Utah's Contribution to National Security | April 30, 2025
This award recognizes those who provide meaningful contributions in science, research, STEM education, or deep technology. Nominations can be in one of three categories: education – K-12, academic/research, or industry – individual or company. (Nominations are now closed, Feb. 29, 2025)
Many of you recognize this award and have even received it. Including in alphabetical order: Dell Allen, Michael Alder, Richard Brown, Mary Beckerle, Cynthia Burrows, Mario Capecchi, Dana Carroll, Thure Cerling, Sidney Green, Erik Jorgensen, Jan Miller, Dinesh Patel, Dale Poulter, David Pershing, Gerald Stringfellow, Peter Stang and Henry White.
This years awards will be presented on May 21, 2025 at 5:30pm at This is the Place Heritage Park. All past recipients are invited to attend. Please click here to RSVP to innovationutah@utah.gov.
Additional information may be found here: https://business.utah.gov/innovation/governors-science-medal/
Dr. Anderegg presented on effects of drought, and insect stress on trees, changes to carbon sequestration from forests and the surprising albedo effect of forests on March 27 at the Alta Club.
Recent Breakfast Seminar: Feb. 18, 2025
Panel discussion on Nuclear developments
Sidney Green, moderating and speaking on recent changes in nuclear electricity.
Professor Glenn Sjoden, speaking on radiation shielding and spent fuel disposition.
William R. Gould, speaking on public perceptions and costs.
Richard Walje, speaking on grid issues and water consumption.
Tim Kowalchik, speaking on Utah’s interests in nuclear.
Click below to view presentations:
Dr. Charles Musgrave, the new Dean of Engineering, spoke January 22, on managing the University of Utah teaching, research, and economic opportunities as he oversees the largest non-medical College in terms of enrollment and research funding. Great presentation on 'disruptors' that caused great innovations! Here are his slides:
Seminar May 16 - Observations, Opportunities, and Risks of the Energy Transition.
The final 2024 energy series seminar focused on Global Energy Security by summarizing observations that have emerged, along with the opportunities and the risks of the on-going energy transition. Download White Paper here.
Presented by Sidney Green, Founder and Principal of EPI in Salt Lake City, Chair of the Utah Academy of Engineering and Science, Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, and Research Professor at the University of Utah. This Seminar was an invited discussion presentation April 17th at the US Congressional Research Service in Wash. D.C. and is background for participation and presentation at the Global Energy Security meeting in Tokyo May 21-23.
Seminar from April 25 - Carbon Capture & Sequestration- What is working and what isn't.
Capture of Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as well as point emission sources and its storage (CCS) is one of the technologies being considered as part of the portfolio of technical solutions to achieve net zero and decarbonization goals in response to climate change. In the US there is significant momentum in developing geologic CO2 storage projects due to major policy initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This talk provided an overview of the CCS technology and its current status. Download presentation here.
Presented by Dr. Rajesh Pawar - Senior Technical Advisor to the Carbon Transport & Storage Team of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management. Prior to this, he was a Senior Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory with over 20 years of experience in CO2 Capture, Utilization & Storage research, primarily focused on geologic CO2 storage and utilization. PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of Utah.
Seminar on March 14 - Identifying key gaps in knowledge and research opportunities limiting the use of Hydrogen as a 'universal' fuel.
Momentum is building for a hydrogen-based economy. Although large-scale use of hydrogen for a variety of industrial processes is common, what is meant by a hydrogen-based economy is not well understood by all. As a way to better understand hydrogen, this presentation addresses methods of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization including efficiencies in each of the key steps. Energy requirements and water usage for hydrogen production and use will be discussed. A balanced view is presented of hydrogen as a ‘universal fuel’, along with identification of key gaps in technologies where research is required. Download presentation here.
Presented by Dr. Milind Deo, Professor and Dir. Energy & Geoscience Institute, Univ. of Utah.
