[an NSF Graduated Center] CCEFP MISSION CCEFP’s mission is to change the way that fluid power is researched, applied and taught. To achieve this mission, the Center focuses its research in areas that will solve existing industry challenges or create new opportunities for fluid power or both. The CCEFP’s education and outreach program is designed to transfer this knowledge to diverse audiences including students of all ages, users of fluid power and the general public. CCEFP VISION CCEFP’s original vision was to “make fluid power compact, efficient and effective”. Although these remain important research goals and have been the Center’s three research thrusts since its inception, the vision statement has changed. In 2014, the Center’s vision became “make fluid power the technology of choice for power generation, transmission, storage, and motion control”. We believe that the new vision better describes the compelling future state desired while the original vision statement describes means for achieving the future state. Improvements in manufacturing processes affect all three thrusts and are critical to achieving our vision. Focusing the Center’s research on the desired compelling future state forms the basis for transformational change in the fluid power industry. Educating the next generation of leaders, partnering with industry and improving existing applications are critical methods to achieving the goals of the CCEFP. The Center has established a number of goals to help realize its vision: Double fluid power efficiency in current applications and in new transportation applications. Increase fluid power energy storage density by an order of magnitude. Develop new miniature fluid power components and systems including power supplies that are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than anything currently available. Make fluid power ubiquitous – meaning broadly used in many applications and environments. This requires fluid power that is clean, quiet, safe and easy to use. Improve the manufacturing (quality, cost and delivery) of fluid power components and systems so that they become the technology of choice for both existing and new markets. WHAT WE DO Lead the nation’s fluid power research strategy to improve existing and create new markets. Create, promote, and secure federal grant fluid power research funding for CCEFP supporters. HOW WE DO IT Engage academic and industry leaders to improve existing applications and create new markets Advocate with synergistic federal agencies to create new fluid power research opportunities Offer regular opportunities to network with students, faculty, and other industry supporters. OUR IMPACT $80,000,000 invested in fluid power research, education, engagement, advocacy 50 research faculty 10 partner institutions 1000 student graduates directly engaged in fluid power projects 66% percent of student graduates are working in fluid power 20,000 students exposed to fluid power in courses or free modules each year 5 federal agencies educated on the advancements of fluid power research 1 fluid power research strategy for the world
Research Areas
Research
The CCEFP is transforming fluid power. The Center has become a catalyst in energizing the fluid power industry and the technology's research community. For the first time in decades, the fluid power industry in the U.S. is thinking seriously about university-industry collaboration on research. U.S. universities are emerging as international leaders in that research, as evidenced by best paper awards presented to Center researchers and their students at recent prominent international conferences. CCEFP connections are leading to a serious discussion of a proposed national fluid power energy policy involving industry, universities and national labs. And, as a direct consequence of CCEFP activities, the fluid power industry has now developed a research-technology roadmap.
The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (aka CCEFP or “the Center”) is a network of fluid power research laboratories, academic faculty, graduate and undergraduate students at seven U.S. universities. The Center’s vision is make fluid power the technology of choice for power generation, transmission, storage, and motion control applications. It pursues this vision by focusing on two key objectives:
Driving a pre-competitive research strategy focused on industry needs that leverages fluid power’s inherent strengths and eliminates or substantially reduces its key technical barriers. The CCEFP seeks to transfer its research discoveries to industry so that they can be commercialized and bring transformational changes in fluid power’s current and future markets.
Educating a growing pipeline of university students in fluid power, connecting many to positions in industry where their knowledge can be used to create new and better products, and connecting others to academia where they can educate the next generation of fluid power engineers.
Mobile (MO)
Hydraulics is the technology of choice for heavy off-road construction equipment. Adoption of new designs in pumps and other components will greatly improve efficiency in these machines.
Human-Scale (HS)
The Center seeks to expand fluid power’s use in human-scaled fluid power devices like medical applications, self-powered tools and self-powered exoskeletons. In order to accomplish this, the Center is leading the way on research into smaller power supplies, more compact energy storage solutions, and increasing system efficiency, as well as reducing noise and leaks.
Manufacturing (MA)
For motion control and power transmission needs in factory automation settings, pneumatics is often the technology of choice due to its simplicity, flexibility and low cost. A vast array of pneumatic hand tools have been developed and are light, robust and inexpensive. There are additional benefits to the installation of compressed air in factories using pneumatics such as the availability of air for cleaning and other non-power transmission needs.
