Search Results - environment

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Chemical Recycling of Polylactic Acid

Executive SummaryA new environmentally friendly process developed at Michigan State University derives clean-use plastics from contaminated Polylactic Acid (PLA). This new method of recycling PLA yields clean-use plastics using inexpensive green solvents and lower temperatures.Description of TechnologyCurrent chemical recycling of PLA uses toxic solvents...
Published: 8/30/2017   |   Inventor(s): Rafael Auras, Fabiola Iniguez-Franco, Maria Rubino, Herlinda Soto-Valdez, Daniel Holmes, Susan Selke, Xiaoyi Fang
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment

Efficient Hydrocyclone for Liquid-Liquid Separation

Executive SummaryDue to environmental concerns, discharge of water from oil and gas industries is required to maintain oil levels between 10 – 30 ppm. Complying with these standards leads to significant expenses for the industry. A new hydrocyclone design developed at MSU makes it possible to exceed these requirements while being much more cost-effective...
Published: 3/14/2017   |   Inventor(s): Abdul Motin, Andre Benard, Volodymyr Tarabara
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment

Real-Time 3D Modeling Of Watersheds

Executive SummaryGroundwater is the most extracted raw material in the world. As such, it is crucial that companies and governments are able to understand exactly how their use of groundwater affects the immediate area. Visualizing where groundwater is located, how chemical contaminants affect groundwater over time, and predicting how weather will affect...
Published: 1/30/2017   |   Inventor(s): Shu-Guang Li, Huasheng Liao
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Biotechnology, Analytical Instruments, Computer Software, Data Processing/Analysis

Uranium Removal with Protein Nanowires

Executive SummarySoil and groundwater contamination with uranium and radioactively contaminated waste pose serious environmental problems for human and animal consumption. Researchers at MSU have discovered that protein nanowire-expressing microorganisms are highly effective at precipitating and immobilizing heavy metal elements, including uranium,...
Published: 11/9/2016   |   Inventor(s): Gemma Reguera, Dena Cologgi, Robert Worden, Angelines Castro-Forero, Rebecca Steidl
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Biotechnology, Environment

Method for the Removal of Fluoride From Water

Executive SummaryToxic levels of fluorine in drinking water arise from two different sources, naturally from the rock bed and artificially from commercial processing and waste. Fluoride removal processes are too costly and labor intensive for many developing countries. MSU researchers have discovered a new material that allows for efficient fluoride...
Published: 6/23/2016   |   Inventor(s): Daniel Henton
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment

Chemical Efficacy, Environmental Safety, and Operational Design Improvements for the SandSprayer "Spreader Apparatus for Sand Based Formulations" (Patent No. 8,028,928)

Executive SummaryCurrently, as a part of turfgrass installation and maintenance, topdressing sand and active ingredients (fungicide/growth regulators) are applied sequentially, requiring two passes over the turf. Carrying out these processes separately requires additional time to make two identical passes, leads to spray drift when spraying chemicals,...
Published: 6/16/2016   |   Inventor(s): A. Ronald Detweiler, Joseph Vargas, Gary Zehr
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Mechanical

Sprayer/Top Dresser Machine for Application of Treated Sand to Golf Course Turf

Executive SummaryCurrently, as a part of turfgrass installation and maintenance, topdressing sand and active ingredients (fungicide/growth regulators) are applied sequentially, requiring two passes over the turf. Carrying out these processes separately requires additional time to make two identical passes, leads to spray drift when spraying chemicals,...
Published: 6/16/2016   |   Inventor(s): A. Ronald Detweiler, Joseph Vargas, Nancy Dykema
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Mechanical

Gliding Robotic Fish Navigation and Propulsion

Executive SummaryAutonomous robots provide a means to remotely perform a wide variety of tasks. For underwater robots an energetically passive mode of movement is important as well as a platform capable of a variety of sensors. We have developed a bio-inspired robotic vehicle based on the body of ray-finned fish. The robot has a reconfigurable sensor...
Published: 6/1/2016   |   Inventor(s): Xiaobo Tan, Feitian Zhang, Jianxun Wang, John Thon
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Devices, Environment

Low Cost Hydrogenation of Bio-oils

IntroductionThere is a strong need for reliable and efficient energy alternatives to non-renewable petroleum. One renewable alternative for energy is bio-oil derived by biomass pyrolysis. However, bio-oil is impractical because it is corrosive to containment materials, self-reactive, and prone to polymerization, making it unfit for use within existing...
Published: 5/16/2016   |   Inventor(s): Chun ho Lam, James Jackson, Christopher Saffron, Dennis Miller
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Energy, Environment

Multiscale Porous Polymer Films and Their Applications

IntroductionReverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most common technologies to purify water in locations where potable water is scarce. RO is the dominant production process for ocean water desalination and is also used in the production of bottled mineral water and boiler water purification in power plants. Thin-film composite membranes are the heart...
Published: 4/26/2016   |   Inventor(s): Ilsoon Lee, Jing Yu, Oishi Sanyal
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Advanced Materials, Environment
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