Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
A new device, patented by Sandia National Laboratories, uses a color-changing material to detect when frozen food has thawed and been refrozen, potentially posing food safety risks. The device, which can be made for pennies per unit, relies on an inexpensive 'smart' wire that changes shape at specific temperatures.
The symposium will describe new packaging systems that interact with package contents or the package's internal atmosphere, controlling gases to delay spoilage. Active packaging may incorporate antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, and moisture scavengers for consumer convenience.
Experts discuss Earth's habitability amid global threats and climate change, with some arguing regions will experience radical changes due to limited adaptive capacities. Others propose innovative solutions like industrial ecology to reduce human dependence on the environment.
Researchers at the University of Florida are adapting space-age technology to improve citrus farming efficiency in the state. The team, led by Professors Jodie Whitney and John Schueller, is using precision agriculture techniques to help farmers optimize their fields and reduce costs.
Researchers aim to address wave front errors caused by vibrations and thermal stresses in large space telescopes, affecting their clarity and focus. They've developed software-based solutions to detect and correct these aberrations, enabling better performance for space exploration.
Sandia National Laboratories has released a CD-ROM containing over 60 megabytes of data gathered from downhole diagnostic tools used in 80% of domestic oil wells. The new tool provides valuable information about well bore dynamics and mechanical stresses on sucker rod strings, leading to equipment fatigue and rod failure.
The Sandia-developed explosives-detection portal uses chemical preconcentrator technology to identify passengers with recent exposure to explosive chemicals. The portal has been tested on over 2,000 passengers to gauge acceptance and performance.
A Johns Hopkins University professor has built a virtual laboratory to give engineering students hands-on experience with real-world challenges, including oil-drilling simulations and digital logic circuits. The online lab offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional labs, allowing more students to participate and reducing costs.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed three robotic systems to streamline the dismantlement of nuclear weapons, including AGGDIS and WALS. These systems can handle delicate operations faster and more accurately than humans, reducing radiation exposure and increasing efficiency.
The Pantex storage building will utilize automated gas generator disassembly system (AGGDIS) and weighing and leak check system (WALS) to improve the efficiency and safety of nuclear dismantlement operations. These robotic systems will enable faster handling of sensitive components, reducing radiation exposure for humans.
A University of Washington researcher found that the US Forest Service and Wilderness Society's conflicting old-growth forest estimates in the Pacific Northwest stem from differing mapping methods, technologies, and definitions. The study highlights how cultural and financial pressures influenced the final numbers.
The University of Illinois is using satellites and sensors to monitor crop yields, soil moisture, and pest infestations. This technology aims to improve agricultural efficiency while reducing chemical runoff and soil erosion, benefiting the environment.
Researchers at ORNL have developed ceramic valves that offer longer life and better durability for heavy-equipment engines. The valves were tested in a mine haul truck engine and accumulated over 2,000 hours without failing.
Stanford University's Technology Ventures Co-op program accelerates the transfer of technology and science into the economy by teaching engineers entrepreneurship skills. The nine-month program places students in summer jobs with top Silicon Valley startups, providing on-the-job experience and exposure to high-tech products.
Researchers are developing innovative control concepts, such as electrically-actuated piezoelectric structures and tiny jet turbine engines, to build MicroFlyer aircraft. The vehicles must be autonomous, inexpensive, and able to withstand harsh environments.
The partnership aims to support state and local law enforcement in their efforts to fight crime in communities. Sandia will analyze available explosive detection technology and equipment in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Regional Center.
The Georgia Tech system automatically identifies defects as fabric comes off the loom, allowing immediate correction of process problems. It provides detailed records of weaving quality to optimize fabric use, and can pinpoint factors causing defects.
Researchers have found a new technique to reduce organic and halogenated solvents used in industries, replacing them with environmentally benign carbon dioxide. This breakthrough could decrease waste by up to 100-fold and has implications for society.
A new company in Florida plans to introduce its revolutionary wheelchair, powered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORN L) innovative technology. The TransRovr features omnidirectional movement and a three-piece modular construction, allowing for enhanced ergonomics and convenience.
Engineers have successfully integrated a porous silicon light-emitting diode into conventional microelectronic circuitry, creating an all-silicon system that can process both light and electricity. The breakthrough strengthens the material to withstand manufacturing processes, making it more suitable for mass production.
The UW-Siemens image processor enables the creation of multiple diagnostic applications, increasing clinical efficiency. It allows for real-time panoramic imaging of internal organs and their surroundings, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Purdue University developed chilled-aeration technology to control pests in stored grains without using chemical fumigants. The method is economically competitive with fumigation and reduces total energy consumption. For fresh-picked produce, the technology increases marketability by cooling it immediately after harvesting.