Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Center for Environmental and Energy Research
EPA Grant Number: R830420Center: Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER)
Center Director: Earl, David A.
Title: Center for Environmental and Energy Research
Investigators: Vascott, Terese
Institution: Alfred University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2006 (Extended to June 30, 2007)
Project Amount: $2,140,200
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2002) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Congressionally Mandated Center , Targeted Research
Objective:
I. Center Accomplishments and Activities
1. Center Overview
The Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) at Alfred University is a multidisciplinary research and education program which makes use of Alfred’s expertise in ceramic engineering, materials science/engineering, and related programs to develop new materials, processes, and products that promote environmental sustainability. Center funds are primarily directed towards supporting graduate research. The Center is managed by Alfred University and is supervised by an external science advisory committee (SAC). A strategic planning board (SPB), drawn from the University’s science and engineering faculty, provides direction on policy and long-term strategy.
Alfred University is a residential, coeducational institution of approximately 2,300 students located in Alfred, New York. The University is comprised of Colleges of Business, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering and the publicly supported New York State College of Ceramics. Alfred University’s educational and research expertise is well known, with a worldwide reputation in ceramic engineering and materials science. Alfred’s graduate ceramic engineering program is ranked #1 in the U.S. by the Gourman report.
The goals of the Center are to become a world leader in developing materials and processes for achieving environmental sustainability, and the world leader in developing ceramic materials for environmental benefits. To better advance the goals and objectives of the Center, new vision and mission statements were drafted in January 2005. These statements formalize the focus and scope of the Center’s research efforts.
- Vision Statement: The Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) at Alfred University will be a world leader in developing materials and processes for achieving environmental sustainability. The Center will become the world leader in the development of ceramic materials for environmental applications.
- Mission Statement: The Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) at Alfred University utilizes Alfred’s world renowned expertise and facilities in ceramic engineering, materials science/engineering, and related programs to develop materials and processes for environmental sustainability. The Center focuses on research areas of 1) materials and processes for clean, renewable energy, and 2) improvements in materials efficiency, environmental impact and recycling. The Center strives to establish outside funding sources in order to secure long-term sustainability.
CEER research projects will help to facilitate ‘green’ energy production and the reduction of hazardous waste material. Here are several examples of successes:
- Photo-enhanced hydrogen diffusion through glass microspheres: Development of microsphere production for hydrogen storage. PIs: J. Shelby, M. Hall
This project built on previous research supported by CEER showing photo-enhanced hydrogen diffusion through glasses doped with optical activators. (US DOE subsequently approved $2.2 million in funding for a continuation of the research.) The study provides the “reduction to practice” needed to patent a hydrogen storage device and to convince potential funding agencies and automobile manufacturers of the viability of this technique. Ultimately, the work should lead to a revolutionary new method for storing, transporting, and delivering hydrogen on demand. The replacement of gasoline with hydrogen for operating automobiles has the potential to transform the transportation industry into a “clean fleet” by significantly reducing smog as every car that is running on hydrogen produces zero noxious emissions.
This work is continuing with current CEER funding, from EPA Grant No. X-83254101-1: “Recovery and purification of hydrogen from mixed gas streams”, J. Shelby, PI.
- Microarray system for contaminated water analysis. PIs: J. Cardinale, R. DeRosa
The objective of this study was to develop a miniaturized ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) on a glass surface. Results of the investigation established the use of a physicochemical method to develop a reusable glass substrate for an ELISA. ELISA, while a good method of detection, is one-time use and therefore generates tremendous amounts of non-recyclable waste, typically around 450 grams per plate (8.5 x 12 x 1.5 cm). ELISA plates (polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene) and polypropylene tips (96 per plate) are typically decontaminated by autoclaving followed by incineration or disposal in landfills. This project employed slides made from glass (7.5 x 2.5 x 0.1 cm) which can be decontaminated by autoclaving and then reused. The glass plates are smaller and weigh less (4.5 g vs. ~60 g), resulting in less energy use in decontamination, and do not generate plastic waste as the entire glass slide may be treated as a single unit during exposure and treatment.
This work was continued with CEER funding from EPA Grant No. X-83254101-1: “Microarray system for contaminated water analysis”, J. Cardinale, R. DeRosa, PIs (work completed September 2007).