Stationary (ST)
Fluids & Tribology (FT)
Facilities & Resources
Partner Organizations
University of Minnesota
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CCEFP
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United States
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Americas
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English
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Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
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Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
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Contact Title |
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Contact E-Mail |
Website |
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General E-mail |
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[an NSF Graduated Center] CCEFP MISSION CCEFP’s mission is to change the way that fluid power is researched, applied and taught. To achieve this mission, the Center focuses its research in areas that will solve existing industry challenges or create new opportunities for fluid power or both. The CCEFP’s education and outreach program is designed to transfer this knowledge to diverse audiences including students of all ages, users of fluid power and the general public. CCEFP VISION CCEFP’s original vision was to “make fluid power compact, efficient and effective”. Although these remain important research goals and have been the Center’s three research thrusts since its inception, the vision statement has changed. In 2014, the Center’s vision became “make fluid power the technology of choice for power generation, transmission, storage, and motion control”. We believe that the new vision better describes the compelling future state desired while the original vision statement describes means for achieving the future state. Improvements in manufacturing processes affect all three thrusts and are critical to achieving our vision. Focusing the Center’s research on the desired compelling future state forms the basis for transformational change in the fluid power industry. Educating the next generation of leaders, partnering with industry and improving existing applications are critical methods to achieving the goals of the CCEFP. The Center has established a number of goals to help realize its vision: Double fluid power efficiency in current applications and in new transportation applications. Increase fluid power energy storage density by an order of magnitude. Develop new miniature fluid power components and systems including power supplies that are one to two orders of magnitude smaller than anything currently available. Make fluid power ubiquitous – meaning broadly used in many applications and environments. This requires fluid power that is clean, quiet, safe and easy to use. Improve the manufacturing (quality, cost and delivery) of fluid power components and systems so that they become the technology of choice for both existing and new markets. WHAT WE DO Lead the nation’s fluid power research strategy to improve existing and create new markets. Create, promote, and secure federal grant fluid power research funding for CCEFP supporters. HOW WE DO IT Engage academic and industry leaders to improve existing applications and create new markets Advocate with synergistic federal agencies to create new fluid power research opportunities Offer regular opportunities to network with students, faculty, and other industry supporters. OUR IMPACT $80,000,000 invested in fluid power research, education, engagement, advocacy 50 research faculty 10 partner institutions 1000 student graduates directly engaged in fluid power projects 66% percent of student graduates are working in fluid power 20,000 students exposed to fluid power in courses or free modules each year 5 federal agencies educated on the advancements of fluid power research 1 fluid power research strategy for the world
Abbreviation |
CCEFP
|
Country |
United States
|
Region |
Americas
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
|
Contact Title |
|
Contact E-Mail |
Website |
|
General E-mail |
|
Phone |
|
Address |
Research Areas
Research
The CCEFP is transforming fluid power. The Center has become a catalyst in energizing the fluid power industry and the technology's research community. For the first time in decades, the fluid power industry in the U.S. is thinking seriously about university-industry collaboration on research. U.S. universities are emerging as international leaders in that research, as evidenced by best paper awards presented to Center researchers and their students at recent prominent international conferences. CCEFP connections are leading to a serious discussion of a proposed national fluid power energy policy involving industry, universities and national labs. And, as a direct consequence of CCEFP activities, the fluid power industry has now developed a research-technology roadmap.
The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (aka CCEFP or “the Center”) is a network of fluid power research laboratories, academic faculty, graduate and undergraduate students at seven U.S. universities. The Center’s vision is make fluid power the technology of choice for power generation, transmission, storage, and motion control applications. It pursues this vision by focusing on two key objectives:
Driving a pre-competitive research strategy focused on industry needs that leverages fluid power’s inherent strengths and eliminates or substantially reduces its key technical barriers. The CCEFP seeks to transfer its research discoveries to industry so that they can be commercialized and bring transformational changes in fluid power’s current and future markets.
Educating a growing pipeline of university students in fluid power, connecting many to positions in industry where their knowledge can be used to create new and better products, and connecting others to academia where they can educate the next generation of fluid power engineers.
Mobile (MO)
Hydraulics is the technology of choice for heavy off-road construction equipment. Adoption of new designs in pumps and other components will greatly improve efficiency in these machines.
Human-Scale (HS)
The Center seeks to expand fluid power’s use in human-scaled fluid power devices like medical applications, self-powered tools and self-powered exoskeletons. In order to accomplish this, the Center is leading the way on research into smaller power supplies, more compact energy storage solutions, and increasing system efficiency, as well as reducing noise and leaks.
Manufacturing (MA)
For motion control and power transmission needs in factory automation settings, pneumatics is often the technology of choice due to its simplicity, flexibility and low cost. A vast array of pneumatic hand tools have been developed and are light, robust and inexpensive. There are additional benefits to the installation of compressed air in factories using pneumatics such as the availability of air for cleaning and other non-power transmission needs.
Stationary (ST)
Fluids & Tribology (FT)
Facilities & Resources
Partner Organizations
University of Minnesota