Funded Grant Projects: 2007
 Dr. Angela R. Bielefeldt and R. Scott Summers
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
“Determining the Importance of Silver in Home Filters used to Disinfect Drinking Water in Developing Countries”
(Category: Water conservation)
About 20% of the world’s population lives without access to safe drinking water, and an estimated 4 million children under the age of five die from water-associated diarrheal disease. Simple, low cost methods to remove disease-causing impurities from the water are needed, yet in-home devices for disinfecting and removing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms have been under-utilized in developing communities where they are needed most. Filtrón in-home ceramic water treatment filters are inexpensive, locally made, and require no energy to use. The most costly part of the filter is the colloidal silver coating used to improve the pathogen control; however, the maximum life span and effectiveness of the filters and the silver coating is unknown. Dr. Bielefeldt and Mr. Summers plan to determine the maximum useful life of the Filtrón filters, the effectiveness of the silver in removing pathogens, and whether filters must be replaced or if the colloidal silver can be painted on again at the end of its life cycle. They also hope to make recommendations that may enable the removal of a wider range of contaminants. Determining that the filters are effective would be a significant step toward helping the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals of bringing potable water to the 1.5 billion people without safe drinking water.
This water conservation grant is sponsored by the Lindbergh Grant Endowment.
 Catherine T. Cloud, International Agricultural Development, Davis, California
“Promoting Sustainable Agriculture in Indonesia through Farmer Videos.”
(Category: Agriculture)
Two of the most urgent challenges of our time are putting food on the tables of those in need, and creating a farming system in balance with nature. The HIV AIDS epidemic in the Global South has devastated many families, and with the loss of adult farmers, traditional ecological knowledge also has been lost. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has developed an inspiring program called Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS, which provides AIDS orphans with the skills necessary to grow food for themselves and their families. JFFLS works with the many children who are currently heads of households, sharing information about ecological farming, while also helping them cope with the loss of their parents.
Catherine Cloud is establishing a pilot video project working with the FAO’s JFFLS program in Mozambique. In this project, Ms. Cloud plans to teach junior farmers the basics of making videos so they can make collaborative videos on agricultural topics most important to them. The videos may cover step-by-step teaching of specific farming practices; the benefits of integrating wildlife into agricultural systems; or asking for help getting rid of pests. These videos will be traded between several JFFLS groups and “response” videos will be made, addressing subjects brought up in previous videos.
Ms. Cloud believes the collaborative video method fits within a natural process of hands-on learning and verbal communication, while additionally acknowledging the junior farmers as valuable members of their communities. Empowering children with the skills to communicate holistic thinking about human and ecological health assures that the concept of being stewards of the environment is real and practical. Video conversations can be carried on over great distances, so people who would not otherwise be able to meet can have a meaningful dialogue. The format may also overcome some learning and communication challenges both because it is not necessary to be literate to learn from the videos, and because voice-overs or sub-titles can be added to bring the subject matter to broader audiences. Ms. Cloud hopes that the use of video technology will help empower children to promote ecologically sound agriculture in Mozambique and other countries worldwide.
 Kristina Cockle, University of British Columbia, Canada/Argentina
“Using Ground-based Measuring Tools to Study Birds’ Nests in Tree Cavities in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina”
(Category: animal conservation)
One of the world’s five most diverse and threatened ecosystems is the subtropical Atlantic forest, where many endangered bird species depend on tree cavities for nesting. In the Atlantic Forest, large cavity-nesting birds, such as parrots and toucans, are threatened by loss of cavity trees as a result of widespread logging, and by capture of chicks for local pets. In the province of Misiones, Argentina, the government has taken important steps to protect the forest by creating 68 parks and multi-use reserves. However, all but about 600 hectares of the forest has been selectively logged. There is concern that the remaining forest may not have sufficient cavities to support large cavity-nesting birds. Little is known about cavity nesting birds and their needs because the  cavities are too high to be reached. Ms. Cockle plans to use newly developed remote measuring technology to determine the preferred cavity size, height, tree species, and availability in logged and primary subtropical forests for a threatened parrot, the Vinaceous Amazon, and other species. Using wireless pole-mounted video cameras she will determine cavity suitability, occupancy and nest success. Pole-mounted infrared reflectometers will be used to measure cavity depth. Ms. Cockle will involve local farm families in measuring and monitoring cavity nests on their farms. This project will provide guidelines for conserving breeding habitat for several threatened birds of the Atlantic forest.
