College of Engineering hosts open house April 15

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 as part of this year's E-Week activities.

The open house will be in Othmer Hall, 820 N. 16th St., and will feature Timothy Crockett, senior vice president of HDR, as the guest speaker at 10:30 a.m.

The event will include engineering students and faculty (current and future) and their families; alumni; employers and interested community members.

Nebraska Engineering students are "Solving Tomorrow's Problems Today," with senior project displays including:

* Alternative energy sources: Biological systems engineering students created a microbial fuel cell for use by a student-run, nonprofit organization that's working in Mali, West Africa. Through bacteria's natural processes, the fuel cell will charge the students' cell phones.

* Energy conservation: Computer electronics and engineering students built control systems to better manage home energy consumption.

* Safe and efficient transportation: Civil engineering students designed alternatives for the city of Lincoln's intersection at 14th and Superior streets.

Future engineer guests get hands-on with designing protective devices for a 40-foot egg drop off the roof.

For the full schedule of events, see www.engineering.unl.edu/events/eweek/OpenHouseSchedule.shtml.

WRITER: Carole Wilbeck, Communications Specialist, Engineering, (402) 472-0451