[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1703-E1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INNOVATIONS ACHIEVED AT THE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY MECHANICAL 
                         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, during the district work 
period, engineers at the Colorado State University Mechanical 
Engineering Department extended an opportunity for me and my staff to 
view first-hand several significant and far-reaching innovations 
achieved in their laboratories. As a key participant in energy 
conservation research at

[[Page E1704]]

the national level, CSU engineers and students are developing clean-
running engines, methods to mass-produce solar cells, and other 
cutting-edge technology.
  At the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory (EECL), housed in the 
old Fort Collins powerplant, engineers are designing industrial and 
automotive engines which need less energy to operate and release less 
exhaust. The lab has strong support from the natural gas industry which 
has already begun to implement the new technology. Through cooperation 
between the University, industry and federal agencies, clean-air 
efforts are progressing with greater speed and efficiency than with 
traditional regulatory methods. The Environmental Protection Agency and 
the City of Denver have awarded EECL grants to develop clean-air engine 
technology. The National Science Foundation commissioned the lab to 
build an online engine which scientists can access from around the 
world. Additionally, the lab's automobile engines are some of the 
fastest, highest mileage natural gas engines in the country.
  The Mechanical Engineering Department is also involved in creating a 
method for the production of solar cells. The high cost of solar cell 
production has prevented most households and small businesses from 
making significant use of this energy-saving technology. The Department 
is discovering a method for mass-production which will lower the price 
while increasing reliability and worker safety.
  Also of note, CSU participates in the Department of Energy's 
Industrial Assessment Program offering free energy, waste, and 
productivity assessments to small and mid-sized manufacturers. 
Assessments usually result in annual cost savings of $55,000 to these 
businesses. CSU is the only university in the mountain state region to 
provide this service.
  The Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Tim Tong 
believes that advancements in energy conservation will continue as 
energy is deregulated. He and members of his department are working to 
ensure that Colorado State University will continue to play a vital 
role in energy research and development into the next century. I would 
like to thank Dr. Tim Tong, the Head of the Mechanical Engineering 
Department, Dr. Bryan Willson, the Director of the EECL, and Robert 
Enzenroth for their time and for their commitment to this important 
endeavor.
  Mr. Speaker, these professionals are providing academic and 
scientific leadership for the nation. I commend their work to all 
Members of the House and stand eager to provide further information 
about the Colorado State University Mechanical Engineering Department 
upon request of any colleague.

                          ____________________