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This project supports sustainability locally and world wide and the mission of the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability: | ---------------------------- This project supports ECE 379 – WI Make Sustainability, a pilot interdisciplinary makerspace centered class on sustainability using Garage Physics (Fall 2013) meeting in Garage M 3-5pm by Prof. Duncan Carlsmith (duncan@hep.wisc.edu, physics), Prof. Erica Halverson ( erhalverson@education.wisc.edu, education), and Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan (giri@engr.wisc.edu, electrical engineering) with assistants Tyler Graf (tgraf2@wisc.edu, mechanical eng.) and Jennifer Lacy (jlacy@wisc.edu, education). Contact Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan to enroll. This class and project supports sustainability locally and world wide and the mission of the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability: |
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See warmup ideas, resources, and suggested projects below. ---- ===Flyer === {{attachment:flyer.jpg|flyer|width="400"}} === Warmup ideas === Check out Startuply. Click on "startup companies" then select "cleantech." http://www.startuply.com/Startups/ Check out a WANDA report on greening the Middle east: http://www.wamda.com/2013/06/csr-a-tool-for-sustainable-development-in-the-middle-east-report Southeastern universities Clean Energy Challenge http://www.accnrg.com/ SBIR awards in energy http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/technology?term=energy The next bright idea: Microbe-powered ‘Biobulb’ earns WID students spot in Popular Science magazine competition: http://wid.wisc.edu/featured-science/the-next-bright-idea-microbe-powered-biobulb-earns-uw-students-spot-in-popular-science-magazine-competition/ and see bioluminescence under Projects. App writer? Check out and submit existing and needed green apps at http://www.epa.gov/greenapps/existing_apps.html http://www.epa.gov/greenapps/ideas.html Subscribe to the UW sustainability news: http://sustainability.wisc.edu/news-and-events/new-sustainability-newsletter-sign-up/ |
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==== UW(s) ==== |
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=== Classes === | Energy on Wisconsin UW Extension http://energyonwi.uwex.edu/ Zero net energy http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/zeronetenergy/index.cfm Solid and hazardous waste education center http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/ UW-Madison sustainability project studying the human component of green buildings http://www.engr.wisc.edu/news/archive/2012/Sept26a.html UW-Madison Experts in Sustainabilty http://experts.news.wisc.edu/experts/tag/262-sustainability UW System faculty in sustainability management http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/bachelors-certificate/faculty.aspx ==== Madison and WI ==== Leonardo Academy http://www.leonardoacademy.org/ Wisconsin Green Building Alliance http://wgba.shuttlepod.org/ Growing food and sustainability http://growingfoodandsustainability.wordpress.com/ ENACT: Steps to Greener Living http://www.enactwi.org/ ==== Federal and beyond ==== US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http://www.eere.energy.gov/ USAID Development Innovation Ventures http://www.usaid.gov/div Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) http://www.usaid.gov/hesn NSF Sustainable Energy Pathways program http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11590/nsf11590.htm Resources for energy education http://inside.mines.edu/~rsnieder/Energy_resources.html Environmental Science and Technology and EST Letters http://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag e.g. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ez4000059 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education http://www.aashe.org/index.php National Environmental Education Act of 1990 http://www2.epa.gov/education/national-environmental-education-act US EPA Education http://www2.epa.gov/education US EPA Sustainable Practices Science Resources http://www2.epa.gov/science-and-technology/sustainable-practices-science-resources Buildings, Industry, Transportation and Electricity Scenarios Tool BITES http://bites.nrel.gov Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network http://cleanet.org Energy Information Administration http://eia.gov Energy Education and Workforce Development http://eere.energy.gov === Classes and programs === ==== UW-Madison ==== ECE 379 – WI Make Sustainability, a pilot interdisciplinary makerspace centered class on sustainability using Garage Physics (Fall 2013) by Prof. Duncan Carlsmith (duncan@hep.wisc.edu), Prof. Erica Halverson ( erhalverson@education.wisc.edu), Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan, giri@engr.wisc.edu) Contact Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan to enroll. |
