San Antonio Condensate Collection and Use Manual for Commercial Buildings

Condensate is an inherent byproduct of building HVAC systems. Since condensate is formed from moisture in the air, it is relatively high-quality water. Therefore, it can be collected and used on-site with relatively little treatment. Using condensate conserves municipal water and lowers energy costs associated with the municipal collection, treatment, and distribution of water that would otherwise be consumed. Collecting condensate from commercial building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems is relatively simple. Using condensate for on-site applications offers a potentially quick return on investment, especially in hot and humid climates. To help increase the implementation of condensate use, this manual was created as a guide for building managers, architects, engineers, and facility personnel to facilitate the comprehensive evaluation, design, and implementation of a condensate collection and use system for commercial buildings in San Antonio

Mobile Design Stations and Teaching Walls

A versatile, robust, and mobile design station can be economically constructed by integrating off-the shelf components with a clever custom framework. Ten such design stations are performing wonderfully in the new Center for Sciences and Innovation at Trinity University. Each unit supports the engineering design process from brainstorming and prototype design through construction and testing. The unit includes a permanent whiteboard, a removable white board, a flat-screen display, power outlets, data ports, storage (for tools, supplies, and student back packs) and a compartment to house electronic equipment hardwired into the unit. All this and a custom worktable for under $15,000. A similarly constructed teaching wall was created for under$18,000

Quality of Condensate from Air-Handling Units

Areas with humid climates, such as Georgia, are currently experiencing a severe drought. Collecting condensate from large AHUs for on-site use is compelling, but how do you assess the quality of this water? The authors discuss how condensate from properly maintained large AHUs is high-quality water. They go on to explain how system design and maintenance affect its quality, and they give the readers guidance for how to use the condensate for on-site application

Study of the Chemical and Physical Influences upon in Vitro Peptide-Mediated Silica Formation

Herein, we report on the ability to create complex 2-D and 3-D silica networks in vitro via polycationic peptide-mediated biosilicification under experimentally altered chemical and physical influences. These structures differ from the sphere-like silica network of particles obtained in vitro under static conditions. Under chemical influences, overall morphologies were observed to shift from a characteristic network of sphere-like silica particles to a sheetlike structure in the presence of −OH groups from additives and to sharp-edged, platelike structures in the presence of larger polycationic peptide matrixes. Under physical influences, using externally applied force fields, overall silica morphologies were observed to transition from sphere-like to fiberlike and dendrite-like structures. These findings could lead to the future development of bio-inspired complex 2-D and 3-D silica micro- and nano-devices