Integrating knowledge accross disciplines. Experiences from the NeWater project

The starting question for this deliverable was how to create a new adaptive management concept that can integrate insights from various disciplines and connect people from different institutional backgrounds. From literature research and empirical research on the NeWater project we identified challenges for cross-disciplinary knowledge integration, we evaluated interventions for connecting multiple knowledge frames, we analyzed the process of group model building with UML and formulated recommendations. Cross-disciplinary research has arisen from a growing number of complex problems for which knowledge of a single scientific discipline or societal field is insufficient, but presents important challenges: (1) collaboration and integration of knowledge requires in depth discussions that are timeconsuming; (2) the recursive process of problem structuring and restructuring is often at odds with the sequential planning of project activities; (3) participation and mutual learning are crucial but need to be carefully structured and sequenced; and (4) management and leadership faces the difficult challenge of balancing in depth exploration with timely delivery of tangible results. We conclude with the following general recommendations for large cross-disciplinary projects: (1) including a preparatory proposal phase for thorough exploration of opportunities of between researchers and stakeholders (2) flexible funding, planning and operational arrangements to allow for a recursive research process; (3) a project size that allows frequent interaction opportunities between researchers and between researchers and stakeholders to allow for mutual learning and in depth exploration; and (4) enhancing learning opportunities from one project to the next

Project knowledge into project practice: generational issues in the knowledge management process

This paper considers Learning and Knowledge Transfer within the project domain. Knowledge can be a tenuous and elusive concept, and is challenging to transfer within organizations and projects. This challenge is compounded when we consider generational differences in the project and the workplace. This paper looks at learning, and the transfer of that generated knowledge. A number of tools and frameworks have been considered, together with accumulated extant literature. These issues have been deliberated through the lens of different generational types, focusing on the issues and differences in knowledge engagement and absorption between Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y/Millennials. Generation Z/Centennials have also been included where appropriate. This is a significant issue in modern project and organizational structures. Some recommendations are offered to assist in effective knowledge transfer across generational types.Accepted manuscrip

Waste Cooking Oil-to-Biodiesel Conversion for Institutional Vehicular Applications

Biodiesel is a renewable, sustainable, clean-burning biogenic fuel that can serve as a substitute for conventional ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Biodiesel is comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids and is produced via transesterification, whereby glycerin is separated from the fatty acid component of either an oil or fat. The full process yields the fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel fuel) and glycerin, an economically valuable by-product. As part of a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Showcase Communities Grant to Monroe County, New York and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS) was engaged to develop a closed-loop biodiesel production process system using the food service waste cooking oil stocks. Because the waste oil feedstock supply and fuel demand are internal within the institution, the system dynamics, economic feasibility, and environmental benefits versus the incumbent ultra-low sulfur diesel can be effectively quantified. Along with establishing quantitative metrics associated with quality of the fuel itself, the main goal of this part of a broader research program included utilizing the biodiesel fuel for campus vehicular applications. Ultimately, developing a robust waste-to-energy process within the system boundaries of the institution is the desired outcome, along with economic valuation, emissions testing, fuel quality metrics and standardization, life cycle assessment, and energy return on investment for the university\u27s stakeholders. Through the execution of this project, two successful biodiesel batches were produced which met American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) quality standards for vehicle use. Lower heating value (LHV) measurement demonstrated comparable embodied energy content to earlier published data. In addition, cloud point measurements were taken to understand the performance of the fuel in cold weather conditions, and these metrics were also consistent with published data for biodiesel fuels. Through direct measurements of exhaust gas composition, overall reductions in greenhouse gas emissions were observed in two test vehicles. However, consistent with published data, there is evidence that emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx) may be higher with a 20% biodiesel blend (B20), depending on the specific vehicle and the type of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve technology employed. According to a life cycle assessment conducted on the closed-loop biodiesel production process, the cumulative energy demand (CED) was 752 MJ/100 km and the global warming potential (GWP) was 80.6 kg CO2-eq./100 km. Crude oil-based diesel contributes the most to the energy and environmental impact to the total combustion CED and GWP of a B20 fuel mixture, while the methanol component contributes the greatest energy and environmental impact to just the biodiesel component. The energy return on investment (EROI) was determined to vary depending on specific waste oil properties and processing conditions, with a value of 4.16 determined to be most representative of the developed conversion process. This demonstrates that waste cooking oil biodiesel production at RIT is net energy positive, and thus can reasonably contribute to the University\u27s renewable energy and GHG emissions reduction goals. The closed-loop biodiesel process also presented a compelling economic case, with a total computed cost of $3.35/gallon (including a conservative estimate for production labor) well lower than the reported national prices of B100 at retail market

