When The Earth Moves, E11S2 Engineering Out Loud podcast

23:34

The removal of four dams from the Klamath River was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture the interplay of science, engineering, and culture. Desirée Tullos, professor of water resources engineering at Oregon State University assembled a collaborative team that unites Western science and traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous people. BONUS CONTENT: What it Takes to Take Down a Dam (podcast) Unrestricted Flow (video about River Engineering field trip on the Klamath)…

Engineering Out Loud

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What is behind the Klamath dam removals? S14E1 13:23

50 weeks ago13:23

13:23

This is a historic year on the Klamath River, where the biggest dam removal in the U.S. is underway. The hope for the monumental engineering project is that it will restore some balance to a damaged ecological system. We hear from Mark Bransom, who is overseeing the demolition and restoration, about why and how it’s happening and some of the challenges of the project. Bonus content: Video: Mark Bransom heads the historic dam removals Clean Water Showcase: May 21-22, 2024. Join us at the 2024 Clean Water Showcase hosted by Oregon State University to learn more about innovative and leading work to protect this precious resource through talks by keynote speakers, panel discussions, student presentations, and professional development activities. Video: Sowing Seeds Series: Episode 4 with Brook Thompson…

Engineering Out Loud

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NEWS: How many robots can a single human supervise? S13E1 26:47

1 year ago26:47

26:47

Will swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles be able to aid humans in wildland firefighting or package delivery? Research summarized in a new paper in Field Robotics represents a big step towards realizing such a future. In this interview, Professor Julie A. Adams describes the research showing that one person can supervise more than 100 autonomous ground and aerial robots.…

Engineering Out Loud

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Graduation day, S12E4 20:36

2 years ago20:36

20:36

The final episode of the season occupies a time of transition, as spinoff company Espiku ramps up. We get an update on two systems that received patents and a third that could provide an environmentally benign technology for extracting lithium. We also hear from four graduating students who reflect on their experiences. Bonus content: Tapping technology to ensure the world has enough clean water OSU-Cascades spinout is semifinalist in $4 million federal lithium extraction contest…

Engineering Out Loud

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And so, it flows, S12E3 15:30

2 years ago15:30

15:30

The pandemic didn’t stop Bahman Abbasi ’s desalination research. In this third episode, we learn about the successful lab-scale demonstration of his team’s technology and the next steps toward its commercialization. Plus, the team takes on a new project to clean up wastewater from oil and gas production. Bonus content: Espiku, OSU spin-off company Turning freshwater into saltwater , Bend Source article…

Engineering Out Loud

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Building the foundation, S12E2 13:09

2 years ago13:09

13:09

In the second episode of this four-part season, we travel to Bend, Oregon to visit the Water and Energy Technologies Laboratory and meet the team that is inventing a new technology to desalinate water. Bahman Abbassi, associate professor of mechanical engineering, talks about building the lab from the ground up, and graduate student Mohammed Elhashimi demonstrates their system to desalinate water. Bonus content: Quest for Clean Water ( story , video ) Water and Energy Technologies Laboratory…

Engineering Out Loud

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Turning seawater into sweet water, S12E1 16:40

2 years ago16:40

16:40

Can turning seawater into drinking water be a cost-effective way to provide clean, fresh water for the growing numbers of people facing water scarcity? Bahman Abbasi , associate professor of mechanical engineering, is taking up that challenge with a mobile, modular, solar-powered, desalination system. This is the first episode in a four-part season. Bonus content OSU-Cascades researcher awarded $2 million for research turning salt water into drinking water Department of Energy Solar Desalination program Energy Systems Engineering — OSU-Cascades…

Engineering Out Loud

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Preparing for nature’s worst, S11E8 26:21

3 years ago26:21

26:21

What is Oregon doing to prepare for earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfire? Researchers at Oregon State University are working with the state Legislature to help them make informed decisions about how to prepare for natural hazards. BONUS CONTENT: “A Song for Japan” project Japan 2011 Earthquake Japan quake: Infrastructure damage will delay recovery. BBC News, March 17, 2011 Mar 11, 2011 CE: Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, National Geographic 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami: Facts, FAQs, and how to help, World Vision Earthquake and tsunami Oregon Resilience Plan, Supporting documents Oregon should make itself resilient for a big quake, by Yumei Wang, Jay Raskin and Edward Wolf, The Oregonian, Jan. 9, 2011. Will the Cascadia Earthquake be the Worst Disaster North America’s Ever Seen? | Weathered (PBS Terra video) Partners Preparing for the Big One, S4E5, Engineering Out Loud The Tsunami Could Kill Thousands? Can They Build and Escape? OSU Newport facility built vertically for earthquake, tsunami (KOIN) Oregon State University president affirms decision for new marine studies building location Preparing for an Earthquake , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wildfire Senate Bill 762 Oregon’s work to minimize wildfires gets a boost from federal legislation, Oregon Capital Chronicle, November 17, 2021 As Oregon’s wildfire season fades, new approaches to managing risk need to take hold , Oregon Capital Chronical, October 6, 2021. Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires , United Nations report. Protect your Property from Wildfires , Federal Emergency Management Agency https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-hazard-impacts/preparing-for-natures-worst…