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Search for other UW classes with keywords "energy" and "sustainability" https://portal.isispub.wisc.edu:7052/psp/public/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/COMMUNITY_ACCESS.CLASS_SEARCH.GBL | Global Climate and Energy Project Energy 101 Tutorials http://gcep.stanford.edu/learn/energy101.html Great Lakes Energy Biofuels course http://www.glbrc.org/education/programs/sustainable-biofuels-course UW-Madison Certificate in Engineering for Energy Sustainability http://energy.wisc.edu/education/energy-certificate UW-Madison Master of Engineering in Sustainability http://sse.engr.wisc.edu/ Search for other UW classes with keywords "energy" and "sustainability" https://portal.isispub.wisc.edu:7052/psp/public/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/COMMUNITY_ACCESS.CLASS_SEARCH.GBL and http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/bachelors-certificate/curriculum-and-courses.aspx ==== Madison and WI ==== Edgewood College Sustainability Leadership Program http://www.edgewood.edu/Academics/Graduate/Sustainability.aspx UW System Sustainable management certificate and masters program http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/ ==== Outside WI ==== Biomimicry education resources and curricula http://ben.biomimicry.net/curricula-and-resources/university-curricula/ MCAD Summer Biomimetic Design Class http://ben.biomimicry.net/uni/2013/mcad-offers-summer-biomimetic-design-class/, http://mcad.edu/course/biomimicry-designers-sd-6611 Santa Fe Institute Global Sustainability Summer School http://www.santafe.edu/education/schools/global-sustainability/ Harvard Business School cases https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/search?term=sustainability&navigation= Energy Efficiency Fundamentals and other online training https://www.nterlearning.org/web/guest/course-details?cid=711 |
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=== Suggested projects === | DoE Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative http://www1.eere.energy.gov/energymanufacturing/funding_opportunities.html === Competitions === DoE Solar Decathalon competition: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/about.html. Biomimicry Design Challenge: opportunities for students to work in interdisciplinary teams to apply biomimicry concepts and tools as a means to arrive at sustainable and innovative designs. http://biomimicry.net/educating/university-education/student-design-challenge/ Greener gadgets http://www.greenergadgets.org/, http://www.solarfeeds.com/the-10-coolest-green-gadgets-for-2012/ US Government competitions list (buildings, environment, sustainability, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, tech, wind) http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/university_competitions.html === Suggested projects/areas to consider === ==== A sustainable instructional and recreational courtyard between Chamberlin and Sterling ==== See project Hammocks! [[Hammocks!]] ==== Waste processing technology evaluation ==== Are any new commercial waste processing technologies viable for UW-Madison or for Madison? http://advancedbiofuelsassociation.com/members.php 1) General trash gasification - The Sierra Group FastOx Pathfinder http://www.sierraenergycorp.com/ http://www.sierraenergycorp.com/fastox-pathfinder/ Trash Into Gas, Efficiently? An Army Test May Tell -http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/business/trash-into-gas-efficiently-an-army-test-may-tell.html?pagewanted=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130818&_r=0 2) Biomass (wood/leaves) to gasoline and diesel Kior Inc http://www.kior.com/ 3) Biomass to ethanol http://www.ineos.com/en/businesses/INEOS-Bio/ ==== Smart trash ==== What do you think would happen if your trash can had an electronic lock only you and the trash truck could open and an rf tag ID to identify it as yours and you paid by the pound for trash removal as measured by and identified by the truck and were billed like for electricity and water? You would buy bulk, avoid and reuse containers. Cut trash a factor of two before it is even purchased? Retailers would accommodate. It would be a fair system that could pay for itself. The lock option is for those who leave trash bins out and worry others would fill their bins. The cheapest solution is just to mail out rf tags on license plate registration-like stickers and have the truck read them then bill on number of pick-ups. The consumer would fill the bin full to reduce the number of pick-ups and charges so weighing is unnecessary. Many consumers keep trash bins in garages so security is not an issue for them. Just add an rf scanner to each truck - end of story. UW Madison first? Ideas for a premium solar powered with built in scale trash can that tell the user the weight? (Must not be adjustable by the user!) Shows a smiley face when empty that turns into a frown? A built in scale could wirelessly transmit the weight to the city so the truck wouldn't stop unless necessary. Or the user could push a request pickup button when it is full and it could broadcast that request wirelessly immediately to the city and the city route