Elliott C. Schmitt
1701 E. Mercer St. • Seattle, WA 98112 • (206) 335-6773 • schmie11@u.washington.edu
EDUCATION
PhD in Bioresource Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Applied Math (Concurrent Enrollment)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Anticipated 2013
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Received August 2009
Thesis: Life Cycle Assessment of Converting Lignocellulosic Rich Urban Waste to Ethanol
Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Planning and Management
Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Completed one semester as guest student, January 2010
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI
Received May 2007
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
University of Washington, Bioenergy and Bioproducts Lab, Seattle, Washington (03/10 – present)
Research Assistant, Supervisor: R. Gustafson
Responsibilities: Development of advanced sensors and control system for hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass to sugars.
Goals of the project include: (1) develop a comprehensive set of kinetic expressions for cellulose hydrolysis by study of
reactions to isolate effects of inhibitors, changes in substrate reactivity, and loss of enzyme activity, (2) develop an
array of sensors that could be used commercially to follow the progress of hydrolysis, physic-chemical changes of
substrate and enzyme activity in real time, and (3) develop a control system that uses feedback measurements from
new sensor array to optimize hydrolysis.
University of Washington, Design for Environment Lab, Seattle, Washington (09/07-09/09)
Research Assistant, Supervisor: J. Cooper
Responsibilities: Developed material and energy balance models of biorefineries for ethanol production in the State of
Washington and serving as the basis for a techno-economic analysis of the proposed biorefineries using ASPEN
software. Developed an Life Cycle Assessment for the conversion of urban lignocellulosic waste to ethanol.
University of Washington, Design for Environment Lab, Seattle, Washington (09/07-03/08)
Teaching Assistant, Supervisor: J. Cooper
Responsibilities: (1) Developing and applying methods for the assessment of the life cycle impacts of municipal solid
waste to energy systems in the State of Washington. (2) Redeveloped course materials for ME415 Sustainability and
Design for Environment (see http://faculty.washington.edu/cooperjs/Education/ME415/index.htm) including sections
on motivation; indicators and metrics; industrial facilities and the environment (P2, EMS, and process
modeling/assessment); product design, remanufacturing, and recycling; life cycle assessment; corporate responsibility,
Industrial Ecology, and sustainable cities.
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan (05/07 – 08/07)
Solar Decathlon – Team ALOeTERRA, Technical Coordinator, Supervisor: P. Plowright
Responsibilities: Hired and managed team of engineers to fulfill duties related to the design, installation, and testing of
solar power systems, mechanical building systems, HVAC, electrical AC/DC power distribution, building performance
and energy analysis model. Design and installation of photovoltaic power system with emphasis on sustainable
building design and product life-cycle.
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan (08/05 – 12/06)
Hydrogen and Combustion Technology, Contract Engineer, Supervisor: A. Lutz
Responsibilities: Computer modeling and data analysis for DTE Hydrogen Technology Park. Assisted in coordinating
research efforts between engineers from Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence Technological University, and DTE.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NextEnergy Center, Detroit, Michigan (02/07 – 05/07)
Project Support, Internship, Supervisor: D. Radomski
Responsibilities: (1) Assisted in initiation of Clean School Bus Training Seminar (2) Assisted in coordinating efforts of
Michigan Biofuels Station Program (3) Developed and conducted design of experiment for NCMS program with
Millenium Cell Hydrogen On Demand © system (4) Developed and maintained database of active members of Wind
Working Group (5) Assisted in activities related to the Michigan 21st Century Job Fund
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Lansing, Michigan (05/06 – 8/06)
RETAP Internship, Engineer Internship, Supervisor: D. Copedge
Responsibilities: Implemented pollution prevention strategies for manufacturing facility: (1) Assisted building owners
in becoming LEED-EB Certified, (2) Reduced annual energy consumption and costs, (3) Reduced waste streams.
Sandia National Laboratory, Livermore, California (05/05 – 08/05)
Hydrogen and Combustion Technology, Engineering Intern, Supervisor: A. Lutz
Responsibilities: Dynamic system modeling of distributed hydrogen generation system for DTE Hydrogen Technology
Park using Simulink. Performed analysis of 50 kW PEM hydrogen fuel cell system and alkaline electrolyzer. Developed
model for Power Park equipment, including: PV, fuel cells, electrolyzer, high-pressure H2 storage system, chiller, and
compressor.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Publications/Presentations:
•
•
Gustafson, R., Bura, R., Cooper, J., Schmitt, E. Vajzovic, A., McMahon, R. (2009). Converting Washington
Lignocellulosic Rich Urban Waste to Ethanol. Washington State Department of Ecology. Beyond Waste Organics
Initiative, 09-07-060. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0907060.html
Lutz, A., Mas, C., Schmitt, E. “Power Park System Simulation.” Sandia National Labs. 2006 DOE Hydrogen
Program Annual Review. May 16, 2006.
Awarded:
• NSF IGERT Fellowship (2010 – 2012)
• Scan|Design Fellowship (2008 – 2009)
• UW Egtvedt Fellowship (2007 – 2008)
• DTE Energy Scholarship (2005 – 2007)
• LTU Trustee Scholarship (2002 – 2006)
• LTU Alumni Scholarship (2004 – 2005)
• LTU Engineering Endowed Scholarship (2003 – 2004)
•
•
Michigan Competitive Scholarship (2003 – 2005)
LTU Outstanding Senior in Physics Award (2006)
MISCELLANEOUS
Computer Skills: MS OFFICE, Matlab, Simulink, Mathematica, ASPEN Plus, ArcGIS, SimaPro
References available on request.