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Saturday, 10 September 2022 16:45

Pathways Toward a Net Zero Emissions World

Huning Alex

 

David L. McCollum, PhD

 Senior R&D Staff

Mobility and Energy Transitions Analysis (META) Group

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Monday, September 12, 2022

 

International agreements and domestic policies call for deep decarbonization of the global energy system while ensuring that broader objectives for sustainability are simultaneously achieved.

Analysis of such futures demands integrated modeling tools that bridge sectors, scales and disciplines.

Dr. McCollum’s presentation will provide examples of such analyses, with a particular eye toward the socio-technical pathways toward achieving a net zero emissions world.

 

Dr. David L. McCollum’s expertise spans economics, engineering, policy analysis, and corporate advisory services. His research attempts to inform state, national (developed and developing) and global energy and environmental issues related to, among others, deep decarbonization, net-zero emissions pathways, energy-transport-climate policies electric sensor planning, end-use sector electrification (transport, buildings, industry), Sustainable Development Goals (including inter-dependencies), financing needs for the energy system transformation, and human dimensions of climate change. He employs energy-economic systems and integrated assessment models in support of this work (e.g., MESSAGESix-GLOBIOM, TIMES-MARKAL,REGEN, GCAM)

Before joining ORNL in September 2021, David was a Senior Research Scholar with the Energy Program at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria, and a Principal Technical Leader at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in Palo Alto, California.

He currently holds secondary appointments as

  • Guest Senior Research Scholar at IIASA

  • Research Fellow in Energy and Environment at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee

  • Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London.

The latter is in his capacity with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Technical Support Unit (TSU - Working Group III) for the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).

David previously led activities within

  • the Global Energy Assessment

  • IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5 - WG III)

  • IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C

  • and other international, multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as for the World Bank and International Council for Science (ICSU).

David received a PhD and MS in Transportation Technology & Policy from the University of California, Davis (USA), Institute of Transportation Studies; an MS in Agricultural & Resource Economics from the same institution; and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

 
Rethinking Energy Solutions IIASA
 
net zero world banner
 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.

Dewaine Speaks
 

Dewaine Speaks

Weston Fulton: Edison of the South 

Monday, August 8, 2022 

The program is a presentation on Weston Fulton, an American meteorologist, inventor and entrepreneur, best known for his invention, the sylphon, a seamless metal bellows used in thermostats, switches and other temperature controls. He founded Fulton Bellows which later became Robertshaw Controls, one of Knoxville’s largest employers.
 
Weston Fulton was an early member of the Technical Society of Knoxville and related to TSK’s honorary member Bob Scott.
 
Dwaine Speaks is a writer and native of East Tennessee. He has worked under contract with The History Press to write four books that establish suitable histories of notable events that have occurred in East Tennessee.
 
Published works by Speaks are
  • Weston Fulton in Tennessee: Edison of the South, a biography of Tennessee’s most prolific inventor
  • East Tennessee in World War II, the story of the tremendous contributions by East Tennesseans during the war
  • Historic Disasters of East Tennessee, which chronicles some of the disasters that often impacted entire communities
  • Murder Mayhem in East Tennessee, which covers stories that either had sub-plots or were of historic significance. 
Speaks earned a BA with a major in Economics from the University of Tennessee where he played outfield for the Volunteers baseball team. He retired with a career in the marketing of industrial equipment, domestically and internationally. He was a member of the United States Air Force, the Tennessee Air National Guard and the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.
 
Dewaine Speaks worked for the Fulton Sylphon Company for over 35 years retiring there as National Sales Manager.
He made sales calls and attended meetings with engineers in most states and several foreign countries. Some of the projects he worked on while with the firm follow:
  • Disney World monorail tire sensors
  • Automatic oxygen systems for airliners
  • U.S. National Centrifuge Program
  • Dampening devices in the transmissions of automobiles
  • Controls on the distiller in Jack Daniels distillery
  • Automatic control of the Yugo automobile engine’s air-fuel mixture
  • Bellows as part of the fuel control system for NASA rocket engines
  • Device that helps control the blood temperature of open-heart surgery patients
  • Automatic deployment of parachutes of pilots ejecting at high altitudes
  • Automobile thermostats for Nissan Motor Company
  • System for providing water for astronauts in space
  • Star Wars propulsion system
 
 
 
The Technical Society is still testing Zoom Technology in order to offer hybrid meetings in the future. If you have any questions or comments please let us know.
 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.

Mashid Ahmadi
 

Dr. Mashid Ahmadi 

 Assistant Professor

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Tickle College of Engineering

University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Monday, July 11, 2022

 

Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Research and development of solar cells have gained more value. Recent development in some novel materials has opened possibilities for the production of low-cost and highly efficient solar cells. One such materials system is hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites.

In recent years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of metal halide perovskites (MHP) solar cells have been rapidly improved with PCEs exceeding 25.5% for a single-junction solar cell. Beyond photovoltaic applications, the development of these materials for other applications such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) photodetectors, and ionizing radiation sensors has been remarkable thanks to their unique optoelectronic properties.