trucks accordingly. Other smart trashcans: Big Belly: http://bigbellysolar.com/, http://thinkgreen.com/point-of-view?pid=13 There are issues... People whine about these in Philly. Plus this doesn't reduce trash. It is a trash enabling technology. Green inventors: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrTA57alO0k&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOrTA57alO0k Thought: A public smart trashcan for plastic/glass/metal that would sense and ONLY accept plastic/glass/metal. If you tried to put in the wrong material, it would groan, frown, upchuck... Inspiration: A trash continent in the pacific gyre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch, http://maryeaudet.hubpages.com/hub/Pacific-Ocean-Garbage-Patch- ==== Sensors ==== Sensor-equipped construction helmet can detect carbon monoxide http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/sensor-equipped-construction-helmet-can-detect-carbon-monoxide?et_cid=3431513&et_rid=517740405&type=headline Huh.. How might you use new miniature sensors? What would you love to imagine detecting/sensing? DustDuino: A plan to crowdsource environmental reporting with low-cost dust sensors http://cucfablab.org/book/dustduino-plan-crowdsource-environmental-reporting-low-cost-dust-sensors Nodes for journalists: a primer on bringing sensor data to the reporter http://www.mentalmunition.com/2013/01/nodes-for-journalists-primer-on.html River DAQ - A Hydrolic Analysis Tool (Could use in the Sugar River) http://cucfablab.org/book/river-daq-hydrolic-analysis-tool ==== Bioelectricity ==== Electrical Circuit Runs Entirely Off Power In Trees http://www.gizmag.com/tree-powered-electricity/12772/, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm , http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractReferences.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6306957&queryText%3Dtree+electricity+university+of+washington ==== Combined and micro power systems ==== |
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Clip-on wind turbine aims to supplement solar panels http://www.gizmag.com/wind-turbines-for-solar-panels/28527/ ==== Thermoacoustic devices ==== Ben and Jerry's went to thermoacoustic green refrigerators thanks to Penn State University: http://www.acs.psu.edu/thermoacoustics/refrigeration/benandjerrys.htm |
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Hilsch-Ranque Vortex Tube http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/demonstrations/thermo/vortextube.html | Hilsch-Ranque Vortex Tube http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/demonstrations/thermo/vortextube.html http://www.exair.com/en-US/Primary%20Navigation/Products/Vortex%20Tubes%20and%20Spot%20Cooling/Vortex%20Tubes/Pages/Vortex%20Tube.aspx Acoustics resources: http://www.acoustics.org/journals.html , http://acousticalsociety.org/, Handbook of Engineering Acoustics Müller, Gerhard; Möser, Michael (online, UW Library) ==== 1d, 2d, 3d printing ==== See project 3D Printing. http://campustechnology.com/articles/2013/07/24/vincennes-u-promotes-sustainability-cuts-costs-with-3d-printing-technology.aspx?=CT21&m=1 Hey, is there a way for the consumer to feed empty plastic bottles directly into a 3d printer? Here's a concept for turning coffee grounds into ink http://www.core77.com/greenergadgets/entry.php?projectid=38#img112 ==== Batteries ==== Environmentally friendly battery made from wood http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/07/environmentally-friendly-battery-made-wood?et_cid=3386363&et_rid=517740405&type=cta , Tin Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries Using Natural Wood Fiber as a Mechanical Buffer and Electrolyte Reservoir Lignin: http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/news-releases/2013/ornl-team-uses-lignin-to-power-green-battery Supercapacitors: See Projects page. ==== Photovoltaics ==== A direct thin-film path towards low-cost large-area III-V photovoltaics http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130724/srep02275/full/srep02275.html Plastic solar cells’ new design promises bright future http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/plastic-solar-cells%E2%80%99-new-design-promises-bright-future?et_cid=3423200&et_rid=517740405&type=cta NRL develops low-cost, high-efficiency solar sensor http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/nrl-develops-low-cost-high-efficiency-solar-sensor?et_cid=3419079&et_rid=517740405&type=cta ==== Agriculture ==== World-changing technology enables crops to take nitrogen from the air http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130725125024.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 , http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/07/technology-could-enable-all-crops-take-nitrogen-air?et_cid=3390276&et_rid=517740405&type=cta The Land Institute http://www.landinstitute.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Publications%3E%3EScience ==== Battery free wireless communication (scavaging the airwaves) ==== Wireless Devices Go Battery-Free With New Communication Technique http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813130328.