Science and Engineering lecture series begins with discussion on fuel cell development

NEW PALTZ — The School of Science and Engineering at the State University of New York at New Paltz will begin its 2006-2007 colloquium series with a lecture, titled “Emerging Energy Changes and Challenges: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen,” at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium.

The speaker, Dr. Glenn A. Eisman, is the director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He will address the rationale and timing of a change from a fossil fuel-based economy and the status of the hydrogen and fuel cell development efforts. He will conclude with a review of the role of the government in facilitating the transition to a carbon-free society.

“The era of abundant, accessible oil is rapidly coming to a close, “ said David Clark, colloquium chair. “Not only is the oil supply being exhausted. We also know that the threat of global warming is requiring that we reduce our rate of burning of the oil that remains. This means replacing it with new technologies, and hydrogen fuel cells are among the leading contenders.”

Future lectures scheduled for the series are: “An Economics for the Century of the Environment” with Dr. Jon D. Erickson of the University of Vermont on Oct. 26; “Artful Mathematics” with Dr. Daniel Rockmore of Dartmouth College on Nov. 30; “Measuring the Universe with Microwaves” with Dr. Gregory Tucker of Brown University on March 29, 2007; and “Evolutionary Computation for Science, Engineering and Art” with Dr. Lee Spector of Hampshire College on May 4, 2007.

The lectures, which are free and open to the public, have been designed for a general scientific audience and are given by leading scientists who are available to meet faculty and students on the days of their visits. They will be preceded by a reception at 3:30 p.m. in the Coykendall Science Building Lounge, room 110.

For more information and directions, contact David Clark, associate dean of the School of Science and Engineering, at (845) 257-3728 or visit www.newpaltz.edu/sse.