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News Release 15-087
Three new Engineering Research Centers will advance U.S. resiliency and sustainability
NSF awards $55.5 million for compact mobile power, off-grid water treatment and nature-inspired soil engineering
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The POETS ERC aims to pack more power into less space for electrical technologies on the move by integrating novel 3-D cooling circuitry, power converters and algorithms for smart power management. Shown here is a spatial model of thermal loads generated in a candidate electronic system. The distribution of temperature is superimposed on the two-dimensional layout of individual chip sets.
Credit: Professor Alan Mantooth at University of Arkansas
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The POETS ERC will enable the manufacture of lighter, more compact and more efficient power electronic systems for cars, airplanes, construction equipment, handheld tools and other mobile applications. Shown here is a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device with a graphene coating that acts as a thermal switch, which could help regulate heat in electrical systems.
Credit: Eric Pop at Stanford University, Joe Lyding at University of Illinois, Alex Jerez Roman at University of Illinois
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The NEWT Nanosystems ERC will pursue high-performance and easy-to-deploy water treatment systems that can turn both wastewater and seawater into clean drinking water. The modular treatment systems, which will need less energy and fewer chemicals, will safely enlist the selective properties of reusable engineered nanomaterials to provide clean water at any location or scale.
Credit: NEWT/Rice University
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NEWT's water-treatment systems will be compact enough to fit on the back of a tractor-trailer.
Credit: NEWT/Rice University
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The CBBG ERC will investigate natural underground biological processes to engineer the ground in ways that reduce construction costs and environmental impacts, while mitigating natural hazards and existing environmental degradation. Transformational new ground engineering methods will improve the sustainability and resiliency of civil infrastructure systems, including bridges, buildings, underground construction and resource exploration.
Credit: Jessica Hochreiter/Arizona State University
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The NSF ERCs collaborate with international university partners and American large and small technology companies to conduct translational research and prepare U.S. engineering students to successfully participate in the global economy.
Credit: Jessica Hochreiter/Arizona State University
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