This animal conservation grant is sponsored by the James and Maureen Lloyd Grant Endowment.
 Dr. Margaret A. Coffman, Science Education Consultant, Ypsilanti, Michigan “Empowering Students in Ecology, Music, and Computer Science through Active Participation in an Elementary Bird Song Curriculum”
(Category: Education)
Elementary age students are surrounded by technology in the form of computers, cell phones, and music devices. Familiarity, however, does not necessarily indicate a high-level understanding of technology. Dr. Coffman will develop a curriculum that blends technology, science, and music, and present these diverse subjects in a manner that engages students with little interest in one subject through interaction with the others.
Using sound analysis software, students will learn to identify bird songs, analyze the musical characteristics of these songs, and associate the song characteristics with bird behavior and  habitat. Using spectrograms of bird songs and calls, students will identify key components and concepts that bridge science and music. Utilizing this interdisciplinary approach, her fourth- to sixth-grade curriculum will leverage students’ interest in technology to develop their knowledge of ecology and music. The curriculum also provides an opportunity for students to realize the connection of humans to their natural environment as they develop critical thinking skills. Funds from the Lindbergh Grant will be used to develop an activity guide with individual bird song lessons that connect science, music, and technology. These lessons will then be implemented in a local school where, as a final project, students will use their newly acquired knowledge and skills to create an ecologically-inspired musical composition.
Bird photo credit: Drongo. Photo by Amila Salgado.
This education grant is sponsored by the Lindbergh School District ad Community, St. Louis, Mo.
 Jason Edens, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance, Backus, MN
“Determining the Economics of Solar Heat as a Long-term Solution for Public Energy Assistance in the Midwest”
(Category: Energy/General Conservation)
In Minnesota alone, $73 million is spent annually on energy assistance and weatherization programs, yet only one-third of the low-income families are served. As energy prices continue to rise, families across the nation are struggling to heat their homes, creating dependency on assistance programs. According to Mr. Edens, many families have been receiving energy assistance for generations. In the U.S., coal, nuclear and natural gas plants generate about 2/3 of the nation’s emissions associated with global warming. In the Midwest, the majority of electricity is produced from coal. More than half of the energy used in single-family homes is used for heating. Mr. Edens plans to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for using Solar Thermal Heating Systems for public energy assistance. These systems are estimated to provide between 25-50% of a families’ winter heating needs. Using life cycle analysis, Mr. Edens will summarize: public and private  energy assistance programs in rural Minnesota; annual Solar Thermal savings both in financial and environmental terms; all associated costs with each; and determine the payback time. He will also evaluate the effectiveness of solar heating compared to traditional energy assistance. Results from this study could help increase the number of low-income people served by energy assistance while reducing our dependence on nonrenewable energy sources. As the need for fossil fuels is reduced, improved air and water quality will follow. Mr. Edens, a former social science teacher, trains at-risk students to build the advanced solar systems, which they then help to install in the homes of low-income people. While this project will look at solar heating in rural Minnesota, other parts of the country could also benefit greatly from this information. As a result, solar heating may provide a permanent home heating solution for many families.
This general conservation/waste management grant is sponsored Knox Bridges.
 Tom Ehresman, Inventor, Loveland, Colorado
“Creating a Direct Injection Igniter Fuel Nozzle to Eliminate Use of Leaded Fuels
in Existing High Power Density Aircraft Piston Engines.”
