Friday, January 29, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Gas-guzzler to become ethanol-guzzler
KU engineers research ways to use alternative fuels in regular vehicles
By Jennifer Roush
Kansan staff writer
This truck isn't Daddy's Chevrolet, and it doesn't run on Daddy's gasoline.
If the University of Kansas Ethanol Vehicle Challenge team succeeds this spring, their Chevy Silverado will run on a fuel known as EB5, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent other fossil fuel, such as gasoline.
The team has been participating in a year-long design contest since last fall to determine whether a normal vehicle can be modified to burn E55 instead of gasoline.
Although team members will design and modify the truck themselves, they are being advised by Robert Sorem, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
Sorem said that while ethanol was a cleaner-burning fuel than gasoline, its primary benefit was that it is renewable. It also would be cheaper to use as a fuel, he said, since ethanol is derived from corn that is grown domestically.
Team leader Tim Martin, Lenexa senior, agreed.
"Kansas would benefit greatly from ethanol being used," he said.
The contest is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors and Natural Resources Canada. It is organized by the Argonne National Laboratory.
There are 14 teams from the U. S. and Canada taking part in the contest this year, including the University of Nebraska.
Martin said each team was given a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado with a 5.3 liter, V-8 engine. Each truck had the same number of miles on it and teams also were given a spare engine.
Martin said the competition would culminate in performance trials in Milford, Mich., in midMay. The redesigned trucks will be tested on fuel efficiency, emissions and the ability to start in low temperatures, among other things.
Martin said the biggest hurdle the team faced was ethanol's poor performance at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The team members, all seniors are taking part in the contest as part of their Mechanical Design Project class.
Members wrote an initial project proposal last summer and finalized it in late October 1998. The team distributes copies of the proposal to prospective sponsors.
The entire project is estimated to cost about $25,000. Just under half of the team's budget is covered by the School of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering department.
The team must generate the rest of the funds necessary to complete the project. The team is getting money from local sponsors including the Kansas Corporation Commission.
Students give ideas for Union addition
By Tiffany Seeman Special to the Kansan
KU students suggested additional student organization space, an improved art gallery and expansion of recreation facilities as possible enhancements to the Kansas Union.
At an open forum discussion last night at the Union, about 15 students offered improvement ideas for a planned $4 million, 20,000 square foot addition.
Two representatives from WTW Architects, of Pittsburgh, were at the University yesterday touring the Union and gathering student opinions.
The representatives will make two more campus visits in the next six weeks.
"This day has been an opportunity for us to learn more about the Kansas Union and what students want from the addition," said Ken Stehle, WTW architect.
Stehle and his colleague Paul Knell met with several students, faculty members and organization representatives to gather opinions and suggestions.
"The architects will take back this information and review the needs of various groups to see if we can work it into the space and money available."
Jim Long
Asst. Provost for Planning & Facilities Management
Scott Donner, Derby senior, said his major concern was improving the Jaybowl.
"I teach bowling class, and it's a very active part of the Union," he said. "I think with the renovation, the Jaybowl can become a profitable part of the Union."
Suggestions for the Jaybowl included more pool tables and a non-alcoholic sports bar.
Tiffany Crow, Independence senior, said additions to the Jaybowl would address Chancellor Robert Hemenway's concern with students' overconsumption of alcohol. She said Jaybowl would provide alcohol-free activities in a safe
and convenient environment.
Jason Thompson, Hutchinson junior, said he thought student money should be used to add student organization work space.
"Currently, we have no main workstation for groups," Thompson said. "We need more open space."
Other suggestions for improvements included additional lighting, e-mail kiosks and a face-lift for the first floor entrance.
More cubicles and a collective workstation with computers and office supplies were suggested for student organizations.
"We are still in the information gathering stage," said Jim Long, assistant provost for Planning & Facilities Management. "The architects will take back this information and review the needs of various groups to see if we can work it into the space and money available."
WTW architects will visit within the next two weeks to present design suggestions and receive feedback from students.
Labs prevalent in state, but few found in Lawrence
Continued from page 1A
Linda Keeler, a psychiatrist with KU's Counseling and Psychological Services, said meth made users agitated and fidgety, making it unlikely that they could sit through a class or concentrate to study.
Still, college students are notorious for pushing the limits of
their new-found freedom.
"What other drug can you spend $5, get a line and be up for 12 hours?" Reed said. "Some people do it, get a rush and then tough out the long wait until they can sleep again. Others can't bear to come down so they go out and find more and keep doing it. Those are the ones that get addicted."
When it comes to a meth addiction, the body is unforgiving.
Chronic users suffer from paranoia, hallucinations, liver damage, malnutrition because of their loss of appetite and an elevated risk of stroke. Keeler said.
She was grateful to have seen virtually no cases that had deteriorated to such a degree, she said.
But the meth threat is not going away.
The question is how well, and for how long, will the University remain inoculated from the epidemic?
Andrea Feagan, Leavenworth sophomore, said that she had heard about meth, but she had never seen it and did not know anyone who used it.
When asked if she would try it,
Feagan said probably not.
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