$7M TO BUILD BIGGER, BETTER LIFE SCIENCES WORKFORCE
A new partnership between the state of Utah, higher education, and life sciences industry leaders aims to keep Utah competitive globally by training and supporting students entering the workforce with highly technical skills. The University of Utah and Utah State University will be leading the effort to close that gap. Read the full article.
Sidney Green, University of Utah
Dr. Glenn Sjoden, University of Utah
Dr. Thomas Giallorenzi, L3Harris
Dr. Steven Aumeier from the Idaho National Laboratory presented, “Perspectives Regarding Nuclear Reactors”.
September 19th, 2022 at University of Utah, Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building Auditorium
Announcement details: ...nuclear fission reactors have long been part of the world energy supply, and provide about 2% of total annual world energy. This contribution is about 10% of the annual world electricity and over 20% of the US annual electricity.
expand to continue reading about the nuclear talk
The Departments of Chemical Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering and UtahAES welcomed Dr. Steven Aumeier.
Prof. John McLennan, Chemical Engineering introduced the Seminar and Prof. Glenn Sjoden, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Research Prof. Sidney Green, Mechanical Engineering will serve as moderators.
As background, nuclear fission reactors have long been part of the world energy supply, and provide about 2% of total annual world energy. This contribution is about 10% of the annual world electricity and over 20% of the US annual electricity. Nuclear energy could potentially provide a much larger portion of world energy that substantially reduces CO2 emissions. However, when considering nuclear energy, complex issues must be addressed. Perceptions of these issues are often greatly incorrect, with advocates not appreciating the complex issues, while dissuaders' misconceptions are often based on lack of understanding and fear of nuclear radiation and the potential of benefiting nuclear weapons. The Seminar is aimed to provide factual, objective information, regarding ‘modular, small-scale’ nuclear reactors.
Dr. Steven Aumeier is Senior Advisor, Strategic Programs at INL and has published widely on nuclear energy; additionally, Commissioner Paul Kjellander, past Pres. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, past Pres. Idaho Public Utility Commission, and currently leading aspects of the INL Regional Frontiers Project.
The Seminar was sponsored by Sidney Green and Bert Bunnell.
The third annual Members dinner & meeting was held at the Alta Club in Salt Lake, December 3, 2023. Three speakers presented on energy topics relevant to Utahans.
Geothermal Energy Research in Central Utah – Dr. John McLennan
Nuclear Small Modular Reactors for Utah electricity – Dr. Glenn Sjoden
The Chevron-Mitsubishi underground natural gas-hydrogen storage and production in utah – Dr. Milind Deo
Sidney Green is an organizer and serves as the first Chair of the UtahAES. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a Salt Lake City resident since 1970. He is currently founder/president of Enhanced Production, Inc. and a Research Professor at the University of Utah.
He served as CEO/president of TerraTek, the first commercial company in the University of Utah Research Park, until it was acquired by a large oil services company in 2006. He has been active with Utah high-technology business development as both a direct participant involved with a number of start-up Utah companies and with State educational and development programs. He was the first chair/president and director of the Utah Technology Finance Corporation, served on the Utah Advisory Council for Science and Technology, was Trustee for the Coalition for Utah's Future, was Trustee for the Utah Science Center Authority, was a member of the US Small Business Administration Regional Advisory Board, and was a Director of the Small Business High Technology Institute.
His background includes: technical contributions in the area of rock mechanics and geomechanics including development of high-pressure rock characterization; creation of innovative products and services leading to successful businesses; executive leadership with small and large businesses worldwide; mentoring of many individuals and start-up businesses; and extensive local and national volunteer community service.
He is a past recipient of the Outstanding Professional Engineer of Utah award, the Mountain West Venture Group, Entrepreneur of the Year award, and the University of Utah Honorary Alumni award.
First annual Members dinner & first meeting was held at the Alta Club in Salt Lake, October 2nd, 2021. All but 4 founding members were able to attend.