Fuel Cell Fundamentals 2009
A Summer Class for Engineering Exchange Students

Middle East Technical University (METU)
Ankara, Turkey

United Nations Industrial Development Organization-
International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies
Announcements:
  • October 25:
    • We already have 7 students pre-registered for this class from The University of Texas at Austin and another 5 who are interested.  If you plan to participate in this exchange you should begin the application process now in case the class fills-up.
    • Cost and application procedures added to Course & Exchange Info.
  • October 23: Highlights of Dr. Gul Kremer's visit from Penn State to METU:
    • Dr. Kremer met with the METU Assistant to the President in charge of exchange programs, the Dean of Engineering, the Department Chairs of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, representatives from Aerospace Engineering and Materials Engineering.
    • Dr. Kremer met informally with METU Women Engineering Students Reyhan, Serife, Didem, and Sehribani to discuss what life is like at METU in general and in particular for women engineering students.
    • Approximately 45 METU students from all branches of engineering came to Dr. Kremer's information session on exchange and graduate studies at Penn State.
    • Dr. Kremer left very excited about this opportunity for Penn State students and we are currently working to formalize an exchange agreement between Penn State and METU.
  • October 14: Dr. Gul Kremer from the Engineering Design and Industrial Engineering Department at Penn State will visit the METU campus on Thursday and Friday of this week to work on formalizing an exchange agreement between Penn State and METU to support this exchange class. She will give an information session on exchange opportunities at Penn State for METU students on Thursday and a seminar on her research on Friday.  These events have been added to the Calendar.
  • September 21: New website uploaded
Calendar:
  • Oct. 16, 4-5 pm, Information Session for METU students interested in spending a semester at Penn State University given by Dr. Gul Kremer from the Engineering Design and Industrial Engineering Department at Penn State.  Location: METU Mechanical Engineering E-105.
  • Oct. 17, 4-5 pm, Seminar given by Dr. Gul Kremer from the Engineering Design and Industrial Engineering Department at Penn State.  Details.
  • July 6 - Aug. 14, 2009: METU Summer Semester and dates for the fuel cell class.  Exchange students will likely need to arrive a few days early for orientation.
Course and Exchange Information:
Facebook:
  • Meet the METU students who are helping to organize this exchange program on their student run Facebook Group.  These METU students can answer all of your questions about what life is like at METU and in Turkey.  These students will also serve as your hosts during your time in Turkey and will make sure that you have a great time here.
Fuel Cells:
METU:
ICHET:
Turkey:
In 2007 Turkey was the world's 9th most visited country. Although relatively unknown to many Americans, Turkey is a favorite vacation destination for Northern Europeans due to the sun, beaches, history and mountains.
Hidronerji:
Hidronerji is the corporate sponsor for this course and a technology development and engineering company. Hidronerji's first aim is to expand the application areas of clean and renewable energy and develop environmentally friendly products. Hidronerji researches and develops energy technologies related to hydrogen, solar, wind and water. Hidronerji's expertise includes concept development, design, automation and software development.
 
Acknowledgements:
  • Dr. Janet Ellzey, Assistant Dean for International Engineering Education, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas-Austin.  The idea for this exchange program was the result of a request from Dr. Ellzey that Texas and METU develop a more active exchange of engineering students.  Dr. Ellzey has provided valuable input on how to best structure this exchange program.
  • Dr. Emin Caglan Kumbur, Associate Director, Fuel Cell Dynamics and Diagnostics Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Kumbur obtained his BS from METU and Ph.D. from Penn State and has been a strong advocate at Penn State for this program.
  • Prof. Matthew Mench, Director, Fuel Cell Dynamics and Diagnostics Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University. Prof. Mench wrote the textbook Fuel Cell Engines that will be used for this course and has provided important support for this program.