John Sale ELP Program Director Manager, Research Program Development Phone: (610) 758-4545 Fax: (610) 758-5959

Energy Liaison Program Provides Easy Access to the Center Capabilities

Lehigh's Energy Liaison Program (ELP) was organized in the late 1970's to make it easy for the Energy Research Center to work with industry in solving energy related problems. Twenty five years later, the ELP has become the "window" through which the Center's faculty and staff work with company engineers to utilize the latest in techniques and results in solving day-to-day technical problems. "Over the years, as more and more people in industry have become aware of our research and problem solving activities, our reputation has grown. We have become quite well known for the quality, timeliness, and impartiality of our work," says John Sale, Director of the Energy Liaison Program.

ELP activities include feasibility studies, equipment design modifications, third party design reviews, failure analyses, computer software development, literature searches, environmental assessments, problems dealing with economic and social issues, and special educational programs, including on-site training. These activities involve the Center's professional staff and faculty representing academic disciplines such as mechanical engineering, metallurgy, civil engineering, geology, biology, and economics.

Companies participate in the ELP under a letter of agreement that is renewable on a yearly basis. An annual participation fee covers consulting, laboratory tests, computer use, participation in educational programs, and other services.

The ELP Director serves as the primary contact for each member company. His familiarity with the faculty and staff and with equipment resources allows him to find the right combination of experts and equipment to solve a company's problems.

According to Sale, "Some of the companies that belong to ELP participate in the program, in part, because of their needs for quick response when an urgent plant situation arises. To these companies, the ability to have access to an expert who can provide immediate assistance, without need for a special purchase order, is the key. Other companies value the ability to draw upon an organization with a wide range of technical skills. This contact is handled through me. I use my knowledge of the faculty and staff skills to select the appropriate consultant or team of consultants for a particular problem. Perhaps most important, membership in ELP provides convenient access to the latest in new technology and ideas. ELP member companies are invited to all workshops, seminars and short courses held at the ERC. We find that some people attend these events because they have a specific problem to solve, while others attend just to keep up with what is going on."

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