The following research projects have been supported by the HMC Center for Environmental Studies:
Summer 2005:
“Developing Multiple Alternative Energy Solutions to Meet Tomorrow's Needs”
Student researchers: Michael Bigelow, Vicky Luyapan, Catherine Meyers, and Jessica Riley
Research advisor: Haile-Selassie Rajamani, Bradford University , UK
HMC Advisor: Tony Bright, Engineering
[Proposal]
[Final Reports:]
The Pipe or the Bottle? (MB/VL)
Solar Energy and Ozone Generation (VL)
Float Based Energy Generation from Water Waves (MB)
Converting Electricity from Renewable Sources (JR)
Behavior of Renewable Energy Conversion Devices (MB/VL)
Power Consumption of FANUC Roboshot (CM)
Coal-Fired vs Photovoltaic Electricity Generation (JR/CM)
"Impacts of Pollution on Native and Exotic Plant Ecosystems"
Student researchers: Mikel Grenzner, Ryan McCarthy
Faculty advisor: Steve Adolph, Biology
[Proposal and Final Report]
“Energy Efficient HVAC Devices for Humid Climates”
Student researcher: Sara Al-Beaini
Research advisor: Nasreen Ghaddar, Mechanical Engineering Department, American University in Beirut
HMC advisor: Mary Cardenas, Engineering
[Proposal and Final Report]
“Lizardnet - Developing and Testing a Non-Invasive Sensor System for Tracking Wildlife”
Student researcher: John Hicks
Faculty advisors: Mike Erlinger (Computer Science) and Steve Adolph (Biology)
[Proposal and Final Report]
“Computational Solutions to Navier-Stokes and Water Quality at Huntington Beach ”
Student researcher: Joe Majkut
Research advisor: Oliver Fringer, Environmental Fluid Mechanics Lab, Stanford University
HMC advisor: Andrew Bernoff, Mathematics
[Proposal and Final Report]
"Lead in Soil from Vehicle Emissions"
Student researcher: Jeffrey Rubenstein
Faculty advisor: Hal Van Ryswyk, Chemistry
[Final Report]
Summer 2004:
"Design of a Continuous CO2 Scrubber to be Used in Alkaline Fuel Cells"
Student researcher: Michaela Reagan
Faculty Advisor: Susan Krumdieck (Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury , NZ)
[Final Report]
Paul Steinberg, Asst. Prof., Humanities & Social Science; Center Director
Paul Steinberg's research focuses on international environmental politics, with a special interest in biodiversity conservation and environmental policy processes in developing countries. His book Environmental Leadership in Developing Countries (MIT Press 2001) received the International Studies Association's Harold and Margaret Sprout Award for the best book in international environmental affairs. He is currently working on a new book on environmental foreign policy. Other research interests include comparative environmental politics, transnational social movements, political science research methods, and the design of long-term conservation institutions.
Steve Adolph, Assoc. Prof., Biology
Steve Adolph's laboratory investigates the physiological, evolutionary, and behavioral ecology of lizards. He and his students study the effects of temperature on growth, locomotion, and other traits, and how these traits influence life histories and population biology. His laboratory also does mathematical modeling of how populations respond to variable environments, both ecologically and evolutionarily.
Mary Cardenas, Assoc. Prof., Engineering
Mary Cardenas's work focuses on numerical modeling of various fluid/contaminant systems. She has used numerical modeling to investigate the transport and fate of fine-grained sediments and associated hydrophobic contaminants, including PCB's in water bodies, including the Saginaw River, MI, the Fox River, WI, and Lake Michigan. The results from such models may be useful for examining remediation scenarios for rivers. She is currently doing research on sediment transport in Lake Michigan.
Hal Van Ryswyk,
Professor of Chemistry
Hal Van Ryswyk's work focuses on the development and advancement of service-learning opportunites in environmental studies in the Harvey Mudd College curriculum. Lead in soil from vehicle emissions is a leading cause of childhood lead poisoning in southern California. He and his students, in collaboration with other faculty, are developing a service-learning module for the general chemistry course at HMC wherein first-year students will work with local fifth- and sixth-grade students to determine lead levels in soil throughout our community. This project utilizes statistical sampling methods, gps mapping, microwave-assisted digestion, and atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis in a preliminary study of soil at the Bernard Field Station adjacent to old U.S. Route 66 in Claremont.
Please check back for additional listings.
