sustainability and life cycle analysis · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and...

51
SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS Statement of Competencies and Activities North Carolina State University Prepared exclusively for Dr. Jonathan Johnson, The Sustainability Consortium July 22, 2011

Upload: others

Post on 08-Aug-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS Statement of Competencies and Activities North Carolina State University Prepared exclusively for Dr. Jonathan Johnson, The Sustainability Consortium July 22, 2011

Page 2: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 2

Preface

North Carolina State University (NC State) and The Sustainability Consortium have expressed an interest in exploring ways to work collaboratively to develop solutions to the sustainability and life cycle analysis (LCA) issues that business and industry are facing today. To begin the discussion, Dr. Jonathan Johnson, a director of The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), agreed to meet with representatives from the colleges of NC State University on July 22, 2011, to learn more about the capabilities of the colleges and to explore ways to move forward and establish a more defined relationship.

It is generally recognized that a wide range of interdisciplinary skills are necessary to develop solutions to sustainability and life cycle analysis issues. To facilitate this initial discussion, representatives of NC State’s colleges collaborated on this Statement of Competencies and Activities, presenting individual and collaborative activities and areas of expertise. This report is prepared for the exclusive use of Jonathan Johnson and The Sustainability Consortium.

This is just the beginning, and we look forward to productive discussions.

This Statement of Competencies and Activities is organized as follows.

Preface ............................................................................................................... 2 Executive summary of university capabilities ....................................................... 3 Interdisciplinary initiatives .................................................................................... 6 A matrix of the colleges’ sustainability and LCA capabilities .............................. 12 Summaries of the colleges’ sustainability-related expertise and resources

College of Engineering ............................................................................................... 15 College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences ........................................................ 17 College of Textiles ...................................................................................................... 21 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .................................................................... 24 College of Education .................................................................................................. 35 College of Natural Resources..................................................................................... 37 College of Humanities and Social Sciences ............................................................... 42 Poole College of Management ................................................................................... 43 NC State Institute for Advanced Analytics .................................................................. 49 Selected NC State Sustainability Research Publications ........................................... 50

Page 3: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 3

Executive Summary of University Capabilities

The development of sustainability metrics for products requires a thorough characterization of economic, environmental and ethical/social aspects during their life-cycle, including raw materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University faculty members have collective expertise in life-cycle analysis methodologies and their applications in life-cycle analysis of various products and processes as described below.

This executive summary presents NC State’s capacity to deliver scholarly work, conduct life cycle analysis and innovate on behalf of and in collaboration with business and industry in the sustainability arena.

North Carolina State University is Uniquely Positioned to Advance the Science of Sustainability.

NC State is an 1862 land grant university focused upon discovery, advancement of new technologies, economic development and delivering a world class education to its 34,000 students. With 10 colleges and 8,000 faculty and staff, NC State functions as an economic engine in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, an area recognized internationally for corporate and scholarly innovation. Annual research expenditures at NC State exceed $350 million and 21 members of the National Academy of Science work on the university campus. Among academic institutions without medical schools, NC State consistently is ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 universities in terms of industry support for research and development. Of great importance is that NC State’s commercial relationships and collaborative culture enable its faculty to deliver superior research while developing students that have earned a global reputation for solving real world problems. Located in a rapidly urbanizing agricultural state that contains some of the nation’s most prized ecological resources, it is reasonable to suggest that NC State University is uniquely positioned to contribute to the science of sustainability and serve as a productive member of The Sustainability Consortium.

NC State Improves Value Chains, Globally.

NC State operates the world’s preeminent public plant breeding program and the world’s most advanced veterinary research hospital.

Technology Review hailed the solid state transformer, developed in NC State’s NSF-supported FREEDM (Future Renewable Fuels Electric Energy Delivery and Management) Center, as one of 2010’s 10 most important innovations and a key component of the emerging U.S. Smart Grid.

The Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center in the College of Textiles is the global leader in the application of advanced materials and coatings to fabrics used in consumer products.

The College of Natural Resources manages its 80,000-acre Hofmann Forest to provide ecosystem services to the state as well as the U.S. military. Massive footprints and critical defense missions of nearby Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg dictate NC State involvement in research and activities that enhance national security while protecting the environment.

Centers and initiatives in the Poole College of Management provide thought leadership in the areas of supply chain management, enterprise risk management, innovation management and technology commercialization.

Page 4: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 4

NC State’s Centennial and North Carolina Research Campuses are renowned international models for large scale, public-private partnerships in technology development and agriculture, nutrition and human health, respectively.

In the Sustainability Arena, the Combined and Coordinated Efforts of NC State’s Colleges Represent World Class Agricultural, Analytical, Economic, Engineering, Environmental, Management, Modeling and Sociological Knowhow.

The U.S. Department of Interior’s 2011 decision to base its U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Southeast Climate Science Center at NC State is a reflection of the university’s ability to work collaboratively and marshal its talent and resources into a large, multi-disciplinary, scientific examination of climate change. Similarly, NC State faculty and staff are pooling their expertise and organizing new teams in a strategic effort to pursue new knowledge in the sustainability space.

NC State ‘Walks the Talk’ When it Comes to Sustainability.

In crop production, water management, energy and the environment, NC State scientists have been involved in sustainability research and outreach for at least two decades. Today, NC State’s commitment to sustainability is deeper and broader in scope. The university itself is committed to ‘walking the talk.’ NC State’s Facilities Operations unit was awarded $1.2 million for energy projects and fellowships through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The university has calculated its carbon footprint and developed Climate Action and Strategic Energy Management plans to reduce that footprint.

