WPI Alternative Fuel Economics Laboratory

Welcome

The alternative fuel economics laboratory studies the economic and policy implications of the use of alternative fuel systems. On the manufacturing level it promotes an understanding of the economic costs associated with the production of alternative systems such as fuel cells, or bio-diesel refineries. On the policy level it investigates the relationship between the development of alternative energy technology, market acceptance, and policy decisions and implementation strategies.

Team

Professors

Isa Bar-On, Ph.D, Director
R. Nathan Katz, Norton Research Professor
Floyd R. Tuler, Ph. D.
Khalid Saeed, Ph. D.

Current and Recent Graduate Students

Tracey Vincent
John Sledziewski
Ken Parson
Mark Koslowske
Heather Woodward

Publications

M. Koslowske, I. Bar-On, H. Woodward, "Investigation of Device Performance and Process Capability for Accurate SOFC Cost Estimates", Proceedings 9th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. American Electrochemical Society, Quebec, Canada. (2005).
M. Koslowske, H. Benson, I. Bar-On, R. Kirchain, "A Performance Based Multi-Process Cost Model for SOFC's", Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc., Vol 25 (3) (2004) 375-380.
Heather Benson-Woodward, Mark Koslowske, Randolph Kirchain, and Isa Bar-On, "A Performance Based, Multi-Process Cost Model for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells", in Solid State Ionics ---- 2002, Knauth et al. Eds., Vol 756, FF 4.10. (2003).
Isa Bar-On, Randy Kirchain, Richard Roth, "Technical cost analysis for PEM fuel cells", Journal of Power Sources 109 (2002) 71-75.

Undergraduate Projects

Implementing 'Ecostar' at Southern Container
A. Thayer and J. Clark.

Implementing 'Ecostar'
C. Bartlett and C. Vanis

Devens Sustainability Indicators
R. J. Theriaque,

Characterization of Carbon-Carbon Composites
N. G. Papadeas, J. A. Sarcione

A New Hydrogen Economy for Japan
R. C. Drasher

Fuel Cell Materials
J. R. Richardson

Two Hydrogen Distribution Scenarios for a City
Z. J. Mathis, M. J. Munroe, N. G. Papadeas

Conceptual Design of a Fuel Cell Cooling System
C. D. Steiner, Christian D, D. S. Wood

Clean Urban Transport for Europe A Case Study
K. J. Thompson

Cost Modeling of Fuel Cells
M. J. Hubacz, R. P. Kupfer, Ronnie Paul

A Comparison of Distributed Generation Policy
D. S. Wood

Distributed Residential Fuel Cell Systems
P. R. Blanchard, A. C. Rugg

Fuel Cells for Truck APU's-Technology Assessment
D. A. Wheeler