< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Auburn University faculty and re- searchers are doing great work — hard work — in the energy sector, pioneering and advancing intelligent solutions and innovations that will shape the landscape of tomorrow. From plasma fusion research aimed at harnessing and improving energy sourc- es, to engineering exploits designed to reduce hazards, streamline processes and enhance efficiency, Auburn’s talent- ed researchers are making strides in the energy space. Whether it is maximizing power production, improving the indus- try’s safety practices or solving problems involving renewable energy, Auburn is on a path of progress in the future of energy. Some of the top-notch multidisci- plinary work taking place across campus can be found in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, where teams of research- ers are tackling problems ranging from LED light heat reduction to the cooling of advanced electronics. In the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Auburn physicists are focused on several projects designed to do everything from turn the potential of fusion energy into a reality, to improve the long-term capabilities for renewable, sustainable thermal energy storage. Jianjun “JJ” Dong, a professor the De- partment of Physics, is part of a motivated team of researchers working on the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Earth- shots Initiative,” which is on the frontier of the nation’s transition to clean energy and dedicated to accelerating break- throughs of more abundant, affordable and reliable clean energy solutions in the next decade. Dong and Auburn graduate student David Crawford, are collaborat- ing with a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) multi-institute re- search team and the DOE’s Degrada- tion Reactions in Electrothermal Energy Storage (DEGREES) Energy Earthshot Research Center to explore options and innovations for the long duration storage of renewable sustainable thermal energy. “We are providing fundamental phys- ics that enables the technology to make changes to renewable energy technolo- gies,” Dong told the COSAM Communi- cations Department earlier this year. “We will be conducting modeling to look at material structures at atomic scale that could provide substantial insights on the degradation mechanisms of materials properties for long-term energy storage.” Several Auburn physics professors are balancing a host of fusion energy research projects, from David Maurer and David Ennis on their Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH) experiment that investigates how instabilities affect maintaining the plasma along with hot plasma exhaust issues, to working on a billion-dollar-class Wen- delstein 7-X (W7-X) collaboration experi- ment in Germany that studies hydrogen’s behavior at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius. Stuart Loch and Ennis also are part of a San Diego-based exper- imental collaboration (DIII-D) where they examine plasma’s interaction with solid material surfaces and erosion in this harsh environment, while Luca Guazzotto is studying fusion theory and conducting research on the equilibrium and stability of plasmas with strong flow in magnetic confinement devices. These hi-tech experiments are pro- ducing crucial data and helping to ex- pand the industry’s knowledge of fusion energy’s potential as a possible practical source of electricity for power grids. The hope is some day to harness the mon- umental potential of fusion energy and convert it into a form that is usable and deliverable on a global scale. “These are extremely exciting times in plasma physics and fusion energy devel- opment,” Maurer said. “A new, burgeon- ing fusion industry is planning for net energy production in the next decade. I look forward to fusion energy with all of the benefits it brings on the grid in my lifetime.” Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Mehmet Arik — who earlier this year was named an National Academy of Inventors Fellow and whose research team owns more than 120 patents — is working on microfluidics cooling for ad- vanced electronics servers to help con- serve power and improve efficiency. His team also is working on ways to build energy efficiency in LED lights, which are increasingly popular in everyday uses around the globe. “Microfluidics can improve heat transfer over four times compared to the current baseline technology,” said Arik, whose patents have a broad range of applications in medical systems, energy systems, aviation systems and photonics technologies. “This means we can sig- nificantly reduce energy consumption in servers, electronics and Electric vehicles (EVs).” UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: NEAL REID AUBURN RESEARCHERS HARD AT WORK PIONEERING ENERGY-RELATED ADVANCEMENTS OF FUTURE A team of faculty and students in mechanical engineering is working on ways to cool advanced electronics servers to help with power conservation and efficiency.129 E. Glenn Ave. (Downtown) (334) 209-6390 1673 Shug Jordan Pkwy. Suite A (334) 209-1295 1684 