Reena’s Diagnosis: Abundant Curiosity; Remedy: Channel Into a Career

September 21, 2009 at 11:45 am

Reena Datta: Diagnostic and Safety Strategist
What I listen to: Going back to the classics of my teens and 20s – alternative with Nirvana and Tool among my favorites. They were so unique for their time. They really stepped out and did something different.
What I read: Recently finished Eat, Pray, Love – great book!
Where I’ve been: Visited Brazil, Hong Kong & Hawaii last year – must admit that I’m a big nerd and while on vacation noted the types of cars people were driving.

Someone recently pointed out to me that I seem to be curious by nature. It’s true! I must confess that I’m addicted to the Internet; so much that frequently, when I’m relaxing and just watching TV, if something piques my interest I’ll immediately grab my iPhone and start digging for information. Surfing the web – it’s my guilty pleasure.

I think my curious nature, my definite passion for preserving the environment, my fascination with advanced technologies, and the fact I’ve always been good at math and science have led me to my current occupation. I am a diagnostic and safety strategist for GM.

“Putting my curiosity to good use – checking communication of vehicle systems.”

It’s hard to believe that I started out as an intern from Oakland University more than nine years ago and now I work on advanced technology vehicles – specifically fuel cells and hybrids. I make sure all of the complex systems in a hybrid vehicle are efficiently and effectively communicating with each other resulting in a better ownership experience for you, our customers.

Prior to my current job, I worked at GM’s research and development facility in Honeoye Falls, NY. In addition to some really great camping and snowboarding, I had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people on a fuel cell system. My co-workers were intelligent, motivated and a personable group of people who inspired me to continually strive to do my best work. Our research generated information resulting in the production of the Project Driveway fleet, 100 Chevy Equinox to be exact, that recently reached the 1 million mile mark with zero petroleum use and no carbon foot print. Very exciting! I’m very proud to see that our blood, sweat and tears resulted in technology that helped achieve this milestone.

As a passionate environmentalist the work I’m doing is important to me. I want to know that my job, in some way, has bettered the world and the people around me. I believe the technologies we’re working on now, combined with other efforts like recycling, purchasing locally grown and produced products, and minimizing our energy usage at home and work (three things I’ve personally committed to doing), will help improve our environment. It’s one of the reasons why I feel good about getting up and going to work every day. Plus I get to indulge my curious nature by always searching for answers and solutions. Can’t beat that!

Mel Fox

Sep 21st, 2009

Reena is absolutely awesome!!! I’m so glad that she’s being showcased as one of the Faces of GM – I can think of no one who has the same combination of spirit, kindness, intellect and enthusiasm!! Go Reena!!!
John

Sep 21st, 2009

Reena is pretty hot. Go GM!
Pinkhas

Sep 22nd, 2009

Reena,
Nice hearing from you. Very good that you keep being etusiastic and curious.
P.
Irina

Sep 22nd, 2009

Reena – you go girl!!! I know a celebrity everyone!
Reena Datta

Sep 22nd, 2009

Thank you so much for reading the article and for all of your comments! I feel so fortunate to have worked with such talented and caring people at GM. After this article posted, I’ve been in communication with many colleagues whom I’ve not spoken with for years – It’s an unexpected and wonderful outcome! Please keep checking back and reading more about the Faces of GM. Your comments made me smile and I hope that our excitement transfers to you!
Heike

Sep 23rd, 2009

Hi Reena,

What a nice article! Good to hear from you!

Hugs Heike
Irvin Smith

Sep 23rd, 2009

Hi Reena,

With your work at Honeoye Falls, was there any projects in developing sustainable ways to generate H2? My understanding is that the majority of H2 currently is generated from natural gas. Electrolysis is an option, but I believe it is too expensive right now. I agree that it would be nice to have a vehicle fuel that has a near zero carbon footprint, but until we come up with a cost effective way to generate H2, it will be tough to get there. Any information or insight you could provide would be appreciated.
Reena Datta

Sep 23rd, 2009

Hi Irvin,

Great question. When I first started with the fuel cell group at GM, I worked on fuel processing, the conversion of gasoline into hydrogen. As you can imagine, the conversion process is very complex, costly, and requires considerable space for packaging – valuable real-estate in a vehicle. Consequently, my group decided it was not particle to pursue on-board fuel processing and instead partnered with various energy companies to develop sustainable methods for hydrogen generation.

As you mentioned, one of the simplest ways to obtain hydrogen is to break down natural gas. Since we cook and heat our homes using natural gas, we already have an existing infrastructure, thus leading to a seemingly attractive solution. But breaking down natural gas and fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide, and we are targeting a zero carbon footprint.

There are many other ways to produce our most abundant element, ranging from biological to nuclear production methods. Electrolysis is indeed an attractive option but it requires a lot of energy, and therefore cost, to extract the hydrogen. The question is then, can we somehow reduce this cost? Some promising possibilities include leveraging renewable energy sources like water, wind, and the sun. If we can use the electricity produced by these carbon-free resources, it would be a significant cost reducer.

For example, right now research is being conducted on solar panels and how they can be used to produce hydrogen. This could particularly be cost effective because there would be zero delivery expense – customers could produce their own hydrogen! However, one key challenge is that this technology uses platinum – the ultimate catalyst used in various technologies, including fuel cells. Then the cost of platinum, which is already very expensive, will continue to rise as the demand increases.

Clearly more time and research is needed in this area, but I am confident that as we change our perspective on energy, new thinking will emerge and we will reach our goal. Thank you very much for your question. Your mindset is exactly what we need – ask the tough questions so that we can start working on the answers!
asdf

Sep 27th, 2009

This appears to be a new image for GM. People under 30 representing GM. I didn’t know GM even employed people under 30.
S. Farris

Oct 7th, 2009

Reena,

It refreshing to see a well deserving person recognized for the quality work they do! I agree working with the fuel cell group was a great experience. To see it grow into real vehicles on the road was awesome. Go FCA! Good seeing you are still as curious, positive, and optimistic as I remember. Keep that beam in your eyes and you will go as far as you desire. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Reinhard

Oct 22nd, 2009

Reena,

nice to hear from you !

Great statements of the hydrogen vs. carbon footprint vs. renewables issue.

Best regards from MK,
Reinhard.