When you think of the phrase “industrial ecology,” the latest in information technology is probably not a synonym that comes to mind. But a recent issue of Yale’s Journal of Industrial Ecology (JIE) puts that misconception to the test.

Stemming from the widespread applications of ICT in everything from farming to government, JIE set aside an entire issue to looking at how technology and industrial systems can interact. The entire issue, as well as subsequent related articles, is free to the public; below is a short overview of some of the most noteworthy articles from the issue.

John Pflueger, Sustainability Technology Strategist at Dell, will be the symposium’s keynote speaker. Additional speakers include:

• William Hoffman, UL Environment
• Andrew Steckl, University of Cincinnati
• Charles Newman, ReCellular
• Courtney Rushforth, City of Urbana
• Bill Olson, Motorola
• Manish Mehta, National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
• Alex Lobos and Callie Babbitt, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Willie Cade, PC Recyclers and Refurbishers
• Kyle Wiens, iFixit
• Katie Reilly, Electronic Recyclers International
• Mike Mitchell, Illinois Recycling Association
• Praveen Gupta, Illinois Institute of Technology

The full schedule of speakers is available online at http://www.sustainelectronics.illinois.edu/symposia/2011/schedule.cfm.

Registration for the event is $200 for both days, or $125 per day. In addition, symposium attendees have an opportunity to visit the National Center for Supercomputing Applications on the University of Illinois campus. Register today at  www.sustainelectronics.illinois.edu/symposia/2011/registration.htm.

The symposium is a product of the Sustainable Electronics Initiative of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. ISTC is a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois.

EcoATM has received investment from Coinstar and a grant from the National Science Foundation to advance its kiosks that buy used electronics from consumers.

The company’s machines are designed for collecting used cell phones and other devices from people while paying them based on a product’s condition.

One man’s discarded cellphone is another man’s polo … or pants or T-shirt. At least that’s how one Boston startup sees it.

The LiveProud Group recycles trash taken from landfills and uses it in a line of athletic apparel. But unlike other clothing manufacturers who use recycled polyester, wool or plastic bottles, LiveProud grabs the electronic junk Americans toss out by the tons to produce its clothing line.

Students from Stanford and Finland’s Aalto University have developed a prototype laptop that can be disassembled in less than three minutes without the use of any tools. Once it’s taken apart, the laptop’s materials can easily be recycled. SmartPlanet talks to the inventors about their design concept and gets a hands-on demo of the process.

In light of the squabbling over e-waste that has erupted recently in Maine, there clearly seems to be a need for greater e-waste regulation in the U.S., not only to halt e-waste exports, but also to establish a uniform disposition policy that all states can follow. A national e-waste management and disposition law based on the tenets of e-Stewardship should encourage proper reuse, recycling and refurbishment; keep end-of-life electronics out of landfills; halt exports to developing nations; reduce incineration of computer components; and also end the use of prison labor to disassemble electronics. Beyond the e-waste implications, such a law would contribute to greater management of sensitive data which should be destroyed before hardware is disposed or as a guaranteed part of the disposition process.

John Pflueger, Sustainability Technology Strategist at Dell, will be the symposium’s keynote speaker. Additional speakers include:

• William Hoffman, UL Environment
• Andrew Steckl, University of Cincinnati
• Charles Newman, ReCellular
• Courtney Rushforth, City of Urbana
• Bill Olson, Motorola
• Manish Mehta, National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
• Alex Lobos and Callie Babbitt, Rochester Institute of Technology

Registration for the event is $200 for both days, or $125 per day. In addition, symposium attendees have an opportunity to visit the National Center for Supercomputing Applications on the University of Illinois campus. Register today at: www.sustainelectronics.illinois.edu/symposia/2011/registration.htm

The symposium is a product of the Sustainable Electronics Initiative of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. ISTC is a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois.

Wednesday’s press preview conferences at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas unveiled a huge trend: convergence.

Essentially, the concept means that gadgets can do more outside of their traditional range of functionality.

The newly revealed, “smart” TVs from LG gave a perfect example of this by showcasing a platform that brings more advanced levels of streaming online content and Web browsing. Panasonic’s new integrated TVs host chatting on Skype, visiting Facebook and even tracking your fitness to the traditional television experience.

The ability for applications to cross platforms and functions across the spectrum will further this trend as well. Apps can also bring together information from multiple devices at once.

Cell phones are advancing rapidly in this area, with the ability to control the temperature in your home, start up your oven and receive text message from your refrigerator that you are running low on certain items (seriously!).