NC State Scientists Have Considerable Expertise in Life Cycle Analyses.

It appears that debates on the topic of metrics may dominate much of the sustainability discussion in the immediate future. With numerous resourceful world class predictive modelers like Dr. Robert Abt (renewable biomass), Dr. Barry Goodwin ( agricultural and environmental risk management) and Dr. Wayne Scaggs (water management), NC State can field a sizeable cadre of team-oriented life cycle analysts who understand the mathematics of metrics creation, the nuances of commodity production, manufacturing and consumer goods creation and optimization processes. The College of Engineering (COE) faculty, for example, has considerable expertise in developing and applying contemporary methodologies for life-cycle analysis of products and processes. Such expertise can collectively help to quantify and analyze metrics for characterizing sustainability considering all aspects of a product life-cycle. Faculty in COE’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, for example, manage the nation’s – if not the world’s – strongest program in the application of LCA to solid waste management.

Page 5: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 5

NC State Can Readily Supply Graduate Students Who Possess the Skill and Savvy to Make Immediate Contributions to Industry Sustainability Programs and Initiatives.

In 2006, NC State created the nation’s first and preeminent graduate program in Advanced Analytics. Students in the 10-month Institute for Advanced Analytics (IAA) are trained to attack large datasets and solve difficult, analytical problems confronted by industry. Important is the idea that IAA teams can be readily tasked with the development of sustainability metrics and/or solution of data-rich LCA challenges. The IAA makes the overall NC State effort to advance sustainability more robust, bringing a new dimension and level of rigor to the university’s already strong capacity to deliver research results, build predictive models and solve real world problems.

NC State Engages Business in Advancing Sustainability.

In the Poole College of Management, faculty and researchers affiliated with the NSF-funded Center for Innovation Management Studies, and the college’s Supply Chain Resource Cooperative and BioSciences Management Initiative collaborate with business and industry to integrate and advance sustainability in their organizations. Faculty in the nationally recognized Enterprise Risk Management Initiative work with senior business leaders to integrate sustainability into their risk assessment and strategy development. Scott Showalter, professor of practice in our Department of Accounting, provides real world perspective on sustainability reporting and assurance based on his experience as a partner (retired) with one of the major international accounting firms. Graduate students in our MBA, Master of Accounting and Master of Global Innovation Management programs work in teams in their practicum experiences with faculty on problems – including sustainability-related issues – faced by industry affiliated with our center and initiatives. The interdisciplinary nature of the MBA curriculum in particular presents additional opportunities for student teams to further support the development and delivery of solutions to global sustainability issues. Similar opportunities present themselves in NC State’s Graduate Economics Programs, offered jointly by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Poole College of Management (PCOM).

Page 6: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 6

Interdisciplinary Initiatives

Following are summaries of selected interdisciplinary sustainability-related activities at NC State involving partners in business and industry.

Proposed Science and Technology Center for Sustainable Microelectronics Dr. Justin Schwartz, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor and department head, principal investigator Department of Materials Science | College of Engineering

Faculty from across the university, including representatives from the colleges of engineering, physical and mathematical sciences, textiles, agriculture and life sciences and management, recently submitted a proposal to establish a Science and Technology Center for Sustainable Microelectronics (STCSM). This center proposed to reinvent the manner in which we design, manufacture, sell, use, reclaim and ultimately reuse every component of microelectronic devices.

The STCSM introduces two new concepts that meet the overarching goals of eliminating the waste stream and reliance on rare elements through:

Self-disassembly at the microchip level and Reverse manufacturing at the circuit board level.

These concepts depend upon new materials with triggerable transitions that allow local on-demand instabilities to promote separation. The new materials are coupled with new approaches to interfacial engineering, layer assembly, and device design. The replacement of scarce and toxic materials is pursued via the use of new emerging materials and manufacturing systems. The research plan is orchestrated around two themes:

Reinventing the printed circuit board and Reconstructing (and deconstructing) the microchip.

The center focuses on the full lifecycle of materials and devices and includes researchers from the social sciences who will develop an understanding of how human attitudes and behavior may affect deployment of these new materials, manufacturing methods and waste disposal techniques.

Page 7: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 7

Agrosphere Modeling for Producing Large Increases in Food Yield (AMPLIFY) An NC State University Initiative for Technology-Enhanced Sustainable Agriculture Dr. Gary A. Payne, William Neal Reynolds Professor, principle investigator Dr. Rebecca S. Boston, William Neal Reynolds Professor and interim assistant director Department of Plant Pathology | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agricultural production in the world must increase by 70% by 2050 to meet the needs of a growing population (FA0, 2009). Meeting this formidable challenge will require increased yields and cropping intensity with minimum impact on the environment. AMPLIFY is a new NC State platform through which our research teams, advised and informed by growers and industry collaborators, will develop and validate advanced farming systems. This initiative seeks to develop a sustainable agricultural model through innovation and use of new and existing technologies to achieve maximum productivity from crop genetics in a sustainable fashion.

The AMPLIFY project will:

Build an interdisciplinary cohort of academic and industry scientists focused upon integrated agronomy and grower practice, risk management and life cycle analysis, water management and predictive modeling, biodiversity and ecosystem services, fundamental discovery science and analytics.

Establish a long-term research site for data collection, verification of the latest technologies and development of production models for high yield agriculture. Positioning the site in North Carolina would take advantage of our existing agricultural industry and our state’s strength in biotechnology to make it an epicenter for regional as well as international research.

Deliver research-based sustainability metrics that establish an industry standard, provide direct benefit for industry and growers, and enhance the farm-to-fork value chain.

