Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Wellspring Waste To Energy Feasibility Study, Andrew Clinton, Emily Hajjar, Frank Nakashian

School of Public Policy Capstones

This study was conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst public policy masters students for Springfield based Wellspring Cooperative, a nonprofit focused on cooperative job creation and training. The project assesses three potential scale options for Wellspring in order to use organic material to heat and/or generate electricity to power its hydroponic greenhouse. Though the greenhouse is not constructed as of yet, its source of energy is an important element for Wellspring. Motivations for utilizing organic waste to power the greenhouse are due in part to the influx of food waste sources being diverted due to the new Massachusetts Food …

Formation Of Rarefaction Waves In Origami-Based Metamaterials, H. Yasuda, C. Chong, E. G. Charalampidis, P. G. Kevrekidis, J. Yang

Mathematics and Statistics Department Faculty Publication Series

We investigate the nonlinear wave dynamics of origami-based metamaterials composed of Tachi-Miura polyhedron (TMP) unit cells. These cells exhibit strain softening behavior under compression, which can be tuned by modifying their geometrical configurations or initial folded conditions. We assemble these TMP cells into a cluster of origami-based metamaterials, and we theoretically model and numerically analyze their wave transmission mechanism under external impact. Numerical simulations show that origami-based metamaterials can provide a prototypical platform for the formation of nonlinear coherent structures in the form of rarefaction waves, which feature a tensile wavefront upon the application of compression to the system. We …

Lattice Three-Dimensional Skyrmions Revisited, E G. Charalampidis, T A. Ioannidou, Panayotis G. Kevrekidis

Mathematics and Statistics Department Faculty Publication Series

In the continuum a skyrmion is a topological nontrivial map between Riemannian manifolds, and a stationary point of a particular energy functional. This paper describes lattice analogues of the aforementioned skyrmions, namely a natural way of using the topological properties of the three dimensional continuum Skyrme model to achieve topological stability on the lattice. In particular, using fixed point iterations, numerically exact lattice skyrmions are constructed; and their stability under small perturbations is explored by means of linear stability analysis. While stable branches of such solutions are identified, it is also shown that they possess a particularly delicate bifurcation structure, …

Exciting And Harvesting Vibrational States In Harmonically Driven Granular Chains, Efstathios G. Charalampidis, Christopher Chong, Eunho Kim, Heetae Kim, F. Li, Panayotis G. Kevrekidis, J. Lydon, Chiara Daraio, Jianke Yang

Mathematics and Statistics Department Faculty Publication Series

This article explores the excitation of different vibrational states in a spatially extended dynamical system through theory and experiment. As a prototypical example, we consider a one-dimensional packing of spherical particles (a so-called granular chain) that is subject to harmonic boundary excitation. The combination of the multi-modal nature of the system and the strong coupling between the particles due to the nonlinear Hertzian contact force leads to broad regions in frequency where different vibrational states are possible. In certain parametric regions, we demonstrate that the Nonlinear Schr¨odinger (NLS) equation predicts the corresponding modes fairly well. We propose that nonlinear multi-modal …

Nonlinear Waves In A Strongly Nonlinear Resonant Granular Chain, Lifeng Liu, Guillaume James, Panayotis Kevrekidis, Anna Vainchtein

Mathematics and Statistics Department Faculty Publication Series

We explore a recently proposed locally resonant granular system bearing harmonic internal resonators in a chain of beads interacting via Hertzian elastic contacts. In this system, we propose the existence of two types of configurations: (a) small-amplitude periodic traveling waves and (b) dark-breather solutions, i.e., exponentially localized, time periodic states mounted on top of a non-vanishing background. We also identify conditions under which the system admits long-lived bright breather solutions. Our results are obtained by means of an asymptotic reduction to a suitably modified version of the so-called discrete p-Schrödinger (DpS) equation, which is established as controllably approximating the solutions …

Regional Bike Share In The Pioneer Valley Feasibility Study, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Bike Share Feasibility Study Advisory Committee

Sustainability Reports & Plans

The Pioneer Valley region and its member communities are committed to creating more livable communities and downtowns, as well as reducing single occupancy vehicle trips and the resulting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The region is working to increase alternative modes of transportation, including expanding infrastructure for biking, walking, bus and rail service. The region is also seeking to establish commuter rail service along the north-south Amtrak rail line serving Springfield, Holyoke and Northampton, and a bike share program could provide a complementary “last mile” component to this service.