According to CEA research, 26 percent of consumers said that “Apps remove the need to buy separate CE devices.”

The Consumer Electronics Association plans to push Congress to develop a national policy on recycling of electronic waste.

During a luncheon with reporters Tuesday, CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro said the group is still working on what that policy should look like but said his group has managed to get industry-wide agreement on the need for a national policy on the issue instead of the piecemeal approach taking place at the state level.

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), a division of the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, promotes sustainability through resource conservation, pollution prevention, and research efforts. The Center’s current research activities are focused on industrial pollution prevention, energy conservation, biofuels, and water quality, use, and reuse. In pursuit of its mission, ISTC administers a Research Grant Program which provides funds to universities, industrial groups, not-for-profit organizations, and the consulting community to advance the state of knowledge in areas of sustainability, pollution prevention, energy generation and conservation, and environmental issues of importance to the State. Usually six to ten new research projects receive funding each year, depending on monies available, the strength and relevance of the proposals, and importance to the most pressing sustainability problems in Illinois.

Each of ISTC’s new funding cycles begins with a focused solicitation identifying issues of special interest to the State. Pre-proposals are being requested at this time for funding in FY12. Pre-proposals are due to ISTC by January 19, 2011. They will be screened internally based on factors such as relevance to the solicitation, research objectives, adequacy of methods and techniques to achieve them, and qualifications of researchers to carry out the proposed work. Successful pre-proposal applicants will be notified by February 10, 2011, and asked to submit a full proposal by March 23, 2011. Notification of funding will be made by the end of May 2011.

Pre-proposals are being sought in the following areas of interest:

AREAS OF INTEREST

I. Sustainable Energy Research – Alternative & Non-conventional Energy Resources

Geothermal Resource Development in Illinois

Geothermal heat pump systems (GHPs) based on ground water sources are highly energy efficient for space heating or cooling. Open-loop GHPs differ from ground source GHPs where the heat exchange is with the earth. Where hydro-geologic circumstances permit the sustainable application of ground water source GHPs, utilizations of open-loop GHPs become more-cost effective and end users may realize significant energy savings.

Proposals are sought for projects that will facilitate geothermal resource development in Illinois, or portions of Illinois, for potential applications of ground water source GHPs.

Advanced Hybrid Energy Systems

Hybrid Energy Systems (HES) combine different energy resources to meet the energy requirements of a building or a district. When these energy resources are integrated, HES overcome the limitations inherent in each individual source. A hybrid renewable energy system may reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce atmospheric emissions.

Proposals are expected to focus on:

• Advanced integrated energy systems that use some or all of the following: geothermal heat pumps; solar energy (solar PV, solar thermal, and passive solar); biofuels; and wind power. New concepts and state-of-the-art technology are especially welcome.
• Utilization of HES for an energy-efficient building or district system, with an ultimate goal of realizing climate neutrality
• Optimization of the whole system including energy system design, optimal control of energy systems, as well as smart building design that makes better use of renewable energy

Biochar

Biochar, produced by the pyrolysis of biomass and used as a soil amendment, has potential to sequester carbon, improve soil quality, reduce nutrient application, and prevent pesticide leaching. The reduction in nutrient application will result in reduced energy usage. Several open questions remain regarding the efficacy of biochar under different soil conditions, its role in the nitrogen cycle, its effect on microbial ecology, and even the mechanisms by which it exerts its beneficial effects. Moreover, questions have been raised as to the residual level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or other compounds in biochar produced under a variety of manufacturing conditions and whether its introduction into the environment poses a risk to the food chain.

Proposals submitted under this topic should focus on the establishment of an integrated research approach encompassing biochar production, characterization, and field application with a specific focus on PAH residues and their potential transfer to the food chain.

II. Sustainable Water Use

Water use in Illinois is approximately 20 billion gallons/day and expected to increase 28% by 2025. Supplies such as ground and surface water are projected to experience additional demands as withdrawals from Lake Michigan are capped.

Proposals for reducing or reusing water or making water suitable for reuse in industrial, agricultural, or commercial sectors are especially welcome. Some topics that are of special interest are:

Emerging Contaminants and Water Reuse

Use of reclaimed water for agricultural, industrial, and/or landscape applications is a critical component of a sustainable water use framework. Sources such as concentrated animal feeding operation wastewater and municipal/domestic treated wastewater often contain trace contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and additives that may be impediments to reuse without careful assessment, monitoring, and control.

Proposals that address the quantitation of contaminants and treatment of water in settings that are expected to have a small number of readily identified contaminants, but with large water usage, are especially encouraged.