Form a digitally connected ‘social network’ of cooperating producers who will learn from one another as they contribute data and help AMPLIFY analysts condense the massive amount of data emanating from farms and ‘smart’ machinery into applications that make sense and create genuine value for growers.

Working together, the AMPLIFY teams will focus a robust analytic capacity on a research platform that will, in coordinated fashion, drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability throughout the value chain, create value from large, complex datasets, and move basic knowledge to commercialization faster.

Page 8: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 8

Southeast Region Climate Science Research Center

Department of Biology | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Damian Shea, professor and department head, principle investigator NC State University has been selected as the site of the new United States Department of Interior Climate Science Centers. This university/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) partnership will be the core facility dedicated to climate change research in the southeastern United States. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said it will “provide the science needed to understand which resources are most vulnerable to climate change and work closely with natural and cultural resource managers faced with planning for those changes.” As the climate of the southeast changes, many challenges requiring a central network of researchers, data and communication will arise. For example, under such conditions many species from tropical regions will be capable of living in the southeastern U.S., including new diseases and their vectors. By the same token, many species currently in the region will be unable to persist without aid. To deal with these challenges of managing wild species and their consequences, we need major collaborations from scientists across many fields. If the challenge of going to the moon was to build a spaceship, the challenge of dealing with climate change is much more like the challenge of Babel, that of communication both among researchers and with the public. We use many tools to predict what will happen with climate change, from large-scale experiments, to models, to field observations. But just as importantly we need to seamlessly link the information gathered from such research to anyone in a position to act upon it. Up to 10 Ph.D.-level federal scientists will move to NC State to lead the center and will collaborate with the many ecologists, evolutionary biologists, entomologists, geneticists, anthropologists and other scientists and extension agents at NC State whose work bears on or directly addresses climate change. Up to $7.5 million per year will be available to fund collaborative research and resource management projects. The strength of NC State University and the Triangle in research areas related to climate change is key to the success of the center. The center will be accompanied by the development of a new climate change curriculum and will lead to many new offerings for students related to research on and education in climate change science. By the same token, the center will benefit greatly from the active involvement of students in research and outreach.

Page 9: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 9

Research Triangle Energy Consortium

NC State also is part of the Research Triangle Energy Consortium (RTEC) which is focused on making a major impact on solving the nation’s and the world’s technical, economic, societal and public policy problems related to the use of energy. The following table summarizes NC State’s activities with RTEC.

APPENDIX I - RTEC | Energy Capabilities Summary

Department/Unit Programs Key Faculty, PIs Critical Infrastructure

1 COE, PAMS Nuclear science and engineering

Turinsky, Hawari, Mitchell, Gould, Huffman, Matzen, Gupta

PULSTAR reactor, TUNL accelerators, ORNL remote handling facilities, Center for Nuclear Power Plant Structures

2 COE, CALS, CNR Biomass, biofuels, combustion,

Sharma, Boyette, Cheng, Chinn, Veal, Stikeleather, Hobbs, Lineburger, Peretti, Kelley, Swartzel, Sederoff, Chiang, Cowling, Roberts, Frey, Barlaz

Applied Energy Research Laboratory, Biomass Roundtable, Forest Biotechnology, Southern Center for Sustainable Forestry, Renewable Energy Technology Innovation Institute

3 COE, PAMS, COT Nanoscale energy, energy storage, environmental technology, nanomaterials, computational materials science, 3D manufacturing

Parsons, Henderson, Lindsey, Maggard, Krim, Nardelli, Misra, Maria, Carbonell, Pourdeyhimi, Powell, Zhang

Nanofabrication Facility, Triangle National Lithography Center, Center for Environmentally Responsible Solvents and Processes, Nanoscale Tribology Laboratory, Center for High Performance Simulation

Page 10: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 10

RTEC Energy Capabilities Summary

Department/Unit Programs Key Faculty, PIs Critical Infrastructure

4 COT, COD, CNR, PAMS

Energy efficient design, systems integration, regional and global climate modeling, geospatial technologies

Godfrey, Place, Bizios, Tilotta, Mitasova, Xie, Semazzi

Home Environments Design Initiative, American Home at NCSU, Daylighting Facility, Climate Modeling Laboratory

5 COE Transportation systems, vehicle emissions monitoring

Rouphail, Frey, Huang

Institute for transportation research and education, EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory , Advanced Transportation Energy Center

6 PAMS, CALS, COEd, Friday Institute

Science House; K-12 education and outreach, K-20 education research

Haase, Snyder, Jones, Wiebe

Satellite Science House campuses in eastern and western NC, K-12 programs on campus, K-20 educational innovation

7 CALS, PCOM, CHASS

Bio-energy economics, environmental and resource policy, comparative state energy policy

Zering, Brown, Zuckerman, Piggott, Kearney, Bosworth, Birkland, Gilman

Center for Environmental and Resource Economic Policy, School of Public and International affairs, Oak Ridge Center for Advances Studies

8 COE Power management microsystems, utility power electronics, power semiconductor devices, electric power systems

Huang, Bhattacharya, Baran, Du, Grainger, Chow, Johnson, Baliga

Semiconductor Power Electronics Center: power management consortium, consortium for advanced power electronics and energy storage

Page 11: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 11

RTEC Energy Capabilities Summary

Department/Unit Programs Key Faculty, PIs Critical Infrastructure

9 COE Pilot plant studies, analytical testing, mineral characterization

Shlanz Minerals Research Laboratory, Asheville

10 Solar Center Photovoltaics, solar thermal, housing, renewable energy

Kalland, Hobbs Solar House, Coastal Wind Initiative, NC GreenPower, NC HealthyBuilt homes

11 Industrial Extension Service

Energy management education

Ratcliff Energy audit services for NC companies

12 COV, PAMS,CALS Respiratory diseases- asthma, bronchitis; air quality

Adler, Aneja, Zhang Gilliam, Westerman

Pathogenetic mechanisms of respiratory diseases, environmental impact of animal feeding operations

13 CHASS Energy policy, social and historical context of international energy issues, risk communication

Khater, Booker, Gilmartin, Basset, Ocko, Kick, Gray, Kinsella, Birkland

History of Middle East and Asia - energy and water issues; macro comparative sociology; community development, nuclear energy risk communication.

