Under a large tent, students and researchers will display a range of new sustainability projects from throughout the university system, including alternative fuel vehicles and wireless environmental sensor networks that can help Californians make smarter decision on designing and operating buildings.
Scientists and researchers from across the UC system will be available to speak to the media on a variety of green innovations, including Agriculture and Natural Resources scientists who will discuss the fast growth and benefits of sustainable farming. A UC San Francisco architect will discuss UC San Francisco's new medical center at Mission Bay, which will offer a world-class healing environment for children, women and cancer patients in a facility that is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. In addition, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists will be available to describe research results for carbon and climate modeling and its impact for California.
The green tent project is part of the annual UC Day celebration that brings together university alumni, stakeholders and friends to share their UC story with California's elected officials.
UC, named one of America's greenest schools last year by Sierra magazine, is also a leader in researching environmental issues.
WHEN: All day Tuesday, March 4, 2008
WHERE: All 10 UC campuses, along with multicampus research centers, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Lawrence Berkeley and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories, will have a number of items on display under the tent on the north side of the Capitol in Sacramento.
VISUALS: A number of UC projects will feature arresting visual elements.
UC Davis will display its alternative fuel vehicles, a Toyota Highlander hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. UC San Diego researchers will demonstrate the effectiveness of microweather monitoring stations. Agriculture and Natural Resources will provide a calculator for calculating the carbon footprints of daily commuting.
For more information about UC Day: www.ucday.org
CAMPUS PROJECTS:
UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley experts will demonstrate how cheap, high-reliability wireless sensor system can help PG&E and others send a signal to new wireless meters in people's homes. Contact: Adrian Diaz (510) 642-3736, adiaz@berkeley.edu
UC Davis: UC Davis will display vehicles from research units within the Institute of Transportation Studies, including a Toyota Highlander hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Contact: Jason Murphy (530) 752-9796, jwmurphy@ucdavis.edu
UC Irvine: Researchers at the National Fuel Cell Research Center and the Advanced Power and Energy Program will discuss how this program is advancing clean and efficient energy technologies. Contact: Kathy Eiler (949) 824-5227, keiler@uci.edu
UCLA: UCLA experts will be on hand to discuss how innovations like next-generation biofuels can turn every U.S. household into a little power generator. Contact: Erika Sandoval (310) 794-6836, esandoval@support.ucla.edu
UC Merced: Researchers will exhibit a natural gas-powered car, donated by PG&E, and discuss exciting developments in solar energy research. Contact: Larry Salinas (209) 228-4440, lsalinas@ucmerced.edu
UC Riverside: Scientists will discuss advancements in two areas of biofuels -- cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel from carbonaceous materials. In addition, researchers will speak about ongoing efforts at UC Riverside's Atmospheric Processes Laboratory. Contact: Susan McKee (951) 827-5184, susan.mckee@ucr.edu
UC San Diego: Researchers will demonstrate how microweather stations help to make smarter decisions about how to design and operate buildings, manage water use for irrigation, and monitor air pollution exposure. Contact: Rex Graham (858) 822-3075, ragraham@ucsd.edu
UC San Francisco: Experts will discuss UC San Francisco's new LEED certified medical center at Mission Bay. Contact: Kieran Flaherty (415) 476-8433, kflaherty@cgr.ucsf.edu
UC Santa Barbara: Experts will be on hand to discuss a number of exciting environmental science solution updates including research at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and ongoing campus sustainability programs. Contact: Cecilia Gomez (805) 893-3131, cecilia.gomez@ia.ucsb.edu
UC Santa Cruz: Experts will demonstrate how nanotechnology can improve energy efficiency. Contact: Donna Blitzer (831) 459-3938, dblitzer@ucsc.edu
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Scientists will discuss how cool roof materials, pavements and vegetation can reduce the heat island effect, save energy and reduce smog formation. Contact: Don Medley (510) 486-6863, drmedley@lbl.gov
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Scientists will discuss sustainable farming and also how soil traps carbon to slow global warming. In addition, a carbon footprint calculator will calculate how much daily commutes contribute to the atmosphere. Contact: Pam Kan-Rice (510) 987-0043, pamela.kan-rice@ucop.edu
California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology: Experts will discuss how IT-based infrastructures in transportation, power generation can contribute to a cleaner, greener world. Contact: Shellie Nazarenus (949) 533-2564, snaz@calit2.uci.edu
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: Scientists will present a project describing research results for carbon and climate modeling and its possible impact for California. Contact: Susan Houghton (925) 422-9919, houghton3@llnl.gov