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The third industrial revolution

cschelly — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 14:48:08 +0000

The third industrial revolution cschelly Sat, 07/09/2022 - 10:48

Whether in the automotive industry, aircraft construction, art, aerospace, toy production or medicine - three-dimensional printing technology could become a key industry of the 21st century. According to US economist Jeremy Rifkin, this technology could usher in the third industrial revolution.

The technology should be integrated into technical education because of its potential Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and Career and Technical Education (CTE). According to a study, Integrating 3-D technology in curriculum development will create opportunities for cross-curriculum engagement.

You can read more about the research here

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Distributed Renewable saves customers utility money

cschelly — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 20:47:53 +0000

Distributed Renewable saves customers utility money cschelly Sun, 07/03/2022 - 16:47

A study by researchers at Michigan Technical University claims increasing renewable and distributed generation energy sources can save Michigan electric consumers money. The study was published in March 2019 in he journal Energies and was titled “Policies to Overcome Barriers for Renewable Energy Distributed Generation: A Case Study of Utility Structure and Regulatory Regimes in Michigan.”

The researchers provide a breakdown of savings per kilowatt hour by county that Michigan residents could achieve if they produce their own electricity with solar photovoltaic panels.

You can read more about the research here

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New course in Nature Psychology

cschelly — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 20:37:54 +0000

New course in Nature Psychology cschelly Sun, 07/03/2022 - 16:37

A new course in nature psychology at Michigan Technological University (MTU) immerses students in real-life research on the cognitive benefits of getting outside. The Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences (CLS) blended the wellness findings of exposure to nature with the abundant outdoor activities and endless beauty of the area into a new course: Nature Psychology. The course has been developed by Assistant Professor Samantha Smith, with noteworthy contributions from several MTU faculty. The course uses an interdisciplinary, experience-based approach to help students explore how mental function is connected to the natural environment.

You can read more on the MTU News page here

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Agrovoltaics as alternatives to large-scale solar

cschelly — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 20:27:05 +0000

Agrovoltaics as alternatives to large-scale solar cschelly Sun, 07/03/2022 - 16:27

Chelsea's former MS advisee Alexis Pascaris discusses agrivoltaics with PV Magazine. Alexis was a research assistant on a DoE funded project focused on agrivoltaics and is the founder of Agrisolar Consulting. According to Alexis Pascaris, a former researcher in environmental and energy policy at the Michigan Technological University (MTU), agrivoltaics are a very practical and advantageous alternative to large-scale solar, specifically in places where there are land-use constraints or needs for rural economic development.

You can read more about the research here

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Woman as Solar Adopters

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:04:50 +0000

Woman as Solar Adopters admin Wed, 06/29/2022 - 13:04

A research study conducted by James Letzelter conducted a study to examine the factors that are important for solar technology adoption at the residential scale in upstate New York in 2020. The study found that women were more likely to indicate environmental factors as the important decisive factor. The research was highlighted in a CleanTechnica feature on women as solar adopters. The article argued for the solar industry to target women audience as potential adopters.

You can read more about the research here

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Solar for the People

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:03:47 +0000

Solar for the People admin Wed, 06/29/2022 - 13:03

A solar power project has become way of life for the village community of L'Anse. L'Anse is a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula which is now powered by a 340 panel, 110.5 kilowatt (kW) community solar array. Installed in 2019, the social feasibility study of community solar was undertaken by Richelle Winkler and Chelsea Schelly of the Social Sciences department. The professors, along with their graduate and undergraduate students, worked with the community members to gauge how open the village residents were to the project and how the team could design a program that fits their needs.

You can read more on the MTU News page here

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FEWCON Project in News

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:03:03 +0000

FEWCON Project in News admin Wed, 06/29/2022 - 13:03

The National Science Foundation Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water (NSF INFEWS) funded interdisciplinary research project was highlighted in a Sierra Magazine feature and on the NSF-INFEWS website.

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Household Sustainability: MTU Unscripted Blog

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:01:29 +0000

Household Sustainability: MTU Unscripted Blog admin Wed, 06/29/2022 - 13:01

As part of a new program called Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a research team at MTU nearly $3 million over five years. Their research focuses on how household consumption of food, energy and water (FEW) impacts climate change and resource scarcity.

Chelsea Schelly, associate professor of sociology in the Department of Social Sciences, is the co-principal investigator on this project.

You can read more on the MTU Unscripted blog here

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