Campus.News: Features

While the debate rages over the future of the nation's energy resources, including the potential increase in the number of coal-burning power plants, researchers at Rensselaer have linked coal plant emissions to toxic levels of mercury.

Their study shows that the level of mercury in sediment at the bottom of NewYork's Central Park Lake is at least 10 times the amount found in some industrial areas.

"The atmospheric input of mercury to the sediments is the highest I have ever seen. We know mercury is toxic, and we know it accumulates over time. The question is, is this acceptable?" said Richard Bopp, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences.

Bopp's team studied core samples of Central Park Lake sediment dating back to the 1860s. After consulting historical records of coal consumption in the city, Bopp concluded that domestic coal-fired stoves and furnaces, industrial fuel use, and coal-burning power plants left much of the toxic residue.

A recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency predicted that emissions of hazardous air pollutants by coal-fired utilities would increase 10 percent to 30 percent by the year 2010.

EPA says the emission of mercury is the greatest health concern posed by coal burning. Coal-fired plants in the United States emit an estimated 52 tons of mercury into the atmosphere per year.

"The potential for increased mercury in the environment depends, to a large extent, on emission controls. The level of emission control that is appropriate for coal-burning power plants is a significant question that will have to be addressed," Bopp said.

Formula Car Travels to England

This summer, 20 engineering and management students from Rensselaer ventured overseas to Birmingham, England, for the second annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Student Racecar Competition.

Formula Car The international field this year included entries from Britain, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovenia. This was Rensselaer's second time attending the event. The team finished 10th overall, including a first-place finish in the lateral acceleration, or skid pad, event to test the car's handling capabilities. Last year the car placed third overall.

Formula Student is the European rendition of Formula SAE, the long-running competition held annually in Pontiac, Mich., and sponsored by auto industry giants Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Rensselaer has been competing in Formula SAE annually since 1991.

The aim of the Formula Student competition is for engineering students to design and build a small racing car to meet a specification (not necessarily the fastest racing car) and estimate the cost of their creation assuming a production run of 100 vehicles. The restrictions on the chassis and engine are limited so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students are challenged.

The cars are built over a period of about one year and are taken to a host institution for judging and comparison with approximately 120 other competitors from across the world.

More than 1,100 freshmen will join the campus community and take part in "Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond," a weeklong series of events designed to introduce them to campus, to each other, and to the surrounding community. Theactivities are organized by the Office of the First-Year Experience.

Incoming freshmen move into their residence halls on or before Tuesday, Aug. 21. Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond begins Aug. 21 with a kickoff barbecue and continues through Sunday, Aug. 26.

Students will choose from a variety of wilderness, cultural and historical, and community service activities, including tours of local art institutions, leadership training, and musical and theatrical activities. Students also will take part in one of two off-campus trips, to Camp Sloane in Connecticut or to the Silver Bay Association on Lake George. During those trips, students will take part in "adventure-based" teambuilding activities including orienteering, "ropes" courses, and various water sports.

Troy students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attendA "Communiversity Welcome Festival" on Saturday, Aug. 25, in downtown Troy. The event will include entertainment, vendors, refreshments, and more.

For more information, contact the Office of the First-Year Experience at ext. 6864 or visit the Web site at www.rpi.edu/dept/fye/nrb.

The fiscal year 2002 Performance Plan of the Institute Advancement (IA) Division will advance the Rensselaer Plan's highest priorities, including information technology, biotechnology, the electronic media and performing arts center, and the first-year experience, says David Haviland '64, IA vice president.

"The sole focus of IA is advancing Rensselaer and its priorities. We provide messages, marketing, volunteers, and fund raising to increase Rensselaer's reputation, expand its resource base, and achieve its goals as outlined in the Rensselaer Plan," Haviland says. "We've really worked to be as pervasive as possible. The priorities of the plan are in front of our key audiences: potential candidates to fill constellation faculty positions, researchers, and potential donors and volunteers."

Haviland says IA will continue the "Why Not Change the World" national advertising program to raise Rensselaer's profile among its alumni, researchers, educators, and other influential groups. The Institute also will continue to place stories about faculty and their research in influential media.

IA is working to expand relationships with Rensselaer alumni by offering "value-added" services, affinity and networking opportunities, programs for students as alums-to-be, and an expanded presence across the United States and overseas.

In addition, the Institute is in the process of launching a comprehensive fund-raising campaign with intense focus on large donors and large gifts. The campaign is already gaining momentum, Haviland says.

"We are in the beginning stages of a campaign of historic proportions," Haviland says. "We've been hard at work placing proposals in front of major donors, as well as supporting the president in acquiring the pace-setting $360 million gift.

"The Rensselaer Plan intends to transform our Institute. Achieving this 'bend in the road' will require money, influence, and visibility at levels far beyond anything we have seen to date," Haviland adds. "We expect to raise substantial gifts from individuals as well as substantial education and research revenues from corporate, foundation, and international partners."