性视界传媒鈥檚 most distinguished research award 鈥 the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award 鈥 was created in 2001 with two goals in mind: honoring the U.S. senator who has been an outstanding supporter of 性视界传媒, and recognizing faculty who have performed research that is both highly regarded and responsive to the needs of the community and state. The 2002 recipient of this honor, Robert Boehm, represents the exceptional research and scholarship being performed at 性视界传媒.
Robert F. Boehm鈥Distinguished Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Director, 性视界传媒 Center for Energy Research
Many believe that by tapping into Nevada鈥檚 plentiful solar, wind, and geothermal resources, the state could become a major supplier of the nation鈥檚 energy.
性视界传媒 Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Robert Boehm not only believes this is possible, but is working to make it happen.
Boehm, the university鈥檚 first recipient of the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award, maintains that in the not-too-distant future, he and his 性视界传媒 colleagues could help provide ecologically sound power sources that will also help stimulate new jobs and tax revenue for this region.
鈥淭he use of nontraditional power sources could become big business for the state and could further help diversify its economy,鈥 Boehm says. 鈥淲e have the ability to solve the country鈥檚 energy problems within Nevada鈥檚 borders.鈥
Since joining the 性视界传媒 faculty in 1990, Boehm continues to both teach and explore the potential of solar energy utilization, radiation heat transfer, and the design of thermal systems. In 1995, he established the Center for Energy Research, an interdisciplinary entity that focuses on the application of solar and renewable energy and the development of energy-efficient technologies. Currently, 10 graduate students, five faculty members, and numerous research partners are actively involved in a number of major projects, including:
鈥eveloping energy conservation design criteria for buildings constructed in the desert Southwest.
鈥onstructing a zero-energy home with numerous energy conserving features.
鈥eveloping a remote monitoring system for the new 50 megawatt solar-power system being constructed near Boulder City.
鈥nalyzing the effects of adding thermal storage to trough-type solar thermal power plants.
鈥onitoring environmental conditions in remote locations at the Nevada Test Site using a photovoltaic power generation system.
鈥valuating the economic viability of solar-powered water heaters.
鈥uilding a renewable hydrogen refueling station to install and analyze the performance of a hydrogen fueling system powered by the sun鈥檚 energy.
鈥orking with developers of concentrating photovoltaic solar power systems.
Boehm has authored several books on the design of thermal systems and heat transfer, has written more than 400 articles in a variety of publications, and has been a featured presenter at conferences and workshops around the nation and the world. He currently serves as associate editor for several international journals and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International Energy Committee, which is charged with making recommendations on energy issues to Congress. Boehm received his bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in mechanical engineering from Washington State University and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. He has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than 40 research projects during his 14 years at 性视界传媒. Over the past five years, his grants and contracts have totaled nearly $4.5 million.
性视界传媒 Senator Harry Reid
The highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate and Nevada鈥檚 senior senator, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has worked actively through the years to support many of 性视界传媒鈥檚 major research projects. He has been instrumental in identifying significant resources to allow faculty to engage in a variety of investigative studies, particularly those related to the efficient use of alternative energy and the management of spent nuclear fuel. His support of the scholarly pursuits of 性视界传媒 faculty, especially as they relate to environmental studies, has been substantive. The Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies and the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award have been named to honor his long-standing commitment to the university. Plans are also under way to develop the Harry Reid 性视界传媒 Research and Technology Park, expected to begin construction soon.
