Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World articles from March 2005

Resource: Engineering & Technology for a Sustainable World archives from March 2005

Process developed for cotton residue.(Update)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Virginia Tech researchers are working on technologies that could create a new industry in the state's cotton-growing region. "Our goal is to add value to the cotton crop by using the residue from cotton to make a valuable product," says...

Space helps kids learn about agriculture.(Update)
March 1, 2005... Researchers at the University of Florida are trying to teach sixth- and seventh-grade students to think about agriculture by asking them to imagine how astronauts would feed themselves on a mission to Mars. "It's hard to find a child who...

Food-grade starch put to new industrial use.(Update)(plastic films)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A technique for changing the water repellency of plastic films using coatings of steam-jet-cooked starch has been developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Among the reasons for using this process is to improve plastic's...

Tool helps reduce soil erosion in China.(Update)(geographic information systems)
March 1, 2005... Oregon State University (OSU) researchers working with the People's Republic of China have developed a Web-based, Geographic Information System mapping tool they hope will help solve the massive loss of topsoil on high elevation plateaus in...

Making plastics from oranges.(Update)
March 1, 2005... A Cornell University research group has made a sweet and environmentally beneficial discovery--how to make plastics from citrus fruits, such as oranges, and carbon dioxide. Geoffrey Coates, a Cornell professor of chemistry and chemical...

Latin America shows rise in published science and engineering articles.(Update)
March 1, 2005... The number of science and engineering (S&E) articles credited to Latin American authors almost tripled in the 13-year period from 1988-2001, significantly outpacing authors of other developing regions in the world. The output of Latin American...

Plant extract may impact energy and health research.(Update)(mimosa)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The mimosa tree is a virulent, hardy, and invasive plant. If the plant-based research of two University of Arkansas engineers bears fruit, extract from the mimosa may invade both the energy and pharmaceutical industries. Mimosa extract is...

Web map shows Sri Lanka damage.(Update)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Kinniya Hospital on the east coast of Sri Lanka was destroyed by the Dec. 26 tsunami. It was just one of many buildings poorly prepared for an actual disaster. Scientists and engineers will be studying damage sites all over the island to...

Organic potato breakthrough.(Update)
March 1, 2005... Shoppers throughout Europe are enjoying a greater variety of organic potatoes at more affordable prices, thanks to researchers who have completed a major international study called Blight-MOP. The project involved 13 partners in Europe. ...

Globetrotting to tool up: the Italian farm and gardening equipment show.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... The 35th anniversary edition of the EIMA--the annual Italian farm and gardening extravaganza--was one of the largest and best I have attended. Several changes to the previous years' format simplified the exhibition for visitors. ...

Bringing fallacies to light: debunking radiation-measurement misconceptions for plant photosynthesis.
March 1, 2005... Measuring radiation is one of the requirements for ensuring that acceptable or optimal plant photosynthesis--and thus crop growth--is attained in controlled-environment greenhouse, growth-chamber, photobioreactor or plant-factory production...

Harnessing on-shore wave energy: a case study from Waipapa, New Zealand.
March 1, 2005... The need for renewable energy is fast-becoming essential in today's world energy market. The world needs a source of energy that will last longer than our limited supply of fossil fuels. Pollution is also an issue, and many environmentalist...

Tender or tough? Developing a meat tenderness biosensor.
March 1, 2005... The meat industry has been trying to develop a value-based marketing system that will reward producers for supplying desirable products to the consumer. Tenderness is a major factor in consumer satisfaction of beef, and consumers are willing to...

Make plans now for the ASAE Annual International Meeting in Tampa, Florida, July 17-20, 2005.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... With diverse technical sessions and tours, a dynamic keynote presentation, and a broad selection of timely continuing education opportunities, the 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting has much to offer. Add to all of that the meeting's...

Member interaction of all ages is a positive Society goal.(A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT)
March 1, 2005... I think all would agree that increased interaction between younger and older members is a positive goal for our Society. Our younger members tend to look at the profession with fresh perspectives, energy, and enthusiasm. Our older members have...

Foundation Fun Day will provide plenty of socializing.(FOUNDATION)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A day of fun is planned for Saturday, July 16, preceding the 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting in Tampa, Fla. This year's Foundation Fun Day includes a round of golf and an evening dinner dance at the Florida Aquarium. The day's activities...

Stay involved and active within ASAE through YPC.(YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2005... If you are 34 years of age or younger and are not a preprofessional member, join the YPC and interact with your peers who share some of the same career challenges and rewards you do. The YPC is a group that promotes young professional...

Highlights of the NABEC 2004 Conference.(Inside ASAE)(Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering )
March 1, 2005... The 15th Annual Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference (NABEC) was held June 27-30, 2004 at the Nittany Lion Inn on the Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus. Local arrangements team headed by Paul...