College identifiers: CALS: Agriculture and Life Sciences | CHASS: Humanities and Social Sciences | CNR: Natural Resources | COD: Design | COE: Engineering COEd: Education | COT: Textiles | COV: Veterinary Medicine | PAMS: Physical and Mathematical Sciences | PCOM: Poole College of Management

See college summaries for full names of faculty noted in this table.

Page 12: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 12

NC State LCA Matrix

This three-page table presents NC State faculty activity in four sustainability-related areas: raw material acquisition, manufacturing inventory analysis, and economic competitiveness and business solutions.

Page 13: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 13

LCA Matrix – page 2

Page 14: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 14

LCA Matrix – pg. 3

See each college’s summary pages for additional sustainability-related activities.

Page 15: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 15

College of Engineering (COE) Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/

Overview The College of Engineering is committed to providing a quality education to our students that prepares them for careers in an ever-increasing technological world and creating an environment for our faculty and staff that promotes advanced research and technology transfer.

With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the college is among the top engineering schools in the country. Our faculty, staff and students are engaged in vital areas of research and technology transfer, with a special focus on interdisciplinary thrust areas such as bioengineering, nanotechnology and information and communications technology. In 2007-08, the college’s annual research expenditures exceeded $121 million. The college has over 900 faculty and staff members, nine academic departments, 11 administrative offices and more than 20 state-of-the art laboratories, institutes and research centers.

COE Capabilities in Life Cycle Analysis, Green Manufacturing and Sustainable Waste Management The development of sustainability metrics for products requires a thorough characterization of economic, environmental and ethical/social aspects during their life cycle, including raw materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, product use and end of life management. The NC State engineering faculty has a broad range of expertise in life-cycle assessment methodologies and their applications in life-cycle analyses of various products and processes, as described below.

COE faculty members have expertise in manufacturing processes for a wide range of industries, including forestry, electronics, and chemical, and also are extensively involved in research on the management of materials at the end of their useful life, as well as in fields like wastewater treatment, hydrology and air pollution control They use LCA to assess waste management and resource and energy recovery alternatives, and take into consideration carbon policies, implications for the energy sector, and consequences of decisions made during the life cycles of diverse products.

Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering The industrial and systems engineering faculty has an ongoing interest in sustainability and the evaluation of product life-cycles. Research activities have focused on three areas:

1. Product design and life-cycle analyses 2. Sustainable manufacturing processes 3. The logistics of recycling

Product design for manufacturability and sustainability over the product’s life cycle has been an ongoing topic of research. Faculty have pursued innovations through additive manufacturing using electron beam melting and other technologies that can produce lightweight structures and novel geometric features that save energy during manufacture and in-service. Green machining of powdered materials prior to sintering has also reduced energy usage over a product’s life-cycle. The faculty also is involved in the economic analyses and development of logistics systems for product end-of-life management. Coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels supports our interests in sustainability and life cycle analyses with a Master of Life Cycle Systems Engineering degree program that is awaiting final approval.

Page 16: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 16

Departments of Forest Biomaterials, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering The forest biomaterials faculty has expertise in processes associated with the production of materials from wood and life-cycle assessment of wood products. Current life-cycle activities include work on paper products and biofuels. Similarly, faculty in the chemical and biomolecular engineering and the electrical and computer engineering departments have considerable expertise in manufacturing processes in these two areas. In collaboration with faculty with expertise in life cycle methodology, expertise in manufacturing processes forms the foundation for work to assess environmental footprints.

Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) Management of products at the end of their useful life is a critical aspect of product life-cycles. Given the lack of understanding about the manner in which waste is actually managed in different regions of the world, it is often a weak link in a holistic life-cycle analysis.

The CCEE faculty has unquestionably the strongest program in the U.S., if not the world, on life-cycle analyses as it relates to integrated solid waste management. They have developed a decision support tool, founded upon an array of process models and energy analyses, by which a large number of waste management alternatives can be evaluated with respect to cost, energy consumption, material recovery and emissions, to identify favorable integrated management alternatives. Work on a second generation tool is in progress which will include the integration of an impact assessment model, consideration of how changes in energy production will influence emissions associated with waste management, and incorporation of a systematic evaluation of potential carbon policy impacts on waste management. These ongoing activities include extensive work on process data and model development, energy modeling, systems analytics and optimization models for decision support, user interface prototype prototypes, and applications to real case studies. This research group has also published on the applicability of their work in product design. For example, recent work has shown that biodegradability is not necessarily a desirable attribute for a material and that more slowly degradable biogenic materials are more environmentally friendly relative to rapidly degrading materials buried in landfill.

New sustainability research in the department focuses on modeling to incorporate human behavioral changes and their impacts upon the life cycle of a system in response to sustainability measures and policies. While the current work investigates the sustainability of water systems, the methodologies and modeling procedures being developed are applicable to product systems. For example, one component of the research examines how different displays of sustainability metrics on products would affect the behavior of consumers and impact the life cycles of those products.

