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University of Hawai'i |
(808) 956-8856 Telephone |
For Immediate Release: |
March 11, 1999 |
Contact: Craig Jensen, 956-2769, jensen@gold.chem.hawaii.edu Cheryl Ernst, 956-8856 |
FIFTH IN DEPARTMENT HONORED THIS YEAR UH Chemistry Professor Named National Success Story University of Hawai'i at Manoa Professor of Chemistry Craig M. Jensen has been named the 1999 Research Success Story by the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel and the U.S. Department of Energy for his work developing effective new catalysts for hydrogen-based energy production. Jensen will describe his work at the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel annual meeting April 67 in Washington, D.C. Jensen's work in the Department of Chemistry, which is part of the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute's (HNEI) Hydrogen Program, focuses primarily on finding efficient, cheaper methods of storing hydrogen as an onboard energy carrier. One of the storage methods being explored is the use of metallic hydride compounds in which a high weight percentage of hydrogen is chemically bonded to metal centers. However, the hydrogen in these compounds is strongly bonded, and large amounts of energy must be used to pull hydrogen off the metal. Research conducted by Jensen has led to the development of a new catalyst, or a substance that accelerates the release of hydrogen from the metals, thus dramatically reducing the temperature required for rapid desorption of hydrogen. This discovery could greatly reduce the weight and cost of fuel cell systems, making hydrogen-powered vehicles more practical and economically feasible. A 1990 winner of the UH Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching, Jensen has been a member of the UH faculty since 1986. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1979 and his doctoral degree from UCLA in 1984. He is the fifth professor in the 15-member Department of Chemistry faculty to receive national recognition during the past year. Previously honored were Marcus Tius, by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; Kristin Kumashiro, awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation Career Award; Garry Rechnitz, named as an opening plenary speaker for a national chemistry symposium; and Robert Liu, honored with a lifetime achievement symposium by the National Chemistry Society in honor of his 60th birthday. Part of the UHM College of Natural Sciences, the Department of Chemistry offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees with emphasis in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and specialized research opportunities in biosensors, hydride materials and natural products. A UH organized research unit, the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) was established in 1974 by the Hawai'i Legislature to seek new and renewable forms of energy that would supplant the nation's dependence on petroleum. |
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