Seminars

ME/IE 8773-8774
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY SERIES
Nanoparticles and the Environment
Host: Thomas H. Kuehn

The Changing Roles of Public and Private Research in National Policy
and Standards of Air Borne Contaminant Transmission Control.

by

Richard D. Hermans, PE
Senior Project Engineer
Center for Energy and Environment

Wednesday, April 28, 2004
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Room 1130 ME
Coffee and cookies will be available at 3:15 p.m. before the seminar

Abstract: This presentation will review the ebb and flow of research, both public and private over several decades to demonstrate how roles of Universities, business, and professional societies have evolved in air borne contaminant control. The outline will follow how various influences can effect the speed and depth of research. Some of the influences described are: Unusual National Events, Economics, Technology evolution, and politics. Finally, some of my thoughts on the future of public/private partnerships in air borne contaminant control research.

Bio:
Richard D. Hermans began practice in the HVAC industry as an Engineering Intern in 1975. A 1979 graduate of the University of Minnesota in Mechanical Engineering, he has worked as an engineer for the Minnesota Energy Agency, a Senior Plant Engineer in Operations and Maintenance Management at the University Physical Plant, as Principal Engineer at University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic as General Manager of Operations and Maintenance at Saint Paul Public Schools, and as a Senior Project Engineer for healthcare facilities at Ellerbe Becket. Mr. Hermans’ clients have included Methodist Medical Center of Peoria, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Scottsdale and Jacksonville, University of Arizona/University Medical Center, and Florida Hospital, Orlando. He is presently Senior Project Engineer at the Center for Energy and Environment, a private non-profit energy and environmental services organization. CEE provides technical assistance for energy conservation, indoor air quality, facility condition assessment, commissioning and re-commissioning of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.
Mr. Hermans is active in the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) where he has written and edited papers and design handbooks on healthcare facility design. He is a member of ASHRAE TC 9.8, TC 5.10, GPC 11P, SPC 154P, SP 91 and is chairman of the new Health Care Ventilation Standard SPC-170P and Vice Chairman of the ASHRAE Standards Committee. Mr. Hermans is the 2004-2005 President of the Minnesota Chapter of ASHRAE. Among his published works is a presentation on the effects of healthcare facility ventilation design on the transmission of airborne infectious diseases.

Informal Faculty Luncheon: Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 12:00 noon. Meet in 1100 ME and walk to lunch with other faculty. Mr. Hermans will be able to attend.