Microalgae and Alternate Energy

In the recent past, there has been a lot of discussion and interest around the viability of first generation biofuels as environment-friendly alternatives to foreign oil, primarily because of their possible competition with food crops and the use of non-sustainable practices for their production. Scientists and research groups have been searching for other sustainable sources [...]

Is Biofuel a Cure for Climate Change?

In our fight against climate change, biofuels are considered as an eco-friendly alternative to oil-based fossils fuels, primarily because they help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Any solid, liquid or gas fuel that is derived from biomass such as plants, metabolic waste, and organic waste, is termed as biofuel. Biodiesel, biogas, and biomass are some of [...]

Hydraulic Fracturing and Contamination of Groundwater

The world’s near-future energy needs are primarily dependent on oil & natural gas. There are various techniques involved in the extraction of additional crude oil from underground oil and gas reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing—informally called fracing (pronounced “fracking”) or hydrofracing—is the most common of these techniques. A significant number of oil & gas wells in the [...]

Re-engineering the Wheelchair

The world of automation has always amused me. I have always wondered what it would be like if we can automate our day-to-day activities to an extent where just the thought of doing something could actually translate into execution of that activity. For instance, I think of turning on a television set or switch to [...]

New Technique to Determine Snowmelt without On-The-Ground Measurements

Although the hydrologic cycle can be simplistically defined as the movement of water in various forms across the planet, it is definitely not as easy to accurately track, measure or estimate in detail the individual processes
and constituents that form the entire cycle.

New Method at Detecting Water Contamination

Air and water, the most vital elements for our survival as a species, are also the swiftest and deadliest transmitters of contaminants and pollutants. They are the most susceptible to contamination due to natural disasters, industrial spillage, and even sabotage, capable of wiping out scores of living beings in one sweeping onslaught and rendering us [...]

No Water Under The Bridge

“There is a water crisis today. But the crisis is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs. It is a crisis of managing water so badly that billions of people – and the environment – suffer badly.” (An excerpt from the World Water Vision report published by the World Water Council)

Flexible Concrete? No Longer An Oxymoron

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan has developed a concrete material that bends like rubber, cracks very little, heals itself with no manual intervention, and is almost as good as new concrete upon recovery, with its stiffness and strength intact.

Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure - A Useful New Site

I came across a great new website for civil engineering professionals the other day: Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure.

This is a new site from StagnitoMedia, publishers of CENews.com. It provides news and insights into the U.S. infrastructure industry with a focus on bridges and roads. If your engineering firm is trying to make the most out of the economic stimulus package by landing some lucrative infrastructure work, this site is built for you.

New Watershed Site From the EPA

Last week, the EPA went live with Watershed Central, a new website which provides information to aid in the design, implementation and management of watershed projects. According to the EPA, “the site includes guidance, tools, case studies, and data sets to help you share information, analyze data, and identify opportunities to initiate or strengthen your watershed efforts.”