Fall 2022 University Professor - Dr. Jeff Naber | Michigan Tech Research Forum

|October 12, 2022|Theme: Transportation Energy Utilization|

Jeff Naber

Lecturer

University Professor Dr. Jeff Naber

Topic

The Changing Landscape in Transportation Energy Utilization

Research Statement

Energy utilization for mobility, industrial, and transportation is undergoing significant changes with the advancement of technologies in electrical energy storage and power conversion. We will discuss how this is changing industry and engineering and examine regulation and how this impacts consumers and other stakeholders. I will discuss ongoing research projects in light-duty vehicles to industrial applications.

Six Questions With Dr. Jeff Naber

You focus your work lies at the intersection of energy, power and mobility. How did you come to choose this path? Or, did it choose you?

It has been a journey for sure and many opportunities and crossroads have brought me into my field of study and research and here to Michigan Tech. Curiosity and excitement to learn and explore new technologies and willingness to take on new challenges have certainly been part of the journey. Supportive family and great mentors have played a great part in it all.

How do your research and teaching complement each other?

I work with a large network of collaborators and partners both internal and external including many industry partners. This provides insight and portals to new opportunities and the state of the art with respect to technologies. This directly connects to my teaching including in the Automotive Systems course where the first part of the course is devoted specifically to disruptors and opportunities in the automotive industry and greater mobility.

What has changed the most in your field over the past decade (or two)?

System complexity. We have gone from understanding, development, and optimization of a subprocess/component to a subsystem to a system and now at systems of systems – for example going from a fuel injector in an engine to optimizing the mobility and transportation in an urban corridor.

What is the biggest challenge in your fields of expertise?

Keeping pace adapting to the change.

How does Michigan Tech work for you as a home base?

A great group of people to work with across the campus and staff at the center, great students, and great support from the university.

What's next in your research?

I am very interested in energy and conversion research in the transportation space and how do we continue to advance technologies to minimize environmental impacts while maintaining affordability and usability. There is a lot of change underway and coming.