UH Study to Focus on Reducing Pollutants in Vehicle Exhaust
(June 23, 2009) A study led by researchers at UH Cullen College of Engineering is centered on cleaning up our air by replacing a component in vehicle exhaust systems with a piece of technology that could get rid of more than 80 percent of the smog-causing toxin known at NOx, or nitrogen oxide. With a roughly $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program, Professor Michael Harold and his team will partner with researchers from the University of Kentucky, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ford Motor Company and the chemical company BASF to further study the feasibility of this technology.

UH Diesel Testing Center Teams with TxDOT to Reduce Emissions
(June 16, 2009) The UH Texas Diesel Testing and Research Center, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to test a system designed to reduce emissions produced by construction vehicles. Engineering researchers will supervise the installation of Nett Technologies' BlueMAX™ selective catalytic reduction system on five TxDOT nonroad vehicles and then test and analyze its ability to reduce emissions, which will provide the EPA with real-world performance data.

BP Economist Explains Volatility in the Energy Market
(June 16, 2009) Mark Finley, general manager of global energy markets and U.S. Economics for BP America, said that a period of strong economic growth followed by a rapidly-developing recession that spread quickly from the U.S. around the globe caused world energy markets to experience dramatic volatility in 2008. Finley shared data from BP's Statistical Review of World Energy in a lecture last Monday to Cullen College faculty, staff and students.

Researchers to Redesign Key Material Used in Electronics, Solar Device
(June 16, 2009) Two researchers in the college's department of electrical and computer engineering have received a $348,645 National Science Foundation grant to restructure silicon at the nanoscale. Throughout the three years, the two will redesign this material into a hexagonal structure, believed to be key to allowing solar devices to capture more rays, especially infrared, from the sun and converting them into electricity.

Saying Goodbye to the Y: Alumnus, Son of Professor Shares his Memories
(June 15, 2009) Scott Prengle (1981 BSEE, 1984 MSEE)—son of William Prengle, one of three chemical engineering department founders—recalls the significance of the Y-Building during the early years of the college's existence. He spent many days in the facility as a child and then later as a UH engineering student. The metal structure, pegged to be demolished soon, housed the first dean's office, faculty offices and laboratories and, to this day, still provides space for research and student organizations.

UH’S Leadership in Creation of Ship Channel Security District Commended
(June 10, 2009) The University of Houston is being credited with playing a pivotal role in the creation of the Houston Ship Channel Security District, which was approved unanimously by Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning and was publicly announced at a news conference today. The development of the security district, a public-private partnership that will fund enhancements to security technology, infrastructure and processes along the ship channel.

Speakers Honor Achievements of Alumni, University at Awards Dinner
(June 10, 2009) Four Cullen College alumni were honored Friday at the Engineering Alumni Association's Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards banquet. Accomplishments by Gabriel Cuadra (1988 BSChE), Michael Harold (1985 Ph.D. ChE), Duane Germenis (1983 BSME), and Daniel Wong (1983 BSCE, 1985 MSCE, 1988 Ph.D. CE) were celebrated along with recent accomplishments of the college and university.

Senior Projects Pack Benefit, Fun
(June 10, 2009) Students at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering leave their mark in many ways throughout their academic career. One of the most significant impressions made on both their instructors and themselves happens in one of the last classes required before completing the course work necessary to earn their degrees—senior capstone design. Whether it was just a fun challenge or an assignment designed to impact industry, projects completed during the spring semester ran the gamut.

ExxonMobil Foundation Gives UH $386K
(June 9, 2009) ExxonMobil Foundation presented a check to UH President Renu Khator for $385,891 from its Educational Matching Gift Program—a program that matches donor gifts up to $7,500 on a 3-to-1 basis to colleges and universities with which ExxonMobil employees and retirees are affiliated. ExxonMobil Foundation funds support math and science programs nationwide as well as college programs for women and minorities pursuing engineering.