Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Iere Annual Report 2026, Erin Largo-Wight, Heather Barnes Truelove, Kelly Rhoden, Jessica Barnes, Lauren Canady, Nicole Lowe, Ruby Cox, Sydney Barrett, Kathleen Hutton

Annual Reports

2026 Annual Report of the Institute for Environmental Research and Education

Powering The Machine, Draining The Planet: Whether U.S. Environmental Law Is Equipped To Regulate The Energy And Water Demands Of Ai Data Centers, Michael Marcu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers have become one of the United States' fastest-growing and least-regulated sources of environmental stress. In 2024 alone, U.S. data centers consumed 183 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity more than the entire nation of Pakistan and consumed an estimated 17 billion gallons of water (IEA, 2025; Berkeley Lab, 2024). By 2030, electricity demand from these facilities is projected to reach 426 TWh, a 133% increase in six years (Pew Research Center, 2025). This paper examines whether the existing U.S. environmental regulatory framework put by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the …

Understanding Climate Change And Wellbeing Through Bhutan's Pursuit Of Gross National Happiness, Tashi Dorji

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Climate change has evolved into one of the biggest global challenges of the twenty first century reshaping ecological systems and social conditions with wide-ranging implications for human wellbeing. Bhutan offers a distinct context to explore interactions between climate change and wellbeing as it remains guided by its wellbeing-centred development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). At the same time, it remains highly vulnerable to climate change despite being the only carbon negative country in the world. Nonetheless, the intersections between climate change and GNH have not been systematically explored.

This research aims to explore the relationship between climate change and …

Towards A Sustainable Art World: The Essential Role Of Sustainability Leads In The Arts And Cultural Sector, Isobella Win Richings

MA in Art Business Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the role of sustainability leads within art institutions and how their implementation benefits a company’s development towards being a sustainable business. Due to the increasing pressure that the art world faces considering the environmental crisis which we are experiencing in the 21st century, it is integral to understand what is being done and what can be further instigated to create a sustainable future of the art world.

Although this study uses research that already exists within the discourse of environmental sustainability and the cultural sector, the main sources used to come to …

A Sustainable & Universal Redesign Of Hickory Hill Park In Richmond, Virginia, Ren Hollis, Cynthia Lin, Kira Miller, Jackson Nivera, Patrick O’Shea, Corinne Tsou, Hayston Wines

Undergraduate Research Posters

Urban green spaces provide essential environmental, psychological, and physical benefits, yet access to these resources is often inequitable. Cities are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, highlighting the need for adaptive design. This study focuses on the redesign of Hickory Hill Park in Southside Richmond, selected through a combination of site suitability analysis and qualitative survey. The guiding research question is: How can a park in Richmond be designed to optimize environmental resilience, accessibility, and community benefits?

The selection of a research location and scope used a mixed-methods approach integrating spatial analysis, environmental assessment, and community engagement. A site suitability analysis …

Mapping Sustainability To Cybernetic-Generative Artificial Intelligence-Based Education: An Innovative Neutrosophic Orbifold-Lattice Methodology, Mona Mohamed, Ahmed A. Metwaly

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The lightning-fast development of artificial intelligence (AI), notably generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) technologies, has intrigued multiple disciplines, particularly education. In this context, Large Language Models (LLMs) serve as beneficial cognitive resources that address knowledge deficits and provide tailored educational support for learners and staff. For learners, LLMs are regarded as knowledgeable educators who offer prompt, focused responses and rationales to tricky queries. Whereby LLMs for staff, Strength enhancer, automating tedious tasks, and creating intelligent resources.Gen AI’s rapid growth offers enormous obstacles for educational systems, compelling them to discover solutions for these obstacles.

Conceptually, cybernetics is leveraged for bridging the …

Connecting Business Innovation & Climate Impact, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, Alexander Pourfard, Aranza Ruvalcaba, Fowzia Farah

San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

The La Mesa Green Business Network (GBN) is a City-led initiative developed in partnership with the San Diego Regional Green Business Network to advance local climate goals by engaging the business community in practical, measurable sustainability actions. Launched in 2022 as part of La Mesa’s Climate Action Plan, the GBN addresses common barriers faced by small and medium-sized businesses such as limited capacity, resources, and technical expertise by providing free, industry-specific consulting, certification, and public recognition. Through tailored guidance on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and transportation practices, the program translates citywide climate objectives into on-the-ground action while delivering …

The Chemistry Of Color: A Comparative Analysis Of Natural And Synthetic Dyes In Textile Application, Caitlyn Pinaga Cpht