(Category: Aviation)
Aviation gasoline is the only fuel in the world that still contains lead. Soon, 100-octane low lead aircraft fuel (100LL) will be discontinued because of the tetra-ethyl-lead (TEL), which is added at the refinery, and is highly toxic. Current high performance aircraft piston engines require this 100LL to operate without failure at the higher  power settings. The move to unleaded fuels is fast approaching and no viable alternative fuels have been found that these higher power piston engines can use without incurring damage or greatly decreasing operational limitations. Mr. Ehresman plans to continue developing a direct injection fuel nozzle system that would allow numerous types of fuels to be used in current high-performance aircraft piston engines, including jet fuel, diesel, kerosene and other liquid fuels. Elimination of TEL will not only improve the air quality as lead is removed from fuel emissions, but would also allow refineries to consolidate refining operations and reduce fuel infrastructures, further reducing harmful emissions, risk of spills/pipeline lead and lower consumer fuel prices.
This aviation grant is sponsored by Lycoming Engines.
 Dr. Peter Girguis, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
“Developing Microbial Fuel Cells from Soil for Lighting and Power in Rural Areas of the World”
(Category: General Conservation/Energy)
Approximately 2.8 billion people live in rural areas of developing countries, representing over half of the world’s population. A majority of these people live without access to electricity or are too poor to pay for the service if it were available to them. Dr. Girguis plans to develop low-cost microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to produce high-efficiency lighting for people living in rural regions of developing countries. Using an electrode and a bucket of soil, compost, food scraps, or other naturally occurring sediments, energy is harvested and can generate one volt of electricity for up to 18 hours. A bucket of soil may last up to six months and could be used to re-charge batteries, cell phones, etc. Dr. Girguis estimates one bucket of compost would cost only about $15 USD and should last 10 years. During this study, Dr. Girguis will characterize the power produced from three  different sediments or soils from tropical, polar and desert climates. He will also evaluate the effect of enriching the soils with organic matter. In particular, Dr. Girguis plans to develop MFCs to power high efficiency lights in homes, illuminate roadways, or highlight rivers and remote runways. Because of the wealth of organic carbon in sediments and soils, he believes MFCs are superior to even wind and solar energy for this purpose. Furthermore, MFCs are economical and do not require technical expertise to construct, maintain or repair. This project could revolutionize the way energy and light is provided to remote regions of the world, and promotes environmental sustainability.
This general conservation energy grant is sponsored by Reeve Lindbergh.
 Dr. Andres Gonzalez, Laboratory of Chemical Ecology, Montevideo, Uruguay
“Reducing Pesticide use in South American Soybean Production with
Pheromone-Baited Monitoring Traps”
(Category: Agriculture)
Soybeans are a fundamental source of protein and vegetable oil. Soybean production in southern South America has increased dramatically and consequently, so has the use of insecticides. In Uruguay, the planted area expanded from 12,000 hectares in 2000 to 270,000 in 2005, causing a 10-fold increase in the use of toxic insecticides. Of particular concern for soybean crops is the tortricid moth, Epinotia aporema. Since there are no monitoring tools available for estimating the density of these moths, insecticides are used preventatively, causing not only a decline in the population of natural enemies, but also increasing water and soil contamination. Dr. González plans to develop a monitoring trap for E. aporema males, and study the attractiveness of soybean volatiles toward females, in search of a monitoring trap for them as well. He will use gas chromatography, mass  spectrometry, and electrophysiological methods to identify the female sex pheromone, which attracts males, and the chemical attractants emitted by plants, which attract females. He will then field test synthetic blends of these chemical compounds to help determine the number of moths in an area, so that farmers can use insecticides only when necessary. It is expected that if the monitoring traps are proven effective, there could be a reduction in the amount of pesticides used by up to 50%.
 Dr. William Knecht, Maneuver Space Technologies, Pocasset, Oklahoma
“Reducing Upper Atmospheric Fuel Burn Through Direct Routing Air Traffic
Technology”
(Category: Aviation)
Energy use and climate change are global concerns. Aircraft exacerbate both by converting fuel to greenhouse gasses in the upper atmosphere precisely where they exert disproportionately large effects on climate. Worldwide, aircraft produce over 600 million tons of CO2 per year, with passenger traffic projected to increase by about 5% per year. The most straightforward way to save fuel and reduce emissions is to fly shortest-distance, direct routes. However, commercial aircraft follow segmented jetways, effectively adding up to 12% distance to each flight. For this project, Dr. Knecht will test 4CAS, a 4-dimensional collision avoidance system based on aircraft heading, speed, altitude, and available maneuver time. 4CAS makes optimal maneuvers graphically prominent to the air traffic controller or pilot, despite dense air traffic. The information representation can be extended to include weather, terrain, and special-use airspace, and is compatible with either manual or automatic collision avoidance systems (auto-CAS). The goal of this project is to change the way maneuver information is represented to enable safe, efficient, easy, and rapid aircraft maneuvers during direct routing. Reducing aviation fuel consumption, flight duration, and engine operation time benefits not only the global environment, but passengers and airlines as well.
