Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
Amy Cerato, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been selected for the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. She is being recognized for her research on designing robust foundations in marginal soils, which could save the US billions annually by repairing infrastructure built on expansive soil.
Two NTU projects win up to S$4 million in research funds for fast and efficient detection of Cryptosporidium in water using genetic analysis and biophotonic chips. The technologies aim to enable prompt implementation of control measures, reducing time and manpower required.
Researchers are exploring various methodologies to meet biofuel needs, including Edenspace Systems' Energy Corn and Coskata's Flex Ethanol technology. These approaches aim to lower fossil fuel reliance and mitigate global warming concerns.
Researchers create framework to calculate environmental cost of travel, including power plants, train station upkeep and airport runway construction. A half-full Boston light railway is found to be as environmentally friendly as a midsize aircraft at 38% occupancy.
A UBC study has shown that different species of three-spine stickleback fish can significantly impact their aquatic ecosystems within 11 weeks. The researchers created mini-ecosystems in tanks with varying species and found substantial differences in dissolved organic carbon levels, affecting plant growth and sunlight penetration.
Engineers at the University of Leeds have discovered a method to clean contaminated water by adding vinegar, stimulating the growth of naturally-occurring bacteria that alter chemical make-up of chromium compounds. This treatment reduces the risk of cancer, kidney problems, and other health issues associated with chromate chemicals.
LSU engineers have developed a model forecasting chemical contaminants in Katrina-flooded homes, including aerosols and gases that can cause serious health risks through inhalation. The study's findings could be applied to future flooding events, helping prepare first responders for increased exposure risks.
A new study from the University of Minnesota finds that cellulosic ethanol has fewer negative effects on human health due to lower emissions of fine particulate matter. The study estimates that transitioning to cellulosic ethanol could reduce environmental and health costs by as much as half compared to gasoline.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new technology that can generate accurate maps of underground oil reservoirs, guiding engineers to extract more oil. The technique uses JPEG compression to create realistic maps from limited measurements, improving predictions of oil production and potentially increasing efficiency.
A University of Houston-led research team has developed a method to identify pollution sources using unique identifiers found in fine particulate matter. The findings suggest that people living close to highways and refineries are more likely to become seriously ill.
Researchers have developed electronics that can withstand complex deformations, including twisting. Their 'pop-up' technology has been improved to create circuits that can bend, stretch, and twist, enabling new applications in medical and athletic fields.
Carnegie Mellon University's Western Pennsylvania Brownfields Center will expand its brownfields research and education with a $900,000 EPA grant. The funding will support the development of an interactive tool to assess carbon footprints and energy impacts from brownfield development.
A simple device that uses an electrically charged tube to create an electric field that thins fuel has been developed, leading to a 20% increase in gas mileage in highway driving and a 12-15% gain in city driving. The technology has potential applications on all types of internal combustion engines.
The Woods Institute has awarded five faculty planning grants to develop long-term research programs at Stanford, focusing on solving the world's water demands. The grants aim to identify promising solutions to freshwater challenges and facilitate partnerships among academics, businesses, and policymakers.
Researchers have created a new method for producing functional nanoscale patterns with sub-100 nanometer features. The process uses a flexible polymer membrane and exploits elastic instability to generate long-range orientational order, resulting in stable and reusable diamond-plate patterns with high precision.
A new study by George Mason University researcher Nicole Darnall shows that companies can profit from environmentally friendly practices, such as reducing waste and developing green products. The study found that organizations that improve their environmental performance can offset the cost of regulation or even accrue a net gain.
A new grant will fund research to identify, forecast, and detect areas of clear-air turbulence, reducing anxiety for travelers. The study will also aid astronomers in using adaptive optics to reduce telescope image degradation caused by atmospheric optical turbulence.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method to measure the size and shape of the nucleus in living cells, using angle-resolved low coherence interferometry (a/LCI). This technique allows for rapid and accurate measurements, enabling scientists to better understand how changes in nucleus shape influence gene expression.
Bill Middleton is using satellite imagery to build a detailed landscape map of Oaxaca, where the Zapotec people formed the first state-level and urban society in Mexico. The study will explore how the Oaxacan economy and environment changed as the Zapotec state grew and then collapsed.
