Algae’s energy potential blooms
November 9, 2009
KU researchers seeing green in alternative biofuel project
Top Transportation Issues Facing the Nation Event
January 13, 2009
American motorists are texting their way to an early grave.
A recent government and industry forum at the University of Kansas has identified key threats and problems affecting American transportation, among them: driver distraction due to electronic devices. People who text and talk on cell phones while driving have impaired abilities equivalent to that of a drunken driver.
2008 KU TRI Presidential & Congressional Forum
The Transportation Research Institute at the University of Kansas presented a two day event to discuss the Key Transportation and Energy Issues that are facing the nation. The events were hosted by the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.
KU class works to build hyper-efficient car
November 19, 2008
LAWRENCE — A class of mechanical engineering students at the University of Kansas School of Engineering who dubbed themselves the EcoHawks are creating a vehicle that can get 500 miles per gallon of gas.
The project is part of a class called Design Project Option E, taught by Chris Depcik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, who previously worked with Detroit’s auto industry at the University of Michigan. He said the goal of the project is to answer some of the big energy and transportation questions of the day in a way that gives students real-world experience beyond mechanical engineering.
Presentation on transportation and research needs planned
October 14, 2008
A presentation on transportation and research needs will be given by Hugh Kierig, AICP, on Oct. 23 at the Spahr Engineering Classroom as part of the Emerging Challenges in Transportation lecture series at the University of Kansas.
The KU Transportation Research Institute (KU TRI) and the Mid-America Transportation Center are sponsoring the presentation for students, faculty and the public, titled “The History and Future of Personal Rapid Transit in the United States,” which beings at 3:30 p.m. at 2 Eaton Hall.
KU science, engineering education project receives $2.9 million
July 3, 2008
LAWRENCE — University of Kansas researchers and graduate students will work to instill a love for science, math and engineering in K-12 students in Kansas.
The National Science Foundation has announced it will award $2.9 million over five years to the Kansas Partnership for Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education program at KU.
Professors aim to improve productivity and cost efficiency of highway construction
April 17, 2008
LAWRENCE — A project under way north of Lawrence is all about saving time and money.
Yong Bai, assistant professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering at the University of Kansas, has launched a research project that aims to Professors aim to improve productivity and cost efficiency of highway construction projects through on-site, real-time monitoring.
Building the Biodiesel Boom
January 2008
It’s the alchemy of alternative energy: Researchers and student volunteers at the University of Kansas are transforming waste grease into valuable transportation fuel.
Once per week, used canola oil from “Mrs. E’s,” a popular dining commons on the Lawrence campus, is pumped into a 55-gallon drum and delivered to the KU Biodiesel Initiative’s new refining lab in Burt Hall.
Grease traps to gas tanks
November 16, 2007
Michael Carman has a special relationship with used fat.
He often drives 40 minutes to pick up a dozen gallons or so of old grease. He has 100 more gallons of used cooking fat in his garage, stacked precariously in plastic cubes wrapped in oily cardboard.
For Carman, each gallon of old oil means free money — and as fuel prices creep higher, the grease grows only more valuable. Carman gets 50 miles per gallon on the stuff.
Preeminent KU research group safeguards bridges in Kansas and beyond
September 4, 2007
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Fatigue and Fracture Research Group was extending the lives of steel bridges long before the shocking Aug. 1 collapse of the Minneapolis I-35W Mississippi Bridge.
But in the wake of that deadly disaster, KU’s four-decades-long mission to make bridges safer has added urgency.
KU biodiesel researchers welcome bus riders on ‘green’ road trip
July 11, 2007
LAWRENCE — College-age scholars on a cross-country trek to publicize environmental challenges and Native American issues stopped at the University of Kansas on July 10 to meet researchers who are turning waste vegetable oil into transportation fuel.
The Udall Legacy Bus Tour was created to honor longtime Arizona congressman and 1976 presidential candidate Morris K. Udall, who was well-known for advocacy of environmental and Native American concerns.
National Academy of Science leader to address transportation issues at KU
January 29, 2007
William Colglazier, executive officer of the National Academy of Science and chief operating officer of the National Research Council, will speak as part of the KU Transportation Research Institute's Emerging Challenges in Transportation Lecture Series. The series illuminates prevailing transportation research needs for students, faculty and the public.
Colglazier's lecture, Science and Technology in Addressing Critical Issues Facing the Nation, is free and open to the public. Colglazier will discuss transportation-related problems such as global warming and dependency on foreign oil and what new technologies can be used to help solve these problems. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Room 2 of Spahr Classroom in Eaton Hall. A reception will follow.
Congressman Moran visits research labs
December 05, 2006
Congressman Jerry Moran excited about the research happening at the University of Kansas during his visit on December 4, 2006. Moran was instrumental in KU TRI receiving $14.5 million in funding for transportation research.
The future of transportation is ALL SHOOK UP
November 06, 2006
KU TRI is off to a fast start in funding 15 to 16 different projects. Currently, the institute has awarded approximately $1.3 million in funding coupled with money matched by external and in-kind funds of approximately $2 million to fund research on everything from electric buses, diesel-powered aircraft, hydrogen-powered vehicles, alternative fuels and back strain of truck drivers.
Former science adviser to President Clinton helps steer KU transportation institute
November 01, 2006
After spending 21 years advising members of the Cabinet, Congress and President Clinton on the impact of science and technology on society, John H. Gibbons is coming to Lawrence to spend a day sharing his expertise with students and faculty at the University of Kansas.
Gibbons will speak Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Spahr Classroom in Eaton Hall. The presentation begins at 4:30 p.m., with a reception following. The public is welcome to attend.
KUTRI research plugged into hybrid buses in Kansas City
October 31, 2006
This week, as the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority begins to test a new plug-in hybrid electric bus, KU Transportation Research Institute engineers will help monitor how it performs and measure what impact it has on air quality.
The bus works by running on electricity until the battery is nearly depleted. Then it switches to a backup diesel engine and operates like a conventional diesel-electric hybrid. It is later plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge the battery. Using grid power for some of its operation significantly reduces its use of petroleum fuel.
KUTRI Seminar - Wednesday, September 6th
August 28, 2006
Mr. John Powell will present a seminar titled Chattanooga electric bus experiment on Wednesday, September 6th at 3 pm in the Spahr engineering classroom, 2 Eaton Hall.
KU names Honea as first director of KU Transportation Research Institute
June 02, 2006
Honea, a former director of the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is the institute's first director.
Congress provides KU with $14.5 million for Transportation Research Institute
September 15, 2005
Congress appropriated $14.5 million on July 29 to the University of Kansas to support and expand ongoing transportation-related research in such key areas as fuel cells, road and vehicle materials, aircraft and air quality.
The funding, acquired through the efforts of Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran and Sen. Pat Roberts, will assist KU's Transportation Research Institute in the School of Engineering.
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