http://www.syndicatemizzou.org Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:04:38 GMT en-us 40 Center for eResearch Connecting you with the University of Missouri’s innovative research and creative activity http://www.syndicatemizzou.org/images/logo.png 384 80 http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu01-Wu.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu01-Wu.m4v Bin Wu, Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, has been researching, teaching, and consulting within the field of industrial engineering for twenty years. “When we talk about industrial system design,” he explains, “we are talking about how to put facilities, people, and information systems together so that this system can function for whatever purpose it is designed to fulfill – for example, to manufacture or to supply. Traditionally, when we designed a system, the main efficiency considerations were related to productivity.” About three years ago, however, Wu received a wake-up call: his son’s birth created a sense of urgency to address environmental issues, and specifically energy efficiency. He realized then that when designing and improving systems, particularly industrial systems, “energy has got to be a very important consideration, if not the most important consideration.” 3 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:41:50 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu02-Wu.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu02-Wu.m4v Officially opened on September 1, 2006, the Missouri Industrial Assessment Center’s purpose “is to be the center in the state to provide services and resources to promote energy efficiency, particularly industrial energy efficiency.” The IAC carries out activities in the areas of research, education, and outreach. Since its establishment, the IAC has been busy conducting energy audits and workshops for manufacturing organizations throughout the state. Because the IAC provides practical experience for students, helps manufacturers improve energy efficiency, and develops best practices in industry, Wu calls it a “win, win, win situation.” 3 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:42:05 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu06-Wu.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu06-Wu.m4v Wu has published four books, all in the area of manufacturing and systems design, several of which have become internationally adopted as textbooks: _Manufacturing Systems Design and Analysis_ (1992, 1994), _Manufacturing and Supply Systems Management_ (2000), and _Handbook of Manufacturing and Supply Systems Design_ (2001). 3 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:43:09 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu07-Wu.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/wu/ipod/Wu07-Wu.m4v Following years principally involved in research, Wu now spends more time working with both students and the public on energy efficiency and the environment. As he puts it, “I feel very strongly that every one of us needs to do something and behave in responsible ways, individually or collectively, [to] do _something_ about it.” As an educator, Wu gets the message out to his students, who he says are the future: , “It’s really a very fulfilling thing to do. I have been a professor for all of my professional life—doing research, writing books and other publications, and teaching. I can honestly say that what I’m doing now regarding energy efficiency is absolutely the most fulfilling.” 3 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:43:24 GMT