The members of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) hope to make UB and Buffalo a greener place to live by working with Clean Air Technologies International to create a program that aims to lower pollution produced by school buses.
With this program, called the Erie County Clean School Bus Initiative, the organizations will research the use of biodiesel fuels in order to reduce bus emissions, which will consist of installing the machines that will allow for biodegradable fuels to be used in the buses and testing the quality of air after the buses are driven.
"Students are putting the equipment on the buses and some are in the bus monitoring the breathing environment," said Robert Baier, executive director Industry/University Center on Biosurfaces (IUCB). "Clean Air Technologies International, helped by providing equipment and training."
The equipment being installed in the buses will be used to find out if the grease from French fries is an acceptable biodiesel fuel, Baier explained.
"Biodiesel (fuel) made from the French fry grease is used to better the environment," Baier said.
According to Baier, the students are researching ways to prove that using biodiesel fuel is better for the environment than petro-diesel fuel, and the main focus of their research is to find out how much pollution is coming out of the buses and into people's lungs.
According to Adam Blair, secretary of ESW, the group spends long hours conducting their research.
"We spend a couple hours riding the buses around and taking data. Then we download the data and analyze it," Blair said. "We set up our testing equipment on a bus around 3:30 or 4 p.m. Then the next morning we jump on the bus by 7 a.m. when it leaves the garage."
While the main goal for ESW is bettering the environment as a whole, they hope this research will lead to making UB's campus more environmentally friendly.
"This study is also a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal: to implement the use of biodiesel in campus buses," Blair said.
Vice president of ESW, Scott Orrange explained that the members of ESW are always seeking for ways to better the environment and appreciate all the opportunities they have had to do so.
"We work to identify problems, then try to solve them," said Scott F. Orrange, Vice president of ESW. "We are excited about every opportunity."
According to Baier, with this project, ESW is gaining valuable experience that is usually not available for clubs.
"What is really exciting is that they are involved in a real research and development project with the government and local industry partners," he said.
Blair is especially glad to have been able to participate in such a research project so early in his college career.
"This study supports the fact even more that UB is a great research institution," he said. "I am only a sophomore and I have easily become involved in research."
ESW president Christopher Llop notes that it's especially beneficial that the group is able to participate in this research because it serves as practice for larger projects.
"It's serving as a great tool in training for our team both in fieldwork and the planning that comes with such projects," Llop said.
Llop believes that students can also make a difference by supporting projects like these or by becoming involved with other groups such as Environmental Network. ESW invites anyone to become involved.
"We're not just looking for engineers. All of our projects include the training needed to be a part, and all majors are invited," Llop said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
