A Technological Partnership

United Technologies Corporation (UTC), one of Rensselaer’s strongest and most long-term corporate partners, has expanded its collaborative efforts with Rensselaer through support of joint research efforts in fuel cell technology and simulation-based engineering.

Photo: Gary Gold

“Fuel cells will usher in a new technological age of ‘green,’ highly efficient, distributed power. Their impact will be profound in automobiles, homes, and commercial buildings,” says Carl Nett ’82, director of United Technologies Research Center and a Rensselaer Key Executive.

“As societal standards are raised, existing technologies will become more green—for example, reducing the noise emitted from commercial jet engines. Through application of their research, RPI faculty and students are helping UTC to bring this new age forward, and we are helping them by providing cutting-edge applications for their research that will push it into new frontiers. I think the win-win nature of this arrangement is the key to its success.”

Rensselaer faculty involved in this research include David Torrey, associate professor of electric power engineering (pictured with graduate student Ugur Selamogullari), who is developing dynamic models of electric loads powered by fuel cells; Michael Jensen, professor of mechanical engineering, whose research involves modeling and design of the steam generator for fuel processor systems; and Ken Jansen, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, who is working on designing and evaluating noise reduction on jets using simulation-based engineering.

The collaborative efforts between Rensselaer and United Technologies Corporation also include a large investment in education for working professionals. In fact, the company is the largest contributor to education for working professionals at Rensselaer at Hartford. In addition, Rensselaer is a United Technologies Corporation focus university, receiving annual grants for minority scholarships, academic enrichment workshops, and support for the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development.

Nearly 900 Rensselaer alumni are employed at United Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries, and the corporation maintains an active co-op program for Rensselaer undergraduates.