CETA to Offer Sustainability Seminars

Efforts to live create a sustainable environment can take many forms using science and engineering, such as developing renewable energy, creating eco-municipalities, and more vibrant and livable cities, designing green buildings, and constructing sustainable transportation and water supply infrastructure. Sustainability is an emerging field of study, most frequently used in connection with various biological, human and engineering systems. Its development requires different disciplinary perspectives, but few opportunities for this necessary cross-fertilization of ideas or for sustained discussion about it currently exist.

To create such opportunities, Dr. Clara Fang, assistant professor of Civil, Environmental, Biomedical Engineering, and Dr. Tom Filburn, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering and director of the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium, have organized a College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) Seminar Series on Sustainability. Sponsored by a Sustainability Grant from the Office of the Provost, a series of seminars on various topics related to “Sustainability, Energy, and the Environment” will be offered in the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters, generally one per month. The seminars will be led by CETA faculty and corporate executives.

This series is an opportunity to share knowledge and scientific research with peers and students in a relaxed, informal environment. The seminar leaders will provide about one hour of content with additional time available for questions and discussion (both questions and discussion will be strongly encouraged). The seminars are open to all faculty, staff and students of the University as well as the general public. All CETA graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to attend.

We believe the study of sustainability is both cutting-edge and timely. This seminar series will provide a unique opportunity to advance research on sustainability across disciplinary and professional boundaries and, in particular, to consider its implications for research and practice in lifelong learning.

Below is a list of seminar dates, topics and speakers. The guest speakers have diverse interests and expertise in sustainability as a field of study. They approach it from different disciplinary and professional backgrounds (for example, mechanical, environmental, energy, transportation, education, industry) and with a wide range of experience and expertise. They have begun to address some of the issues noted above from their own perspectives and to explore them in conjunction with other colleagues in the University, in industry, and in government.
Seminar Series Schedule

• On Thursday, October 15, 2009, from 12:15- 1:50p.m., in Mali I, Dr. Cy Yavuzturk, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering, will lead a discussion of Net Zero Energy Buildings.
• On Thursday, November 12, 2009, from 12:15 to 1:50p.m., in Mali I, James Fuller, professor of Architecture, will lead a discussion of Architecture and the Environment.
• On Thursday, December 3, 2009, from 12:15 to 1:50p.m., in Mali I, Dr. David Pines, associate professor of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering, will lead a discussion of Sustainable Water Supplies.
• On Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 12:15 to 1:50 p.m., in Mali II, Dr. Thomas Filburn, associate professor of Mechanical and biomedical Engineering, will lead a discussion on Campus Energy Use and Renewable Potential.
• On Thursday, March 4, 2010, from 12:15 to 1:50 p.m., in Mali II, Dr. Clara Fang, assistant professor of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering, will lead a discussion on Sustainable Transportation.
• On Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 12:15 to 1:50 p.m., in Mali II, Dr. Lou Manzione, dean of CETA, will lead a discussion on Cyberspace and Inner Space as Facilitators of Sustainability.
• On Thursday, April 29, 2010, from 12:15 to 1:50 p.m., in Mali II, Mike Ahern, vice president of Northeast Utilities, will lead a discussion.

The event is co-sponsored by the Office of Provost’s Sustainability Grant and the student chapters of ASME and SWE. Light refreshments will be served. CETA hopes that many people, whether faculty, staff, students, or community members, will attend these important discussions.