College of Science & Engineering Alumni Newsletter
Fall
2000
Industrial Assessment Center
On
October 1, 2000, the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) began its ninth
year of operation. The IAC program, sponsored by the US Department of Energy,
comprising 30 universities nationwide, began in 1976. Through a competitive
proposal process, new centers were added periodically, with San Francisco
State University being selected in October 1992.
The
purpose of the center is to provide energy conservation, waste minimization,
and productivity assistance to small manufacturers within 150 miles of
each center. The assistance provided is in the form of an one?day, no?cost
audit at a plant by a team of faculty and engineering students. The contract
calls for 25 audits each year. Measurements and observations are made of
the plant processes, energy use and waste production, which are compiled
in a report prepared in 60 days, specifying ways to save energy, reduce
waste, and increase productivity. By September 30 this year, we have audited
200 diverse manufacturers.
The
program provides an excellent opportunity for engineering students to develop
important skills needed for their future professions. Some of their duties
include: on?site measurements of plant energy consumption; evaluation of
waste management; gathering data from utility companies; researching techniques
for energy and waste reduction; contacting vendors and estimating implementation
costs; and organizing and writing a professional engineering report. Teamwork
and communications are indispensable to a successful IAC assessment, and
students experience extensive practice in both. Responsibility for leading
the assessment and coordinating preparation of the reports is rotated among
all team members, thus providing a valuable exercise in project management
to all.
The
total value of the IAC contract thus far is approximately $1,300,000. Upon
successful completion of work, renewal of the contract adds about $160,000
each year. Contributions from the College of Science and Engineering include
space and a total of .33 FTEF matching time for the directors.
In
its 8 years of operation, the center has made a positive contribution to
the University and Bay Area industries. Besides the savings in energy and
utility dollars and waste reduction opportunities that manufacturers will
achieve, the School of Engineering
itself achieves increased visibility with local industries. In addition,
our students gain valuable work experiences described above. Thus far,
we have trained nearly 50 students, with an approximate funding of $350,000
in student salaries.
The
project director and assistant director of the IAC are Professor Ahmad
Ganji and Professor ShyShenq
Liou, respectively. If you would like us to visit your plant, give
us a call at (415) 338-6218, or email us at eadc@sfsu.edu.
The center also has a web site at http://sleepy.sfsu.edu/iac/.