Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research turns key on engine commercialization partnership with Cyclone Power Technologies
Collaboration means jobs for Ohio and work to develop technology that turns waste into renewable energy
The developer of the all-fuel, clean-tech Cyclone Engine recruited CAR to help with commercialization of its external combustion engine technology, specifically the company’s Waste Heat Engine (WHE) model. CAR will perform finite element and dynamic stress analysis of the engine, followed by independent durability testing and validation.
Giorgio Rizzoni, director of CAR and the Ford Motor Company Chair in ElectroMechanical Systems at Ohio State, said, “Through this partnership between the Ohio State Center for Automotive Research and Cyclone Power Technologies, we may be able to advance some technology that turns waste into renewable energy."
“There is a clear market plan and we are especially pleased that this Florida-based company will be utilizing Ohio’s manufacturing expertise, which will ultimately create local jobs.”
The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research is an interdisciplinary research center within The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering. Cyclone’s manufacturing partner, Precision CNC, is located just 30 miles away in Carroll, Ohio.
“We’re honored to be working with this well-grounded group of engineers," said Cyclone chairman and CTO Harry Schoell, "and we believe that with the expertise and resources that CAR brings to the table, we will be able to meet our goals of getting our WHE into production by the end of this year."
Cyclone president Chris Nelson believes the partnership will create jobs in Ohio.
"In addition to our work with CAR, we are establishing our manufacturing plant in Fairfield County, Ohio, with our partner Precision CNC. We see this plant being a global hub for our engine manufacturing operations. Over the next three years, we see between Cyclone and Precision CNC: 15 to 20 new mechanical and electrical engineering jobs, 40 to 50 new mechanic and assembly jobs, and 20 to 30 new machinist jobs, totaling 75 to 100 jobs, not including support staff.”
The CAR project team includes Research Scientist and Adjunct Fellow Fabio Chiara and Research Specialist and Testing, Engineering, and Software Development Services Director James Durand.
“We are excited to work with Cyclone Power on improving design and verifying performance of their innovative new steam engine," said Durand. "This technology really holds great promise for a large variety of energy conversion applications."
Among other expertise, CAR focuses on advanced engine development, alternative fuels for reduced fuel consumption and emissions, electric and hybrid drivetrains, and advanced battery technology. The center performs research and analysis for some of the largest automotive OEMs and government agencies in the world. Student teams housed at CAR have also developed vehicles that have set land speed records for battery and fuel cell powered electric vehicles at the Bonneville Salt Flats, in three different categories.
Cyclone Power Technologies is a research and development company focused on helping solve two of the great problems of our time—our dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting unsustainable consequences to our environment. The Cyclone Engine was recognized by Popular Science Magazine as the Invention of the Year for 2008, and was presented with two Society of Automotive Engineers' AEI Tech Awards.
About The Ohio State University
Founded in 1870, The Ohio State University is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 63,000 students (including 56,000 in Columbus), the Wexner Medical Center, 14 colleges, 80 centers, and 168 majors, the university offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions.
Contact: Matt Schutte, College of Engineering Communications Director, 614-247-4110, schutte.9@osu.edu
