The City of Corvallis wants to harvest and recycle nutrients from landfill leachate to create a revenue stream for the city while cleaning up its wastewater. Last year, a College of Engineering senior project team worked with Multiform Harvest, Inc. and the City of Corvallis Wastewater Reclamation Plant to make a fertilizer called struvite from landfill runoff at the Coffin Butte Landfill. However, the 2011 team discovered that excess calcium was interfering with the reclamation process, so this year’s team addressed that issue. Continue reading
Improving compostable utensils
A Corvallis-based, award-winning startup called EcNow Tech provides compostable cutlery to the Oregon State University dining center and several local restaurants. The cutlery breaks down like green waste and therefore avoids the landfill. The company invited chemical engineering majors Chad Thomsen, Meaghan Jones, and Sean Crawford to investigate which locally sourced materials might serve as superior filler to augment the base from which their cutlery is currently derived.
“It’s really cool from the sustainability standpoint,” said Thomsen, “they’re looking to incorporate locally sourced products and benefiting local businesses.” Continue reading
Something for Everyone: First-time Attendee Observes the Diversity of Displays at the 2012 Engineering Expo
To many people, the Engineering Expo can seem extremely overwhelming. There are hundreds of people walking around and going to the various booths, looking at all of the exciting research. But first glances can be deceiving. After spending some time at the Expo, whether you are being forced to go for a class, choosing to go because you are truly interested, or simply a person passing by, there is something for everyone.
Moments before victory
By Anthony S. Casson
Inside the freshly paved confines of Michigan International Speedway during the biggest Formula SAE competition in the United States, students ignite the atmosphere.
First, it’s the mad dash to the registration line, then a madder dash to the technical inspection line the following day. Forty-eight hours of warm-up, car prep and scanning the field.
Oregon State University’s Global Formula Racing is one of the first teams through both lines. Their early-bird reputation is well known.
“We got here before you guys,” another team’s member said. He’s right. Continue reading
Student Clubs Make OSU Proud
OSU’s academic clubs are representing us well all over the nation! Hard work is paying off, and the judges are not the only ones noticing.
The OSU Beaver Racing Baja team came in 2nd at a competition in Auburn, AL, challenging 100 teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico and India. Along with second place the Baja Racing team also earned a number of top honors, trophies, and best of all, $3250 dollars! Continue reading