Professor
201A Randolph Hall
540-231-4324
540-231-9100- FAX
doug.nelson@vt.edu
| Education | Research | Experience |
Education
| Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Arizona State University | 1986 |
| M.S. | Mechanical Engineering | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 1979 |
| B.S. | Mechanical Engineering | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 1978 |
Research
-
Fuel Cell, Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Systems
-
Performance, Design and Simulation of Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Fuel Cell Components
-
Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Competitions - Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility
Teaching Activities
Faculty Advisor, Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech is a student organization which designs and builds hybrid electric and alternative-fueled vehicles. Usually these vehicles are constructed to meet the requirements of a student vehicle competition. These competitions have been traditionally sponsored by the Department of Energy, Ford, General Motors, and a number of other automotive-related industries.
Student Engineering Research Vehicle Competitions
The primary objectives of ChallengeX are to provide opportunities for universities and engineering students to join the national challenge to develop fuel-efficient technologies and, at the same time, create a valuable pool of future engineers with hands-on experience in advanced automotive technologies.
ME 4015-4016 Engineering Design and Project
A section each Fall and Spring devoted to the hybrid electric vehicle team project
ME 4554 Advanced Technology Vehicles
This course introduces students to environmental issues and regulations for current and future motor vehicles. As more stringent legislation comes into force, a paradigm shift away from gasoline-powered cars and toward high-efficiency, low-emission vehicles using a combination of alternative fuels will emerge. This course investigates the potential for emissions reduction as well as fuel economy, performance, and infrastructure required for a broad range of alternative fuels and vehicle types.
ME 4984 Hydrogen Energy Systems
This course begins with an overview of U.S. energy sources, ways in which our nation uses energy, and the environmental and societal consequences of energy use. The benefits and costs of a transition to a hydrogen economy will be discussed. Following the introduction, the course will cover generation, storage, distribution, conversion and application. Hydrogen production from a variety of sources will be discussed including likely near term sources such as natural gas, petroleum, and electricity and longer term possibilities such as coal, nuclear, and renewable sources. Production of H2 from electricity will be illustrated using an electrolyzer powered by photovoltaics. The course will address the use of H2 technology for various applications including transportation and building applications. An operating fuel cell or hydrogen IC engine vehicle will be used to demonstrate the various systems for refueling, storage, energy conversion, and integration with the vehicle power system.
ME 5254 Fuel Cell Systems
Fuel cell systems for transportation, buildings, utility and portable power energy conversion applications. Overview of fuel cell technology. Thermodynamics of direct energy conversion and fuel cell efficiency. Electrochemistry, equilibrium and reaction kinetics. Temperature and pressure effects on polarization curves. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance modeling. Fuel cell system components: heat exchangers, humidifiers, air compressors, electric power processing and management. Overall system integration, modeling, and control. Fuel cells for transportation, vehicle performance and efficiency characteristics. Fuel processing and reformers cell system design, economics, and optimization.
Experience
| Professor | Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA |
Aug. 1999 - Present |
| Associate Professor | Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA |
Aug. 1992 - July 1999 |
| Assistant Professor | Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA |
Mar. 1986 - Jul. 1992 |
| Systems Engineer | Exxon Corporation Florham Park, NJ |
Sept. 1979 - Aug. 1981 |
| Mechanical Engineer | National Bureau of Standards Gaithersburg, MD |
Sum. 1978 |
Honors
-
HEVT placed First overall at the 2006 Challenge X advanced vehicle technology competition in June, 2006 at GM's Mesa Desert Proving Grounds. http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/20070212_hybrid.php
-
National Science Foundation Outstanding Long-term Faculty Advisor Award, Challenge X, June 9, 2005
-
HEVT placed 4th Overall (missing 3rd place by 3 points out of 1000) and 2nd place in Best Written Reports at Challenge X, June 5-9, 2005, at GM University, Auburn Hills, Mi.
-
Steven Boyd (MSME candidate, advised by Doug Nelson) won the Virginia Transportation Research Council student paper award in the Transportation Applied Technology category for the paper titled "E85 Split Parallel Architecture Hybrid Vehicle Design for Reduced Petroleum Energy Use". He published a paper and presented a poster at the 54th Virginia transportation Conference on October 27th, Roanoke, Va, and received a monetary award of $1,000.
BACK TO TOP
Publications
Conference Papers
-
Steven Boyd, Paul Hiester, Seth Lawson, Dustin Sheffield and Douglas J. Nelson (2006), "Design and Development Process for the Equinox REVlse E85 Hybrid Electric Vehicle", 2006 SAE International World Congress, 4/3 - 4/7, Detroit, Mi., paper 2006-01-0514, 19 pgs.
-
J. Lee, and Douglas J. Nelson (2005), "Rotating Inertia Impact on Propulsion and Regenerative Braking for Electric Motor Driven Vehicles", 2005 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion (VPP) Conference, September 7-9, 2005, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL., 7 pages. Paper 10149 published on CD-ROM by IEEE.