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/08/13/wireless-devices-go-battery-free-with-new-communication-technique/ ==== Crowd sourcing with mobile devices - what could YOU do? ==== Crowdsourcing Weather Using Smartphone Batteries http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813121620.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 ==== Archetecture - Air conditioning, lighting,... ==== AC demand in developing countries could put chill on energy supply http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/ac-demand-developing-countries-could-put-chill-energy-supply?et_cid=3419079&et_rid=517740405&type=headline BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds http://inhabitat.com/building-modelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-in-zimbabwe/ Top ten Green buildings http://www.gizmag.com/aia-top-ten-green-buildings-2013/27215/ New skylight scoops up daylight http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130820185347.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 ==== Bimimicry ==== Biomimicry's surprising lessons from nature's engineers http://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_shares_nature_s_designs.html Making stuff smarter, NOVA on biomimicry http://video.pbs.org/video/1786635771/?starttime=3188000 ==== Drinking water ==== 'Super sand' for better purification of drinking water http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110622102831.htm Plasma-treated nano filters help purify world water supply http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130821094933.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 ==== Other: rethinking life, and death! ==== New app provides green fuel map for the U.S. http://www.leonardoacademy.org/newsandevents/press-release/495-leonardo-academy-develops-alternative-fuel-locator-app-free-download.html Greenbutts cigarette filters sprout flowers when planted http://www.green-butts.com/ Resomation and corpse-composting: green alternatives to cremation and burial http://www.gizmag.com/resomation-corpse-composting-green-burial/15603/ Green burial project developing corpse-eating mushrooms http://www.gizmag.com/infinity-burial-project-developing-tissue-digesting-mushrooms/19385/ Fashion: Vapor Apparel spins trash into sustainable fashion http://www.gizmag.com/vapor-apparel-spins-trash-into-sustainable-fashion/24214/ Advanced Denim process makes blue jeans “greener” http://www.gizmag.com/advanced-denim/23023/ |
Sustainability
This project supports ECE 379 – WI Make Sustainability, a pilot interdisciplinary makerspace centered class on sustainability using Garage Physics (Fall 2013) meeting in Garage M 3-5pm by Prof. Duncan Carlsmith (duncan@hep.wisc.edu, physics), Prof. Erica Halverson ( erhalverson@education.wisc.edu, education), and Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan (giri@engr.wisc.edu, electrical engineering) with assistants Tyler Graf (tgraf2@wisc.edu, mechanical eng.) and Jennifer Lacy (jlacy@wisc.edu, education). Contact Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan to enroll.
This class and project supports sustainability locally and world wide and the mission of the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability:
"The University of Wisconsin–Madison is embarking on an ambitious plan to integrate and enhance research and education thrusts in sustainability science and practice across all parts of campus. The University has a long history of scholarship in a broad range of topics relevant to sustainability, ranging from using recycled industrial materials in infrastructure to ensuring the sustainability of rural agricultural communities.
Creating solutions to the sustainability challenges of the future will require integrated teams and a comprehensive approach that address coupled sustainability problems such as water, finance, energy, health, food and community. Addressing these challenges in practice will require an educated workforce that has been trained to consider sustainability broadly."
Get involved and informed by attending events of the student sustainability council http://sustainability.wisc.edu/opportunities/student-engagement/. Start an R&D project in the Garage.
See warmup ideas, resources, and suggested projects below.
===Flyer ===
Warmup ideas
Check out Startuply. Click on "startup companies" then select "cleantech." http://www.startuply.com/Startups/
Check out a WANDA report on greening the Middle east: http://www.wamda.com/2013/06/csr-a-tool-for-sustainable-development-in-the-middle-east-report
Southeastern universities Clean Energy Challenge http://www.accnrg.com/
SBIR awards in energy http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/technology?term=energy
The next bright idea: Microbe-powered ‘Biobulb’ earns WID students spot in Popular Science magazine competition: http://wid.wisc.edu/featured-science/the-next-bright-idea-microbe-powered-biobulb-earns-uw-students-spot-in-popular-science-magazine-competition/ and see bioluminescence under Projects.
