Michael C. Lewis

Position: Director

Biography

Mr. Michael Lewis has over 20 years of experience in advanced research and technology development at the University of Texas, Center for Electromechanics (UT-CEM). Mr. Lewis’ early research responsibilities were primarily focused on the development of a prototype advanced high-speed generator for an electromagnetic aircraft launching system. Under this program, Mr. Lewis was responsible for the mechanical design of a high-speed rotor, which included novel materials and design approaches that required extensive testing and research before implementation. In addition, he was also responsible for the modeling and analyses essential to the development of the generator, including airflow network analysis, 3D electromagnetic modeling, and structural finite element analysis.

Mr. Lewis’ current research interest focus on alternative fuels for transportation and stationary power applications with a large focus on hydrogen power and energy systems. His team has developed, built, and tested fuel cell hybrid vehicles ranging from small neighborhood electric vehicles, to transit buses, to medium and heavy duty trucks. This research has expanded beyond vehicle prototypes to also include novel materials based hydrogen generation, alternative storage vessel technologies, and the use of linear motor driven compressors and expanders for various applications, including hydrogen refueling and active recovery of methane leaks for large pipeline networks. An overarching mission of Mr. Lewis and his research team is to advance the state of these alternative fuel technologies and provide technology transfer to industrial partners, which will accelerate the adoption and commercialization of alternative fuels for transportation.

Mr. Lewis is currently leading UT-CEM’s efforts on a Department of Energy H2@Scale award that will demonstrate renewable pathways for hydrogen production and distribution and enable cost effective hydrogen for transportation and industrial applications. In addition, this project will also study the opportunities for a hydrogen energy economy in Texas and the Gulf Coast region.

Current Projects

H2@Scale demonstration and framework for Texas and Beyond

Hydrogen fuel cell delivery van development and demonstration

Linear expander development for precooling at hydrogen refueling stations

Linear expander and compressor for smart CNG refueling

Linear motor driven compressor for nuclear air treaty monitoring

Linear motor compressor for methane leak recovery

Hydrogen generation for remote applications using nano-galvanic aluminum

Flywheel energy storage for off-road equipment

Research Areas/Areas of Interest

Alternative fuels for vehicles – batteries, ultra-capacitors, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas

Education

M.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2007

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1999

Awarded Patents

J. Stair, T. Lindsay, M. Lewis, R. Zowarka, S. Pratap, C. Hearn, C. Penney, M. Worthington, H.P. Liu,“Free Piston Linear Motor Compressor and Associated Systems of Operation,” Patent Application Pub. No. US2015/0125323 A1, May 7, 2015.