The updated GREET model allows researchers to simulate new fuel pathways, including ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane and bio-butanol production. The model also evaluates the energy consumption required for producing aluminum in sport utility vehicles.
Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger have won the 2008 Green Book Award from Stevens Institute of Technology’s Center for Science Writings for their book Break Through, which critiques environmentalism. The authors argue that green activists should recognize the potential of economic development and technological innovation to help o...
Biomonitoring utilizes bioindicators to detect pollutant accumulation and provides real-time trend monitoring. This approach is particularly suitable for environments where technological monitoring is impossible or too costly.
Carnegie Mellon researchers argue that dietary choice, not food miles, determines a household's climate impact. Shifting to a local diet or reducing meat and dairy consumption can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Eating more plant-based meals can reduce emissions by up to 8,000 miles driven per year.
Researchers have found high levels of methyl mercury in wastewater from dental clinics and offices, which can become a potent neurotoxin when exposed to sulfate-reducing bacteria. The study estimates that up to 11 pounds of methyl mercury could be entering the US public water supply each year.
Researchers developed a bioinformatics technology that analyzed more than 14 million microbial and viral sequences, revealing distinctive metabolic profiles among viral metagenomes. This discovery has the potential to answer questions about viral dynamics in diseases like cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at UW are testing a pilot project involving dozens of volunteers wearing electronic tags to track their location and belongings in the six-story building. The study aims to explore the benefits and drawbacks of RFID technology, including data privacy and personal space concerns.
Jacobo Bielak has been awarded $1.6 million from the NSF PetaApps program to develop advanced earthquake computer simulations that can improve disaster planning and preparation. The new grant will enable the creation of three-dimensional models simulating how earthquakes impact buildings, bridges, and other critical urban infrastructures.
Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger's book Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility challenges traditional environmentalist views. The authors argue that green activists should recognize the potential of economic development and technological innovation to help overcome ecological crises.
A study by Indiana University researchers found Dechlorane Plus, a chlorinated flame retardant, in tree bark across the northeastern US, with highest concentrations near the Niagara Falls factory. Tree bark can serve as a natural passive sampling device to detect airborne chemicals.
Scientists are uncertain about nanotechnology's health and environmental implications, with concerns about pollution, new health problems, and job losses outweighing benefits. The disconnect between scientific understanding and public perception hinders informed discussion and policy.
Scientists use NASA satellites to monitor environmental changes, predicting infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola, West Nile virus, and Rift Valley Fever. Malaria surveillance also benefits from this technology, providing public health organizations with increased warning time to respond to outbreaks.
Researchers aim to create a new technology that stabilizes soil for road construction, improving the environment and cellulosic ethanol industry. Soil conditions in Iowa often require mixing chemicals to improve strength, but current practices have limitations.
A recent study by Benjamin Sovacool recommends transitioning away from centralized coal and nuclear plants to small-scale decentralized generation technologies for a more sustainable energy sector. These alternatives are found to be feasible, affordable, environmentally friendly, reliable, and secure.
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has chosen Elsevier as its publishing partner, starting in January 2008. The partnership will enable early publication of articles in press and improve accessibility for authors, editors, and the academic community.
Revolymer's Clean Gum boasts great taste, easy removal, and potential for environmental degradation. The technology uses an amphiphilic polymer to alter interfacial properties, making it less adhesive to common surfaces.
Interactions between ozone and body oils can lead to the formation of chemical byproducts that worsen nasal irritation, headaches, and other air traveler complaints. The study suggests simple steps like installing ozone-destroying catalysts can help reduce these byproducts in aircraft and buildings.
Researchers at UCR will develop inexpensive badges for monitoring diesel and gasoline exhaust exposure in real-time, using nanotechnology. The project aims to better understand the role of environmental factors in diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania devise nanoscale system to observe how individual cells react to external forces. The study shows that cells respond to outside forces and demonstrate a remote response from the cell’s internal forces., The findings prove useful for understanding tissue growth, function, and disease.
