Talk:Chem395:February 15 discussion

This will be the fourth in the discussion series. See Chem395:Unit_3 for background.

Agenda

• We will begin by discussing areas of applied science research that may bear fruit in the near future with new technologies to aid the transition to sustainability.
• Later in the session we will consider pure science research, which may lead to some long term developments towards sustainability.

Discussion

Is everyone here? Walkerma 16:03, 15 February 2008 (EST)

I'm here Murphy44 16:03, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Jesse's around so I'll start: Which areas of technology do you think we will need to develop by 2020?

Here!J-Fed 16:08, 15 February 2008 (EST) 16:08, 15 February 2008 (EST)

• I think that the areas concerning agriculture, food science and transportation will need to be developed. J-Fed 16:09, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Transportation systems are A major considerationMurphy44 16:11, 15 February 2008 (EST)

I think that research should be done in the areas of re manufacturing, this would minimize waste and increase sustainabilityMurphy44 16:10, 15 February 2008 (EST)

OK, Jesse, what developments are needed for agriculture? Try and be as specific as possible. Walkerma 16:11, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Good point chris, re-manufacturing is essential to this process! J-Fed 16:11, 15 February 2008 (EST)

• There need to be major changes in the policies concerning development, macro-economics and enviornmental policy to start with. AGENDA 21 even talks about committes and new oversight policies to address these issues. J-Fed 16:14, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Changes how? More or less zoning? Land trusts? Green incentives?Murphy44 16:15, 15 February 2008 (EST)

What I want to know is what technology do we need - we'll deal with politics etc elsewhere. Walkerma 16:15, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Technologies like better waste processing plants and recycling facilities nation wideMurphy44 16:16, 15 February 2008 (EST)

One of the biggest things I see is the rich-country subsidies. These cause the farmers of lower income nations to lose out on production and causes increased poverty. J-Fed 16:16, 15 February 2008 (EST)

So have our nation produce only the food we need for our selfs and/or export the rest?Murphy44 16:18, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Jesse, what technology will be needed to improve agriculture? Walkerma 16:18, 15 February 2008 (EST)

How about things like Green Pest control methodsMurphy44 16:19, 15 February 2008 (EST)

• Technologies that increase the amount of nitrogen into the soils, or allow better regulation of fertilizers. Better harvesting methods instead of combines. J-Fed 16:19, 15 February 2008 (EST)

So research into growing more food crops that fix nitrogen with their roots and can be rotated w/ crops that depleat nitrogenMurphy44 16:21, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Sorry, this is computer is lagging..... Yes, green pest control methods, better irrigation, improved harvesting machines and green fertilzers and zoning laws that protect the famer's land is imperative if agriculture is to be turned around. J-Fed 16:21, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Great! I have two followup questions:

1. Which of those is the most important?
2. What science should we invest in now, in order to develop such technologies?

Thanks, Walkerma 16:23, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Green fertilizers, tons of non-ecofriendly fertilizers are currently in use, I think that development of a green fertilizer sounds like a chemistry experimentMurphy44 16:26, 15 February 2008 (EST)

So begin by finding out what nutrients are most needed by the plants and how the excess that is not used is harmful. Then work towards creating a product that isn't harmful. Murphy44 16:27, 15 February 2008 (EST)

• This is lagging! I'm sorry!! Technologies that allow ranchers to track their cattle through computer chips, GPS systems to look at soil deposits and land use, better tractor visibility and lighting sytems so that they can work at night. Computer systems that initiate all of the pesticide and other applicants for the crops, automated systems that monitor these changes and allow the farmers to maximize their harvest. J-Fed 16:30, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Nice suggestions! Jesse, do you think we could do that stuff with today's technology, or a simple extension of it (faster chips, etc.) or do we need to do some more science first. Walkerma 16:33, 15 February 2008 (EST)