- Robust, Spectrally Selective Ceramic Coatings for Recycled Solar Power Tubes. PIs: D. Edwards, W. Carty
The results of this study have the potential to reduce the cost of solar-derived electricity and remove failed solar collector tubes from the waste stream. Robust, spectrally selective ceramic coatings were developed for refurbishing (recycling) failed solar collector tubes. The effects of composition and processing variables on the optical performance of the oxide coatings was investigated, and large-scale deposition methods were evaluated so that the developed coatings could be applied to actual tubes that will ultimately be field tested. This technology has the potential to greatly expand the ability to harvest solar energy, and it could substantially reduce the long-term operating costs of the facilities currently in use, making solar-derived electricity a more attractive alternative to other, more polluting electricity-generating technologies.
- Interaction of sealing glasses with metallic interconnects in solid oxide and polymer fuel cells. PI: S. Misture
In-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction was successfully employed as the primary tool to study the interactions of three compositions of sealing glasses for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) seals with six candidate interconnect alloys. The study was focused on fundamental phase equilibria, reaction mechanisms, and reaction kinetics under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres, to provide the basic science to aid in fuel cell design and future materials compositional design work.
Environmental Impact of Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems. PI: X. Wang
The purpose of this study was to compare three unique fuel processor designs under the paradigm of industrial ecology. Three designs were compared utilizing two different methods, and an evaluation was made regarding each design in three specific impact areas: Environmental impact, economic impact, and methane retail resale cost. This comparison technique allowed determination of which design would minimize negative impact on the environment during its production; which design would be the most economical to produce; and which design would be the greatest producer of methane for retail resale were this to be a commercial product.
2. Contact Information
- List of key contacts at Alfred University
Name |
Function |
Telephone |
|
Terese Vascott |
Center Director |
vascott@alfred.edu |
607-871-2983 |
Alastair Cormack |
Dean, School of Engineering |
cormack@alfred.edu |
607-871-2980 |
Garth Gregor |
Director, Office of Sponsored Research |
gregorg@alfred.edu |
607-871-2128 |
Ken Lotter |
Quality Assurance Manager |
lotterk@verizon.net |
|
Tammara Raub |
Controller/AU Business Office |
|
607-871-2128 |
- Science Advisory Committee
Chad Nelson, Ph.D., SAC Chair
National Environmental Technology Institute (NETI), University of Massachusetts
chnelson@alumni.caltech.edu
Louis Pilato, Ph.D., SAC Vice Chair
Pilato Consulting
Pilato-consulting@worldnet.att.net
Eldred Chimowitz, Ph. D., Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester
chim@che.rochester.edu
Joseph H. Koo, Sc.D. , KAI, Inc., University of Texas, Austin
jkoo@austin.rr.com
William Reinhardt, Sr. Project Manager,
NY State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), R&D Dept.
wwr@nyserda.org
Gunnar Walmet, Director, Industry and Buildings
NY State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
gew@nyserda.org
- Strategic Planning Board
Michele Hluchy
Professor and Chair, Environmental Studies
fhluchy@alfred.edu
James E. Shelby
John F. McMahon Professor of Glass Science, Ceramic Engineering, Materials Science
shelbyje@alfred.edu
Harrie J. Stevens
Director, Center for Glass Research
stevenshj@alfred.edu
Alastair Cormack (ex-officio)
Dean, Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, Van Derck Frechette Professor of Ceramic Science
cormack@alfred.edu
3. Research
Grant no. R-83042001-4
Principal Investigator |
Project |
Start/End |
Budget |
Carty |
Preparation of ceramic glaze waste for recycling using froth flotation. |
2006/2007 |
80,883 |
Carty |
Elimination of lead from ceramic glazes by refractive index tailoring. |
2006/2007 |
80,883 |
Grant no. R-83042001-2
Principal Investigator |
Project |
Start/End |
Budget |
Shelby and Hall |
Photo-enhanced hydrogen diffusion through glass microspheres. |
2004/2005 |
79,495 |
Jones, Shelby, and Cormack |
Nanostructured C6B: a novel boron rich carbon for H2 storage. |
2004/2005 |
79,943 |
Misture |
Interaction of sealing glasses with metallic interconnects in solid oxide and polymer fuel cells. |
2004/2005 |
80,000 |
Grant no. R-83042001-1
Principal Investigator |
Project |
Start/End |
Budget |
Carty and Sinton |
The development of passive humidity-control materials. |
2003/2004 |
52,000 |
Earl and Sinton |
Utilization of paper mill waste in ceramic products. |
2003/2005 |
152,644 |
Earl and Carty |
Material and environmental sustainability in ceramic processing. |
2003/2005 |
148,542 |
Cardinale and DeRosa |
Microarray system for contaminated water analysis. |
2003/2005 |
147,940 |
Grant no. R-83042001-0
Principal Investigator |
Project |
Start/End |
Budget |
Shelby |
Accelerated hydrogen diffusion through glass microspheres. |
2003/2004 |
106,536 |
Undergraduate Summer Research Projects
In March 2005, CEER solicited proposals for undergraduate summer projects with focus on the areas of 1) materials and processes for clean, renewable energy, and 2) improvements in materials efficiency, environmental impact, and recycling. The following eight projects were funded from June through August 2005:
- Characterization and removal of AlN laser slag. (K. Goetschius/A. Meier)
- Development of glass phosphors for white light emitting diodes. (S. Morris/A. Clare)
- Evaluation of microbial community structures and coliform persistence in the Alfred waste water treatment plant reed bed sludge treatment system. (D. Roe/J. Cardinale)
- Low temperature Gd doped CeO2 nano-layer electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells. (P. Willson/V. Amarakoon)
- Recycling of amber glass. (J. Peek/J. Shelby)
- Reduction of hazardous waste at AVX Olean, New York. (H. Schulze/S. Pilgrim)
- Solar absorbing ceramics increasing the efficiency of environmentally friendly energy production. (M. Naylor/D. Edwards)
- Synthesis and characterization of doped iron oxide electrodes for photo assisted electrolysis of water. (S. Sanford/V. Amarakoon)
CEER awarded summer research funding to eight Alfred University students for summer 2004.