Carnegie Mellon researchers find that liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports could have 35% higher lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than coal. The study urges caution against investing in LNG infrastructure, highlighting the need for analysis of indirect implications and conservation measures.
Researchers have measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in human blood serum, cod liver oil, and house dust using NIST's Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). The results provide a better understanding of the source and degree of PBDE contamination in humans and the environment.
A team from RIT and UR is developing a detector that can withstand harsh radiation environments in space, enabling the capture of images from every wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
NASA provided critical soil moisture data for affected areas, enabling emergency response teams to track flash flooding and stage rescue efforts. The sensor's detailed maps helped officials predict future flooding risks and avoid casualties.
Cornell researchers partner with Gene Network Sciences to create computer models of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, a key player in cleaning toxic waste. The team aims to improve conditions for the bacteria, which sometimes struggle at cleanup sites.
The AmIVital project aims to develop specific ready-to-use products and a technological platform for remote assistance using intelligent devices, biosensors, and multimodal interfaces. The project will benefit 21.6% of the world's population aged 65+, with a focus on elderly and disabled people.
Researchers at Harvard University found that Beijing's traffic restrictions in November reduced NOx emissions by 40% and traffic by 30%. The study suggests that similar efforts could lead to significant changes in air quality during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
The UCSD initiative aims to keep middle school girls engaged in STEM fields by providing hands-on learning experiences, such as measuring air quality and analyzing solar radiation. The project also develops a multi-player online science challenge game designed specifically for girls, addressing the critical leak in the talent pipeline.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) remain suspended for over a month when mixed with natural organic matter in water, making them more likely to be transported in the environment. The study highlights the need to study nanomaterials' environmental impact before commercial applications.
Dr. Liana Talaue-McManus and Dr. John W. McManus, researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, were named Associates of the World Technology Network for their innovative work in marine science and technology.
The University of Vermont is introducing a new systems education project to reform its engineering curriculum, emphasizing the connection between traffic and social, environmental, and economic factors. The project aims to equip students with skills to analyze complex problems and provide solutions that consider multiple perspectives.
The Georgia Guidebook for Pedestrian Planning provides a vision, goals, and objectives for pedestrian planning in the state. The guidebook aims to enhance safety, create seamless integration of pedestrian facilities, and encourage a pedestrian-friendly environment.
Researchers are creating a computer-based program to evaluate the impact of environmental policies on the auto industry and consumer behavior. The five-year study will build and link computer models to understand the response of consumers and producers to policy decisions and their environmental impact.
Science journalists struggle to find good-quality images and researchers who can explain complex scientific concepts in an understandable way. They also face challenges judging the trustworthiness of research, dealing with hype, and obtaining multimedia materials to convey scientific ideas.
A new study by American Chemical Society researchers predicts that landfill burial will not release toxic chemicals, alleviating concerns about contaminated building debris. The computer model used a combination of organic material and chemical warfare agent data to simulate landfill behavior.
A recent study found that microorganisms can degrade relatively stable forms of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), making them more toxic. This process could render current and planned bans of the most toxic forms of PBDEs ineffective, scientists warn.
Martin Harmer, a renowned expert in nanotechnology research, has been awarded the Humboldt Award for his groundbreaking work on electronic ceramics. He will collaborate with top researchers from Germany to develop novel transparent materials and nanomaterials with multi-functional properties.
Karl Lewis, a renowned Pitt engineering professor, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSBE Pittsburgh convention. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to engineering and science, including education programs that have educated hundreds of successful Black engineers.
A special strain of soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida converts polystyrene foam into a biodegradable plastic called PHA, which can be used in medicine and disposable items. The process might also be used to convert other types of discarded plastics into PHA, reducing plastic waste.
PlasmaSol developed Capillary Discharge Non-Thermal Plasma technology at Stevens, which has large market potential in environmental applications. The company secured major contracts with the US Army and NASA after conducting a marketability study.
Researchers are developing intelligent systems to monitor seniors' daily lives and detect changes in health. The ORCATECH center is creating technologies for in-home monitoring of mobility, cognition, and medication management.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is partnering with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications to lead a national environmental monitoring capability. The CLEANER project aims to develop technology and infrastructure for effective prediction of environmental changes.