Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World articles from April 2001

Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World archives from April 2001

International relations strengthen ASAE.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... I am impressed with the recommendation of the International Commission of the ASAE Membership Development Council (see Resource, February 2001, page 18). I support the general principles on which the recommendations are based. I believe that...

FAO: domestic breeds face extinction.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Each week the world loses two breeds of domestic animal diversity, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports in its third edition of World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity. Over the past decade, FAO has...

Airborne nitrogen hurts U.S. estuaries.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Nitrogen in rain and airborne particles contributes up to 35 percent of nitrogen to coastal streams that flow into U.S. estuaries, a new study shows. The report is a joint project of the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanographic...

PNNL cooks up ultrasound recipe.(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a way to help food processors solve sticky, gooey or lumpy problems by adding some ultrasound to the mix. "... we've developed...

Solid oxide fuel cell breaks record.(by Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp., )
April 1, 2001... Touted as the world's longest running fuel cell, a 100-kilowatt unit has completed its test program in The Netherlands. The solid oxide fuel cell, built by Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp., started in December 1997 at a Netherlands power...

Touching plants may alter their future.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... A team of ecologists has discovered that touching plants in the field may alter the chance that insects will feed on their leaves. This result could change the way future studies are conducted. Researchers involved in the project are...

Fern absorbs arsenic from soil.
April 1, 2001... University of Florida (UF) researchers say they have discovered a fern that soaks up arsenic from contaminated soil. The plant hyperaccumulates arsenic -- a carcinogenic heavy metal often used as an herbicide. The fern may help clean sites...

Tobacco budworm resistant to Bt.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... How does a tobacco bud worm develop resistance to Bt? ARS research physiologist Marcia Loeb of the Insect Biocontrol Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., may be closer to answering that question, based on tests she conducted on budworm cells. ...

Just say "no" -- till.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... More U.S. farmers are using no-till practices for their crops, a recent survey shows. The 2000 Crop Residue Management Survey by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), collects information from each county in the United...

No-Till Adoption in the United States 1990-2000.(table)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... No-Till Adoption in the United States 1990-2000 Acres in Millions 1990 16.8 1992 28.1 1994 38.9 1996 42.9 1998 47.8 2000 50.8

Empowering Equipment.(Caterpillar Inc.)
April 1, 2001... Agricultural machines become more "intelligent" Editor's note: This article is based on a speech made by Macier at the Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC) 2001 sponsored by ASAE in February in Louisville, Ky. To most...

Shared Vision.(engineer volunteers)
April 1, 2001... Agricultural/biological engineers donate time, skills to help others In November 2000, Joe Bunn, an agricultural engineer from South Carolina who has worked in agricultural extension for more than 30 years, departed on a new adventure. ...

Spread the Word.(fertilizing technology)
April 1, 2001... Companies should improve recommended settings for lawn care devices Homeowners and grounds maintenance professionals depend on spreader and/or granular product manufacturers to provide accurate spreader setting recommendations for lawn...

Clamping Down on Compost.(fertilizer pollution solution)
April 1, 2001... Recycling method reduces fertilizer pollution, builds carbon sink Worldwide, farmers spend billions of dollars annually on mineral fertilizers. Lowest estimates show that more than 40 percent of nitrate fertilizers used in agriculture leach...

Farm equipment to harvest less sales for 2001.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The Equipment Manufacturers Institute's (EMI) "2001 State of the Ag Industry Outlook" forecasts a downturn in U.S. retail farm tractor and self propelled combine sales for 2001. Total wheel tractor sales are predicted to decrease 2.8...

INDUSTRY U.S. RETAIL SALES FORECAST TRACTORS AND COMBINES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... INDUSTRY U.S. RETAIL SALES FORECAST TRACTORS AND COMBINES Farm Wheel Tractors U.S. Retail Sales - Actual and Forecast (Full Year) 1998-2001 1998 1999 Jan. - Dec. ...

Mad cow disease warrants EU action.(European Union)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture Franz Fischler recently warned EU agriculture ministers about increasing panic over the possible spread of mad cow disease (BSE), the European Commission says. "The crisis on the beef market...

Mock factory teaches hands-on lessons.(in the manufacturing processes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... No lectures, books, papers or exams in Management 669 -- Manufacturing Practice and Models. Students experience the manufacturing process from raw materials and inventory to machining, manufacturing, testing and shipping. Student teams de...

New program aims to meet forestry needs.(University of Maine)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... A new degree program at the University of Maine could provide students with a science-based education while meeting industry needs for knowledge able forest operations professionals. The Forest Operations Science Program will be available...

Ethanol supplies runneth over in 2000.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2001... The Renewable Fuels Association reports that the domestic ethanol industry set all-time annual and monthly production records during 2000. Data released by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration shows that the...

ISNAR biotechnology service -- www.cgiar.org/isnar/activitiesibs/index.htm.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) is based in The Netherlands and offers a summary of research topics an links to relevant sites related to agricultural biotechnology.

3-A Sanitary Standards Program -- www.3-A.org.(International Association of Food Industry Suppliers and the international Association for Food Protection Web sit to promote sanitation in dairy and food systems)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The International Association of Food Industry Suppliers and the international Association for Food Protection offer this site to promote awareness of and distribute standards online. The 3-A Program formulates standards and practices for the...

Online population and environment linkages service popenvironment.org.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The National Council for Science and the Environment sponsors this site with links to books and articles from reports, journals, newspapers and other sources with information related to human population and the environment.

New Fund Honors Russell H. Hahn.(American Society of Association Executives)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The ASAE Foundation announces a new fund in honor of Russell H. Hahn who retired in 1999 from ASAE after more than 30 years of exemplary service as the Society's director of standards. Hahn's accomplished career was dedicated to developing...

