Award Data

In this Phase II we will develop a work zone collision system consisting of "smart barrels" and a central communications computer. The "smart barrels" will incorporate magnetic sensors, an LED display and wireless communications resulting in a unit that can accurately measure the speed of passing vehicles and relay this information to adjacent barrels and the central communications computer. The ...

KaZaK Composites, Kaman Sciences and Dr. Malcolm Ray of the University of Iowa propose to investigate the design of energy absorbing utility poles made from composite materials. This team has considerable experience in the multiple technologies needed to successfully complete the proposed program, including design of high performance composite products for automated production and design, analysi ...

Evaluation of bridges for vulnerability to scour or other potential sources of damage requires knowledge of foundation conditions beneath piers and abutments that are often unknown. INFRASENSE proposed to develop and demonstrate a response-based parameter estimation method (RPEM) which will address the need for a simple, low-cost system for unknown foundation evaluation. The RPEM system is based ...

Millions of dollars are lost worldwide due to insect and fungi caused spoilage in stored grain. We propose to develop new technology for early detection that takes advantage of the fact that small amounts of spoilage cause significant increases in CO2 concentration throughout the grain mass and storage structure. The new sensor will be designed for placement in stored grain structures to continuou ...

Production of ethanol derived from starch crops and biomass is forecast to grow considerably in the next decade. There exist opportunities for significant reductions in ethanol production costs and associated energy usage via employment of innovative process operations. Many of these processes involve membranes, which provide cost savings due primarily to reduced energy consumption. Recently, new ...

This Phase II program will produce a sensitive, reliable and cost-effective monitor for ammonia emissions in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). CAFOs have become a major form of animal production. There is increased concern over emissions from confinements houses and health effects on workers and animals. The CAFO industry needs reliable monitoring solutions to support manure management a ...

Butanol is a liquid fuel superior to ethanol that can be produced from renewable biomass by the acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process. However, the ABE fermentation process economics is hampered by low conversion rate due to severe product inhibition and by energy intensive product recovery (traditionally by distillation). The overall objective of this combined Phase I and Phase II pr ...

Cytokines play a key role in the immunobiology of swine, and have the potential to improve themanagement of these animals. The pattern and tissue distribution of inflammatory cytokine expressionmay be indicative of the health or infectious status of the animal. Thus, the development of rapidcytokine tests is necessary to exploit this useful diagnostic information.Cytokines may also play another ...

Studies have found Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) oocysts in 65-97% of surface water tested inthe United States. The current Surface Water Treatment Rule does not include analysis for C. parvum.However, the increased incidence of outbreaks involving Cryptosporidiosis have instigated aninvestigation into whether or not testing should be included in the Enhanced Surface Water TreatmentRule. Th ...

Raising pigs has become a specialized agribusiness. Pork producers have a desire to improve their efficiency of production in a cost effective manner. One tool to accomplish this is knowing the weight of the pig as it grows. This knowledge provides greater assistance in managing the feeding program as well as avoiding financial penalties when marketing. Feed costs account for 60% of the cost p ...