Perspective study: governance for C2C

This perspective study will serve as frame of reference for follow-up activities and exchanges both within and outside the Cradle to Cradle Network (C2CN) and it aims to reflect the current challenges and opportunities associated with implementing a Cradle to Cradle approach. In total, four perspective studies have been written, in the areas on industry, area spatial development, governance and on the build theme

Investigating the role of model-based reasoning while troubleshooting an electric circuit

We explore the overlap of two nationally-recognized learning outcomes for physics lab courses, namely, the ability to model experimental systems and the ability to troubleshoot a malfunctioning apparatus. Modeling and troubleshooting are both nonlinear, recursive processes that involve using models to inform revisions to an apparatus. To probe the overlap of modeling and troubleshooting, we collected audiovisual data from think-aloud activities in which eight pairs of students from two institutions attempted to diagnose and repair a malfunctioning electrical circuit. We characterize the cognitive tasks and model-based reasoning that students employed during this activity. In doing so, we demonstrate that troubleshooting engages students in the core scientific practice of modeling.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables; Submitted to Physical Review PE

Teaching control with Basic Maths: Introduction to Process Control course as a novel educational approach for undergraduate engineering programs

In this article, we discuss a novel education approach to control theory in undergraduate engineering programs. In particular, we elaborate on the inclusion of an introductory course on process control during the first years of the program, to appear right after the students undergo basic calculus and physics courses. Our novel teaching proposal comprises debating the basic elements of control theory without requiring any background on advanced mathematical frameworks from the part of the students. The methodology addresses, conceptually, the majority of the steps required for the analysis and design of simple control systems. Herein, we thoroughly detail this educational guideline, as well as tools that can be used in the classroom. Furthermore, we propose a cheap test-bench kit and an open-source numerical simulator that can be used to carry out experiments during the proposed course. Most importantly, we also assess on how the Introduction to process control course has affected the undergraduate program on Control and Automation Engineering at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC, Brazil). Specifically, we debate the outcomes of implementing our education approach at UFSC from 2016 to 2023, considering students' rates of success in other control courses and perspectives on how the chair helped them throughout the course of their program. Based on randomised interviews, we indicate that our educational approach has had good teaching-learning results: students tend to be more motivated for other control-related subjects, while exhibiting higher rates of success.Comment: 55 pages, 13 figures, Screening at the Journal of Control, Automation and Electrical System

Somatics, creativity, and choreography: creative cognition in somatics-based contemporary dance

This doctoral thesis will comprise an in-depth, multidisciplinary and mixed methods research project examining creativity in Somatics-based choreographic practices. The project draws on methodologies from phenomenology, ethnography, close reading, grounded theory, and thematic analysis. It involved data collected from three well-known Somatics practitioners who embody a professional hybridity as artists, authors, and Somatic Movement Educators—Sandra Reeve, Andrea Olsen, and Miranda Tufnell—and who each use their somatic practice as instrumental in their choreography. Each practitioner utilises different Somatics modalities (Move into Life, Authentic Movement, Embodied Anatomy, Alexander Technique, among others) in various settings (higher education, community arts, professional practice, etc.), which provides an international (US and UK) and cross modality scope to examine shared ideologies within Somatics. Data was collected in a semi-structured, open-ended interview process, participant observation of workshops and intensives delivered by the artists, and a close reading of their published texts. It was analysed for emergent shared themes. I posit that these themes identify connections between the identification, definition, and facilitation of creativity within Somatics-based choreographic practice and cognitive psychological theories of creativity. I identify shared elements of the pedagogical environment and argue that they facilitate the development of a refined perceptual ability. This perceptual expertise is presented as a change-agent in facilitating both novelty in movement generation and the generation of meaning, allowing for a discerning, selective retention of this movement material in giving form to that meaning choreographically. Situating the processes within the Interacting Cognitive Subsystems model and theories of embodied cognition, I then propose a philosophical audit-trace of the ways in which this meaning and expertise is developed cognitively in somatic practices, and how that expertise may allow for novelty and creativity in choreography. The research closes with a discussion of implications of my proposal, how understanding these pathways might be instrumental in shaping dance pedagogy to facilitate dancers’ creativity, and what directions this theory produces for future research

