slussier on Nov 30th 2011 Suffolk University
Just got a quick note from a recent graduate and wanted to brag a bit:
Hello,
How are you? I am ok! I just wanted to stop by and say hi. Im enjoying
my new job working working in the synthetic chemical industry
environmental dept! I feel like I’m in a good position to work for big
oil if I ever wanted to with the stuff I am learning haha. how are
things with you and how is school?
We take pride in both preparing our students for the workforce and assiting them in finding good jobs in their chosen fields. Good job getting a good job!
slussier on Jun 17th 2010 Uncategorized
I just came across a cool iPhone App which allows users to report oil incidents found along the coastal regions including oiled shorelines and wildlife as well as generic reports on oil related damage and oil related incidents. Users can reported contaminated shoreline areas, soiled wildlife, or other sightings (and can include images along with their reports) to report oil washing up on the beach. This data is then sent to a central server which keeps track of all the sites. It may seem just neat, but this is powerful stuff in terms of Environmental Management. Responders can now get real time data with photos and maps. With the increase in the numbers of Smart Phones out there, collection of data has never been so easy and timely.
slussier on Apr 26th 2010 Uncategorized
This video speaks for itself – with the help of a little Fatboy Slim…
slussier on Apr 20th 2010 Mapping,Technology
I came across this interesting video today. It shows a Touch Table in action, using Google Earth and ArcGIS as the demonstration software. These are two of the software packages we learn to use in ENVE-325 and SCI-173 at Suffolk. 
<http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/video/231-touchtable.html>
slussier on Apr 8th 2009 Energy,News,Technology
Lately, we’ve all been hearing about Smart Grid Technology and how it will green our lives. In a nutshell, a smart grid involves a computerized meter in your home which sends information back to the power company. By checking the controls in your house, you can make smart decisions as to how you use power. An example would be running your diswasher at night when power is cheaper. General Electric’s Super Bowl ad with the Tinman dancing around on High Speed power lines comes to mind. IBM and Google have big plans as well. Whenever these big boys jump into an arena, its big. More to the point, this new technology will save us money and reduce our dependency of foreign oil. This is something that just about everyone from Rush Limbaugh to Nancy Pelosi can agree on. The technology is rapidly being developed, refined and tested. Worcester is next. National Grid, New England’s largest electric supplier, is installing this technology in 15,000 homes. I can’t wait until it comes to my home. Above is a graphic which helps explain a Smart City.
In my opinion, building a career the Smart Grid field (i.e. a combination of energy engineering and information technology) would be a smart move. At the Suffolk Environmental Engineering program, we can help you get there.
slussier on Mar 11th 2009 Green
The concept of floating buildings seems to be catching on. Today I came across an article in CNN.com about entire floating cities. Think if this like a series of cruise ships, only with different neighborhoods and buildings that could be detached and re-arranged. This reminds me of the Boston Album cover (dating myself)
and one of my favorite books Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Article here:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/09/floating.cities.seasteading/index.html
slussier on Mar 10th 2009 Food,Green,Technology
Spurred by interest from noneother than our own Program Director, Dr. Hogan, I recently did some internet digging on the topic of Urban Farming and Hydroponics. One article that I found got me thinking. It’s about a barge in New York City which uses solar and wind power to grow completely sustainable vegetable crops. Using both Hydroponics (growing plants in water – no soil) and Aquaponics (using plants and animals together), these urban farmers are growing tons of vegetables with zero carbon emissions while generating no waste. The barge is currently used as an educational facility.
You can find the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/nyregion/westchester/23bargewe.html?scp=1&sq=soil%20free%20farming&st=cse
This article dovetailed nicely with a book I just finished called The Omnivore’ Dilemma, by Michael Pollan Part of his book details the Polyface Farm, which practices “beyond-organic” farming techniques. If you’re interested in the connection between food and the environment, check out the book and the Polyface farming website.
http://www.polyfacefarms.com/
http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore.php
slussier on Feb 10th 2009 Energy,Green,News
Personally, I have questions about the intent of the “Economic Stimulus” package. Much of the $800,000,000,000 (yes, it really is that many zeros) being proposed can not honestly be called stimulative. My feeling is that if you want to spend our money, lets have a debate on its usefulness and not fast-track it through because the Sky is Falling. As much as I disapprove of the process, I do appreciate much of what the bill is trying to accomplish, particulalry in the areas of the Environment and Science research. In any event, Smart Grid technology is something you hear much about these days. I’ve included a good link to the left where you can find some good info on what its all about. I’ve also included some good Google.org links about their Green and PowerMeter programs. To the left is a link of a GoogleMap showing the convergence of digital mapping and smart grid info.
slussier on Jan 14th 2009 Technology
This morning I listened to an NPR podcast about West Philly’s X-Kids. Two months late I know, but relevant nontheless. These inner city technical high school youths build electric vehicles and compete nationally with big time Universities around the world. And they win. They also have fun, learn valuable skills, challenge mainstream thinking and contribute to society on a grand scale. I recommend checking out their website and the NPR Podcast here:
http://www.evxteam.org/
http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/11/west-phillys-x-kids/
Hearing stories about school competitions like this one and others like the Solar Decathalon (http://www.solardecathlon.org/) make me wonder why we at Suffolk don’t give Green engineering competition of some sort a shot. Maybe its my competitive nature, or maybe its my belief that our students are some of the smartest in Boston or maybe its been my experience that hands-on knowledge is a great way to learn/teach. Probably a combination of all of that and more. Regardless, it seems like fun. If anyone at Suffolk is interested in exploring this concept a bit further, drop me a line at slussier@suffolk.edu.
slussier on Nov 14th 2008 Mapping
The City of Boston is active in its efforts to encourage Solar installations within the city. Part of that effort is the Solar Boston map which allows you to see active renewable energy installations within the City, and to calculate the solar potential of building rooftops. The map was created by the Boston Redevelopment Authority in cooperation with the Solar Boston program. I am always looking for ways to use GIS to assist in Going Green. This is a good example of just that.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/climate/solar.asp