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The Chemistry of Color: A Comparative Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Dyes in Textile Application examines how color functions at the intersection of chemistry, culture, and environmental responsibility. This project traces the evolution of dyeing from ancient natural pigment traditions, rooted in ecological knowledge, agricultural practices, and cultural identity, to the industrial rise of synthetic dyes, whose laboratory precision enabled unprecedented consistency, brightness, and global textile expansion. Through experimental swatch analysis, the study compares the behavior of natural dyes derived from plants and food sources with modern fiber-reactive and synthetic dye classes on a range of fibers including cotton, bamboo …

Environmental Risk Assessment Of Textile Waste From Bio-Engineered Fibers In The Fashion Industry, Aayush Pankaj Agarwal, Harshit Soral, Irmak Aktan, Karol Montserrat Gonzalez Saad, Maria Daniela Saa Espinosa, Sheetal Suhas Dhanuka, Yi Yang

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The global fashion industry generates over 92 million tons of textile waste annually, a figure projected to increase significantly by 2030. Bio-engineered fibers, including bacterial cellulose, mycelium-based leather, and recombinant protein textiles emerge as sustainable alternatives to conventional fibers. Despite their promise, recent evidence suggests that these fibers may pose environmental risks at the end-of-life stage, such as incomplete biodegradation in landfills, microfiber shedding, and chemical leaching from dyes and coatings. The purpose of this study is to examine how these risks are represented through scientific literature, corporate sustainability reports, and policy frameworks, and to identify strategies for integrating risk …

The Price Of Priorities: How Human Choices Fuel Climate And Ecological Decline, Keisha Hickman

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the ways in which human priorities and behaviors contribute to the escalating climate crisis and ecological systems. We will first analyze the role of social media in shaping public discourse on climate change and critically evaluate the priorities of institutions that have the means to assist in wildlife conservation. Both speak to the current behaviors of humankind prioritizing their own entertainment over meaningful efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. We will then shift to exploring the profound impact of human population growth and its associated activities on other species and ecosystems. Finally, the thesis will …

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting From Roadways: Challenges, Advances, And Future Directions, Heba Gaber, Mohamed Abdelraheem

Faculty Publications

As the global demand for renewable energy intensifies, piezoelectric energy harvesting from roadways has emerged as a promising avenue for sustainable power generation. This systematic literature review analyzes 61 peer-reviewed studies to assess the feasibility, performance, and potential of integrating piezoelectric systems into roadway infrastructure. While technology faces challenges, such as high installation costs, limited energy output, and a scarcity of thorough economic evaluations, findings suggest it holds considerable promise as a supplementary renewable energy source. The review analyzes the operational characteristics and efficiencies of various piezoelectric transducers, identifies key factors influencing system performance, and evaluates recent technological advances. It …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

Connecting The Dots: Iot, Sustainability, And Sdgs, Saadat M. Alhashmi, Islam Al-Qudah, Ibrahim Abaker Hashem, Belal Alsinglawi, Raiza Borreo, Hassan S․ Migdadi, Weisi Chen

All Works

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can transform various sectors by converging with global sustainability goals. This paper systematically reviews how IoT supports fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study initially identified publications that are most relevant to IoT and sustainability. Each publication was carefully examined and mapped to its corresponding SDG, methodology, context, and country. This work presents an opportunity to learn about country contributions, collaborations, and IoT and SDG research trends over the past decade. India, China, and the US were among the top contributors to the IoT and SDG literature, with India accounting for 68 …

Artificial Intelligence In Waste Management Systems: Applications, Challenges, And Prospects, Imane Belyamani

All Works

Despite global recognition of the climate crisis, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise by 8.8 % by 2030, primarily due to inadequate planning, poor implementation, and insufficient financial support. While international initiatives such as the ’Waste to Zero’ coalition launched at the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 28) highlight the urgency of advancing decarbonization and the circularity of waste systems, this review focuses on how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate that transformation. It systematically explores the role of AI in advancing waste management practices, with a focus on predictive analytics, route optimization, and machine learning-based …

Fisheries Science Update - Western Australian Shark Resource: 2024 Stock Assessment Outcomes, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

The Western Australian (WA) shark resource includes more than 100 species of sharks and rays.

Key shark species are sustainably harvested in two commercial shark fisheries that provide fresh, local, affordable seafood to the WA community.

The WA shark resource has been in recovery since the 1990s–2000s when stocks were found to be at risk.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) tracks stock status by undertaking periodic weight of evidence stock assessments of indicator species.

