USF's Lee Stefanakos (Electrical Engineering) is intent on improving the world. His hydrogen fuel cell research allows him to pursue what he calls a “very practical, very applied, very real” approach to environmental recovery, and his success is demonstrable in his work. According to M. Ian Phillips (VP-Research), “Lee Stefanakos has been a pioneer in clean energy. Dr Stefanakos and his colleagues are poised to take advantage of new funding for hydrogen and fuel cells and aim to be among the leading research groups in this field nationally."

”Where do we get energy for the future?” Stefanakos asks. “We don’t have enough energy, and we are polluting our environment.” The answer, he believes, lies within hydrogen, extracted from other fuels or water through electrolysis and solar energy.

Prof. Stefanakos has helped TECO use methane to generate power for Bay area homes. “There is a huge amount of energy generated by garbage,” he grins. The energy generated by this “landfill gas” is channeled into the local grid, currently enough to power eleven homes. Stefanakos explains that the Hillsborough Heights landfill site alone has the potential to power a thousand homes in the not-too-distant future.

He also notes the effectiveness of the fuel cell project to homeland security: “Fuel cells can be used for a variety of military applications. They can be used to power mobile units during war; they can power the soldiers’ communication equipment. There is a higher level of security on the military side, and greater ease of use than the current equipment.”

The fuel cell has social global implications. Because of its size and efficient functionality, the cell has the capacity to provide distributed power “anywhere,” Stefanakos says, “that energy is used.” “We have also been testing and evaluating electric and hybrid electriccars. He is convinced that the public is ready to embrace these high-performance hybrids: “The mileage is about double that of a normal car,” he explains. “And the hybrids simply don’t pollute as much.” When asked how long until such revolutionary technology is in general use, Stefanakos does not hesitate. “All of the estimates say within the next ten to fifteen years,” he says. “Certainly during my lifetime.”

And faculty affiliated with the Clean Energy Research Center plan to be an active part of materials and performance research for the foreseeable future as this new industry burgeons. Stefanakos is looking forward to stepping down as Chair of Electrical Engineering, and turning his attention full-time to the Clean Energy Research Center here on the Tampa campus. “USF is an excellent research environment,” he says. “People like Louis Martin-Vega and Robert Carnahan are always ready to provide resources and assistance. And the Division of Research Grants and the Office of Research have always been very responsive, very helpful.”

It is with great pride that USF can claim Lee Stefanakos among its most active researchers, and the feeling is duly reciprocated. “I’m glad to see that clean energy research is in the strategic plan here at USF,” he says. With the conviction of one who loves his life’s work, he offers a final statement: “It is our obligation to continue to produce clean energy, and to continue to improve the environment.” And Lee Stefanakos continues to channel his own brand of energy into his commitment to USF, to Florida, and ultimately, to the globe.

From: Research Online - Volume 1, Issue 3, May 2003: Office of Research