Energy Scholars Program at Rensselaer Connects Students with Industry

Center for Future Energy Systems Launches New Undergraduate Research Program

May 31, 2012

The Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has launched the new Energy Scholars Program to foster research collaborations between undergraduate students and industry.

Students accepted into the competitive program will be paired with a sponsor company to work on an energy-related research project for a full academic year. Along with mentorship from a professional at the sponsor company and a Rensselaer faculty adviser, students will receive a $3,500 scholarship plus an additional $500 to cover research materials and travel expenses.

See details for applying to the Energy Scholars Program at: http://www.rpi.edu/cfes/EnergyScholars/index.html

“For students, the Energy Scholars Program is an excellent research experience that provides an opportunity for future internships, co-ops, or even employment with their sponsor companies,” said Jian Sun, CFES director and professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer. “For our industrial partners, the Energy Scholars program is an opportunity to connect with the talent of Rensselaer students and faculty while building a strategic pipeline of highly trained, high-value future employees.”

Current industrial sponsors of the Energy Scholars program, and their research interests, are:

  • Blasch Precision Ceramics | Ceramic Materials and Devices for Energy Efficient Applications
  • Corning | Energy Storage for Grid Applications
  • Custom Electronics | Energy Storage Materials and Devices
  • GE Energy | Maximizing Wind Turbine Power Production and Efficiency in the Aftermarket; Advanced Emission Measurements and Reduction Technologies for Combined Cycle Power Plants
  • GE Global Research | Power Conversion for Renewable Energy
  • National Grid | Utility-Scale Energy Storage
  • New York Power Authority | Power Grid Monitoring and Control

CFES is the center of energy research at Rensselaer, where world-leading science and engineering researchers from all fields gather to collaborate on building a productive, more efficient future. With partners Cornell University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, the center’s research thrusts range from nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage, to smart grids, fuel cells, solar, wind, and many other areas.

More than 30 researchers and 45 students from Rensselaer, Cornell, and Brookhaven collaborate on CFES projects. CFES is a New York state designated Center for Advanced Technology and receives funding from the Empire State Development (ESD) Division for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

For additional information on CFES and energy research at Rensselaer, visit:

Press Contact Michael Mullaney
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