Industrial Extension Service (IES) NC State’s IES, housed in COE, has a staff with expertise in technology training and transfer. They do extensive training in the environmental arena and have experience with ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

In summary, faculty members in many COE departments have considerable expertise in developing and applying contemporary methodologies for life cycle analyses of products and processes. This expertise can collectively help to create metrics for characterizing sustainability that reflect all aspects of a product life cycle, from raw materials through manufacturing, use, and end-of-life management. Faculty members are already working together, and the proposed collaboration with The Sustainability Consortium will stimulate new and unique activities engaging faculty from throughout the university.

Page 17: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 17

College of Physical and Math Sciences (PAMS) Dr. Daniel L. Solomon, dean http://www.pams.ncsu.edu/

Overview The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences is a dynamic organization featuring high-quality teaching, research and public service that reach beyond the traditional classroom to provide the best educational opportunities for students - whether in a facility outfitted with the latest instructional technologies, on the deck of a marine research vessel, or in the Rio Grande valley.

Our students enjoy a close-knit, small-school atmosphere with the full resources of a leading research university. And our focus on multi-disciplinary collaboration builds a foundation of experience that well prepares students for the real world. Undergraduates work alongside faculty and graduate students on research teams exploring some of today's most exciting scientific challenges.

Together, our students and faculty are:

Designing nanoparticles that seek out cancer cells and then make them self-destruct. Figuring out how to use individual molecules as data storage units Working to overcome friction on the nano scale - so those tiny repair robots that could

sail through your bloodstream can actually become reality. Achieving a better understanding of hurricanes and other severe storms. Discovering how changes in the physical environment have seriously affected the blue

crab, one of our state's key seafood sources. Helping doctors develop better treatment strategies for HIV and other complex diseases. Using isotope ‘fingerprints’ to identify specific pollution culprits. Solving the gigantic puzzle that is the human genome.

Our departments are ranked among the nation's best in their fields, with many faculty members considered international leaders in their disciplines. The college's impressive record of obtaining competitive federal research funding ranks it very high nationally, which speaks well of the quality of our programs, the directions of our research efforts and the stature of our faculty. Our research and outreach centers are model organizations, recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in their respective areas.

PAMS Chemistry Department Dr. Chris Gorman, chair

Faculty members with expertise in sustainability-related areas include:

Catalysis: Dr. Reza Ghiladi, assistant professor; Dr. Elon Ison, assistant professor; Dr. Elena Jakubikova, assistant professor; Dr. Jonathan S. Lindsey, Glaxo Distinguished Univ. Prof., Dr. Paul Maggard, assistant professor; Bruce Novak, Howard J. Schaeffer Distinguished University Professor, Joshua Pierce, assistant professor; Dr. Alex Smirnov, professor; Dr. Walter Weare, assistant professor; Dr. Jerry Whitten, professor.

Nanobiotech: Dr. Edmond F. Bowden, professor, Dr. Alexander Deiters, associate professor; Dr. Stefan Franzen, professor; Dr. Christopher Gorman, professor; Dr. Lin He,

Page 18: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 18

assistant professor; Dr. Morteza G. Khaledi, professor; Dr. Christian Melander, Dr. David C. Muddiman, professor; Dr. Leslie Sombers, assistant professor; Dr. Alex Smirnov, professor; Dr. Gufeng Wang, assistant professor; Dr. Gavin Williams, assistant professor.

Solar: Dr. Elena Jakubikova, assistant professor; Dr. Jonathan S. Lindsey, Glaxo Distinguished Univ. Prof.; Dr. Paul Maggard, assistant professor; Dr. Alex Smirnov, professor; Dr. Walter Weare, assistant professor; Dr. Jerry Whitten, professor.

Faculty in the Department of Chemistry have broad research interests, several of which contribute to the goal of sustainability. Catalysis and green chemistry research focuses on more efficient use of raw materials, more energy efficient processes and reduction of waste. Nanobiotechnology focuses on improving efficiency, lowering cost, and increasing global access to health-related products. Solar energy research focuses on the efficient use of our most abundant natural resource – the sun. The design of improved photovoltaic devices will shift our energy budget to one that is more efficient and carbon neutral.

PAMS Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Science (MEAS) Dr. John Fontaine, department head

Faculty with expertise in sustainability-related areas are Dr. Viney Aneja, professor; Dr. John Fountain, professor; Dr. Dave Genereux, professor; Dr. Fred Semazzi, professor; Dr. Bill Showers, professor; Dr. Yang Zhang, professor.

NC State could take the lead in agricultural sustainability using its expertise in agriculture, environmental measurement (MEAS), statistics, food science and management.

Air quality group, led by Viney Aneja and Yang Zhang: extensive work on agricultural air quality.

Water quality group, led by Bill Showers, Dave Genereux and John Fontaine: research on water quality related to agriculture.

Climate group, led by Fred Semazzi: studies changes in precipitation due to climate change – an essential element in sustainability.

An area of fundamental importance locally, nationally and globally is agricultural sustainability, an area where MEAS and all of NC State has major expertise. Two specific topics come immediately to mind:

Comparison of life cycle costs of organic food to chemically enhanced foods (including costs and consequences of inorganic fertilizer production and application) and

Comparisons of the life cycle environmental effects of local agriculture compared to imported foods. Worldwide there has been the development of importing foods from other continents. For example, most shrimp now come from Asia but the cost to the environment has been ignored.

PAMS Department of Mathematics and Center for Research in Scientific Computation Dr. H.T. Banks, Director, Dept. of Mathematics and Distinguished University Professor

Faculty with expertise in sustainability related areas: R. Smith (lead PI), proposed Research Training Grant Program on the Mathematics of Sustainable Energy.

