Transcript Sustainable Futures Institute: An Update www.sfi.mtu.edu

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 University
www.sfi.mtu.edu
Brief Overview of Research
 Sustainability is Michigan Tech's "claim to fame"
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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
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Water
International Development
Sustainability Education
Industrial Ecology
Natural Resources
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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 Michigan
Tech related to water
issues
Provide the
multidisciplinary perspectives and tools to
manage water-related problems of local,
regional, and international interest
Sustainable Futures Institute
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International Education
Locations of students (e.g., thru Peace Corps)
Senegal
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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.
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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.
Sustainable Futures Institute
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Wood-to-Wheels (W2W) Concept
Electricity Export
and Carbon Credit
Bio-Processing
Photo: Glacial Lakes Energy
CO2
Saturn Hybrid
Woody Biomass
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Vehicle Systems
W2W Vision
 Develop and demonstrate technologies in four areas:
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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.
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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
Sustainable Futures Institute
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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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Sustainable Futures Institute
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