ASAE Technical Library.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... Check out the latest additions to the ASAE Technical Library: * New Proceedings: Automation Technology for Off-Road Equipment * More 2004 ASAE/CSAE Annual International Meeting Papers * Transactions of the ASAE, Vol. 47, Issue 6 ...

Membership benefits end April 1 for those who don't renew.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... April 1 is the end of the line for members who have not renewed their dues for 2005. That's it. We pull the plug. No more access to online benefits such as the ASAE Technical Library and Technical Expertise Database searches. No more Resource...

Thanks for the referrals.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... We wish to extend a big THANK YOU to the following members who recruited new members in 2004! We greatly appreciate your efforts. Remember--anytime you refer someone who then joins ASAE and lists you as the referral, you will receive a $20 ASAE...

Puerto Rico section donates to ASAE centennial.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... ASAE members in Puerto Rico, led by Megh R. Goyal, P.E., have signed a resolution of intent to donate $2,500 to ASAE's 100th Celebration at $100 per year of existence of the Puerto Rico Section. The Section will celebrate its Silver Jubilee in...

Deadline nears for Hydrology and Management Conference.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... The call for papers for the International Conference on Hydrology and Management of Forested Wetlands is April 1, 2005. This conference is being held in New Bern, N.C., April 8-12, 2006. For more information visit...

Call for Fellow nominations.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... Nominations for 2006 Fellows are due April 15, 2005. Newly streamlined procedures now make it easier than ever to nominate a colleague. Please refer to the online instructions and nomination form, which can be found at...

2005 Blue Ribbon Educational Aids awards: entries due April 22.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... Blue Ribbon Educational Aids are presented each year by ASAE in recognition of outstanding effort and achievement in the development of noteworthy educational aids. The competition encourages agricultural and biological engineers in...

Looking for some "easy money?" Enter the 2005 Poster Competition.(PREPROFESSIONALS)
March 1, 2005... How many of you are hard at work on your senior design projects? Don't you wish there was more than just a grade for all your hard work? Well, your wish just came true. You can win money, not just a grade, for all that time and effort by...

ASAE welcomes international student branch.(PREPROFESSIONALS)
March 1, 2005... We are pleased to announce the creation of our newest ASAE student branch at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. The branch was approved by the Membership Development Council in December 2004. ASAE student branches promote...

International Preprofessional Council holds winter retreat at headquarters.(PREPROFESSIONALS)
March 1, 2005... The International Preprofessional Council recently held their officer winter retreat in St. Joseph, Mich., and had the opportunity to visit ASAE headquarters and talk with staff members. "The retreat provided an excellent opportunity to...

Apply now for ASAE scholarships, awards, and competitions.(PREPROFESSIONALS)
March 1, 2005... There is still time for you to apply for the preprofessional scholarships, awards, and competitions listed below. You may apply for more than one scholarship as long as all requirements are met. Only one scholarship will be awarded to any one...

Standards process training online.(STANDARDS)
March 1, 2005... Over the past several years, the ASAE Standardization Procedures have undergone some significant changes. For example, there is an entirely new Project Proposal Form to fill out for new standards and new revisions. Also, people who ballot...

ASAE Fellow, John W. Hummel, P.E.(MEMBER NEWS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... ASAE Fellow, John W. Hummel, P.E., retired Dec. 31, 2004 after 28 years as an agricultural engineer with the USDA-ARS. Since 2000, Hummel has been with the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Mo. From 1976 to 2000 he...

John C. Brach.(MEMBER NEWS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... John C. Brach, State Conservation Engineer for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in St. Paul, Minn., has been selected as the 2005 NRCS Federal Engineer of the Year. The award is sponsored by the National Society of Professional...

Wayne Coates, P.E.(MEMBER NEWS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Wayne Coates, P.E., began a three-year term in September 2004 on the Executive Committee of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Coates is a research professor at the University of...

ASAE Fellow, E. Stanley Shepardson.(IN MEMORIAM)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2005... ASAE Fellow, E. Stanley Shepardson, 91, died Dec. 10, 2004 at Hospice of Ithaca, New York. His passion for things mechanical led him to Cornell University and the Agricultural Engineering Department. He graduated in 1936 and started working...

Welcome new members.(Inside ASAE)
March 1, 2005... ASAE welcomes the following new members who joined the Society, reinstated a lapsed membership, or upgraded to full membership from student/preprofessional membership in December and January. A warm welcome to all these members. New...

Events calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... ASAE Conferences and International Meetings To receive more information about ASAE conferences and meetings, contact the Meetings Department at 800-371-2723 or hq@asae.org. For the complete list, see www.asae.org/resource/asaevents.html....

Earthquake safety: a unique opportunity for ASAE members.(Last Word)
March 1, 2005... The recent catastrophe in Indonesia reminds us of our continuing vulnerability to earthquakes. As enormous as the loss of life has been in the still unfolding tragedy, there have been more than 10 earthquakes with greater loss of life, and the...