Page 19: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 19

The mathematics of sustainable energy is a nascent field compared with most traditional interdisciplinary mathematics areas. Nonetheless it will play a critical role, along with science and technology, in the effort to achieve a sustainable energy future. Under the lead of Mathematics Professor Ralph Smith, a pioneering program in the mathematics of sustainable energy is presently proposed at NCSU. Institutionalized programs such as this, that (I) train students and postdocs for research careers associated with the mathematics and sustainable energy, and (II) disseminate these training infrastructures to the national community, are currently as lacking nationwide as they are critical. Our Center for Research in Scientific Computation (CRSC) group has expertise in the areas of development of mathematical and statistical models and associated computational methodologies for just-in-time (JIT) logistic and supply chains and networks involving materials, capacity and interruptions. Both stochastic models (dynamic Markov chains) and their limiting deterministic dynamic systems analogues have been developed and used for simulation, prediction, estimation and control. We have experience in applying these methodologies in agricultural production and supply networks as well as in spread/containment of disease in hospital/care systems with fixed capacity. PAMS Department of Physics Dr. Michael Paesler, department head

Faculty with expertise in sustainability related areas are Dr. Harald Ade, professor; Dr. Jackie Krim, professor; Dr. Marco Nardelli, professor; Dr. Kenan Gungdogdu, assistant professor; and Dr. Chris Gould, PAMS associate dean for administration and professor of physics. Following are other relevant faculty activities.

Gould serves as NC State’s representative on the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) Higher Education Committee on Renewable Energy.

Krim is an international expert in the area of nanoscale tribology (the study of friction and wear), and has colleagues in this area at the University of Arkansas. Friction is directly related to energy efficiency. Wear is directly related to system life cycle, as one broken part frequently destroys an entire machine.

Nardelli is a computational expert in the area of nanomaterials of interest to energy, and Gungodu is involved with sustainable solar applications. Ade studies organic solar cells.

Gould also works with NC State’s associate vice chancellor for research and graduate studies to implement the NC State Energy Initiative, which encompasses five areas:

1. Campus sustainability: environmentally responsible management of NC State’s energy consumption and resource utilization.

2. Research for the 21st Century: on-campus collaborations studying the technical, economic, political and social aspects of state, national and global energy production, energy storage, energy transmission, and energy utilization.

3. Partnerships for the 21st Century: Triangle and statewide research collaborations with University of North Carolina (UNC) system campuses, state and national industries and research institutes.

4. Education for the 21st Century: partnership with the Academy of the Environment to develop courses and curricula in energy and environmental sustainability.

5. Engagement for the 21st Century: K-12 outreach in energy and the environment, and public policy outreach to citizens, legislators, and energy stakeholders.

Page 20: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 20

PAMS Department of Statistics Dr. Peter Bloomfield, department head

Faculty with expertise in sustainability related areas are Dr. Peter Bloomfield, professor; Dr. Montse Fuentes, professor; Dr. Sujit Ghosh, professor; Dr. Brian Reich, assistant professor; Dr. Ana-Maria Staicu, assistant professor; Dr. Len Stefanski, professor; and Dr. Judy Wang, assistant professor.

PAMS’ Department of Statistics can contribute to the introduction of state-of-art methodology and development of novel and innovative statistical frameworks needed to characterize the environmental and social impact from the production of consumer goods, characterizing different sources of uncertainty in data and measurements. As statisticians, we can contribute do the development of metrics to quantify sustainability. We are a group of very active researchers committed to bringing external funding for education and training offerings as well as research awards for the development of the methodology to inform decision makers while making them aware and characterizing different sources of uncertainty in the decision making process.

Following are several research themes that the statistical sciences can contribute to advancing sustainability research. These themes focus on issues associated with measuring, monitoring, and forecasting elements of sustainability, and are broadly applicable across a range of disciplines in this general area. An important motivation underlying these themes is the collection and use of diverse datasets in the context of relatively complex, process-based models related to sustainability. The idea is that these models will be informed by and improved upon by existing and new datasets, and the models in turn should be applied to update sampling and monitoring designs. The data-informed models can subsequently be applied to forecast quantities relevant to evaluating sustainability. The major themes would include:

1. Focus on uncertainty quantification via probabilistic modeling approaches 2. Develop sampling designs for monitoring and measuring quantities relevant to

sustainability 3. Develop data fusion methods for integrating diverse datasets 4. Use computer experiment methods as related to sustainability data and models 5. Develop model diagnostics for complex, hierarchical models 6. Develop model assessment tools for integration or comparison of multiple models 7. Develop the aforementioned methods in the context of dynamic spatio-temporal models 8. Develop and apply complex networks and network theory in sustainability research.

Page 21: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 21

College of Textiles Dr. A. Blanton Godfrey, dean http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/

Overview The vision of the College of Textiles (CoT) is to be the global leader in textile innovation: education, research, and service. The college’s mission statement: Through innovative educational practices and multi-disciplinary research activities, we provide visionary leadership and collaborative services to the university, the state and global communities.

The NC State College of Textiles has served the global textile complex for over 110 years. As one of the largest colleges of textiles in the world, NC State’s CoT has relationships and partnerships with companies throughout the global textile value chain: fiber and yarn producers, fabric and finished goods manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, retailers, brands and marketing organizations, and auxiliary firms (i.e., chemical suppliers, logistics/distribution, research and development, packaging suppliers, market research and promotional firms).