App writer? Check out and submit existing and needed green apps at http://www.epa.gov/greenapps/existing_apps.html http://www.epa.gov/greenapps/ideas.html
Subscribe to the UW sustainability news: http://sustainability.wisc.edu/news-and-events/new-sustainability-newsletter-sign-up/
Resources
UW(s)
UW-Madison Office of Sustainability http://sustainability.wisc.edu/
WE CONSERVE http://conserve.wisc.edu/hm.html
Energy on Wisconsin UW Extension http://energyonwi.uwex.edu/
Zero net energy http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/zeronetenergy/index.cfm
Solid and hazardous waste education center http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/
UW-Madison sustainability project studying the human component of green buildings http://www.engr.wisc.edu/news/archive/2012/Sept26a.html
UW-Madison Experts in Sustainabilty http://experts.news.wisc.edu/experts/tag/262-sustainability
UW System faculty in sustainability management http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/bachelors-certificate/faculty.aspx
Madison and WI
Leonardo Academy http://www.leonardoacademy.org/
Wisconsin Green Building Alliance http://wgba.shuttlepod.org/
Growing food and sustainability http://growingfoodandsustainability.wordpress.com/
ENACT: Steps to Greener Living http://www.enactwi.org/
Federal and beyond
US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http://www.eere.energy.gov/
USAID Development Innovation Ventures http://www.usaid.gov/div
Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) http://www.usaid.gov/hesn
NSF Sustainable Energy Pathways program http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11590/nsf11590.htm
Resources for energy education http://inside.mines.edu/~rsnieder/Energy_resources.html
Environmental Science and Technology and EST Letters http://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag e.g. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ez4000059
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education http://www.aashe.org/index.php
National Environmental Education Act of 1990 http://www2.epa.gov/education/national-environmental-education-act
US EPA Education http://www2.epa.gov/education
US EPA Sustainable Practices Science Resources http://www2.epa.gov/science-and-technology/sustainable-practices-science-resources
Buildings, Industry, Transportation and Electricity Scenarios Tool BITES http://bites.nrel.gov
Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network http://cleanet.org
Energy Information Administration http://eia.gov
Energy Education and Workforce Development http://eere.energy.gov
Classes and programs
UW-Madison
ECE 379 – WI Make Sustainability, a pilot interdisciplinary makerspace centered class on sustainability using Garage Physics (Fall 2013) by Prof. Duncan Carlsmith (duncan@hep.wisc.edu), Prof. Erica Halverson ( erhalverson@education.wisc.edu), Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan, giri@engr.wisc.edu) Contact Prof. Giri Ventkataramanan to enroll.
Physics 115 Energy MWF 11am-11:50am Chamberlin 2241
Global Climate and Energy Project Energy 101 Tutorials http://gcep.stanford.edu/learn/energy101.html
Great Lakes Energy Biofuels course http://www.glbrc.org/education/programs/sustainable-biofuels-course
UW-Madison Certificate in Engineering for Energy Sustainability http://energy.wisc.edu/education/energy-certificate
UW-Madison Master of Engineering in Sustainability http://sse.engr.wisc.edu/
Search for other UW classes with keywords "energy" and "sustainability" https://portal.isispub.wisc.edu:7052/psp/public/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/COMMUNITY_ACCESS.CLASS_SEARCH.GBL and http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/bachelors-certificate/curriculum-and-courses.aspx
Madison and WI
Edgewood College Sustainability Leadership Program http://www.edgewood.edu/Academics/Graduate/Sustainability.aspx
UW System Sustainable management certificate and masters program http://sustain.wisconsin.edu/degrees-and-certificates/
Outside WI
Biomimicry education resources and curricula http://ben.biomimicry.net/curricula-and-resources/university-curricula/
MCAD Summer Biomimetic Design Class http://ben.biomimicry.net/uni/2013/mcad-offers-summer-biomimetic-design-class/, http://mcad.edu/course/biomimicry-designers-sd-6611
Santa Fe Institute Global Sustainability Summer School http://www.santafe.edu/education/schools/global-sustainability/
Harvard Business School cases https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/search?term=sustainability&navigation=
Energy Efficiency Fundamentals and other online training https://www.nterlearning.org/web/guest/course-details?cid=711
Research Programs and Funding sources
http://sustainability.wisc.edu/research/
DoE Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative http://www1.eere.energy.gov/energymanufacturing/funding_opportunities.html
Competitions
DoE Solar Decathalon competition: http://www.solardecathlon.gov/about.html.
Biomimicry Design Challenge: opportunities for students to work in interdisciplinary teams to apply biomimicry concepts and tools as a means to arrive at sustainable and innovative designs. http://biomimicry.net/educating/university-education/student-design-challenge/
Greener gadgets http://www.greenergadgets.org/, http://www.solarfeeds.com/the-10-coolest-green-gadgets-for-2012/
US Government competitions list (buildings, environment, sustainability, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, tech, wind) http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/university_competitions.html
Suggested projects/areas to consider
A sustainable instructional and recreational courtyard between Chamberlin and Sterling
See project Hammocks! Hammocks!