This aviation grant is sponsored by Richard and Susan Kane.
 Dr. Amy Lang, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
“Reducing the Drag Over Aircraft by Mimicking the Surface Geometry of Bristled Shark Skin Scales”
(Category: Aviation)
The issue of reducing drag over solid surfaces in high velocity flows is one that has kept researchers working for years. It is estimated that even a 1% reduction in drag can save an airline company $100,000 to $200,000 and at least 25,000 gallons of fuel per year per aircraft. Worldwide, this 1% reduction could translate to fuel savings of more than $1 billion per year. The resulting reduction in emissions into our air is equally as impressive. With  her Lindbergh Grant, Dr. Lang will determine whether the surface texture on the skin of fast-swimming sharks, potentially capable of bristling their scales when in pursuit of prey, could be mimicked and used to reduce the drag on aircraft. She will perform water tunnel experiments to measure the flow over and within a bristled sharkskin model (2 cm size scales), which achieves similarity with real sharkskin (0.2 mm size scales) by a corresponding scale down in velocity of the experiments. She will also obtain drag measurements over a sharkskin model in a Couette flow facility containing high viscosity oil. Her objective is to reveal the boundary layer control mechanisms of the bristled sharkskin to deduce the means by which sharks minimize their drag. Dr. Lang’s project has the potential to reduce aircraft drag by 30%, once the technology is refined and implemented, greatly reducing the nation’s dependency on fossil fuels, reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, and costs.
This aviation grant is sponsored by Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc.
 Kimberly Ritchie, Ph.D. and Max Teplitski, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
“Harnessing Beneficial Bacteria for Coral Reef Health”
(Category: Animal Conservation)
 According to the U.N. Atlas of the Oceans, coral reefs support the economies of at least 100 countries, providing food to more than one million people. In Florida alone, reefs contribute $1.9 billion to local economies every year, and provide employment for 39,000 people. Coral reefs provide habitat for marine life and are sources of novel medicines as well as protecting millions of miles of coastlines around the world. Two major factors causing coral stress are rising water temperatures and decreasing water quality. Stressed corals become susceptible to infection by common environmental bacteria. Despite the known value of our coral reefs, there are no logistically feasible ways to protect coral reefs from disease. Dr. Kimberly Ritchie and Dr. Max Teplitski plan to use In Vivo Expression Technology to conduct the first effort to systematically characterize the mechanisms that are required for successful interactions between corals and their beneficial bacteria. In addition, they will chemically characterize at least one compound with the ability to attack pathogenic bacteria, but spare the coral. This project will help identify how beneficial bacteria colonize the coral and prevent pathogens from attacking the reef. Using the coral reef’s own beneficial bacteria, Drs. Ritchie and Teplitski plan to “vaccinate” the corals against disease by identifying the chemical interaction between the two. An added benefit to this work is that compounds from the beneficial bacteria could have the potential to treat human diseases as well as for topical antibiotics or surface disinfectants for commercial use.
This animal conservation grant is sponsored by Clare Hallward.
