From tiny satellites to energy to large-scale energy research, the UF College of Engineering was heavily invested in research in the year 2008. Here’s a quick glance at some of the major research centers that opened at the college and a look at what’s in store for 2009.

Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP)

WHO: A collaboration among researchers at the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The center is headquartered at FSU, and UF mechanical and aerospace engineering professors Lawrence Ukeiley and Louis Cattafesta are co-directors of UF's portion.

WHAT: UF's FCAAP co-director Lawrence Ukeiley described the center as a way for the universities to be more in touch with the aerospace industry, whether that means performing research, transplanting technology or educating engineers who will stay in Florida.

WHEN: FCAAP officially kicked off in mid-November 2008.

WHY: The space and tourism industries are central to Florida's economy, and FCAAP will contribute to both of these areas by focusing on the next generation of space travel and commercial air travel.

HOW MUCH: The Florida Legislature allocated $14.75 million for the entire project, and UF received about $3 million of that amount.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: "It could grow to the point that when you mention aerospace research that this could be one of the top places that you think of," said UF's FCAPP co-director Louis Cattafesta said. "And we'd like the University of Florida to be a prominent part of that."

Florida Energy Systems Consortium

WHO: An initiative that unites energy researchers at all 11 Florida public universities. UF is the lead university of the consortium, and Tim Anderson, the former associate dean of research and graduate programs for UF's College of Engineering, is the director.

WHAT: Consortium director Tim Anderson said the institute's main goal is to apply a systems approach to researching the generation, distribution and usage of Florida's energy. Anderson said the consortium also plans to translate its energy innovations to industry and commercialize the new technology, help educate the new workforce that will be required to implement these innovations, and assist the Florida Legislature in evaluating and understanding the impact of proposed energy policies.

WHEN: The consortium was created in June 2008 when Gov. Charlie Crist signed a House energy bill into law. Tim Anderson was appointed director in mid-July 2008.

WHY: As the "Sunshine State," Florida is well-suited to be a hub for solar energy research that could take place at the Florida Energy Systems Consortium. Florida is also the richest state in biomass, making it a lucrative place to investigate ways to convert biomass into fuel.

HOW MUCH: The Florida Legislature allocated $50 million for the consortium, and UF received $15 million — the largest portion of that sum — for its responsibilities.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: Energy innovations developed by members of the consortium could help the U.S. move toward sustainability and cleaner energy while stimulating Florida's economy and boosting the national profile of UF's College of Engineering. "I believe the long-term prospect is this consortium will give us a competitive advantage over other universities around the country in energy research," consortium director Tim Anderson said.

Advanced Space Technologies Research and Engineering Center (ASTREC)

WHO: UF mechanical and aerospace engineering associate professor Norman Fitz-Coy directs this center, which is a partnership with North Carolina State University.

WHAT: ASTREC is an I/UCRC (Industry/University Cooperative Research Center), which is a National Science Foundation initiative aimed at developing long-term partnerships among universities, industry and government. The center's researchers will consult with the space industry to decide which projects to pursue. For now, ASTREC will focus mainly on improving small satellite technology in a larger effort to build satellites more quickly and at a lower cost.

WHEN: The center officially kicked off in mid-November 2008.

WHY: The space industry is a major component of Florida's economy, but the state doesn't conduct a great deal of space research. ASTREC will be the first center in the Southeast devoted to developing small satellite technology.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: Tim Anderson, former UF associate dean of research and graduate programs, said ASTREC will provide many networking opportunities for UF engineering professors and students by bringing university and industry leaders to the same table.

Florida Institute for Sustainable Energy — Energy Technology Incubator (FISE-ETI)

WHO: This center of excellence is led by UF materials science and engineering professor Eric Wachsman. FISE-ETI is made up of two components: the Biofuel Pilot Plant, which is also affiliated with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Prototype Development and Demonstration Laboratory.

WHAT: The Biofuel Pilot Plant converts plant residues to fuel ethanol according to the method developed by UF microbiology professor Lonnie Ingram. FISE-ETI director Eric Wachsman said the pilot plant is "a unique facility that most universities don't have," and it makes it possible to transfer the technology to industry by demonstrating it on a larger scale. The Prototype Development and Demonstration Laboratory manufactures and tests prototypes of energy conversion and storage devices based on the research completed in UF laboratories, making it possible to demonstrate the devices for industry leaders and market them.

WHEN: The FISE-ETI proposal was accepted by the Florida Board of Governors two years ago, and the Biofuel Pilot Plant and Prototype Development and Demonstration Laboratory were officially opened in October 2008.

WHY: By providing a means to demonstrate ethanol production and energy conversion devices on a larger scale, FISE-ETI bridges the gap between university research and industry at a time when energy innovations are needed.

HOW MUCH: FISE-ETI received $4.5 million from the state, and the money was divided evenly between the Biofuel Pilot Plant and Prototype Development and Demonstration Laboratory.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: In addition to helping the U.S. achieve energy independence, FISE-ETI could gain national and statewide recognition for its work. FISE-ETI director Eric Wachsman said the Prototype Development and Demonstration Laboratory is the only one of its type in Florida, and doesn't know of any others in the country.

Looking ahead

Though just a few weeks into the New Year — and not even settled into his office — recently appointed Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs David Norton has a broad vision for the college's research portfolio in 2009.

"One of the things that I hope to do is to aggressively encourage faculty to put together multi-investigative or multi-disciplinary-type proposals not only to the state but also to federal agencies," Norton said.

These types of proposals would involve faculty members across the college and university, he said.

He also said he is looking forward to opening the biomedical engineering sciences building and nanoscale research facility, both of which can foster interdisciplinary research.

Followers of the College's research endeavors will recognize some familiar projects in 2009: Norton said he hopes to move forward with ongoing energy research, especially with former associate dean for research and graduate programs Tim Anderson leading the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.

Norton said he also expects to continue collaborating with industry leaders to establish a direction for research.

"Particularly when you do that in a period of economic difficulty, in fact, you can be part of the engine that drives the economy toward the upswing by helping companies to develop competing technologies, so you can actually be part of the solution," he said.