University of Kansas awarded $26 million for new Engineering Research Center from National Science Foundation

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October 5, 2024

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From the Office of Public Affairs | http://www.news.ku.edu

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Contact: Mark Shiflett, Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, [email protected]; Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, KU News Service, 785-864-8858, [email protected]

University of Kansas awarded $26 million for new Engineering Research Center from National Science Foundation

LAWRENCE — The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the University of Kansas $26 million to establish a new Gen-4 Engineering Research Center (ERC) —Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH) — that will create a sustainable and circular refrigerant economy.

NSF’s Engineering Research Centers bring universities and businesses together to strengthen the competitive position of American industry in the global marketplace.

“NSF’s Engineering Research Centers ask big questions in order to catalyze solutions with far-reaching impacts,” NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said. “NSF Engineering Research Centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America’s great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges. By collaborating with industry and training the workforce of the future, ERCs create an innovation ecosystem that can accelerate engineering innovations, producing tremendous economic and societal benefits for the nation.”

KU’s ERC EARTH was selected from among hundreds of proposed centers.

“Working closely with industry partners, EARTH will have the resources and expertise to solve the technical, environmental and economic challenges required to create a sustainable refrigerant lifecycle that will benefit Kansans, the nation and the world. In doing this work, the center is a prime example of how the University of Kansas is driving economic development in Kansas,” said Douglas A. Girod, University of Kansas chancellor.

KU is well positioned to lead this effort.

“The University of Kansas has a talented workforce and robust research capabilities,” said Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran. “This new research center will allow Kansans to lead the way in developing the next generation of refrigerant technology, increasing U.S. competitiveness in an important technology and industry. Through my leadership role on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee which funds federal scientific priorities, I am pleased to help fund the U.S. National Science Foundation, which is critical to advancing U.S. research and development.”

KU is the lead institution and is joined by partners at the University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, University of Hawai’i, University of South Dakota and Lehigh University.

Mark Shiflett serves as director for ERC EARTH. Shiflett is a KU Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering and director of the Wonderful Institute for Sustainable Engineering.

“EARTH’s operational design will cultivate inclusive, interdisciplinary research collaborations and foster workforce development. The EARTH team will partner with community colleges and technical schools to ensure availability of the needed workforce at all levels,” Shiflett said.

At the heart of ERC EARTH’s work is reimagining the process for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems across the globe. EARTH will develop sustainable, accessible and equitable refrigerant technologies and practices through research, education and innovation that will improve quality of life and combat climate change.

HVACR systems are widespread throughout society, enabling transportation and preservation of fresh foods, storage of medicines and cooling of buildings. Most current refrigerants are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have high global-warming potential. As a result of leaks from existing systems and the energy required to operate them, HFCs account for nearly 8% of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

In response, the U.S. and 170 other countries are phasing down HFCs in accordance with domestic and international agreements signed in recent years, which creates a tremendous challenge to responsibly and sustainably replace billions of kilograms of refrigerants.

ERC EARTH will take a multifaceted approach to address this challenge.

“Multidisciplinary research teams will focus on three key areas: promoting the recycling and repurposing of refrigerants, developing transformative refrigerants and creating next-generation cooling and heating technologies with higher energy efficiency,” Shiflett said.

At its core, ERC EARTH will address a critical challenge facing society.

“There is a tremendous need to develop cooling/heating technologies that use less energy and new refrigerants that are safe for the environment. EARTH will be a critical national resource to address these challenges. The University of Kansas School of Engineering is proud to be leading this collaboration, which leverages multiple academic and industrial partners,” said Mary Rezac, dean of the KU School of Engineering.

This is one of the largest federally funded grants in KU history, with the potential to become the largest if the renewal option is successful. The project is renewable after five years for another $26 million dollars, for a total of 10 years and $52 million.

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Lovina Recommends a Delicious Twist on a Familiar Recipe

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tammiehoeme

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October 3, 2024

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Lovina’s Amish Kitchen
Lovina Eitcher,
Old Order Amish
Cook, Wife &
Mother of Eight

Happy third anniversary to daughter Loretta and Dustin on October 1! I wish them many more happy, healthy years together.

It is still so hard for me to believe that five out of our eight children are married and have homes of their own. In the back of my mind, I always pictured life slowing down when our children started moving out. I was quite wrong as we are busier than ever it seems.

All the children now have work that needs to be done on their properties.

My husband Joe, son Benjamin, and Daniel Ray (Verena’s special friend) put in three horse stalls in our new barn on Saturday. We need to have three more put in yet. The tack room and feed room need to be built in yet. It all takes time and money, so we work on it as we can.

Daughter Elizabeth and Tim are having some struggles right now. They had several inspections and received the bad news that their house has four or five different molds. They have been extra sick and have lots of allergies, which they discovered was coming from living in this house. They were advised to not keep a lot of their belongings, especially mattresses, upholstered furniture, or anything that could carry mold into another house. They are in the process of making their detached garage into living quarters while they tear into the house to see what can be done. The inspectors advised to tear down the house and start new. This is very disappointing since they remodeled and were very satisfied with the house they had. Their house isn’t that old yet.

If anyone has been through this and has good advice, they would appreciate hearing from you.

Their children were very disappointed that some of their belongings they treasured need to go.

