Scott Samuelsen

Picture of Scott Samuelsen
Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Environmental Engineering
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Director, National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC)
Director, Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP)
Director, UCI Combustion Laboratory
PH.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1970, Mechanical Engineering
Phone: (949) 824-5468
Fax: (949) 824-7423
Email: gss@uci.edu
University of California, Irvine
Advanced Power and Energy Program
223 ELF
Mail Code: 3550
Irvine, CA 92697
Research Interests
Energy, Combustion, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Distributed Generation, Alternative Fuels, Gas Turbine Engines, Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Air Pollution
Research Abstract
The Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) encompasses the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), the UCI Combustion Laboratory (UCICL), and the Pacific Rim on Energy, Combustion, and the Environment (PARCON). The UCICL is a major research facility for advanced stationary gas turbine power systems, the NFCRC is leading the evolution of power generation fuel cells, and the PARCON accelerates the development and deployment of advance energy systems. As a result, the APEP is addressing the cutting edge of pre-commercial technologies, and the major challenges of connectivity and load management in distributed and dispersed power generation scenarios.

Membership in the Program is supported by Southern California Edison, Siemens-Westinghouse, FuelCell Energy, Parker Hannifin, Air Products Chemical Corporation, Toyota, Horiba Ltd., Southern California Gas Company, the Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, Capstone Turbines, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The research in the APEP (www.apep.uci.edu) focuses on hydrogen, distributed generation, energy generation, distribution and utilization including the production of electricity, motive power, and propulsive power. The research explores as well the environmental impact of these energy systems, the dynamic between energy generation and atmospheric quality, and the development of environmentally preferred, high-efficiency energy systems. APEP receives research funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, Southern California Edison,

The research in the NFCRC (www.nfcrc.uci.edu) is directed to the development of low cost, reliable, and flexible fuel cell systems and fuel cell hybrids. Research is conducted on full scale, grid-connected systems as well as critical component technologies such as controls, reformers, inverters, and distributed power management. The goals is to accelerate the development and deployment of practical systems into the market, and to explore and demonstrate strategies that racket up efficiency and racket down pollutant emission per kW -hr. The NFCRC receives research funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, the California Energy Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,

The research in the UCICL (www.ucicl.uci.edu) encompasses the development of advanced gas turbine, rocket, furnace, and boiler systems. Research is conducted as well on the needed research resources including laser diagnostics, model combustors with clean boundary conditions and optical access, boiler and furnace simulators, model liquid and gaseous fuels, statistical modeling for the experimental testing of practical systems, comprehensive numerical simulation for the development of mechanistic understanding of combustion performance. The UCLCL receives research funding from the California Energy Commission, Capstone Turbines,

PARCON (www.parcon.uci.edu) encompasses universities and industry that share the responsibility of maintaining a common air resource healthy and preserving its natural resources. PARCON emphasizes communication and the exchange of technologies and tools available to address the energy challenges in the world with immediate focus on those germane to the region. PARCON was established in 1992 with the goals to advance the evolution of energy and environmental control technologies, and to promote more informed decision making. Six Pacific Rim Countries participate in PARCON with expansion planned to seven countries over the next two years. In each country, at least two industries and two universities participate. The participants meet twice a year for three-day workshops, sponsor exchanges, support six study groups, sponsor an annual international colloquium, and maintain a clearinghouse of information germane to high efficiency, and environmentally responsible energy technologies.
Available Technologies
Research Centers
National Fuel Cell Research Center
UCI Combustion Laboratory
Advanced Power and Energy Program
Institute for Software Research
Last updated
07/25/2010