J. Adin “Jay” Mann Jr., P.hD. – Professor of Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University
Friday March 21, 2008
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Crawford Hall – Room 9
Inamori Center
Case Western Reserve University
Once again, gasoline and oil prices are rising to new highs. Whenever this happens, we hear predictions of a new era of permanent scarcity and high prices. Then prices recede a bit, and the clamor goes down.
The problem is a bit like distinguishing climate from weather: how can we infer from immediate events to long-term trends? One logical approach is to focus instead on models of the long-term.
M. King Hubbert developed an analytical model that predicted the peak followed by a substantial decrease in oil production in the 48 states. Applying this model to the world suggests we’re at Peak Oil Now. Professor Mann will discuss the chemical engineering concepts that lead to “Hubbert’s Law.” Then we will discuss together the implications of Peak Oil and the Future Shock that may go with it. The issues raised extend beyond oil to every other non-renewable resource.
The Friday Lunch is a brown-bag event open to all. Cookies and some beverages are provided.
The remainder of this e-mail reports what we know about the schedule for the rest of the semester. We will be sending out announcements each week. If you would prefer not to receive the announcements, please inform Dr. Andrew Lucker, Associate Director of the Center for Policy Studies, by e-mail (andrew.lucker@case.edu).
About Our Guest
Surface science and its interdisciplinary impact on catalysis, emulsions, and liquid interfacial synamics comprise a major segment of Professor Mann’s research. His theoretical and experimental studies concern interfacial transport, liquid crystals, Langmuir-Blodgett films, liquid metals, wetting and the application of the theory of stochastic processes to surface science.
Professor Mann has expertise not only in chemical engineering but also in chemical physics and biophysics. He has received several distinguished awards and fellowships and organized international meetings, and is active in the colloid and surface chemistry community world wide.
Friday Lunch and Other Public Affairs Upcoming Topics and Speakers:
March 28: Bill Marling, Professor of English. “How American is Globalization?”
April 4: Jerry Floersch PhD, LISW, Associate Professor in MSASS, “The Psychosocial and Sociocultural Dimensions of Prescribing Psychiatric Medication to Adolescents.”
April 11: David Matthiesen, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, will lead a discussion on “Energy and Alternative Energy Policy in Ohio.”
April 18: Megan Whalen Turner fiction writer for young adults and author of, Instead Of Three Wishes, The Thief, The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia; Anne Ursu is the author of the novels Spilling Clarence and The Disapparation of James, Joe White Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Chair, Department if Political Science, Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “Moral Dilemmas in Politics and Fiction.”
The Friday Lunch discussions are held on the lower (ground) level of
Crawford Hall. Visitors with mobility issues may find it easiest to take advantage of special arrangements we have made. On most Fridays, a few parking spaces in the V.I.P. lot in between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel are held for participants in the lunch discussion.
Visitors then can avoid walking up the hill to the first floor of Crawford by entering the building on the ground level, through the garage area under the building. The further door on the left in that garage will be left unlocked during the period before the Friday lunch. On occasion, parking will be unavailable because of other university events.
For more information about these and other Center for Policy Studies programs, please see http://policy.case.edu.