Engineering Out Loud

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Dune erosion solutions, S11E7 25:03

3 years ago25:03

25:03

Can plants fortify Oregon’s coastal dunes against storm surge? Meagan Wengrove , assistant professor of coastal and ocean engineering, built scale versions of dunes in one of the world’s largest wave flumes to find out. BONUS CONTENT: Protecting coastal regions with natural defenses New faculty members bring expertise in wave energy, structural and coastal engineering Four College of Engineering faculty win early-career investigator awards https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-hazard-impacts/dune-erosion-solutions-s11e7…

Engineering Out Loud

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RAPID reconnaissance: Capturing data in the aftermath of a disaster, S11E6 15:32

3 years ago15:32

15:32

After a major disaster, hidden amid the rubble and debris are precious clues about the extreme forcesstructures were subjected to, and exactly what caused them to fail. How can researchers collect this perishable data before it’s swept away? Michael Olsen, professor of geomatics and technical director of the NHERI RAPID Facility, talks about a major effort to get crucial technology into the hands of reconnaissance experts quickly, wherever disaster strikes. https://beav.es/URn BONUS CONTENT: RAPID Facility website Natural Hazards Reconnaissance with the NHERI RAPID Facility (Frontiers in Built Environment) A new laser-toting disaster lab aims to save lives by saving data (Fast Company) https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-hazard-impacts/rapid-reconnaissance-capturing-data-aftermath-disaster-s11e6…

Engineering Out Loud

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Saving PDX, S11E5 15:47

3 years ago15:47

15:47

What will it take for Oregon to recover after a magnitude 9.0 Cascadia subduction zone earthquake? Among other things, it will need a major airport to receive the tons of relief supplies from around the world. Prof. Armin Stuedlein and a research team from Oregon State University conducted crucial testing that guided engineers with big plans to make sure one of the runways at Portland International Airport survives the shaking. BONUS CONTENT: Video: Blast-induced liquefaction tests at PDX Preparing for an earthquake Cascadia Lifelines Program https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-hazard-impacts/saving-pdx-s11e5…

Engineering Out Loud

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What’s in the water after a wildfire? S11E4 18:17

3 years ago18:17

18:17

Wildfires that devastate mountain communities have the potential to foul the water distribution system running underneath residential structures. But knowing which water pipes have been affected is challenging. Erica Fischer, assistant professor of structural engineering, is working with a team of engineers and scientists to develop and test sensors that can easily indicate if water pipes need to be replaced following a fire. BONUS CONTENT: Oregon State University fire expert panel: Oregonians’ mindset needs to expect, accept wildfires Science Pub: Fires in the West Study of destructive California fire finds resilience planning must account for socially vulnerable https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-disasters/what%E2%80%99s-water-after-wildfire-s11e4…

Engineering Out Loud

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Burning to learn, S11E3 17:01

3 years ago17:01

17:01

How do engineers fight wildfires? With fire. David Blunck, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is trying to better understand and predict the behavior of embers that spread blazes. To do this, he has to burn a few of his own. BONUS CONTENT: Firebrands: How to protect your home from wildfires’ windblown flaming debris , by David Blunck (The Conversation) National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA website https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-hazard-impacts/burning-learn-s11e3…

Engineering Out Loud

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When the Earth moves, E11S2 19:11

4 years ago19:11

19:11

What happens to bridges, buildings, and pipelines when the soil holding them up behaves like a liquid? Ben Mason, associate professor geotechnical engineering, has traveled the world doing post-earthquake reconnaissance to find out and make us better prepared for impending earthquakes. BONUS CONTENT: At Work: Ben Mason (Seismological Society of America) General Information Cascadia Subduction Zone (Oregon.gov) Earthquake Hazards (USGS) Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association (GEER) Op-eds Napa earthquake argues for better education in Oregon: Guest opinion (Oregonian) Education is our best ally for earthquake and tsunami preparedness (Gazette Times) News articles A Pacific Northwest Earthquake Could Cause Thousands of Landslides (Newsweek) Earthquake study could make Pacific Northwest safer (Tillamook Headlight Herald) Napa quake spurs advice for earthquake preparedness in Oregon (quiz) (Oregonian) https://engineering.oregonstate.edu/season-11-engineering-natural-disasters/when-earth-moves-s11e2…

Engineering Out Loud

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The day the lights go out in Oregon, S11E1 13:34

4 years ago13:34