I am aware of some of these sorts of technology being used currently, but I do think that more science is needed to deliver better technology to the industry. We have certainly come a long way though! J-Fed 16:36, 15 February 2008 (EST)

• Computer aided chemical applications, computerized milking, feeding and waste management has helped out the industry and the farmers tremendously! J-Fed 16:38, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Thanks! Chris, let's hear your thoughts on re-manufacturing. What do we need to do there – try and be as specific as possible, maybe give a particular example of something that should be remanufactured but isn't. Walkerma 16:39, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Even the internet has helped increase business and profits. The increase in commmunication between members of the industry has gained momentum and many transactions occur online. Many management decisions are also the result of computers and the technology available today. J-Fed 16:40, 15 February 2008 (EST)

I guess I'm realizing how much waste is really being created by the industrial/technology age. The first item of business should be for all industries to minimize waste products through re manufacturing or recycling of these items. I feel that personal computers, music devices, and cellular phones are an area that needs more attention. Murphy44 16:44, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Example: So first it was the CD player and now it's the Ipod, well what happened to all those CD players? Are they all in landfills? could parts of them been recycled or re manufactured?

Genetic technologies are allowing more enviornmental, and insecticide tolerant plants, more fit cattle and biotechnological advances (pigs being bred to act as donors for human organs). Computerized weed control, runoff control and irrigation changes are necessary. J-Fed 16:45, 15 February 2008 (EST)

YES! Value-added processing and sophisicated techniques need to be developed further. Science is needed to make our agricultural practices sound and profitable (in this sense I mean high harvest yields)! J-Fed 16:47, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Better scheduling and product transfers are needed to increase the speed of production yet reduce spillage. J-Fed 16:49, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Actually, companies like HP and Dell have been some of the first to get into re-manufacturing. I personally think, though, they haven't done a proper Life Cycle Analysis (see Unit 4) to evaluate how best to do this. As for transportation, we can revisit that later.

OK, I'd like to look at the long term - what technologies might we imagine having in 2050-2100 (if the Earth still exists then!)? Walkerma 16:49, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Technologies like homes that are run on fuel cells, so they are off of a grid system. Also you car could run on a Fuel cell. I like the idea of CSA's or community supported ag. where foods that are grown locally are consumed locally so the shipping factor is nonexistent. Murphy44 16:53, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Engineered plant leaves for crops and harvests, better robots for harvesting, climate controls to elongate the growing season, even better foods. J-Fed 16:53, 15 February 2008 (EST)

yes Chris, i agree, good response! Fuel cells are the way to go eventually. I had read something about Florida using oranges to power fuel cells!!! We were working with oranges in o-chem yesterday WOOT! J-Fed 16:55, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Green energy solution like, wind, solar, and geothermal so heating homes in the north country is something that can be renewableMurphy44 16:55, 15 February 2008 (EST)

So, what science should NSF etc. be investing in now, to make sure we have such sustainable technology in place for your old age? Think in particular about pure science - genetics, biochemistry, nanoscience, organometallics, what? Walkerma 16:55, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Ecology to understand the world we live in and how we have negative effects on it. Then Engineering, use science to create new technologies that minimize our impacts wile maintaining our standard of living. Murphy44 16:58, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Biotechnologies and nanotechnologies are shaping and redefining the future right now! I think they should be funded more! J-Fed 16:57, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Science is awesome!!!J-Fed 17:00, 15 February 2008 (EST)

Was there anything else in particular that you wanted to discuss Dr. Walker? J-Fed 17:01, 15 February 2008 (EST)

For fuel cells, you need electrochemistry, so maybe Dr. Hepel should get lots of $$$$!

By the way, at Faculty Senate President Schwaller announced that our new cogeneration plant will use the latest fuel cell technology! Cogen is green but cogen using fuel cells is even greener!

To close, I'd like to ask you each what term projects you are going to do. Walkerma 17:02, 15 February 2008 (EST)

I though you were going to be discussing that with us after break via e-mail, Do you want a topic from us now?