Biodiesel InitiativeThe OSU Biodiesel Initiative is a community of interested students and community members who meet biweekly on campus to discuss biofuels for diesel vehicles and other energy solutions. Emphasis is placed on sustainable, environmentally safe products that conform to ASTM standards. With support from the Initiative, the OSU Shuttle runs on 50% biodiesel during spring term, 2005. |
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Nuclear Energy RedesignIncreased global awareness of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is prompting research into safer, more sustainable nuclear energy options. Led by Dr. Jose Reyes, OSU's Nuclear Engineering & Radiation Health Physics Dept. (ranked ninth in the nation) has obtained over $13 million in research funding. The team has created a bold new reactor design that eliminates pipes, pumps, and moving parts by using passive forces like gravity and natural convection. |
Ocean Wave EnergyIt is estimated that if 0.2% of the ocean’s untapped energy could be harnessed, it could provide power sufficient for the entire world. Research conducted by OSU has shown that the Oregon coastline presents some of the richest ocean wave energy potentials in the nation. OSU has formed an engineering team to investigate novel and highly efficient wave energy extraction devices. |
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Oregon Nanoscience & Microtechnologies InstituteA partnership amongst OSU, University of Oregon, Portland State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and others, ONAMI is is Oregon's first "Signature Research Center." ONAMI research leads the nation in high efficiency, high precision, low waste microreactor production of nanomaterials; "green" synthesis techniques combining higher material yields and less harmful reagents and; high-temperature, corrosion resistant microstructures to enable localized and on-vehicle production of hydrogen. |
Wind EnergyThe Energy Resources Research Laboratory has managed data collection, quality assurance and analysis for Bonneville Power Administration's wind energy resource studies since 1978 and manages other activities for transmission line research. It maintains a large database of wind data for the Pacific Northwest, and its research includes small-scale wind turbine technology. Services include an anemometer loan program to assist landowners in measuring their land's wind energy potential. |
The OSU Research Office links research in OSU colleges and multidisciplinary centers
Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
In both education and research, aims to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art education to prepare students for professional and responsible engineering positions.
Crop and Soil Science
Examining
bioremediation to reduce or eliminate unwanted and potentially dangerous substances.
Environmental Health Sciences Center
Researches effects of environmental agents on proteins, nucleic acids, and gene expression.
Institute for Natural Resources
Provides to Oregon leaders current, science-based information and methods for better understanding our resource management challenges and solutions.
Institute for Water and Watersheds
OSU is ideally positioned to assume a leadership role in addressing water problems. In 2005, the IWW was established as the hub for water-related teaching and research activities at the University.
Motor Systems Resource Facility
A nonprofit
research and testing laboratory for motors, drives, power electronics and power quality applications. MSRF is currently researching Ocean Electric Energy Extraction, detailed above (pdf).
Oregon Invests!
Powerful interactive database
offering information about the latest agricultural research.
Oregon Sea Grant
Works to further knowledge of the marine and coastal environments of the Pacific Northwest, and the forces - natural and human - that shape their destiny.
Sustainable Plant Research and Outreach Projects at the Oregon Garden
SPROut
projects explore the use of plants to provide
ecosystem services and include processes like phytoremediation,
restoration of degraded riparian areas, wetlands treatment of
wastewater and urban storm water management.
SPROut cooperates closely with the Institute for Natural Resources, OSU Extension
Service, the Horticulture Department; and the Crop and Soil Science
Department.
Meadowfoam Blooms On - Meadowfoam is an agricultural crop gaining increasing attention from oil markets around the world. Research is now underway to affirm the potential for conservation tillage planting, a practice that could significantly reduce production costs.
New Sun Grant Explores Bio-based Energy - OSU is helping to reduce America’s reliance upon imported fossil fuels, as part of the new Sun Grant Initiative passed by Congress earlier this year.
Consensus Statement on Climate Change in the Northwest
Oregon scientists seek to describe the state of scientific knowledge regarding likely impacts of climate change to the Pacific Northwest region. Also check out the Opinion Letter from two OSU deans and the information sheet covering Warming in the Pacific Northwest.
