mountain Edition." http://www.caer.uky.edu/podcast/vodcast-davis.shtmlThu, 04 Jan 2007 15:48:19 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/coalash/research/vandycoal.shtmlIn 2006, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University donated a collection of over 150 coal and solid bitumen samples to the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Coordinating the effort at Vanderbilt was Dr. Brendan R. Bream. Alma Paty, executive director of the American Coal Foundation and a geology graduate of both Vanderbilt and the University of Kentucky, played a significant role in directing the collection to the CAER. The Vanderbilt University Coal Collection is stored in the Applied Petrology Laboratory, room 141, at the CAER. For more information, contact Jim Hower. http://www.caer.uky.edu/coalash/research/vandycoal.shtmlThu, 04 Jan 2007 15:57:49 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/education/experiments.shtmlSince August of 2002 scientists from the CAER have devised and conducted hands-on science experiments with 4th grade students at Russell Cave Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky. The students have created invisible ink, made generators and thermometers, extraced color from leaves, studied energy and much, much more. This is a way for our scientists to share their expertise with the students of the community. http://www.caer.uky.edu/education/experiments.shtmlThu, 04 Jan 2007 15:50:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000124.htmlA project entitled, "A Novel Concept of Converting Carbon Dioxde Gas into Useful Products," (PI, BK Parekh) has been selected for an award from the Kentucky Science Engineering Foundation, pending negotiation of the budget and execution of an award agreement between the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) and UK. http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000124.htmlThu, 04 Jan 2007 15:51:36 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000123.htmlJim Hower and Jen O'Keefe of the CAER's Applied Petrology Laboratory both recently received accreditation in vitrinite reflectance analysis and in maceral identification from the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP). http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000123.htmlThu, 04 Jan 2007 15:52:42 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000121.htmlDr. James C. (Jim) Hower recently added to his collection of professional awards. He is the recipient of the 2006 Gilbert H. Cady Award, presented by the Coal Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (GSA). He received the award at the society's recent annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA. This esteemed award is the highest in the field of coal geology.http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000121.htmlWed, 08 Nov 2006 16:42:11 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000120.htmlOn October 23, 2006, Tom Robl and Jack Groppo could be found at the US EPA's Coal Combustion Partnership Awards ceremony in Atlanta, where the two ECT Group members received an award a Special Recognition Award in Innovation. The award is for investigations of advanced coal by-product processing at the E.On-owned power plant in Ghent, Kentucky by researchers from CAER.http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000120.htmlWed, 08 Nov 2006 16:47:42 GMThttp://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000122.htmlThe University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research has published its first podcast. Dr. Richard Sakurovs of CSIRO Energy Technology located in Australia was the latest speaker in the CAER Seminar Series and the first of CAER's podcast speakers. His presentation, &quot;Sequestration Down Under&quot;, was accompanied by a powerpoint presentation.http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/archives/00000122.htmlWed, 08 Nov 2006 16:59:19 GMTCAER Podcast #1http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/The caer launches it first RSS feed on 11-08-06.http://www.caer.uky.edu/blog/Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:00:43 GMT