Award Data

The seed industry generates tremendous value from hybrid crops relative to varietal or self-pollinated crops. For example, while corn (a hybrid crop) and soybeans (a self-pollinated crop) were planted on approximately the same land area in the U.S. in 2015, the total value of the corn hybrid seed industry was greater than 4x the value of the soybean seed industry. However, producing hybrid seed is ...

Agriculture has seen rapid development in both the quantity and quality of food production; however, the presence of pests and disease on crops can hamper the quality of agricultural pro-duce and can have a devastating effect on a farmer's bottom line.To combat the risk of pest infestations and disease, crop producers rely on a process known as crop scouting. Field-based crop scouting entails ...

The release of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into our natural waterbodies is a major issue negatively impacting the United States environmentally and economically. It is estimated that it costs the Gulf Coast fishing industry approximately $82 million per year. This issue is caused by misplaced nutrients. This project uses an algae-based treatment system to remove nutrients from a plac ...

Soair's technology captures and analyzes detailed gait and stride metrics and provides a Fall-Risk Assessment score. This automated technology is accurate, passive, non-intrusive, and low cost, which means it is ideal for use in rural residential and assisted living settings.Fall-related injuries and health issues stemming from falls are major concerns for seniors and their caregivers. Not onl ...

It is not currently possible for microalgae processors to determine if Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) treatment of algae is a commercially-attractive proposition within their application when the literature contains such a wide range of reported PEF treatment conditions, leading to unclear and inconsistent baselines. A more controlled approach to determine the effects of PEF on algae is required, whe ...

Wildfires, based on 5-year average annual acres burned, have more than doubled over the last 30 years and total fire suppression costs have increased nearly an order of magnitude over the same period (i.e.

Ammonia (NH3) is an extremely important feedstock for producing nitrogen fertilizers, such as anhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and urea (CO(NH2)2), that provide essential nutrition for crop vitality. The worldwide production of ammonia is more than 100 million tons per year. The conventional Haber-Bosch ammonia production process requires high pressure and temperature (up to 300 atm and 500°C) ...

Through previous development grants from IES and the National Science Foundation, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute developed 16 virtual laboratory simulations and 57 inquiry activities aligned to Next Generation Science standards in physical, life, and earth science. This project will develop Inq-Blotter, a dashboard to provide teachers real-time formative and summative assessment re ...

In prior research and development, the project team and partners developed Cyberchase, a multimedia story-based series for students to practice and learn math. Researchers will develop and test a prototype of a mobile app-based fractions game to be integrated within the multimedia series. The prototype will adjust to students of different skill levels, and will present fractions in different repre ...

This project team will develop and test a prototype of Descartes, an online game and simulation platform for design-to-build engineering projects for students in grades 4 to 7. The prototype will include a virtual workspace for students to create and test models. Students will apply learning to design a boat using engineering principles, and the prototype will incorporate a 3D printer to create a ...