Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems
EPA Grant Number: EM833404Center: Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems
Center Director: Bogucz, Edward A
Title: Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems
Investigators: Bogucz, Edward A
Institution: Syracuse University
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2010
Project Amount: $1,921,300
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2006)
Research Category: Targeted Research
Description:
Objective:The Syracuse Center of Excellence (CoE) in Environmental and Energy Systems fosters collaborations among 12 academic and research instructions to create innovations that improve human health and productivity, security, and sustainability in built and urban environments. This proposal supports the long-term vision to develop “Intelligent Environmental Quality Systems” (i-EQS) that include capabilities for real-time monitoring of conditions across a broad range of scales, analysis of sensor data from multiple locations, and responses to improve environmental quality. Envisioned applications of i-EQS include strategic priorities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including “healthy communities and ecosystems,” “clean and safe water,” and “clean air and global climate change.” In pursuit of national needs and priorities, this proposal is designed to achieve the following objectives: (i) increase the number of active multidisciplinary collaborations among academic and research partner institutions within the Syracuse CoE; (ii) increase the number, quality and diversity of students who pursue degrees in environmental science and engineering and who enter the workforce in these areas; and (iii) increase the number of academic-industry research collaborations.
Approach:In pursuit of these objectives, this proposal continues two established competitive grant programs within the Syracuse CoE: (1) Collaborative Activities for Research and Technology Innovation (CARTI); and (2) Technology Application and Demonstration (TAD) projects. Complementary activities will also be undertaken: a competitive Fellowship Program, and an Entrepreneur/ Internship Program, and outreach and dissemination activities. The competitive grant and fellowship programs will use established two tier merit review processes to ensure scientific and technical merit as well as programmatic relevance.
Expected Results:The outcomes of the project’s initiatives will include: i) increased knowledge and understanding of selected water quality and air quality issues that arise in complex urban and built environments: ii) an increase in the number of competitive, externally funded projects in Syracuse CoE-related areas among partner institutions; iii) an increase in the number of invention disclosures in Syracuse CoE topic areas; and iv) an increase in public understanding of issues associated with environmental challenges of national significance.
Supplemental Keywords:Healthy communities and ecosystems, Clean and safe water, clean air and global climate change,
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Health, Risk Assessments, water quality, outreach material, human health risk, community support, environmental risks