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When Dave was selected as NIATT's 2002
Student-of-the-year, he was a doctoral student doing
research in the Center for Clean Vehicle Technology. He
currently owns his own engineering firm. Dave worked
closely with the FutureTruck program, where he has been the
team leader in the data acquisition and modeling group for
FutureTruck 2001 and 2002. A native of Rafael, California,
Dave earned his BS in physical science from California State
University, Chico. He worked as an environmental consultant,
developing environmental impact statements, before returning
to school for an advanced degree in mechanical engineering
at UI. Dave's MS thesis focused on designing a hands-on
mechanics of materials laboratory course for distance
education. His doctoral research focused on developing
mathematical algorithms to solve engineering design problems
and applying the algorithms to software for modeling hybrid
electric vehicles.
Dave’s modeling tool, SmartHEV, provides efficient energy
management combining traditional mechanical engineering
skills with mathematics and computer science, a perfect
illustration of the versatility of today’s new engineers.
His mathematical tool was used first to provide design
information for the UI FutureTruck 2000 Suburban. But Dave's
final goal was to use the logic-based, computer algorithms
to model energy consumption in a more general vehicle model.
Some other projects Dave has worked on include
interfacing a global positioning system with a programmable
logic controller to monitor vehicle energy use, developing a
testing procedure to evaluate the effects of design changes,
and testing vehicles on a chassis dynamometer for
determining fuel efficiency and emissions. Dave presented
a paper and poster at the ADVISOR Users Conference in Costa
Mesa, CA, in August 2000, entitled "A Logic-Based,
Performance-driven Electric Vehicle Software Design Tool."
He coauthored a paper submitted to the Society of Automotive
Engineers describing the FutureTruck 2001 hybrid electric
vehicle design concept. Dave was honored at the Eleventh
Annual Outstanding Student of the Year Awards ceremony held
on Monday, January 7, 2002, at the 81st Annual Meeting of
the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, DC.
“Incredible” is the word Dave uses to describe the
educational program in mechanical engineering at the
University of Idaho. He finds his professors “approachable”
and “down to earth.” According to Dave, the University of
Idaho’s engineering program does not yet receive the
recognition it deserves. |