- Initiating use of the environmental scanning electron microscope for CEER. (C. Clark/C. Boehlert)
- Construction of a hybrid-renewable energy-efficient home water heating unit. (W. Fabrizio/J. Baghdadchi)
- Electrostatic air filters modifications. (M. Klingensmith/X. Wang)
- Removal of laser slag on AlN via chemical cleaning. (D. Mandich/A. Meier)
- Boron volatilization from borosilicate melts. (M. Snyder/J. Shelby)
- A new disc design containing a charge storage layer for the application of electrical energy generation via wind power. (D. Streib/T. Seward)
- Mechanical properties of lightweight alloys. (I. Szabo/C. Boehlert)
- Development of a microarray system for analysis of contaminated water. (J. Villone/R. DeRosa)
Summer 2003
- Recycling of amber glass. (M. Ashton-Patton/J. Shelby)
- Production of hollow glass microspheres from amber glass frit. (K. Carlson/A. Clare)
- Surface preparation of aluminum nitride for metallization: effect of temperature on surface reactivity. (A. Crawford/A. Meier)
- Recycling of fiberglasses. (A. Hedlund/J. Shelby)
- Alternative energy solutions: coated submersible heating elements and wind energy. (A. Hydrick/J. Baghdadchi)
- Improving the reliability of active metal brazed Cu/AlN: interfacial reaction kinetics and microstructural development between Ag-Cu-Zr braze alloys and AlN. (J. Villone/A. Meier)
Summer 2002
- Fuel processor control. (J. Byrnes/X. Wang)
- Evaluating possible wind turbine sites in Allegany County using GIS and satellite imagery. (C. DeMay/D. Sinton)
- Microstructural analysis of recycled thermoset composites. (G. Gaustad/R. DeRosa)
- Replacement of BeO by AlN and development of an AlN surface preparation method utilizing “green” solvents. (D. Mandich/A. Meier)
- Investigation of the operating characteristics of a manure-fueled engine. (N. Wodka/C. Pian)
Many of these projects were continued as senior or graduate thesis research.
4. Quality Assurance
All Requests for Proposals (RFP) issued from CEER require that research proposals are submitted with a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) which is part of the evaluation/acceptance criteria. CEER’s Quality Assurance Manager reviews/approves the QAPPs prior to the consideration of proposals by CEER’s Science Advisory Committee (SAC). Proposals are not eligible for consideration unless they include a completed and approved QAPP.
Audits/surveillances of project facilities and procedures are conducted at the beginning and end of the research project (and at one year from the start date if the project period is greater than one year) to ensure compliance with the QAPP. CEER’s Quality Assurance Manager conducts an annual Quality System Management Review, usually in late summer, to insure that the Quality System remains effective. The Dean of the School of Engineering, the Center Director, and representatives of the Principal Investigators participate in the meeting.
The Quality Management Plan (March 2006) is included as Appendix I in the Final Center Report.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
II. Summary Discussion of Research
Technical Effectiveness / Economic Feasibility / Environmental Benefits
Hollow glass microspheres (HGMS), developed by Dr. James Shelby, are viable candidate materials for storage of hydrogen and fuel cell applications. Results of the study indicated that hydrogen can be stored and released, with repeatable cycles of saturation-outgassing, in HGMS doped with appropriate absorbing species. Further investigation was focused on the preparation of microspheres from sol-gel derived glass for application in photo-induced diffusion of gases. This work is continuing, through funding from EPA grant no. X-83254101-1 administered by CEER, to demonstrate that HGMS can be used in the recovery and separation of hydrogen from mixed gas streams produced by both renewable and non-renewable sources.