The key remaining challenges blocking widespread application of these materials are their chemical instability and environmental sensitivity. In this talk I will discuss the use of automated laboratory robotics and the use of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to accelerate the discovery and design of compositions and materials processing toward optimized properties including stability of intrinsic materials for solar cells and other applications.

 
Professor Ahmadi graduated with a B.S. (2004) and M.S. (2007) in Materials Science and Industrial Metallurgy from Shiraz University, Iran. She received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2013 with a focus on the development of low-cost materials for energy applications.
 
Prior to joining UTK, she worked as a research and technology consultant in a start-up solar cell company in Dallas Texas.
 
She is a recipient of the US National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award in 2021, Alfred Sloan Research Fellow in 2022 and UTK-MSE Excellence in Research Award.
 
Her research interests lie in the field of high throughput semi-automating synthesis and characterization of metal halide perovskites and the study of the electronic and ionic transport properties of metal halide perovskites and the application of perovskites for solar cells, radiation detectors and other sensors.
 

* This meeting is offered as a professional development hour for Tennessee-licensed engineers and architects.

The presentation meets the TN State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners’ continuing education requirements. It will consist of at least 50 minutes of prepared presentation with discussion reserved for the time after the meeting. TSK does not guarantee approval, but strictly meets the Board-specified requirements and issues a certificate of attendance.

The State Board does not pre-approve such hours. It is the responsibility of each PE or architect to determine whether the topic conduces to proficiency in her or his field of professional practice.

 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.

Huning Alex

 

Alex J. Huning

 Reactor Modeling and Safety Analyst

Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Monday, June 13, 2022

 
Decelerating the addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is perhaps the only near-term step that we can take to reduce the likelihood of global temperature rise over the coming decade. Nuclear energy can and should play a role in reducing our carbon output; nuclear energy is already the largest source of effectively emissions-free energy in the US. However the construction of new large-scale nuclear power reactors is costly, with long construction schedules that accumulate years of liabilities before producing any revenues.
 
A new generation of reactor designers, driven primarily by private capital investment, are working to bring new technologies to market that potentially offer shorter construction cycles and facilitate different approaches for financing. Many of these designs also implement different strategies for fuel utilization, seeking to extract even more energy from available resources or, in some cases, consume fuel that is today considered waste. The Advanced Reactor Engineering and Development Section at Oak Ridge National Laboratory works to develop and qualify vital enabling technologies and accelerate the deployment of these next-generation power stations.
 
Dr. Huning is a staff member of the Advanced Nuclear System Safety and Licensing Group. His research interests include reactor safety and analysis of accident phenomena, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), and licensing processes for advanced nuclear systems. For instance, he is serving as the Regulatory Lead for the Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR). In this role, he leads a team of experts charged with developing the TCR safety basis and interfacing with design, systems, and I&C teams to ensure consistency, and drive forward both safe and cost-effective solutions.
 
He is also engaged on many other endeavoring projects which include molten salt reactor safety analysis and design, mechanistic source term, and systems-level modeling and simulation using the Oak Ridge developed suite of Modelica packages, TRANSFORM. Prior to joining ORNL, he was the lead PRA analyst at X-Energy. Alex earned his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2016.
 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.

Adam Crocker
 

Adam Crocker

 Manager

Fiber Optic Construction

Knoxville Utilities Board

Monday, May 9, 2022

 
Providing fiber-optic broadband internet service at symmetrical 1-Gigabit per second will be a major effort taking several years to complete. The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) has over 473,000 customers and serves not only Knoxville but parts of seven surrounding counties.

Adam Crocker’s team is responsible for fiber-optic aerial and underground construction, all fusion splicing and service installation.
 
Adam will discuss KUB’s broadband division and outside plant fiber-optic construction techniques. He will highlight municipal broadband fundamentals, passive optical network architecture, means and methods of construction, fusion splicing, and troubleshooting.
 
Adam moved to Tennessee from New York at age six and grew up in Tellico Plains, where he came to know and understand rural living. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Electrical Engineering. He started his engineering career at ATT, where his passion for communications was ignited.
 
Using his ten years of experience of telecommunication design, engineering and construction to deliver broadband connectivity to the unserved and underserved is Adam’s primary motivator.
 
Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He and his family can be found outdoors regularly, hiking, four-wheeling or at youth sporting events.
 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.
Sunday, 10 April 2022 16:47

Advances and Activities in Fusion Energy

Mickey Wade
 

Mickey Wade, PhD

 Director

Fusion Energy Division

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Monday, April 11, 2022

 

Over 30 years, Wade has written or co-written more than 300 publications and been involved in numerous fusion energy community activities. He was named a fellow of the American Physical Society in 2010 for his outstanding contributions to burning plasma physics, impurity transport and the development of advanced tokamak scenarios.

