Current SIUC Energy-Related Research

This list gives an overview of some of the externally-funded energy-related research going on at SIU Carbondale since May 2009 (when another list was compiled of ICCI-funded projects for this blog). Topics include efficiency, biofuels, materials, coal mine safety, and breakthrough technology research. If you see a repeat of a project, that means it's gotten multiple grants since May 2009.

Metal Borides for Developing Superior Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells
R. Koc, Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes
USDOE/Argonne Nationnal Laboratory, $20,107

Understanding Compound Phase Transitions in New Heusler Alloy Colossal Magnetocaloric Materials
N. Ali, Physics
USDOE, $200,000

Reduction of Auxiliary Power and Increased Generating Capacity
J. Mathias, Mechanical Engineering
Southern Illinois Power Co-operative, $6,769

Energy Crop Research
B. Young, Agricultural Sciences
Department of Energy, $492,000

Characterization and Control of Quartz Dust from Illinois Coal Mines
Y. Chugh, Mining Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $15,026; The American Coal Company, $5,000

Sources and Wetting Characteristics of Respirable Silica Dust in Selected Interior Underground Coal Mines
Y. Chugh, Mining Engineering
K. Mondal, Mechanical Engineering
USDHHS/CDC/NIOSH, $139,750

Assessment of SIUC Engineered Cribs for Mine Support
H. Gurley, Mining Engineering
Y. Chugh, Mining Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $63,473

Assessment of Sealed Off Areas in Moonidih Mine, India
S. Harpalani, Mining Engineering
USEPA, $33,564

Imaging and Modeling of CO2 Flow in Saline Aquifers
S. Harpalani, Mining Engineering
U of I/ISGS (USDOE), $103,015

STEP-LADDER COLUMNS FOR CLEANED, DEWATERED FINE/ULTRAFINE COAL RECOVERY
Principal Investigator:Malhotra, Physics
ICCI Project

Lively Grove Mine Plate Loading Tests
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
H. Gurley, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
Lively Grove Mine, $1,523

Bolt Support Improvement Project
A. Spearing, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
Jennmar Corporation, $44,863

An Analysis of the Impact of Biofuel Expansion through Linking of Agricultural and Energy Markets
S. Secchi, Agribusiness Economics
Iowa State University (USDA), $85,077

A World-Class University-Industry Consortium for Wind Energy Research, Education, and Workforce Development
M. Daneshdoost, Electrical and Computer Engineering
F. Pourboghrat, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology (USDOE), $150,000

Wetting Behavior and Control of Quartz and Coal Dust from Illinois Basin Mines
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
K. Mondal, Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes
IDCEO/ICCI, $21,987

Effects of CO2 on the Mechanical Properties of Illinois Bituminous Coals
V. Malhotra, Physics
J. Means, College of Science
IDCEO/ICCI, $25,000

Towards Development of Optimal Catalysts for Direct Liquefaction of Illinois Coals
L. Wang, Chemistry
IDCEO/ICCI, $49,862

Single Step Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
S. Talapatra, Physics
IDCEO/ICCI, $151,982

Metal Borides for Developing Superior Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells
R. Koc, Mechanical Engineering
USDOE/Argonne National Laboratory, $40,956

Integrated Modeling and Experiments for the Design of Product Oriented FT Catalysts
T. Wiltowski, Mechanical Engineering
Q. Ge, Chemistry
IDCEO/ICCI, $129,983

Characterization and Control of Quartz Dust from Illinois Coal Mines
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $159,732

Improved Artificial Supports Around Mining Areas for Enhanced Productivity
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $159,725

Changes in Coal with Exposure to CO2
S. Harpalani, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
Advanced Resources International (USDOE), $106,734

Development and Demonstration of an Automation and Control System for Coal Spirals
M. Mohanty, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
H. Wang, Electrical and Computer Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $149,897

Step-Ladder Columns for Cleaned, Dewatered Fine/Ultrafine Coal Recovery
V. Malhotra, Physics
IDCEO/ICCI, $149,992

Risk Assessment and Monitoring of Stored CO2 in Organic Rocks Under Non-Equilibrium Conditions
V. Malhotra, Physics
J. Means, College of Science
USDOE, $300,000

INTEGRATED MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FOR THE DESIGN OF PRODUCT ORIENTED FT CATALYSTS
Principal Investigator:Wiltowski
ICCI Project

Investigation of the Feasibility of Oil Production from Jatropha By-Products Through Microalgal Fermentation
Y. Liang, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ag-Oil, $7,200

Changes in Coal Properties with Exposure to CO2 - ICCI Match
S. Harpalani, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $75,063

The Use of Tailings in Underground Coal Mines in the USA
A. Spearing, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
BASF Construction Chemicals Europe Ltd., $10,000

Metal Borides for Developing Superior Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells
R. Koc, Mechanical Engineering
USDOE/Argonne National Laboratory, $37,543

Reduction of Auxiliary Power and Increased Generating Capacity
J. Mathias, Mechanical Engineering
Southern Illinois Power Co-operative, $31,457

Sources and Wetting Characteristics of Respirable Silica Dust in Selected Interior Underground Coal Mines
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
K. Mondal, Mechanical Engineering
USDHHS/CDC/NIOSH, $137,363

Improving Underground Safety by Understanding the Interaction Between Primary Rock Bolts and the Immediate Roof Strata
A. Spearing, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
USDHHS/CDC/NIOSH, $596,253

Field Performance of a Modified Miner for Coal and Quartz Dust Control
H. Gurley, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
Y. Chugh, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering
IDCEO/ICCI, $72,308

Organization, Financial Feasibility, and Rural Economic Impacts of Bioenergy in Illinois
I. Altman, Agribusiness Economics
D. Sanders, Agribusiness Economics
U of I/C-FAR (IDA), $10,896

Future Water Demands and Coal Development Potential in Kaskaskia River Basin in Illinois
B. Dziegielewski, Geography
IDCEO/ICCI, $93,118

Understanding Compound Phase Transitions in New Heusler Alloy Colossal Magnetocaloric Materials
N. Ali, Physics
USDOE, $192,191

INTEGRATED MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FOR THE DESIGN OF PRODUCT ORIENTED FT CATALYSTS
Principal Investigator:Wiltowski
ICCI Project

SINGLE STEP SYNTHESIS OF CARBON NANOTUBE CATALYSTS FOR FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
Principal Investigator:Talapatra
ICCI Project

CHARACTERIZATION OF PRODUCT STREAMS FROM THE OHD COAL CONVERSION PROCESS
Principal Investigator:Anderson
ICCI Project

Grants for energy-related projects at SIUC

Wind Turbine Grant Application P. Gatton Plant & Service Operations
J. Harrell, Plant & Service Operations
IDCEO (USDOE), $500,000

Woody Hall Window Replacement Grant Proposal
P. Gatton, Plant & Service Operations
J. Harrell, Plant & Service Operations
IDCEO (USDOE), $38,005

For more information about these and other grants awarded to SIUC, visit ORDA's Reports and Publications webpage.