In a study of sealing glasses for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), by Dr. Scott Misture, in-situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT XRD) was employed to characterize the interactions of three sealing glass compositions with six candidate interconnect alloys. The research demonstrated successful use of HT XRD to reveal fundamental phase equilibria, reaction mechanisms, and reaction kinetics, thereby providing basic science to assist in fuel cell and materials compositional design in future research and development work.
Several projects funded by this grant were focused on processing techniques for reusing waste materials, eliminating hazardous materials from the process, or developing reusable products for existing processes. Benefits lie in reducing raw materials requirements, manufacturing waste, and contaminants in the waste stream.
“Material and environmental sustainability in ceramic processing” (PIs: W. Carty, D. Earl), explored techniques to separate glaze components for reuse in whitewares manufacturing. Large amounts of waste water and raw materials are generated in industrial production of colored glazes. The initial investigation, employing hydrocyclone (separation by particle size) technology, while only moderately successful in retrieving usable material, led to continuing research exploiting surface chemistry effects for selective agglomeration and a ‘froth flotation’ separation technique. The research project, “Preparation of ceramic glaze waste for recycling using froth flotation” (PI: W. Carty), achieved 68-69% frit recovery from a frit-pigment-water system by manipulating the pH of the system and the surface charge of the particles. By using a cationic ‘collector’ in conjunction with a non-polar ‘depressant’, the frit was selectively floated to the surface entrained on bubbles, the pigment sank to the bottom of the vessel, and the water appeared particle-free. Repeated flotation, with chemistry adjustments, has the potential to sequentially segregate assorted glaze components after the frit has been removed from the glaze waste.
“Utilization of paper mill waste in ceramic products” (PIs: D. Earl, C. Sinton), identified compositional similarities between paper mill waste and ceramic tile raw materials. The performance of porcelain tile body formulations with variable amounts of paper mill ash waste substituted for traditional raw materials was evaluated in comparison with traditional compositions. The tile bodies developed and tested in this study were not successful, primarily due to compositional variations in the ash waste which contributed to inconsistent properties and poor sintering behavior.
The objective of “Elimination of lead from ceramic glazes by refractive index tailoring” (PI: W. Carty), was to develop a lead-free glaze with the visual appearance of a leaded glaze, thereby reducing the amount of hazardous material in the manufacturing process and in the waste stream. The glossy appearance of a lead-free glaze is generally accepted as inferior to a leaded glaze, even in the absence of measurable quantitative differences. The approach employed in this project was to locally tailor chemical compositions of the barium-containing glaze to develop a refractive-index gradient and surface smoothness that in combination produce the superior optical quality of a leaded glaze. An interfacial glaze layer with no barium was applied to facilitate body-to-glaze interaction, then over-glazed with a barium-containing top layer. The higher melting temperature of the top layer limited diffusion of BaO from the top layer to the interfacial layer, introducing a refractive index gradient from the surface through the glaze. Although the optical effect observed in leaded glazes was not achieved, the study successfully demonstrated that the effect is achievable without lead by tailoring the concentration gradients in the glaze.
Dr. Jean Cardinale and Dr. Rebecca DeRosa directed a study to create a reusable glass miniaturized multianalyte device (microarray) for detection of multiple water microbial contaminants. This device, a physicochemically-tailored flat glass substrate, could replace the traditional enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which employs a non-reusable polystyrene wellplate, generating large amounts of polymer and biologically-contaminated waste, and requires a large volume of expensive high-purity antibodies and consumable reagents. This study identified and characterized candidate glass substrates, developed physicochemical surface treatment protocol to prepare the microarray, and tested for direct binding of antigens. Direct binding assays indicated that the capture antibody was improperly immobilized on the glass surface such that antigen binding did not occur. Further study is underway to fully characterize the glass surface in order to correlate the dependence of antibody binding efficiency with a functionalized surface. This work is continuing, with current CEER funding from EPA Grant No. X-83254101-1: “Microarray system for contaminated water analysis”, J. Cardinale, R. DeRosa, PIs.
III. Final Report Executive Summaries
Project summaries for the investigations listed below are included in Section III of the Final Center Report. The Report Summaries are also posted on EPA’s NCER web site and can be accessed via the link, https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/outlinks.centers/center/145 Exit .
