The use of fuel cell technologies in a new generation of hybrid electric vehicles will be the topic of a special lecture for engineering students at the University of Newcastle this week.

Visiting the University from the United States, Dr Kaushik Rajashekhara, is a Distinguished Lecturer of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology.

Dr Rajashekhara will discuss the differences between the current hybrid electric vehicles based on the use of a gasoline engine and batteries, and a fuel cell based vehicle that uses a fuel cell in combination with a battery.

Dr Rajashekhara will present the lecture at 2pm on Tuesday 30 October in ES204, Callaghan campus.