New Engergy Sources and Global Demand Forum

The College of Arts and Sciences kicked off the New Year with the first in a series of Innovation Forums directed by Associate Dean Yogesh Vohra, Ph.D. The goal of the forum series is to focus on the world’s biggest problems where interdisciplinary innovations will have a big impact. During each forum, several faculty members and/or external speakers make short presentations on new developments in their field of research that have an interdisciplinary component and/or commercial interest and present it to interested faculty. The theme of the first forum, which took place on January 24, 2012, was “New Energy Sources and Global Demand”. Robin Miles of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab in California talked about her work with the Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) Project. Robin Miles described the modular design of the futuristic LIFE power plants and a need for innovations in target capsule design for fusion fuel and other components for an economically viable power production.

David Morrow, Ph.D. from the UAB Department of Philosophy discussed the twin challenges of global poverty and climate change and how solving one problem makes the other one worse. He emphasized how cheap clean energy sources can break this cycle and will address both the issues of climate change and global poverty simultaneously.

The forum concluded with a talk by Renato Camata, Ph.D. of the UAB Department of Physics entitled, “Fuel Cells for Clean Energy Applications”. Dr. Camata addressed the need of micro-power plants that have a smaller carbon foot print than the conventional power production. Specifically, he pointed out developments in his laboratory of new ceramic electrolytes for fuel cells that can operate at lower temperatures and with high efficiency.

The forum was a resounding success with over 85 UAB faculty members, staff, and graduate students in attendance from across UAB disciplines and there was a vigorous discussion and question and answer session after each presentation. Associate Dean Vohra believes that these forums will enable attendees to learn about new advances in interdisciplinary research areas and promote collaborations across UAB campus. Some of the ideas discussed at these forums will result in entrepreneurial/commercialization opportunities that can be exploited by partnering with UAB Research Foundation and Birmingham Business Alliance. For more information about upcoming forums contact Allison Crotwell, Director of Communications for the College at arbc@uab.edu.



Robin Miles, Ph.D.
Lawrence Livermore
National Lab, CA



Renato Camata, Ph.D.
UAB Department of Physics

David Morrow, Ph.D.
UAB Department of Philosophy