Whether it is …

creating new photovoltaic fibers or the next generation of lithium ion batteries, or super light, super strong fiber-based composites for the aircraft and automobiles of the

future, or performance and sustainable products for the apparel and home textiles market, or filters for providing clean water and air for the world

… the College of Textiles is the leader in this new world. It is easy to understand our record undergraduate and graduate enrollment when you visit the college and tour our 61 leading-edge laboratories in polymer and fiber science, color science, composites, nonwovens, filtration, energy, forensic science, digital design, management sciences, fashion and textile design, atmospheric plasma technologies, electro-spinning, and microscopy.

Our world-leading thermal protection and comfort labs have been expanded to include chemical and biological protection. Our state-of-the-art labs in textile technologies support both student learning and industry partners in basic and advanced areas such as weaving, spinning, knitting and braiding through electro-spinning, bi-component and tri-component extrusion, to staple, melt blown and spun bond nonwovens. Our breakthrough research and close industry partnerships provide the design, development, and marketing of new products meeting specific customer needs and form the basis for dynamic and exciting curricula. It is no wonder that the College of Textiles and NC State have been called the "Land Grant University of the 21st Century."

The College of Textiles has two academic departments: Textile Apparel Technology and Management (TATM ) and Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS). These two departments offer four bachelor degrees, in Fashion and Textile Management, Textile Technology, Polymer and Color Chemistry, and Textile Engineering, along with four master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. Our commitment to outreach is further realized with our Zeis Textile Extension Education for Economic Impact Center (TexED), as well as two centers: Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) and The Nonwovens Institute.

Page 22: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 22

Sustainability Activities Working closely with personnel from the global industry, government(s), and textile-related associations, the college is currently addressing and interested in expanding capabilities in education and research activities related to sustainability issues via a consistent, knowledgeable, and scientific manner. This approach will contribute to a more sustainable world through better products, consumption and the textile value chain. The key contribution to the NC State College of Textiles’ approach to sustainability is the blending of ‘art, science, and management.” This approach is possible as the NC State college personnel are able to capitalize on the college’s programs (undergraduate and graduate) and facilities (with advanced technologies) in the areas of:

Design and development (art): Fashion and Textile Design program Chemistry/engineering/technology (science): Polymer and Color Chemistry, Textile

Engineering, Textile Technology programs Management issues related to textile products (management, marketing, branding,

merchandising, retail and supply chain): Fashion and Textile Management program

The college’s capabilities include providing validated information, analyses, and resources to promote sustainable social, economic, and environmental practices within the global textile supply chain. Specifically, the college’s capabilities and continued interests are to:

Provide resources to textile supply chain participants to reduce redundant and often conflicting activities and provide a more uniform approach for addressing sustainability issues.

Generate objective and verifiable scientific research addressing gaps in the textile sustainability knowledge base.

Provide and promote education at the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels for textile supply chain participants as well as the public.

LCA Applications Specific research and education capabilities (and activities to date) tied to Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) include:

Raw material acquisition: Natural vs. man-made fiber products Raw materials acquisition and material selection Energy consumption Safety of materials Wastewater usage treatment and monitoring systems

CoT faculty working in this area: Dr. Gilbert O’Neal, president and CEO, Institute of Textile Technology; Dr. Peter Hauser, professor; Dr. Harold Freeman, Ciba Professor of Dyestuff Chemistry and associate dean for research, Dr. Hoon Joo Lee, assistant professor.

Manufacturing Equipment/technologies utilization Standards and government regulations Yarn and fabric formation Engineering and process controls used in the development and manufacturing

process

Page 23: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 23

Use of chemicals, finishes, technologies In-depth examination of functional and technical fabrics

COT faculty working in this area: Dr. Abdel-Fattah Seyam, professor; Dr. William Oxenham, Abel C. Lineberger professor; Dr Jon Rust, professor and department head, TECS; Dr. Lisa Parrillo-Chapman, assistant professor; Dr. Renzo Shamey, polymer and color chemistry program director.

Inventory analysis Emerging technologies used in manufacturing: includes focus on fibers, yarns,

fabrics, end use products (home, apparel, medical, nonwovens, industrial/technical/performance, transportation)

Polymer science Nonwoven technologies

CoT faculty working in this area: Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, William A. Klopman Distinguished Endowed Chaired Professor and director, NCRC; Dr. Tushar Ghosh, professor; Dr. Martin King, professor; Dr. Nancy Powell, associate professor; Dr. Kate Carroll, assistant professor; Dr. Traci Lamar, associate professor; Dr. Blanton Godfrey, CoT dean.

Economic competitiveness and business solutions Consumer behavior/market analysis/market development Marketing and branding strategies (niche, market entry) Competitiveness (product, production, market) Compliance Manufacturing issues (lean, cost factors, production scheduling) Closed loop recycling Supply chain and global sourcing (including carbon footprint) CoT faculty working in this area: Dr. Nancy Cassill, professor and TATM department

head; Erin Smith, lecturer; Dr. Lori Rothenberg, TedEx; Dr. Marguerite Moore, associate professor; Dr. Trevor Little, professor; Dr. Lisa Parrillo-Chapman, assistant professor; Dr. Kristin Thoney, associate professor; Dr. Jeff Joines, associate professor.

More information regarding College of Textiles and our sustainability activities is available online at the College of Textiles website and the Council for Economically Sustainable Textile and Apparel Businesses website (presented in partnership by the CoT and the Institute of Textile Technology). These links reflect our close working relationship with industry. A forthcoming “venue” on both of these sites will profile industry partnerships and sustainability activities related to textile and apparel materials, and economic competitiveness and business-related information. The research and development of industry information for these two websites has been provided by government sources: www.NCTextileConnect.com and www.SCTextileConnect.com

Page 24: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 24

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Dr. Jonny C. Wynn, dean http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/indexmain.cfm

Overview The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences "discovers, develops, teaches, and applies knowledge and technology that enable students, clientele, and citizens of North Carolina and others to improve the quality of their lives and to enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well being of the state and world and to create and extend new knowledge through scientific research and extension in agriculture and the life sciences.”