Waste processing technology evaluation
Are any new commercial waste processing technologies viable for UW-Madison or for Madison? http://advancedbiofuelsassociation.com/members.php
1) General trash gasification - The Sierra Group FastOx Pathfinder http://www.sierraenergycorp.com/ http://www.sierraenergycorp.com/fastox-pathfinder/
Trash Into Gas, Efficiently? An Army Test May Tell -http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/business/trash-into-gas-efficiently-an-army-test-may-tell.html?pagewanted=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130818&_r=0
2) Biomass (wood/leaves) to gasoline and diesel Kior Inc http://www.kior.com/
3) Biomass to ethanol http://www.ineos.com/en/businesses/INEOS-Bio/
Smart trash
What do you think would happen if your trash can had an electronic lock only you and the trash truck could open and an rf tag ID to identify it as yours and you paid by the pound for trash removal as measured by and identified by the truck and were billed like for electricity and water? You would buy bulk, avoid and reuse containers. Cut trash a factor of two before it is even purchased? Retailers would accommodate. It would be a fair system that could pay for itself. The lock option is for those who leave trash bins out and worry others would fill their bins. The cheapest solution is just to mail out rf tags on license plate registration-like stickers and have the truck read them then bill on number of pick-ups. The consumer would fill the bin full to reduce the number of pick-ups and charges so weighing is unnecessary. Many consumers keep trash bins in garages so security is not an issue for them. Just add an rf scanner to each truck - end of story.
UW Madison first? Ideas for a premium solar powered with built in scale trash can that tell the user the weight? (Must not be adjustable by the user!) Shows a smiley face when empty that turns into a frown? A built in scale could wirelessly transmit the weight to the city so the truck wouldn't stop unless necessary. Or the user could push a request pickup button when it is full and it could broadcast that request wirelessly immediately to the city and the city route trucks accordingly.
Other smart trashcans:
Big Belly: http://bigbellysolar.com/, http://thinkgreen.com/point-of-view?pid=13 There are issues... People whine about these in Philly. Plus this doesn't reduce trash. It is a trash enabling technology.
Green inventors: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrTA57alO0k&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOrTA57alO0k
Thought: A public smart trashcan for plastic/glass/metal that would sense and ONLY accept plastic/glass/metal. If you tried to put in the wrong material, it would groan, frown, upchuck...
Inspiration: A trash continent in the pacific gyre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch, http://maryeaudet.hubpages.com/hub/Pacific-Ocean-Garbage-Patch-
Sensors
Sensor-equipped construction helmet can detect carbon monoxide http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/sensor-equipped-construction-helmet-can-detect-carbon-monoxide?et_cid=3431513&et_rid=517740405&type=headline
Huh.. How might you use new miniature sensors? What would you love to imagine detecting/sensing?
DustDuino: A plan to crowdsource environmental reporting with low-cost dust sensors http://cucfablab.org/book/dustduino-plan-crowdsource-environmental-reporting-low-cost-dust-sensors
Nodes for journalists: a primer on bringing sensor data to the reporter http://www.mentalmunition.com/2013/01/nodes-for-journalists-primer-on.html
River DAQ - A Hydrolic Analysis Tool (Could use in the Sugar River) http://cucfablab.org/book/river-daq-hydrolic-analysis-tool
Bioelectricity
Electrical Circuit Runs Entirely Off Power In Trees http://www.gizmag.com/tree-powered-electricity/12772/, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908151330.htm , http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractReferences.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6306957&queryText%3Dtree+electricity+university+of+washington
Combined and micro power systems
Micro power system - low voltage power from cooking stove. (see Thermoelectric Devices under projects https://wiki.physics.wisc.edu/garage/Thermoelectric%20devices)
Truly micro refrigeration - refrigeration from cooking stove. http://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grosser_and_his_sustainable_fridge.html
Micro combined heat and power -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_combined_heat_and_power http://www.marathonengine.com/
Einstein's refrigerator - http://www-old.me.gatech.edu/energy/andy_phd/one.htm#I
Clip-on wind turbine aims to supplement solar panels http://www.gizmag.com/wind-turbines-for-solar-panels/28527/
Thermoacoustic devices
Ben and Jerry's went to thermoacoustic green refrigerators thanks to Penn State University: http://www.acs.psu.edu/thermoacoustics/refrigeration/benandjerrys.htm
Cooking with sound: new stove/generator/refrigerator combo aimed at developing nations http://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2007/05/new-stove-generator-refrigerator-combo-aimed-at-developing-nations/
Green Technology for Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration that uses Thermoacoustic Technology http://www.coolsound.us/
A sound way to turn heat into electricity http://phys.org/news100141616.html
http://www.qdrive.com/UI/default.aspx
Hilsch-Ranque Vortex Tube http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/demonstrations/thermo/vortextube.html http://www.exair.com/en-US/Primary%20Navigation/Products/Vortex%20Tubes%20and%20Spot%20Cooling/Vortex%20Tubes/Pages/Vortex%20Tube.aspx
Acoustics resources: http://www.acoustics.org/journals.html , http://acousticalsociety.org/, Handbook of Engineering Acoustics Müller, Gerhard; Möser, Michael (online, UW Library)
1d, 2d, 3d printing
See project 3D Printing.
