University Programs
The potential for success of photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell technologies
is resulting in the growth of new industries to support and develop
the technologies. However, there are a great many unresolved problems
that are preventing large-scale market penetration of these technologies.
While these problems are seemingly tractable, their solution will
ultimately require the availability of scientists and engineers
with an understanding of both the theory and application of fuel
cells and related technologies so that they may focus their talents
directly to these problems. Higher education bears a responsibility
to respond to this need.
With this in mind, a fuel cell course had been
developed in 2003 at Arizona State University (ASU) Polytechnic campus,
targeted to graduate students and advanced undergraduates, in a cooperative
effort between the departments of Electronic Engineering Technology
(EET), Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MMET),
and the Photovoltaic & Fuel Cell Laboratory (ASU-PTL). The course
covers the fundamental process by which hydrogen reacts with oxygen
to produce water, heat and electricity, the production and transport
of hydrogen, the mechanical and thermal design of the systems, the
manufacturing of the system components, the direct power conditioning,
inversion to AC power, process controls, and associated equipment
such as batteries and motors fall under the field of electrical engineering.
It includes a theoretical portion, but also contains a comprehensive
practical portion in which the students build a membrane electrode
assembly and assemble, test and characterize this assembly as a single
stage proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
The fuel cell course was developed to complement
the photovoltaic (PV) course, offered since September 1998 under the
department of Computer and Electronic Engineering Technology (ECET).
This PV course is an introduction to solar, fuel cells, and batteries.
The Feedback from the students indicated a great
deal of excitement over the course, and has resulted in several students
deciding to concentrate their graduate work in the fuel cell area.
The success of the introductory PV and fuel cell courses has led to
the development of a full fledge alternative energy technologies curriculum
within the College of Technology and Innovation at ASU Polytechnic
campus. This program of the ECET department seeks to attract qualified
students with backgrounds in Engineering, Engineering Technology,
Physical Science and Mathematics who are interested in applied, hands
on experience.
ECET offers professional undergraduate and graduate
programs in electronics, microelectronics, telecommunications, and
renewable energies. Department faculty works closely with the industry
to define and deliver curricula that match the needs of today's employers.
Tenure-track departmental faculty has a Ph.D. in their area of specialization
and as a group has amassed extensive industry experience. The department
fosters a climate that encourages faculty to play active roles in
their profession, in part through student projects and research.
Department curricula focus on the languages, methods and tools in
use today. ECET programs develop technology professionals by providing
students small classes and high-quality faculty as the context for
courses that are rich in hands-on experiences.
