As part of Meliora Weekend, a forum titled "Will Fuel Cells Power Rochester's Future Economy?" will take place at 10 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Oct 22 in Room 407, Schlegel Hall, Simon School. The forum will be attended by representatives of local industry, academia, and government and will be followed by a question and answer session. The discussion will be about the future of fuel cells in Rochester and about the educational role the University can play in preparing and retaining the local work force.
Tentative participants from local industries and the government and their topics include Matthew Fronk, Chief Engineer, General Motors Fuel Cell Activities, "Industrial Prospective: Fuel Cell Needs"; Michael Finney, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Rochester Enterprise, "The Building of a New Industry in Rochester"; and Andrew Bosco, General Motors and New York Fuel Cell Network, "The New York Fuel Cell Network".
The forum features a number of faculty members from the University of Rochester Chemical Engineering Department. Professor Jacob Jorne will deliver the introduction: "What is a Fuel Cell? Will Fuel Cell Be the Next Kodak Camera?" Faculty members and their topics are: Assistant Professor Mitch Anthanmattem, "Advanced Polymers for fuel cells"; Professor Shaw Chen, "Fuel Cell – A Paradigm in Chemical Engineering Research and Education"; Senior Lecturer Ben Ebenhack, "Energy in Transition"; Professor Eldred Chimowitz, "Green Chemistry and Education"; Assistant Professor Hong Yang, "Nano-technology in Fuel Cell Research"; and Assistant Professor Matthew Yates, "Interfacial science in Fuel Cell Research."
The forum is free and open to the public.