Calendar Details

Circuits and Systems (CAS-04)
Power Electronics (PEL-35)

Hybrid Vehicles and Renewable Biomethane Refining

Eric will be talking about their approach to hybrid vehicles at the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) at Western Washington University, their Automotive X Prize contender as well as their renewable biomethane refining.

Eric Leonhardt is the Director of the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) at Western Washington University. He teaches courses in powertrain, vehicle design and engineering. Recent work includes restoring a GM EV1, and building the Viking 32 and Viking 40 vehicles. The Viking 32 vehicle is powered by biomethane obtained from a refinery unit built by Eric and his students. He has helped students work on a variety of projects for Bentley, PACCAR, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, ProCNC and Quatro Composites. He has also worked with students to develop record setting endurance kayaks.

Prior to teaching at Western, he worked at DaimlerChrysler developing tools to improve the powertrain product development process. Prior to DCX he worked for Electronic Data Systems providing engineering services to General Motors Powertrain, Truck, and Midsize/Luxury Car Division. He supported and led lean manufacturing efforts and helped develop applications for virtual manufacturing tools. He received a Masters in Automotive Systems Engineering from the Rackham Graduate School of the University of Michigan. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology/Vehicle Design from Western Washington University and a B.A. in Economics from Whitman College.