Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Education at Michigan Technological University

There is a strong need for a transformative curriculum to train the next generation of engineers who will help design, construct, and operate fuel cell vehicles and the associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure. In this poster we discuss how we integrate fuel cell and hydrogen technology into the project-based, hands-on learning experiences in engineering education at Michigan Technological University. Our approach is to involve students in the learning process via team-based interactive projects with a real-world flavor. This project has resulted in the formation of an “Interdisciplinary Minor in Hydrogen Technology” at Michigan Technological University. To receive the 16 credit minor, students are required to satisfy requirements in four areas, which are: • Participation in multiple semesters of the Alternative Fuels Group Enterprise, where students work on hands-on integration, design, and/or research projects in hydrogen and fuel cells. • Enrolling in a fuel cell course. • Enrolling in a lecture or laboratory course on hydrogen energy. • Enrolling in discipline-specific elective courses.Copyright © 2010 by ASME