Umass Amherst Comprehensive Campus Energy Master Plan, Rmf Engineering

Sustainability Reports & Plans

The following Comprehensive Campus Energy Plan is intended to provide the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst Campus with a long range vision for efficient and reliable utility generation and delivery as well as effective energy conservation measures. While the plan is based upon a 50-year period, specific recommendations and upgrades are presented to address the short term needs associated with the 10-year capital plan.

Assignment: Climate Action Plan 3.0 (Sustainable Living), Lena Fletcher

Sustainability Education Resources

The UMass Amherst Climate Action Plan 2.0 lays out strategies to meet UMass’s energy goals by 2050, but many projects are still in the planning phase and have not been implemented on campus yet. It’s time for you to design the Climate Action plan 3.0!

As a team, you will create and present one solution from your Climate Action Plan 3.0 to help UMass become carbon neutral ahead of schedule. Your energy solution can be a policy, program, transportation improvement, or energy-saving technology. Research the Climate Action Plan 2.0 thoroughly to make sure your solution has not already been proposed.

Syllabus: Sustainable Living: Solutions For The 21st Century, Lena Fletcher

Sustainability Education Resources

In this innovative interdisciplinary course you will work with your peers to research and understand how sustainability in different contexts presents solutions to many problems facing modern society. You will work in teams to investigate, evaluate, communicate, and reflect on the multifaceted challenges associated with natural resource use, food systems, energy, transportation, waste, the built environment, water quality, and climate change. You will also research case studies, debate controversies, assess political and cultural contexts, investigate technological advances, and identify gaps in scientific knowledge. Using these resources, you and your peers will be tasked with developing your own sustainable solutions for …

Syllabus: Solar Energy Systems And Building Design, Ho-Sung Kim

Sustainability Education Resources

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of solar building design and energy systems. Through project based study and possible field visits, students will explore the theory, technologies, applications, and benefits of solar design of buildings and discover how to utilize solar energy systems for residential and commercial buildings. Students will be required to research and document technology and complete a semester case study project in which they will examine various energy conservation aspects and economics underlying solar energy systems.

Umass Amherst Energy Consumption, Ghg Emissions, Energy Intensity From 2002-2014, Ezra Small

Campus Data

Data spreadsheet of GHG emissions, fuel consumption, and energy intensity for UMass Amherst between Fiscal Years 2002 to 2014.

Fy 2015 Umass Amherst Electricity Data By Building, Ezra Small

Campus Data

Each year, UMass Amherst Utilities publishes this spreadsheet which has the monthly and annual building energy consumption of each metered building on campus. Cost data and production vs. purchased electricity data are also provided.

Fy 2015 Umass Amherst Water & Steam Data By Building, Ezra Small

Campus Data

Each year, UMass Amherst Utilities publishes this spreadsheet which has the monthly and annual building water and steam consumption of each metered building on campus.

Fy 2015 Umass Amherst Waste Management Report, John Pepi

Campus Data

Each year the Office of Waste Management publishes this report which totals recycling and refuse data for the campus.

Where To Buy Materials For The Activities, Morton Sternheim

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Sources for some of the less common materials used in the activities.

Size Matters, Morton Sternheim

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Size matters in the way materials behave. An introductory PowerPoint and an activity write-up. Three activities illustrate how the surface to volume ratio changes as the size changes. In the first, a deck of playing cards is used to make square arrays of cards of increasing size. Next wooden cubes are used to make similar observations in 3 dimensions. Finally, comparing the rates at which an intact Alka Seltzer tablet and a crushed tablet react in water shows the effect of particle size on chemical reactions.

Nanotechnology Overview Powerpoint, Mark Tuominen

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. This PowerPoint gives an overview of the field and introduces the teacher summer institute.

Gelatin Diffusion Experiment, Jennifer Welborn

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

In this activity, nanotech participants will:

- See how food dyes and gelatin are used to model the delivery of nanoscale medicines to cells in the human body - Measure diffusion distances of 3 different colors of food dye by: Eye, photo image on a computer, ADI software (Analyzing Digital Images) Some useful websites:

• http://www.echalk.co.uk/Science/biologyContent.htm Life Processes and Cells
• http://workbench.concord.org/database/activities/321.html Molecular Workbench Database. Diffusion, osmosis, ...