Although it’s hard to part with your belongings, there is a brighter side, and that is no lives were lost. My sympathy and prayers go out to all the families affected by the hurricanes. I can’t imagine how that would be losing their belongings plus family members. May God help them through this trial in life.

Recently Joe and I took supper to nephew Ben and Crystal as they enjoy their new little one Wesley Benjamin. He is welcomed by a brother Isaiah. Daughter Loretta and Dustin and sons, daughter Lovina and Daniel, son Joseph and Grace, daughter Verena and Daniel Ray, and son Kevin also joined us and helped bring food. Sister Verena also was at sister Emma’s at that time. Ben and Crystal live on the same place as sister Emma and sons Jacob and Steven, so we all ate over in Emma’s garage area. On the menu was mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, grilled hamburgers (and all the trimmings). Dessert was cherry delight.

Of course, baby Wesley was passed around for everyone to admire. He’s a sweetie! Grandson Denzel just stared at him and touched his hair then smiled.

Sister Verena came here Saturday night and went to church with us Sunday, which was communion services. She went with us Sunday evening to Dustin and Loretta’s house for a delicious supper of mashed potatoes, gravy, cheese and rare beef.

Today is now Tuesday morning and Verena stayed here again for the night. She wasn’t feeling good yesterday. Hopefully she will feel better today. All my daughters are planning to come home for the day. Half of our 12 grandchildren are in school.

On Thursday, we plan to attend the wedding of nephew Andrew and Diane in Rome City. Son Joseph and Grace are table waiters. Daniel and Lovina are evening servers. Joe and I have to wash dishes after each meal.

It sure will be different to not see brother Albert at his youngest son’s wedding. Joe and I were married on brother Albert’s 29th birthday. He died on my 53rd birthday. Rest in peace, dear brother.

When my siblings get together, our group seems so small with brothers Amos and Albert, sister Susan, and brother-in-law Jacob (Emma) not with us anymore. We don’t understand the meaning of God choosing them early in life, but we do know he doesn’t make mistakes, so we put our trust in him. He can help us through this. God’s blessings to all!

This recipe is in my cookbook The Essential Amish Cookbook. Try replacing the carrots with apples for a great apple cake. My friend from church did this, and it’s so delicious.

Carrot Cake

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups carrots, peeled and grated

1/2 cup nuts, chopped

With an electric mixer, beat eggs, sugar, and oil at medium speed until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add egg mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold carrots and nuts into batter and stir until well blended.

Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool.

Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and butter until well blended. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread over cooled cake.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, The Cherished Table, The Essential Amish Cookbook, and Amish Family Recipes, are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email [email protected] and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

KDA and KDHE Remind Kansans to Vaccinate Animals Against Rabies

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Guest Columnist

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October 3, 2024

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The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment together advise Kansans to be alert to the human health risk caused by unvaccinated animals, following a second detection of rabies in a cat in the last two weeks. The two cases were in Jewell County and Harvey County, and both involved outdoor cats which exposed multiple humans and other cats. The known human exposures have started rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of five vaccinations to prevent rabies in humans.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by the bite or scratch from a rabid animal. There have been six positive cases of rabies in cats this year, as well as several cases in wildlife. Both of the cases this month were in unvaccinated outdoor barn cats.

“Rabies is not unusual in the wildlife population, and unfortunately this often means domestic animals that roam freely can be exposed to the virus,” said Animal Health Commissioner Justin Smith. “It is vital to vaccinate domestic animals against rabies, especially animals that interact with humans, because humans can be infected. Vaccinating pets and livestock against the virus protects both animal health and human health.”

Even if an animal is kept indoors, ensuring their vaccination against the virus is up-to-date serves as an important barrier if they are ever exposed to a wild or stray animal that could be carrying the disease. Those who have barn cats should have them vaccinated against rabies.

Many Kansas cities and counties have vaccination requirements; know what is required in your community and contact your veterinarian for more information about rabies vaccination.

Rabies attacks the brain and spinal cord and can take several weeks to months for symptoms to appear, but early treatment after an exposure can prevent rabies in both humans and pets that are up to date on vaccinations. The vaccination is highly effective.

If you notice unusual behavior in your animal, or you think your animal may have had contact with rabid wildlife, it is important to immediately contact your veterinarian to determine the next steps to take.

If you are a veterinarian, remember to always consider rabies as a potential diagnosis for neurologic animals. In Kansas, rabies is a reportable disease which requires a veterinarian to report a positive rabies test to the KDA Division of Animal Health.

In order to prevent the spread of rabies, people should teach children to be cautious around outdoor animals, wild or domestic, even if they look to be friendly; wash a wound from an animal encounter thoroughly with soap and water and get medical attention immediately; keep pet vaccinations current; and monitor pets when outside.

If you have concerns about rabies, please visit www.kdhe.ks.gov/1497/Rabies or call the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317.

State issues health alert after recent rabies cases in Kansas

By

Guest Columnist

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October 3, 2024

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The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment together advise Kansans to be alert to the human health risk caused by unvaccinated animals, following a second detection of rabies in a cat in the last two weeks, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

The two cases were in Jewell County and Harvey County, and both involved outdoor cats which exposed multiple humans and other cats. The known human exposures have started rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, a series of five vaccinations to prevent rabies in humans.