Water Use and Bioenergy

The production of ethanol from corn/lignocellulosic materials or distillates through thermochemical conversion routes require water for processing while producing contaminated wastewater.

Proposals for reducing the need for such water or for characterizing such contaminated water are particularly welcome.

III. Electronic Waste

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing problem throughout the world. It is estimated that 20 to 50 million tons of potentially toxic trash—computers, cell phones, televisions, and other electronic devices—are produced annually, much of it ending up in landfills or being improperly recycled. This buildup of e-waste can lead to potential health risks for people and the environment. E-waste includes a mixture of many chemicals that cause known adverse health effects alone: lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Inappropriate handing of e-waste, such as burning, may produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans.

Proposals are sought that focus on:

• Technology for recycling materials in e-waste in a sustainable manner
• Social aspects of adopting recycling practices/barriers to this; why discard or replace items; what are the end user’s perceptions of purchasing recycled electronics; how to market and package recycled electronics to the end users in ways that enhance desirability of ownership; unlocking consumer behavior on why or why not use recycling
• Strategies to reduce e-waste

IV. Miscellaneous Waste Materials/Beneficial Reuse

Proposals targeting utilization of agricultural wastes, industrial wastes, or by-products of energy production are also welcome.

GUIDELINES

Eligible Applicants

Researchers associated with both the public and private sectors may apply. Principal investigators may be from colleges, universities, industry, non-profit organizations, and the consulting community. Researchers are encouraged to partner across departments, units, colleges, and with external organizations as appropriate. Collaborative proposals with ISTC staff are also encouraged. In addition to new projects, proposals to supplement an outside project or additional research for ongoing programs will also be considered.

Available Funding

1. Seed Grants: Up to four grants (maximum $10,000 each) will be awarded. Grants for up to one year will be considered. The PI should stipulate the duration of the study and note this on the proposal time line. Research ideas that are linked to future applications for larger funding from state or national sources are encouraged. Reimbursements will be made following receipt of each quarterly progress report.
2. Regular Grants: Up to six grants (maximum of $25,000 each) will be awarded. Grants to support short-term (one year) and long-term (two years) studies will be considered. The PI should stipulate the duration of the study and note this on the proposal time line. Reimbursements will be made following receipt of each quarterly progress report.

Pre-proposal Format

The pre-proposals for this award should contain the following information:

Title Page which lists:

• Title
• Investigators and their affiliations
• Duration (start date September 1, 2011 or after)
• Total Cost, funds requested and any matching funds (matching funds are not required)

Pre-proposal narrative which (in 2 single-spaced pages or less using 11-point font or greater):

• Outlines the problem — giving the context and specific need
• Summarizes prior research succinctly and describes how what is being proposed is different and how it advances the state of knowledge. References can be on an additional page and not counted in the narrative page limit.
• Provides a broad overview of approach and timeline
• Discusses expected results, impacts, or outcomes

On a separate sheet provide a preliminary budget – Give a brief breakdown of costs, especially support for any graduate students. (Pre-proposals do not need to include a fully executed budget. The request for funds must include overhead as required by the institution.)

Also include a maximum 1-page resume for each investigator demonstrating sufficient expertise and a history of sponsored-project completion, including publication.

Pre-proposal Evaluation Criteria

Pre-proposals will be reviewed for the following:

• Does the work fit within the scope of the priority areas?
• Is the work significant?
• Will the anticipated results provide positive impacts and fill gaps in the needed data?

Proposal Timeline

• January 19, 2011 (by 5 pm CST) – Pre-proposals due to ISTC (with preliminary budgets)
• February 10, 2011 – Invitations to submit full proposals. Detailed guidelines for submission of full proposals will be provided at that time and will also be available on the ISTC web site. Full proposals will undergo detailed technical reviews by external reviewers as well as internal review.
• March 23, 2011(by 5 pm CST) – Full proposals due to ISTC
• End of May 2011 – Notification of funding

Pre-proposal Submission

Email an attached electronic copy of the pre-proposal to Nancy Holm at nholm@istc.illinois.edu. Please include the PI’s last name in the name of the attached file. Pre-proposals must be received by 5 pm CST, January 19, 2011.

Questions

All questions regarding the program should be directed via email to Nancy Holm at nholm@istc.illinois.edu or call 217-244-3330.

The mission of ISTC is to make Illinois sustainable. It supports work to conserve natural resources, reduce wastes, and increase economic vitality by providing Illinois businesses, institutions, and citizens with information, research, innovative technologies, and technical assistance.