Sustainability – Selected Current Activities & MEEM Role
John W. Sutherland, Ph.D.Henes Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Dept. of Mechanical Engr. - Engr. Mechanics
Co-Director,Sustainable Futures Institute
Michigan Technological Universitywww.sfi.mtu.edu
www.sfi.mtu.eduSustainable Futures Institute
Brief Overview of Research Sustainability is Michigan Tech's "claim to fame"
• Biotechnology Research Center (BRC)• Ecosystem Science Center (ESC)• Sustainable Futures Institute (SFI)• Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society (MTCWS)• Center for Environ. Benign Functional Materials (CEBFM)• Wood-to-Wheels Graduate Enterprise• Power and Energy Research Center (PERC)• Lake Superior Ecosystem Research Center (LaSER)
Strengths• Water• International Development• Sustainability Education• Industrial Ecology• Natural Resources
www.sfi.mtu.eduSustainable Futures Institute
Center for Water & Society (MTCWS)
Established in June of 2005 under the Sustainable Futures Institute (SFI)
Support research, education, and outreach in all disciplines at MichiganTech related to water issues
Provide the multidisciplinary perspectives and tools to manage water-related problems of local, regional, and international interest
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Senegal
International Education
Locations of students (e.g., thru Peace Corps)
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Center for Science and Environmental Outreach
Developing State’s Middle School Curriculum for ecosystems, land use and human impact, energy, water, and air
Design Guidelines for Community Development
Programs for pre-college teacher and students
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Industrial Ecology
Shonnard, D.R., Kicherer, A., and Saling, P., 2003, Industrial Applications Using BASF Eco-Efficiency Analysis: Perspectives on Green Engineering Principles, Environmental Science and Technology, 37(23), 5340-5348.
www.sfi.mtu.eduSustainable Futures Institute
Natural Resources Assess potential hydrologic and environmental
impacts. Monitor hydrologic and water quality conditions in
real-time. Convey information to decision-makers to promote
timely actions that maintain key water resources functions.
Serve as a tool for environmental education and stakeholder participation.
www.sfi.mtu.eduSustainable Futures Institute
Wood-to-Wheels (W2W) Concept
Woody Biomass
CO2
Bio-ProcessingPhoto: Glacial Lakes Energy
Electricity Export and Carbon Credit
Vehicle Systems
Saturn Hybrid
www.sfi.mtu.eduSustainable Futures Institute
W2W Vision Develop and demonstrate technologies in four
areas:• Woody Biomass Resources• Biochemical and thermochemical processing• Vehicles and engines• Assessment, sustainable decisions, societal impacts
To facilitate the creation and promote the growth of businesses engaged in the W2W value chain.
Achieve international impact in development of sound science and engineering of systems in the W2W value chain.
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MEEM Strengths & Areas Mechanics & Materials
• Center for Environmentally Benign Functional Materials
Energy Thermo Fluids• Advanced Power Systems Research Center
(APSRC)• W2W – Engines
Design/Dynamic Systems• W2W – Equipment
Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering• Green Processing• Disassembly / Takeback – Value Recovery
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Opportunities Raytheon – solar collector Consortium – Alternative & Renewable
Energy Technologies IUCRC – Assembly/Disassembly Materials Recycling Behavior of Socio-Political Systems ERC Wood-to-Wheels Other…
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Discussion
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