Towards achieving Zero Liquid Discharge in process industry

Fresh water is invaluable in supporting life on Earth. It is scarce, cheap, and exploited. A number of initiatives have been taken to reduce the consumption of fresh water, particularly in agricultural and residential situations. In industry, much focus has been placed on pollution control and wastewater minimisation, however attention to source protection and water minimisation is nominal. The ultimate goal of any water management program is achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). This research argues that with a current focus on pollution control and wastewater minimisation, ZLD is not attainable. Protection of water sources has recently been identified as the most critical issue preventing sustainability of industrial water management. It is also given the least attention. This thesis argues that incorporating water auditing and water conservation programs into industrial water management programs is a crucial step towards achieving water source protection and ultimately in achieving zero liquid discharge. A water audit of key water using operations at the BP Refinery in Kwinana has been undertaken to test this hypothesis. The BP Oil Refinery in Kwinana is an example of an industry which has received much attention for its excellent practice in water management. BP has almost halved its total water consumption from 7ML/day in 1996 to 4ML/day in 2007. It has developed employee awareness-raising programs, on-site recycling and reuse of wastewater and is now in the final stages of using recycled domestic wastewater as a key water source, expected to minimise fresh water consumption even further. Despite this, detailed analysis of the major water uses at the refinery show a number of poor management practices and severe wastages of water. In assessing the whole of refinery water use in Chapter 2, we see that poor record keeping and meter reading is commonplace. Major leaks are left unattended and information about major water-loss incidents is often unavailable. In Chapters 3-5 we look more closely at specific water using operations within the refinery. The refinery steam system is one of the largest fresh water users on site and has been commended for its steam trap survey program and the development of condensate return infrastructure, increasing the percentage of condensate returned from 32% in 1998 to a condensate return target of 50% in 2007. Despite this, major losses still occur in the steam system and turnaround time for fixing major leaks can take years. Simple measures can improve the condensate return rate from 50%-75% quite easily, but there are few incentives for the refinery to invest in such a program which offers diminishing returns. The use of water in process units is enormous, particularly the use of scheme water in the Residue Cracking Unit. A number of available tools and techniques, particularly water pinch and water optimisation tools, are widely recognised to reduce water use on such units but have not been investigated at BP. Many water losses on process units occur because of poor operator management and a focus on increasing efficiency of feed throughput which offers the refinery the greatest financial return. Another inefficient water user in the process category is the Waste Management Area Land Farm. The land farm is irrigated to keep the moisture content of waste high. The exceptionally large volumes of water used in this area can be easily reduced, however costs are considered too high. Finally we assess other uses of water at the refinery. Other uses include commercial and domestic uses, safety showers and the staff carwash. Because of the extraordinary volumes of water used in the refining process, these other uses are considered comparatively insignificant. Practically no water efficiency measures have been taken at this level, and enormous wastages of high quality water are witnessed through our case study of the staff carwash. The carwash is an enormous water waste which uses scheme water once before it is discharged to the sewer. Each of these case studies shows major inefficiencies in current water management at a number of levels at the BP Refinery in Kwinana. It is important not to forget that this refinery has been recognised for its excellence as a leader in water management not only in the Kwinana Industrial Area but also in the global oil refining industry. This reflects the inherent flaws in water management throughout industry. Chapter 6 assesses management implications associated with reducing water use on site and applies these principles and concepts to industry in general. The most significant barriers to closing industrial water loops were found to be neglect of protection of water sources and larger focus on pollution prevention and wastewater minimisation; misconceptions about the true value of water; and poor regulatory drivers to reduce water use. A paradigm shift in industrial water management to incorporate a more holistic approach is required if water scarcity is to be seriously addressed by industry