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1. Johnson: More Research Needed to Boost Trucks' Fuel Economy |
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer
More research is needed to improve the safety and fuel economy of the nation's truck fleet, John Johnson told a congressional subcommittee Tuesday.
Johnson, a presidential professor of mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics, testified March 24 before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Science and Technology. The hearing was part of a review of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies research and development programs. Specifically, subcommittee members questioned expert witnesses on the funding levels and changing market and public needs.
Johnson expressed concern over the decline in federal funding for the 21st Century Truck Partnership. In 2000, DOE launched the partnership to explore technological improvements in commercial and military trucks and buses. Funded through the DOE, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency, the partnership also involves several national research laboratories and many industrial partners.
Increasing truck efficiency has a major impact because trucks make up a significant portion of America's fuel use and will likely surpass passenger car fuel use within the next few decades.
"Despite the many benefits of the partnership, including helping the engine industry meet the EPA 2007 particulate and 2010 NOx standards, the program has suffered from the dwindling resources devoted by the Department of Energy," Johnson told the subcommittee. Funding has dropped from $87 million in FY2002 to $30 million in FY2008.
Federal support for research is falling just as the trucking industry prepares to address new fuel economy standards under development by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Johnson noted. He recommended that the DOE receive $200 million for research to boost trucks' fuel efficiency and to reduce emissions, including research on biodiesel, aerodynamic design, hybrid vehicles and more.
Safety is also a major concern. "Crash protection measures have not substantially reduced highway fatalities during the past decade," he said. He recommended that $25 million a year be allocated to the partnership for the development of crash avoidance technologies and in-vehicle communication systems.
Research spending should reflect the significant role the trucking industry plays in the US economy, he said. Manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks had sales of $16 billon in 2002, and overall, the trucking industry employs 1.4 million workers with an annual payroll of $47 billion. "Trucks account for about one-fourth of the transportation industry's total revenues," said Johnson.
Johnson chaired the National Academies Committee that wrote the June report "Review of the 21st Century Truck Partnership." A nationally recognized expert on diesel engines, he has participated in 12 National Academies committees. |
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2. Haggenmiller Named Coach of the Year |
By Ian Marks, assistant director, Athletic Communications
Michigan Tech Nordic ski coach Joe Haggenmiller was named men's coach of the year for both the Central Collegiate Ski Association and the NCAA Central Region. This is the first time that he has won the award.
Haggenmiller had three male skiers earn All-CCSA honors and seven skiers earn All-NCAA Central Region honors this season. The team also sent the maximum of three male skiers to the 2009 NCAA Skiing Championships, including junior Jesse Lang, who became the first male skier at Tech to earn NCAA All-American honors with his eighth-place finish in the 20-kilometer freestyle.
"It is an honor," Haggenmiller said of the recognition. "It was a really fun year to coach. Our men's team had a very good crop of new athletes come in to mix with our veterans. Our group, which is very big by NCAA skiing standards, really worked well together to help each other be successful."
He singled out "a great support staff," in particular new assistant coach Jason Cork, graduate assistant technician Ryan Tervo and some volunteer technicians. "They helped our athletes to really step up the level of skiing for our program."
Haggenmiller was pleased that his skiers were "very competitive" against rival Northern Michigan University, which he called "a big accomplishment."
Haggenmiller is proud but not complacent. "I hope we can continue this upward trend. We have room for improvement." |
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3. Presidential Survey Done, Feedback Solicited |
The survey on President Glenn Mroz's performance has closed for this year. The University Senate's Administrative Policy Committee thanks all who participated.
The results of this survey will be presented to the Senate before the end of this academic year, and a tabulation of the numeric results will be posted on the Senate website.
The committee has one more request: if you have any additional comments that you wish to share concerning the survey process, time frame, mechanism or questions, pass them on to your department senator, or send an email to any of this year's committee members: Gerard Caneba (Chemical Engineering), George Dewey (CEE), Pat Gotschalk (Student Affairs), Brenda Rudiger (Alumni Relations), Larry Lankton (Social Sciences) and Ranjit Pati (Physics). |
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4. Pep Band Hits a High Note Again |
Tech's irrepressible Pep Band made its fourth consecutive appearance as the host band at the WCHA Final Five Hockey Tournament in St. Paul on March 19-21.
During five games, the tournament typically draws over 88,000 fans and is nationally televised on Fox Sports North.
The band received excellent reviews from fans, Xcel Energy Center administrators, WCHA officials, St. Paul law enforcement officers, and the Crown Plaza Riverfront Hotel staff, according to Director of Bands Nicholas Enz (Visual and Performing Arts).
"We sometimes draw such large crowds in the atrium of the Xcel Center after the games that security requests we stop playing so the crowd will leave," Enz says. "The band's enthusiasm and creativity always represent Michigan Tech in the best way we know how."
Enz is assisted by the Pep Band's hard-working student conductors
Mitch Schuh (SOT) and Greg Karlovits (CEE), plus assistant student conductors Katie Becker (MSE) and Neil Wisniewski (ME-EM). Jake Appold (Biomedical Engineering) and Kevin Brei (Chem Eng) serve as the band's music librarians. Kenny Barnt (SOT) is equipment manager.
The Pep Band numbers 250 players and is growing. Enz says the band particularly appreciates the support of alumni and friends who, through the Michigan Tech Fund, enable the band to have enough instruments--think tubas!--as well as instrument maintenance and repair. |
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5. Get a Free HP Printer-Scanner-Copier When You Buy a Mac |
submitted by the Campus Bookstore
While quantities last, the Campus Bookstore is offering a free HP printer-scanner-copier with the purchase of any Mac computer. Also, check out the great special prices we have on the newest iPods.
Don't forget, you can purchase Apple products, interest free for one year, using payroll deduction. |
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6. Popcorn and Policy Discussion on Water Scarcity Monday |
A Popcorn and Policy panel discussion on water scarcity will be held today, Monday, March 30, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in EERC 100.
Hear what the experts have to say about topics related to managing our world's limited water supply, including dams, groundwater pumping, desalination, climate change, ecosystem destruction and the Great Lakes at this forum. Attendees will have a full hour to ask these gurus anything. Panelists include Dave Dempsey of Conservation Minnesota, Assistant Professor Tom Pypker (SFRES), Professor Alex Mayer (GMES) and doctoral student Lauren Fry (CEE).
Speaking of water, you might want to bring a reusable bottle with you, because that free popcorn will be salty.
Please direct any questions to Kaye Lafond at kmlafond@mtu.edu . |
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