Erika Baker gets her turn at the wheel of a Toyota Prius converted by ECD Ovonics Inc. to run on hydrogen that is stored on board the vehicle. The Rochester Hills-based technology company brought the car to campus as part of a Michigan Math and Science Scholars program summer class called "Cars, Energy, and Chemistry." Paul Rasmussen, the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus of Chemistry & Macromolecular Science & Engineering, is teaching high school students about the electrochemistry of hybrid vehicles, fuel cells and alternative fuels, such as ethanol and hydrogen, during the two week intensive camp designed to stimulate student interest in math and science. Here, Jeff Schmidt from ECD Ovonics explains to Baker how to start the car. (Photo by Todd McKinney) |