Gummy, whiskery, dusky whaler, and sandbar sharks, are the indicator species for the WA shark resource, and make up ~80% of the …

Sustainable Llm Inference For Edge Ai: Evaluating Quantized Llms For Energy Efficiency, Output Accuracy, And Inference Latency, Erik Johanne Husom, Arda Goknil, Merve Astekin, Lwin Khin Shar, Andre Kasen, Sagar Sen, Benedikt Andreas Mithassel, Ahmet Soylu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Deploying Large Language Models (LLMs) on edge devices presents significant challenges due to computational constraints, memory limitations, inference speed, and energy consumption. Model quantization has emerged as a key technique to enable efficient LLM inference by reducing model size and computational overhead. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of 28 quantized LLMs from the Ollama library, which applies by default Post-Training Quantization (PTQ) and weight-only quantization techniques, deployed on an edge device (Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM). We evaluate energy efficiency, inference performance, and output accuracy across multiple quantization levels and task types. Models are benchmarked on …

Science And Information For Our Grasslands, G A. Nores, R R. Vera

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper favours a view of grasslands, and agricultural research in general, that extends well beyond the limits of the scientific community and promotes the active involvement of scientists in current societal debates from a scientific perspective. It is argued that in developed countries environmental concerns rather than production growth will tend to dominate future social debate. In developing countries there is a need to balance agricultural growth with responsible management of natural resources. Needs for new technology go beyond improving biophysical efficiency, and involve economic and social efficiency objectives. The relevance of grassland research is assessed in terms of …

Building Resilient And Sustainable Supply Chains: A Distributed Ledger-Based Learning Feedback Loop, Tan Gürpinar, Mehmet A. Gulum

Computer Science Faculty publications

Global supply chains face increasing disruptions from cyber threats, geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, and a range of economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges. As these disruptions intensify, enhancing Supply Chain Resilience (SCR) has become a strategic priority. This study investigates how Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) can contribute to SCR by mitigating vulnerabilities and strengthening key capabilities within global supply chains. A qualitative research approach is employed, utilizing expert evaluations to examine DLT’s impact on supply chain vulnerabilities and capabilities. Five workshops were conducted with 25 industry professionals from logistics, IT, procurement, and risk management. Experts examined how DLT could …

Innovation Within Sustainable Technologies: The Future Of Energy Conserving Hardware In Data Centers, Brooke Cruz

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Susan Rivera, PhD

The US is confronting a growing energy demand crisis, with analysts projecting a 2.4% rise in data center energy consumption by 2030. Data centers are major energy consumers, with primary usage concentrated in IT equipment and extensive cooling systems. While Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) remains the leading metric for assessing energy efficiency, it is limited to assessing total facility energy and IT energy use without accounting for environmental and social impacts. Supplementary metrics of data center energy consumption include Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE), which measure water use and carbon emissions, …

Investigating The Market Dynamics Of Aeroponically Cultivated Products With Delay, Pulak Kundu, Uzzwal Kumar Mallick

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

Aeroponically grown potatoes offer higher yields and year-round production but often face delayed market entry due to high setup costs, technical barriers, and logistical challenges. A delay-based mathematical model has been newly proposed in this study to analyze the dynamics of demand, supply, and pricing for aeroponically grown products. The model’s existence, stability, and sensitivity have been investigated analytically, and numerical simulations have been carried out using the Runge-Kutta 4th order method with the dde23 solver. Findings reveal that market stability is maintained when delays are below seven years, but delays beyond this threshold lead to persistent fluctuations in price, …

Neutrosophic Set Model For Controlling Electronic Waste Requirements Management Policies To Minimize Ecological Impact And Improving Resilience And Sustainability, Mohamed Abouhawwash, Nitin Mittal, Sudeep Tanwar

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) necessitates management approaches that promote sustainability and resilience while reducing environmental effects, particularly considering global disruptions and pressure on manufacturers to implement extended producer responsibility laws. There is a research gap in our knowledge of the link between sustainability and resilience since most of the literature currently available on e-waste management focuses on either operational efficiency or sustainability. This study proposes multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methodology for controlling electronic waste requirements management policies to minimize ecological impact and improving resilience and sustainability. We use the EDAS methodology to rank the alternatives. The criteria …

Resource Assessment Report No. 4: North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource - Kimberley 2025 Assessment, Fabian Trinnie, Rubie Evans-Powell, Ainslie Denham, Sybrand A. Hesp, Corey Wakefield, Craig L. Skepper, Brett Crisafulli, Stephen J. Newman

Resource Assessment Reports

The North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (NCDSR) comprises ecological suites of tropical demersal fish species that occur predominantly in inshore waters (20–250 m deep) and offshore waters ( > 250 m deep) of the North Coast Bioregion (NCB). More than 60 demersal species are landed by fisheries operating in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of the NCB each year, including high-value snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Epinephelidae), and emperors (Lethrinidae). As outlined in the NCDSR Harvest Strategy (DPIRD, 2017), the Kimberley resource is currently monitored through annual reviews of total removals and catch rate trends of indicator species, as well as periodic (every …

The Effect Of Group Counseling On Hope With Diverse Undergraduates During Sustainability-Focused Internship, Hailey Spinks, Michael D. Hannon, Matthew Murray, Nina M. Goodey, Lora Billings, Amy Tuininga

PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies Publications

Many adolescents report feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, and hopeless in the face of global climate change. These feelings are both valid and antithetical to the necessary hope and courage it takes to address real-world environmental crises and contribute to meaningful societal impact. The Green Teams Program, an internship-based experiential learning initiative, prepares young professionals with skills and knowledge needed to address these challenges and provides an intentionally inclusive and safe environment for students from all backgrounds to do so. This structured environment includes psychoeducational group counseling among other supports. Intern self-assessments revealed significant gains in measures of Hope, Agency, …

Integrated Sustainability: Unlocking Environmental Potential In Electric Vehicles And Solar Panels, Zachary C. Anderson

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the environmental, economic, and individual level factors influencing consumer adoption of electric vehicles and solar panels. Through a comprehensive scoping review and case-based analysis, it identifies key incentives and barriers related to purchase intentions for each alternative energy technology. Central factors influencing adoption include cost-related concerns, individual purchasing power, demographic effects, and policy impact. These findings suggest that targeted interventions – specifically those used to amplify incentives and mitigate barriers – can positively impact individual consumer purchase intention, including through bundling options. Highlighting the importance of integrated sustainability, this study explored how electric vehicles and solar panels …

What's The Value Of A State? Accounting For The Ecosystem Services And Natural Capital Of Oregon, Kathryn Liebrecht

University Honors Theses

Ecosystem services are vital to human welfare and society, but often are overlooked when it comes to planning and setting policy. By neglecting to incorporate the benefits received from natural resources, policy makers may unknowingly be making decisions that harm the long term sustainability and use of these services. To highlight the importance of Oregon's ecosystems, the present study aims to provide a full accounting of the ecosystem services and natural capital of the state. Using data from the Institute for Natural Resources' updated Oregon statewide habitat map, Oregon's ecosystems were matched to biome categories from the Ecosystem Services Valuation …

Eliciting Supplier Cooperation For Value Chain Decarbonization: A Field Experiment With Smallholder Farmers In India, Sukti Ghosh, Jasjit Singh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Many firms are attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their value chain. However, this requires convincing suppliers to adopt relevant decarbonization practices, which is challenging when the suppliers perceive such practices as risky or detrimental for their economic well-being. We employ a field experiment to examine relational investments (i.e., investments intended to promote mutual benefit for the exchange partners) as a tool for overcoming this challenge. In a research collaboration with a global firm pursuing decarbonization of its agricultural supply chain in India, we investigated the effectiveness of complementing training their supplier farmers on climate-friendly agricultural practices with also …

Reviving The Lost Art: Historical Foundations And Future Pathways For Bespoke Service In Luxury Retail, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The mid-20th century witnessed a zenith of deeply personalized, bespoke service within iconic luxury specialty retailers. This paper critically analyzes the foundational principles of this historical bespoke service model, extending Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic and retail evolution theory, to propose a robust framework for its modern revival. Employing a rigorous qualitative, multiple-case study approach, grounded in extensive historical and media analysis of four archetypal American and British luxury boutiques, and uniquely informed by an insider-ethnographic perspective on the central case exemplar ("Martha's"), the study distills six core principles: Profound Client Knowledge, Visionary Curation & Styling, Anticipatory & Proactive Service, The Exclusive …

Research And Education In Robotics: A Comprehensive Review, Trends, Challenges, And Future Directions, Mutaz Ryalat, Natheer Almtireen, Ghaith Al-Refai, Hisham Elmoaqet, Nathir Rawashdeh

Michigan Tech Publications

Robotics has emerged as a transformative discipline at the intersection of the engineering, computer science, and cognitive sciences. This state-of-the-art review explores the current trends, methodologies, and challenges in both robotics research and education. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of robotics, tracing its development from early automation to intelligent, autonomous systems. Key enabling technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), soft robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and swarm intelligence, are examined along with real-world applications in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and sustainable smart cities. A central focus is placed on robotics education, where hands-on, interdisciplinary learning is …

Neutrosophic Numbers For Selection Best Strategy For Dual Supply Chains With Green And Non-Green Products, Nada A. Nabeeh, Waleed Abd Elkhalik, Gawaher Soliman Hussein

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Dual supply chains with green and non-green products are an important aspect of supply chain management, which enable companies to balance traditional operations with ethical and eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon emissions. This study proposed a novel approach that combines the Probabilistic Simplified Neutrosophic Set (PSNS) with the Ranking of Alternatives Method (RAM) for the selection of best strategy selection for dual supply chains with green and non-green products. The novel approach uses PSNS as a representation of uncertainty, by incorporating probabilistic degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity, which occurred in real life situations. Furthermore, RAM illustrates efficient ranking and …

Healthcare Administration Within Free Medical Clinics And The Impacts On The Sustainable Development Goals, Saneywongse Le Mar

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

No abstract provided.