ASAE Annual International Meeting.(American Society of Agricultural Engineers)
April 1, 2001... "2001: An Engineering Odyssey" * July 28 to Aug. 1 * Sacramento, California, USA Hello Preprofessionals! Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about the Annual International Meeting. Ask anyone who attended last year and...

Quarter-Scale Tractor Pull Competition Continues to Grow.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... ASAE's fourth annual Quarter-Scale Tractor National Student Design Competition is scheduled for June 1 through June 3 at the Quad City Downs in East Moline, Ill. Each team is provided a 16-horsepower (12 kW) Briggs & Stratton Vanguard...

Board Selects Four Funds for Special Consideration.(American Society of Agricultural Engineers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... During its December 2000 meeting, the ASAE Foundation Board of Trustees selected the following funds for your special charitable consideration: The ASAE Future Fund is for the use of the Society to meet special immediate or long-term needs that...

Spring has Sprung.(American Society of Agricultural Engineers International Meeting, Sacramento)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... ASAE President Harmon Towne, Brock Mfg. Here we are in the spring of the true first year of the new millennium. Winter is over and once again everyone is thinking of what they want to do to enjoy this great universe. For many that may...

Laing New ASAE Journal Editor.(American Society of Agricultural Engineers appoints Glenn Laing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Glenn Laing has joined ASAE headquarters as editor of Transactions of ASAE and the Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. He replaces Pam DeVore Hansen as editor. Laing graduated from Western Michigan University with a master's degree...

Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium May 21-23, 2001, Louisville, Kentucky.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Experts from around the world will focus on the aspects of livestock production influenced by their environment at the Sixth International Livestock Environment Symposium. The symposium will be held at the historic Galt House Hotel in...

Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC) 2001.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC) 2001 was held at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, Ky. Feb. 11 to 13. Once again, AETC was a great success! The conference provided an opportunity for more than 310 engineering...

MEMBER NEWS.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Jacek A. Koziel, assistant professor of environmental engineering, has joined the faculty at the Texas A&MUniversity Agricultural Research and Extension Center. His research and education efforts are focused on agricultural air quality. ...

IN MEMORIAM.(Elwyn S. Holmes)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
April 1, 2001... Elwyn S. Holmes, P.E., 78, of Mount Sterling, Ky, died Jan. 22, 2001. A 57-year member of ASAE, Holmes was retired from the Cooperative Extension Service after a long-time career in the agricultural engineering profession. His career included...

CLARIFICATION.(Correction Notice)
April 1, 2001... The e-mail address listed for Randy L. Raper in "Less Tillage Means Reduced Costs" on page 4 in the February 2001 issue should have been: rlraper@eng.auburn.edu.

148-page PC Systems Handbook.
April 1, 2001... 148-page PC Systems Handbook combines a buyer's guide, a how-to handbook and a special interest catalog. Charts compare specifications and tutorials put the experience of CyberResearch's engineers to work for the reader. The handbook provides...

Model 721 Signal Conditioning Instrument.(measures mechanical, fluid power by S. Himmelstein and Co.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2001... Model 721 Signal Conditioning Instrument is for measuring and readout of mechanical and fluid power to determine shaft power, fluid power and drawbar power. A noise immune amplifier conditions the strain gage input. Transducer calibration and...

P720.(hydraulic power unit by Hydronic Corp.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2001... P720 is a self-contained, off-the-shelf, air-driven hydraulic power unit, that operates single-acting cylinders, clamps and work supports. Pumping action starts by turning the hand wheel one-quarter turn. This movement also closes the oil path...

Unigas 2000.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Unigas 2000 is a hand-held flue gas analyzer created for combustion analysis, boiler tuning and complementary auxiliary testing. Oxygen and carbon monoxide concentrations are read by two electrochemical sensors. The values, together with the...

Greenline Mk2.(multi measurement flue gas analyzer by TTI Inc.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2001... Greenline Mk2 is a multi-measurement apparatus for analyzing flue gas in the heating and power industries, industrial plants, chemical processing, technical monitoring, servicing, environmental protection or any situation where emissions must...

CeramPump[R].(precision meter pumps by Fluid Metering Inc.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2001... CeramPump[R] precision metering pumps and dispensers for molecular biology and genome research feature one moving part and an inert ceramic and fluorocarbon fluid path for precision fluid control of buffers, organic solvents, amino acids, and...

PAN-CODE[TM] Thermal Transfer Labels.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... PAN-CODE[TM] Thermal Transfer Labels are suitable for a wide range of applications including wire marking, bar code labeling and shipment tracking. They are available in a variety of types, sizes and materials including self-laminating vinyl...

Multi-Axis Linear Motor Positioning Systems.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Multi-Axis Linear Motor Positioning Systems provide smooth motion and eliminate bearing jitter, providing maxi mum velocities up to 3 meters per second. For step and scan PC board inspection, linear motor systems provide constant velocity...

New 4-color, 4-page bulletin.(DH series digital hydraulic testers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... New 4-color, 4-page bulletin details DH series digital hydraulic testers. More than 15 models are available for hydraulic fluid flows ranging from 0.03 to 350 gallons per minute at pressures to 7,000 pounds per square inch. The bulletin...

CTR 2000 Series Counters.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... CTR 2000 Series Counters handle a range of tough engineering applications. The CTR2000 series consists of five models. Each fits a 1/8 DIN cutout. For tight spaces it extends 3.24 inches behind the front panel. It has a non-volatile EEPROM to...

Perspectives on the Future.(agriculture in the U.S.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The 20th century represents a period of tremendous change. World populations more than tripled to 6 billion. The U.S. population grew at a similar rate to today's 280 million. During the same time, the number of U.S. farmers decreased from...