Hey, is there a way for the consumer to feed empty plastic bottles directly into a 3d printer? Here's a concept for turning coffee grounds into ink http://www.core77.com/greenergadgets/entry.php?projectid=38#img112
Batteries
Environmentally friendly battery made from wood http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/07/environmentally-friendly-battery-made-wood?et_cid=3386363&et_rid=517740405&type=cta , Tin Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries Using Natural Wood Fiber as a Mechanical Buffer and Electrolyte Reservoir
Lignin: http://www.ornl.gov/ornl/news/news-releases/2013/ornl-team-uses-lignin-to-power-green-battery
Supercapacitors: See Projects page.
Photovoltaics
A direct thin-film path towards low-cost large-area III-V photovoltaics http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130724/srep02275/full/srep02275.html
Plastic solar cells’ new design promises bright future http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/plastic-solar-cells%E2%80%99-new-design-promises-bright-future?et_cid=3423200&et_rid=517740405&type=cta
NRL develops low-cost, high-efficiency solar sensor http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/nrl-develops-low-cost-high-efficiency-solar-sensor?et_cid=3419079&et_rid=517740405&type=cta
Agriculture
World-changing technology enables crops to take nitrogen from the air http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130725125024.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 , http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/07/technology-could-enable-all-crops-take-nitrogen-air?et_cid=3390276&et_rid=517740405&type=cta
The Land Institute http://www.landinstitute.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Publications%3E%3EScience
Battery free wireless communication (scavaging the airwaves)
Wireless Devices Go Battery-Free With New Communication Technique http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813130328.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29 http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/08/13/wireless-devices-go-battery-free-with-new-communication-technique/
Crowd sourcing with mobile devices - what could YOU do?
Crowdsourcing Weather Using Smartphone Batteries http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130813121620.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29
Archetecture - Air conditioning, lighting,...
AC demand in developing countries could put chill on energy supply http://www.rdmag.com/news/2013/08/ac-demand-developing-countries-could-put-chill-energy-supply?et_cid=3419079&et_rid=517740405&type=headline
BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds http://inhabitat.com/building-modelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-in-zimbabwe/
Top ten Green buildings http://www.gizmag.com/aia-top-ten-green-buildings-2013/27215/
New skylight scoops up daylight http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130820185347.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29
Bimimicry
Biomimicry's surprising lessons from nature's engineers http://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_shares_nature_s_designs.html
Making stuff smarter, NOVA on biomimicry http://video.pbs.org/video/1786635771/?starttime=3188000
Drinking water
'Super sand' for better purification of drinking water http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110622102831.htm
Plasma-treated nano filters help purify world water supply http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130821094933.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29
Other: rethinking life, and death!
New app provides green fuel map for the U.S. http://www.leonardoacademy.org/newsandevents/press-release/495-leonardo-academy-develops-alternative-fuel-locator-app-free-download.html
Greenbutts cigarette filters sprout flowers when planted http://www.green-butts.com/
Resomation and corpse-composting: green alternatives to cremation and burial http://www.gizmag.com/resomation-corpse-composting-green-burial/15603/
Green burial project developing corpse-eating mushrooms http://www.gizmag.com/infinity-burial-project-developing-tissue-digesting-mushrooms/19385/
Fashion: Vapor Apparel spins trash into sustainable fashion
Advanced Denim process makes blue jeans “greener” http://www.gizmag.com/advanced-denim/23023/