Fall 2011 Lecture Series: UMore Park/Sustainable Communities

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association-Dakota County Chapter invites you to its fall 2011 lecture series featuring University of Minnesota faculty and researchers.

Refreshments will follow each lecture. 

To RSVP or for additional information contact Paul Portz at portz332@comcast.net.

Join us for these thought provoking presentations:

UMore Park/Sustainable Communities
7 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011
Carla Carlson, Executive Director of the Office for UMore Park Academic Initiatives

Carlson manages activities related to the planning and development of the University’s 5,000-acre UMore Park property on the edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In particular, she is responsible for ensuring that University research, education and public engagement are integrated into the planning and development of this unique, sustainable community of ultimately 20,000 to 30,000 people.

Advances in Solar Thermal Energy Technologies
7:00 p.m.  Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011,
Jane Davidson, Professor and Ronald L. and Janet A. Christenson Chair in Renewable Energy, and Director of Graduate Studies

Dr. Davidson leads a team of University researches who work on designing solar systems to heat water, to warm and cool buildings, and to provide heat for industry and agriculture focuses on improving the thermal behavior of these systems and development of new materials to reduce cost and to provide long-term storage for cold climates.

Transportation fuels from Biomass: Challenges and Opportunities
7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, 2011
Aditya Bhan, McKnight Land-Grant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Dr Aditya Bhan is a member of the University’s cohort of internationally-recognized leaders in the search to develop alternative sources and methods of producing energy, where he is using his expertise to create a powerful and versatile research program in catalytic conversion of alternative carbon sources to fuels.