S. College St. (334) 209-1140 Serving Auburn for over 40 years “Bertha!”52 ON THE PLAINS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Transfer tackle Ronan Chambers might be in his first season at Auburn, but Jordan- Hare Stadium already holds a prominent place in his life. “My first college game was at Jordan- Hare in 2021,” the offensive lineman and graduate transfer from Akron remembered with a smile. “It was my first college game and to play it here – the atmosphere was incredible. “I played the entire second half of that game, which was an eye opener as a true freshman. To play against Auburn and to witness that environment and now I’m playing here – having the opportunity to be a part of it was something I couldn’t pass up.” Chambers, who grew up in Olmstead Falls, Ohio and attended storied St. Edward High School in Cleveland, says that great first impression of Auburn has expanded exponentially during the past few months. “I have my degree from Akron, and I hit the transfer portal,” Chambers explained. “What I was looking for in my next school was an opportunity to be a part of a great football culture, and Auburn is top of the line when it comes to that.” Chambers, along with his dad and brother, made a visit to campus in May and found his decision would be an easy one. “I felt right away what they mean by ‘Welcome to the Auburn Family.’ Everyone makes you feel welcome here, and the Auburn Family is strong. You can feel that. Everyone supports you and everyone treats you great. It’s been awesome.” Chambers has a love for the game of football honed by growing up in a sports- minded family as the fourth of five siblings. “Our family’s competitive. They all play sports. My two sisters (Fiona and Bridget) also played sports in high school. And they are all excited to come and check out the Auburn games. My mom and dad will probably be there every week.” Chambers looks at his football teammates as a big family as well, especially along the offensive line. “What I especially love about football is being part of something bigger than yourself,” Chambers explained. “Especially playing the o-line where you can’t do it just yourself. You’ve got to rely on the teammates next to you to get the job done.” Football figures into his future plans as well. “I want to play in the NFL – that’s a dream and hopefully a reality,” said the tackle, who has a love for all Cleveland pro sports. “Being at a place like Auburn, you have every opportunity to go do that. If the NFL’s not in my future, I’ll do something in business and financial management.” What’s Chambers most looking forward to during his new chapter at Auburn? “Definitely the Auburn fanbase,” he said. “Coming from the G5 level, you don’t really get to experience that type of excitement around the team from so many fans. Just being part of a football culture like Auburn is really something special and something I hoped to find.” Chambers has already got an important part of the learning curve of becoming a Tiger mastered. “People are hitting me with ‘War Eagle’ all the time, and I’m starting to get more automatic at saying it back. When I was on my visit, people were saying it. Leaving here, people in the airport were saying ‘War Eagle.’ “It’s just cool to hear, and I’m starting to say it, too, which is awesome. I’m so glad to be here.” ON THE PLAINS WITH RONAN CHAMBERS BY: SHELLY POE ‘BIGGER THAN YOURSELF’ORANGE AND BLUE ©2024 BLUE MOON BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO • ALE54 2024 STADIUM MAP 2024 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM (NS PASS) NORTH STADIUM LOT SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE BILL & CONNIE NEVILLE LOBBY SUITE TICKET PICK-UP 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 0 EXIT GATE STUDENT GATE STUDENT GATE SOUTH SERVICE GATE AUBURN PLAYER GUEST STUDENT GATE BROADWAY CLUB & MEDIA CREDENTIALS TIGER WALK CLUB ENTRANCE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES 11 10 1U VISITING PLAYER GUEST & VISITING FAN TICKET PICK-UP NORTH SERVICE GATE VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM FOOTBALL RECRUITING OLYMPIC SPORT RECRUITING TIGER WALK CLUB 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 12 12 14 15 14 13 15 16 16 17 17 18 1819 19 20 20 21 46 46 45 44 44 434241 43424140 4039 39 38 38 37 37 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 2929 28 28 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP HRC ONLY BROADWAY CLUB ONLY TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE GAMEDAY TRANSIT & FANFEST NEVILLE ARENA TICKET OFFICE Sales & Pick-Up BROADWAY CLUB SUITESSUITES NELSON CLUB BECKWITH CLUB Entry Gate Water Station Cooling Station LEGEND Medical Bag Entry Special Access Statues Guest Services ADA Shuttle Elevator First Aid Tiger Babies Charging Station Student Section Seating bowl closed to non-students Team ShopCIVIL CONSTRUCTION, DONE RIGHT56 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM WOODFIELD LOT (ADA Reserved with Tailgating) SEE NEXT PAGE FOR LEGEND Auburn University is a smoke-free campus. 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