 Dr. James Smith, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
“Purifying Drinking Water in Guatemala with Ceramic Filters made from Local Materials”
(Category: Water Conservation)
The adverse impact of waterborne disease on human health in developing countries is significant. Considering the limited resources of these countries, delivering safe, potable water to the world’s most impoverished communities is no small undertaking. Potters for Peace has developed a clay filtration device that has been used in several countries since 1998, however, no studies have been conducted to determine how the filter design directly affects the removal of pathogens and turbidity. Furthermore, little is known about leaching of the colloidal silver into the treated drinking water and whether there are associated human health impacts. In this project, Dr. Smith plans to systematically evaluate the design and performance of the Potters for Peace ceramic filters in the lab and in San Mateo Ixtatan, Guatemala, where diarrhea-induced dehydration caused by waterborne pathogens is the second  largest human-health problem. Dr. Smith will also manufacture whole filters and evaluate each filter’s performance for removing bacteria and turbidity from natural water samples. Finally, in collaboration with the Ixtatan Foundation, Dr. Smith will work to establish a filter factory in San Mateo Ixtatan. In this community, 50 households using ceramic filters will be compared to the water quality in a group without filters to quantify improvements in water quality. Residents also will be surveyed about their water usage and social acceptance of the filter. Information from this study will help governments and agencies solve water quality and human health problems in developing countries. It will also expedite design improvements for the Potters for Peace filters and other ceramic filtration systems, which can then be used elsewhere around the world.
 Dr. Peter H. Wrege, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York
“Using Acoustics to Monitor Poaching and Elephant Populations at Forest Clearings in Central Africa”
(Category: Animal Conservation)
Wildlife managers are continually challenged by the need to estimate the population size of species in their care and to monitor habitat use within protected areas. Elephants and other large mammals are especially difficult to monitor because they range over broad geographic landscapes and often avoid areas of human activity. Forest elephants in Central Africa are particularly difficult to monitor because of the dense forest cover. Yet poachers, lured by the lucrative illegal and legal market for ivory and bushmeat, increasingly target these populations. Recently, dung pile counts, GPS collared elephants, and mark-recapture DNA techniques have been used to estimate the size of forest elephant populations, but all are labor intensive, invasive, and not fully effective. Dr. Wrege plans to use acoustic monitoring to estimate and compare elephant densities at forest clearings, determine the daily and seasonal pattern of use, and investigate whether there is a relationship between gunshot activity and elephant activity at forest clearings. Acoustic monitoring is particularly appropriate for this study because elephants are  highly vocal creatures and the monitors can pick up their low frequency vocalizations from long distances. Acoustic recorders can provide continuous monitoring of elephant activity and can capture gunshot sounds, which could help eco-guards locate poaching activity. During the study, Dr. Wrege will field test a new model of autonomous recording unit; quantify transmission loss of gunshot sounds in African forests; and develop software for automatic detection of gunshots and elephant calls. The results of this study will help focus conservation efforts in targeted areas of Gabon, Central Africa, and will develop protocols for monitoring forest elephant populations and poaching activity.
This animal conservation grant is sponsored by the Cherbec Advancement Foundation
 Dr. John Zhai, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
“Applying Ancient Building Technologies to Design Energy Efficient Buildings”
(Category: General Conservation/Energy)
Buildings account for 45% of worldwide energy use, 80% of potable water use, and 50% of the timber harvest in North America. They also account for about 40% of municipal solid waste and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming and acid rain. Growing concern over the financial cost and environmental impacts of modern energy use has led government administrators, building designers, developers, and owners to re-examine the use of various ancient passive building designs, which could reduce building operation energy costs by an estimated 50%. Dr. Zhai will conduct a qualitative study of typical passive traditional building characteristics and technologies in various climates around the world. He will then use computer modeling to quantify the potential energy savings for each building technology in each of the climate areas. The results will be compared with the calculated energy usage for reference buildings that are designed and built according to today’s standards and codes. Finally, he will develop an intelligent computerized conceptual building design tool focused on passive building technologies. The easy-to-use on-line program will provide inter-active and real-time consultation and recommendations on appropriate building design  strategies, materials, technologies, and methods based on climate and site analysis and energy optimization results. It is hoped that with continuous development this online design and education resource could become one of the leading passive building design and management resources to promote sustainable building practices. The methodology developed by this project will also help create a comprehensive body of knowledge about traditional architecture that can be leveraged by architects and engineers at the beginning of the building design process so energy-saving traditional technologies can be integrated into new construction and cultural traditions can be preserved. This general conservation/energy grant is sponsored by Peter Diamandis.
|
