USU Hires USTAR Researcher Specializing in Hybrid Solar Lighting

Utah State University has recruited Jeff Muhs to join the growing group of scientists hired as part of the Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative. He will join the USU Biodiesel team and serve as its executive director.

Muhs comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and specializes in developing hybrid solar lighting systems, a novel method of collecting and distributing sunlight through optical fibers to reduce electricity use and improve lighting quality in buildings.

 

“Utah State University has done an excellent job of putting an interdisciplinary research team together and is poised to become a leader in the race to develop biofuels that will eventually free America from an addiction to foreign oil,” said Muhs. “With USTAR funds, USU has both the human and financial capital needed to move forward quickly with a truly transformational approach to producing biofuels.”

 

Muh’s long term interests are to expand USU’s sustainable energy research portfolio in a broader context. He said there are a number of new research opportunities that will likely emerge that are related to transforming the way people generate, distribute and use energy in both buildings and vehicle transportation.

 

“Ultimately, my goal is to develop a world-class energy research center at USU that spins out companies, creates good jobs and is a catalyst for economic prosperity in Utah,” Muhs said.

 

USU’s Biodiesel research team is working together to come up with an environmentally friendly, non-food source of secure, clean and sustainable energy. The team is developing new and emerging technologies that will produce methane, biodiesel, hydrogen and alcohols from renewable, carbon-dioxide-neutral energy sources, such as consumer and agricultural waste and sunlight.

 

“Jeff will bring a crucial element of coordination to the Biofuels team,” said Ned Weinshenker, USU vice president for strategic ventures and economic development. “With as many as 30 members currently on the team, in several colleges and disciplines, we will need to ensure that all are working with ultimate efficiency. Jeff’s experience in project management, for similar technologies at ONRL, will add immensely to the success of the initiative.”

 

Muhs served as head of strategic planning for the Engineering Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge and participated in one of its spin-off companies, Sunlight Direct, Inc., where he served as vice president of research. During his early years at Oak Ridge, Muhs developed several fiber optic sensors and electro-optic components used in transportation, energy, health-care and national security applications. He was also responsible for a research consortium of 20 public and private entities including Fortune 500 companies, electric utilities and several universities.

 

“We are very excited for Jeff to join our team because his background includes strong research, management and government relations skills,” said Byard Wood, USU engineering professor and biodiesel team member.

 

Muhs has authored 14 patents along with several dozen technical publications and magazine articles. Three of his patents have been licensed to industry and are now generating royalty streams. His work has been featured in several scientific periodicals and on national and international television networks.

 

In 2005, Muhs served as U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander’s science and energy policy advisor. His awards and accolades include being named Oak Ridge’s Engineer of the Year in 1997 and as its Science Communicator of the Year in 2004. Muhs has also received an R&D 100 Award and a National Federal Laboratory Consortium Excellence in Technology Transfer Award.

 

Muhs was raised in Noble, Ill., where he helped his father farm and build houses. He received an associate’s degree from Vincennes University and a bachelor’s in electro-optics from the University of Houston.

 

Muhs enjoys traveling, camping, hiking and snow-skiing with his wife, Lori, and their sons, Ethan and John.

 

Muhs’s official start date is Dec. 1, and he will share his time between Oak Ridge and USU until then.

 

Passed in the 2006 state legislative session, USTAR is designed to help Utah keep pace in scientific research and technological advancement — directly translating to a stronger economy, high-paying jobs, increased tax revenue and better quality of life, said USU Vice President for Research Brent Miller. The USTAR Economic Development Initiative leverages the proven success of Utah’s research universities in creating and commercializing innovative technologies.

 

For more information on USTAR, visit the USU USTAR Web site.