- Accelerated hydrogen diffusion through glass microspheres. (J. Shelby, M. Hall)
- Microarray system for contaminated water analysis. (J. Cardinale, R. DeRosa)
- Material and environmental sustainability in ceramic processing. (W. Carty, D. Earl)
- Utilization of paper mill waste in ceramic products. (D. Earl, C. Sinton)
- Development of passive humidity-control materials. (W. Carty, C. Sinton)
- Interaction of sealing glasses with metallic interconnects in solid oxide and polymer fuel cells. (S. Misture)
- Nanostructured C6B: A novel boron-rich carbon for H2 storage. (L. Jones, A. Cormack, J. Shelby)
- Preparation of glass microspheres from sol-gel derived glass for application in photo-induced diffusion of gases. (J. Shelby, M. Hall)
- Elimination of lead from ceramic glazes by refractive index tailoring. (W. Carty)
- Preparation of ceramic glaze waste for recycling using froth flotation. (W. Carty)
Journal Articles: 6 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other center views: | All 35 publications | 8 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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DeRosa R, Telfeyan E, Gaustad G, Mayes S. Strength and microscopic investigation of unsaturated polyester BMC reinforced with SMC-recyclate. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 2005;18(4):333-349. |
R828737C008 (Final) |
Exit |
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DeRosa RL, Cardinale JA, Cooper A. Functionalized glass substrate for microarray analysis. Thin Solid Films 2007;515(7-8):4024-4031. |
R830420 (Final) R830420C004 (Final) X832541C001 (Final) |
Exit |
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DeRosa R, Gaustad G, Telfeyan E, Mayes JS. Microscopical evaluation of recycled glass-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Microscopy and Analysis 2004;18(5):9-11. |
R830420 (Final) R828737C008 (Final) X832541 (2007) X832541 (Final) |
Exit |
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DeRosa R, Telfeyan E, Mayes JS. Current state of recycling sheet molding compounds and related materials. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 2005;18(3):219-240. |
R830420 (Final) R828737C008 (Final) |
Exit |
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Rapp DB, Shelby JE. Photo-induced hydrogen outgassing of glass. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 2004;349:254-259. |
R830420 (Final) R830420C001 (Final) R830420C006 (Final) |
Exit |
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Schwerzler GI. Recycling of glaze waste through hydrocyclone separation. Powder Technology 2005;160(2):135-140. |
R830420 (Final) |
Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
environmental research, energy research, US EPA NCER, environmental sustainability, ceramic engineering, materials science, ceramic materials for environmental applications, Alfred University,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Sustainable Industry/Business, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Sustainable Environment, Energy, Technology, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, clean energy, energy conservation, clean technologies, cleaner production, sustainable development, environmental conscious construction, green building design, clean manufacturing, energy efficiency, energy technology, alternative energy source, environmentally conscious design, ceramic materialsRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828737C001 Environmental Impact of Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems
R828737C002 Regional Economic and Material Flows
R828737C003 Visualizing Growth and Sustainability of Water Resources
R828737C004 Vibratory Residual Stress Relief and Modifications in Metals to Conserve Resources and Prevent Pollution
R828737C005 Detecting and Quantifying the Evolution of Hazardous Air Pollutants Produced During High Temperature Manufacturing: A Focus on Batching of Nitrate Containing Glasses
R828737C006 Sulfate and Nitrate Dynamics in the Canacadea Watershed
R828737C007 Variations in Subsurface Denitrifying and Sulfate-Reducing Microbial Populations as a Result of Acid Precipitation
R828737C008 Recycling Glass-Reinforced Thermoset Polymer Composite Materials
R828737C009 Correlating Clay Mineralogy with Performance: Reducing Manufacturing Waste Through Improved Understanding
R830420C001 Accelerated Hydrogen Diffusion Through Glass Microspheres: An Enabling Technology for a Hydrogen Economy
R830420C002 Utilization of Paper Mill Waste in Ceramic Products
R830420C003 Development of Passive Humidity-Control Materials
R830420C004 Microarray System for Contaminated Water Analysis
R830420C005 Material and Environmental Sustainability in Ceramic Processing
R830420C006 Interaction of Sealing Glasses with Metallic Interconnects in Solid Oxide and Polymer Fuel Cells
R830420C007 Preparation of Ceramic Glaze Waste for Recycling using Froth Flotation
R830420C008 Elimination of Lead from Ceramic Glazes by Refractive Index Tailoring
R830420C010 Nanostructured C6B: A Novel Boron Rich Carbon for H2 Storage
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.