Wade received a bachelor’s degree in nuclear science and engineering from Virginia Tech and masters and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from Georgia Tech.

Dr. Wade recently served as deputy director of Magnetic Fusion Energy for General Atomics and has extensive experience in fusion energy research, programmatic development and strategic planning. Under his leadership, the division is developing the understanding required for an attractive fusion energy source through domestic and international research collaborations, pursuing near-term applications to close the fusion fuel cycle and mitigate plasma disruptions, and developing solutions to materials and fusion nuclear science challenges presented by the harsh fusion environment. The organization also supports the Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment. As part of his role, he works closely with the U.S. ITER Project, which is based at ORNL.

In 15 years at General Atomics, Wade also served as the DIII-D national fusion program director and DIII-D experimental science director. From 1994-2005, he was a senior scientist at ORNL. He was also a leader in developing support and advocacy for ITER and served as co-chair of teh U.S. Magnetic Research Strategic Directions Community Workshops.

He will provide an engaging and accessible update on the many advances and activities underway now in fusion.

 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.
Wednesday, 09 March 2022 14:21

Forestry Reclamation Approach

Jennifer Franklin
 

Dr. Jennifer Franklin 

 Professor

Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

Herbert College of Agriculture

University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Monday, March 14, 2022

 
Professor Franklin directs the Restoration and Conservation Science concentration in the Forestry major and teaches research methods of restoring function and biodiversity to temperate forests. She is part of the academic team that supports the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI).
 
Harvesting, mining, and recreational uses of forests alter the soil properties, and thus affect tree growth. This is an especially serious problem for the coal mining areas in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee.
 
To meet the requirements of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Tennessee changed its Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program in 1984. To minimize the “benches” and “high-walls” left after coal removal, tailings were graded and then heavily compacted to prevent the movement of sediment. However, while grasses thrived on the compacted material, trees have not been able to establish.
 
ARRI is a coalition of groups, including citizens, the coal industry, and government dedicated to restoring forests on coal mined lands. This partnership includes environmental organizations, academia and private landowners.
 
ARRI advocates using a technique known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) to plant trees on reclaimed coal mined lands. This approach makes it possible to create productive forestland on reclaimed mine lands under existing laws and regulations.
 
Citizen volunteers are encouraged to participate in tree plantings.
 
Scenic view of a large plantation of young trees and a nearby, older forest.Please also see other images in this series:[url=file_closeup.php?id=15974214][img]file_thumbview_approve.php?size=2&id=15974214[/img][/url] [url=file_closeup.php?id=11130
 
 
For more information contact the secretary, Wayne Loveday, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-679-9854.
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 12:45

The 5G Evolution of Microwave Transmission

 

Dr. Aly Fathy

James W. McConnell Professor

Antennas and Microwaves

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

University of Tennessee

Overview of Advanced Antenna Concepts for 5G Applications (PDH*)

 

Monday, February 14, 2022

Zoom meeting 

 

Implementation of advanced antenna concepts is essential for the success of the 5G evolution. The use of conventional beamforming networks — like Butler matrix, Blass matrix and the Rotman lenses network in addition to adaptive arrays — is very promising. The utilization of multi-element antennas in addition to deployment of advanced algorithms are the backbone of efficient spatial processing. Various antennas have been developed and can be utilized for beamforming, such as phased arrays and essential components for various MIMO use purposes that could operate in urban or suburban areas. Other antennas with high gain and powerful repeaters have been designed to extend coverage to rural areas as well. In this presentation, we will provide a brief overview of candidates for 5G antennas and discuss the impact of 5G and beyond technology in our society.

Dr. Aly Fathy is a James W. McConnell Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the Director of the Microwave/5G Labs at UTK. He is an IEEE Life Fellow and a very active researcher. He has been involved in developing UWB radars for SAR and MIMO applications and is focused on developing hardware for time and frequency domains UWB application and microwave systems measurements. Dr. Fathy’s research is recognized worldwide in the area of GPS, nm-waves, reconfigurable RF front ends, power combiners, and UWB radars. Additionally he has pioneered the development of reconfigurable antennas (sponsored by Intel and DAPRA). Moreover, he has developed many microwave enabling technologies (sponsored by ONR, DARPA, NASA and NRL). Professor Fathy’s research background is in SAR radars, 3D imaging, multi-band, reconfigurable, UWB, and reconfigurable multi-band antenna structures. He was awarded 14 patents, published 7 book chapters and over 350 IEEE publications. Dr. Fathy is internationally recognized. He received the distinguished educator award for 2021 by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society and received numerous awards from Sarnoff Research Lab (formerly the RCA Research Lab) and the University of Tennessee.

* This webinar is offered as a professional development hour for Tennessee-licensed professional engineers.

Please note that PDH certificates can only be issued if you announce your intention to receive credit for attendance to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ahead of time, receive confirmation for it and are present with live video for the entire duration of the Zoom presentation. More information on Tennessee PDH is included at the end of the article About TSK.

Monday, 10 January 2022 10:31

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