Award Data

Ethylene is a growth hormone for fruits and vegetables that is generated by the plants themselves; that is, it acts as a self-ripening agent. Hence, the removal of ethylene gas can play a central role in maintaining the freshness of these products. Whereas the temperature and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases are also important system variables that demand a significant economic invest ...

A. Water must be removed from biodegradable hydraulic fluids as they react with water and degrade insitu. B. Biodegradable hydraulic fluids for farm equipment provide a significant improvement over traditional petroleum based fluids due to decreased pollution. Increase the use and value of biodegradable hydraulic fluids by development of a membrane-based dewatering system.

The use of biodiesel offers significant advantages with regards to the reduction of total harmful engine emissions with the exception of NOx. Biodiesel is a renewable resource and soybean oil is known to be economically viable as a biodiesel fuel. Recent studies from the Environmental Protection Agency have shown that soybean oil alone or blended with #2 diesel fuel results in a significant decrea ...

Present supplies of rainbow smelt, both for live bait and human consumption, are provided, almost exclusively, by commercial harvest of wild populations. This project will develop alternative sources of rainbow smelt for the market and eventually reduce the harvest of wild populations. This project will shift the focus from commercial fishing of wild public resources to commercial fish culture tec ...

Many rural older adults are often forced to leave the homes in which they have raised families and lived for decades because they can no longer physically, financially, or emotionally maintain their homes. Until now, little attention has been focused on technological tools, social structures, and practical ways to empower people to remain in their homes. This proposal fills that gap. The demograph ...

Lobster is sold today on a non-branded commodity basis with little regard for consumer desires and needs. The opportunity to build a Maine lobster brand is threatened by new Country of Origin regulations since today basic meat extraction practices take place primarily in Canada. Creating a brand of value-added Maine lobster products offers a significant opportunity to turn a commodity driven sale ...