Atomic Force Microscopes, Rob Snyder, Jennifer Welborn

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

PowerPoint overview. A student activity that builds an atomic force microscope model.

The Science Of Two Dimensional Materials (Powerpoint), Jun Yan

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Graphene is a single atomic sheet of graphite.

Exercise: how much graphene do we need to cover the surface of the empire state building?

Nanoscale Thin Films, Rob Snyder

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

An activity that makes a nanoscale film of oleic acid on water. The student will

• Learn about Ben Franklin’s observations of a thin film that had a nanoscale dimension.

• Create a very thin film with a very dilute solution of oleic acid.

• Use data you collect to determine if you made a thin film with a nanoscale dimension that formed on the surface of water.

• Learn about the molecular interactions that resulted in the formation of the thin film.

• Be introduced to the Big Ideas of Nanoscale Self-Assembly

Seeing At The Nanoscale: New Microscopies For The Life Sciences, Jennifer Ross

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Visualizing single modules with fluorescence microscopy

Ozone, Uv, And Nanoparticles, Morton Sternheim, Jennifer Welborn

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

•Ultraviolet light causes skin damage and cancer •Ozone in the stratosphere blocks UV •Sunscreen blocks UV, partly •Nanoparticles in sunscreen improve blocking Sunscreen PowerPoint and activities based on NanoSense web site:

http://nanosense.sri.com/activities/clearsunscreen/index.html

Powers Of Ten: From Meters To Nanometers And Beyond, Rob Snyder

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

The goal of this activity is to guide students toward an understanding of nanoscale dimensions by:

• Making a number of measurements using meter sticks, magnifiers, microscopes and spectrometers so students can make observations and generate their own data.

• Using scientific notation to compare the measurements they have made with the dimensions of very small structures

Self Assembly, Mark Tuominem, Jennifer Welborn, Rob Snyder

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

No abstract provided.

Magnetic Memory: Data Storage And Nanomagnets, Mark Tuominem

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

An overview of magnetic data storage and a simple activity.

Nanomedicine, Mark Tuominen

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

An overview of nanomedicine. The end goal of nanomedicine is improved diagnostics, treatment and prevention of disease. Nanotechnology holds key to a number of recent and future breakthroughs in medicine.

Sustainability Service Learning At St. Johnsbury Academy, James Bentley

NECSC Conference 2015

St. Johnsbury Academy is an independent boarding and day school of 950 students located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. We have created an innovative and effective service learning system involving environmental stewardship in our region. Stewardship Days at St. Johnsbury Academy happen twice a year, in December and May. On the December Stewardship Day, the school hosts a conference in which groups of sophomores rotate through stations hosted by reps from local environmental organizations, non-profits, and state agencies, who pitch local environmental projects to the student groups. Students then design projects and execute them on the second Stewardship Day, …

Collectively Developing A Framework For Sustainability External Reviews, Janet Williams

NECSC Conference 2015

As campus sustainability programs have developed and grown over the past decade, with some programs approaching relative maturity, we begin to ask an important question: how can these programs be objectively evaluated? This question was recently raised among NECSC members, and the response shows a high level of interest in and enthusiasm for the idea of an objective, external review process. An adaptable assessment process would provide a basis for programs to highlight successes, identify areas for improvement, and help to prioritize program initiatives and projects. Having a relatively standardized process for conducting the review would provide consistency and help …

Campus Sustainability Performance: Introducing Ecological Regional Analysis To Advance Meaningful Impact, Shana Weber, Julie Newman

NECSC Conference 2015

In this second session of a three-part NECSC conference series called "Bioregional Metrics, Decision Making & Assessment" the presenters will delve into the current state of bioregional assessment and analysis. Synopses of research-based understandings drawn from a bioregional assessment of AASHE-STARS data, LEED assessments, and other bioregional data will be be presented along with recommendations for how such understanding can enhance the impact of collective efforts. The STARS analysis is based on a paper current under peer review co-authored by Shana Weber (Princeton), Julie Newman (MIT), and Adam Hill (Ivy+ SOAR Collaborative).