Reducing Energy Costs

Mechanical engineering Professor Dr. Jayanta Kapat has secured $2.76 million from NASA to address technical challenges associated with the use of synthetic liquid fuels in turbine sections of aviation engines as well as in airplane auxiliary power units. The technology to be developed will equally apply to land-based power generation and distributed generation for grid-independence at critical installations. This synthetic fuel can be generated from coal or biomass that are abundant in this country. It is Dr. Kapat's hope that his research will lead to "newer technologies that would not only lessen dependence on foreign energy sources, but would also reduce airline ticket prices and utility bills".

An important aspect of this project is to involve more US undergraduate engineering students in research and into graduate studies related to advanced turbines, propulsion, power generation and different energy systems and to develop an innovative curriculum. The project team will involve faculty members from 7 universities led by UCF.

Central Florida has a unique position in the world as a hub for turbine, energy and space technolotgies: With the presence of Siemens Power Generation, Pratt & Whitney, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Elliott Microturbines, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Kennedy Space Cente rin or near Central Florida, the University of Central Florida has a unique opportunity and respoonsibility for taking the leadership in innovation and advanced technology development in turbines for propulsion as well as for power generation and portable power and energy for aviation/space/distributed generation applications.