FLINT ? Kettering University has named Mark Thompson, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an advocate of fuel-cell development, its Bosch Professorship, a chair endowed for three year terms by auto supplier Robert Bosch Corp.
Thompson was part of the team led by Thompson, and including ECE Professor Mohammad Torfeh and Associate Professor Douglas Melton, who helped establish the Bosch Automotive Electronic Systems Laboratory in November 2000. The lab encourages Kettering students to investigate and develop automotive electronic control systems and implement them on targeted micro-controllers using rapid prototyping techniques.
?The Bosch Corporation has been a strong supporter of our programs,?? Thompson said. ?They are an international corporation that goes along with our philosophy of a preparing professionals with a broad point of view.?
The Bosch professorship was established in the late 1980s, with Professor Albert Simeon initially serving in the endowed chair. Others have included Torfeh and Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Raghu Echempati.
Thompson said he?d like to use the professorship to actively pursue new interests with the Bosch, which already have a focus on electronic throttle controls, fuel injection, power seat and wiper controls.
Thompson has been at Kettering since 1988. During his tenure, he has served as faculty adviser to the student SAE hybrid vehicle competition and adviser to the Formula Lightning electric race team. He is currently leading the electrical engineering R&D efforts for the hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicle for Kettering?s Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration.
An advocate for alternative energy since the 1970s solar-cell experiments, Thompson earned all his academic degrees from Michigan State University. He came to Kettering from Michigan Technological University.