The college is an engine for North Carolina’s economic progress, helping make agriculture and agribusiness our state’s leading industry; creating opportunities and preparing a workforce for life science industries; deepening scientific understanding of the natural environment; and providing students and our state’s people with the knowledge and skills to improve the quality of their lives. Combining agricultural and life sciences in a multidisciplinary environment, our scientists develop knowledge and technology that enhances agricultural productivity, human health and the environment.

CALS faculty can provide the knowledge base needed to determine the costs, required actions and inputs involved in producing a range of agricultural products and foods. In addition, a number of CALS faculty members who focus on environmental issues can provide information on the elements involved and costs of taking various actions related to environmental issues.

Production Agriculture and Agricultural Systems North Carolina is an agriculturally diverse state, producing a range of products from various crops to pigs, poultry and even fish. CALS programs support the vast majority of these agricultural commodities and the college’s faculty members represent a knowledge base related to most of the actions and costs related to producing agricultural commodities.

CALS faculty work with the following crops: corn, small grains (such as wheat and barley), soybeans, cotton, peanuts, forages (such as hay), turf, tobacco, tree fruits, berries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, grapes, herbs, melons, leafy green vegetables, root vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Faculty can provide information on the management practices involved in producing these crops on a commercial scale, including environmental conditions, nutrient requirements and machinery needed to raise the crop. Much of this is agronomic information that would be provided by faculty in the departments of crop and horticultural science. In CALS’ Department of Plant Pathology, faculty members can provide information on plant diseases and protecting crops from disease. Those in the Department of Entomology can provide related information on insects that attack and damage crops. In many cases, production budgets, which provide detailed costs for crop production, are available. The college’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics typically plays a role in developing these budgets.

Livestock, particularly pigs and poultry, are a major segment of North Carolina’s agricultural economy. CALS faculty can provide information on virtually every aspect of raising the following animals commercially: pigs, chickens, eggs, turkeys, beef cattle, goats and fish (various species). In addition, the college provides an integrated dairy production system, with information on virtually every aspect of producing dairy products, from raising the feed dairy cows consume to milking the cows to processing the milk for products such as ice cream. The college operates a diary processing facility as part of its Department of Food, Bioprocessing and

Page 25: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 25

Nutrition Sciences. Also related to animal production are the college’s Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center and Feed Mill. Determining the most efficient feed for animals and how to best manage the waste animals produce are critical production elements. The departments of animal and poultry science provide expertise in both these areas.

Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) Dr. Jon A. Brandt, professor and department head http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/ http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/extenfocus.html

Agriculture is a business, whether it be processing and marketing agricultural products, farming, or supplying agricultural inputs. Consumers face a variety of choices that are impacted by policies and regulations, by micro and macro conditions affecting them, and by their individual circumstances and welfare. Faculty in the ARE department address important issues regarding the management of agricultural and related businesses, the functioning of agricultural markets, the protection and use of resources, the performance of government policies affecting agricultural and related industries, and the impacts of decisions made by consumers with respect to the purchase of food and fiber products. Issues include:

Agricultural marketing, demand analysis, econometrics, and futures markets: Dr. Nicholas Piggott, professor

Environmental and Resource Economics, Applied Econometrics, Economic Measurement - Joint research/teaching appointment with emphasis in environmental economics: Dr. Roger von Haefen, associate professor

Environmental and Resource Economics: Dr. Laura Taylor, director, Center for Environmental and Economic Resource Policy

Calculation of carbon footprint and carbon credits: Dr. Kelly Zering, associate professor; Dr. Nicholas Piggott, professor

Applied Resource Economics and Policy Group

Department of Animal Science Dr. M. Todd See, professor and interim department head website: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/home/home.html The primary research emphasis in animal science is to develop projects that will result in development of new technology in the disciplines of physiology, nutrition, genetics, genomics, biotechnology, production, and management. Our primary goal in this discipline is to improve the reproductive efficiency of farm and companion animals. Research in biotechnology focuses on the production of new breeds of mammals by alterations in the genome and studies on gene transfer and embryo micro-manipulation in swine and cattle. The research goals of our nutrition faculty are to increase the efficiency of red meat and milk production, and to improve the desirability of animal products for human consumption. The mission of our animal breeding and genetics research faculty is to develop and evaluate theory and technology relevant to the genetic improvement of livestock. With emphasis on food- and fiber-producing animals, our overall goal is to study basic principles and to ask ‘why’ as well as ‘how’ research results can be applied for the betterment of mankind.

Page 26: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 26

Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dr. Robert Evans, Department Head http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/extenfocus.html Related Research

The NC State Water Quality Group is a multidisciplinary team that analyzes and conducts natural resource management programs with an emphasis on nonpoint source pollution policy, assessment, and control technologies: Dr. Jean, Spooner, extension professor, et. al.

Bioprocessing and environmental control: Dr. Mathew Veal, assistant professor and extension specialist; Dr. Ratna Sharma, associate professor; Dr. Jay Cheng, professor

Air pollution abatement system design, air quality sampling/monitoring, dispersion modeling, animal housing and environmental management, agricultural processing: Dr. Lingiuan Li-Wang, associate professor; Dr. Sanjay Shah, professor and extension specialist

Hydrology, ground water modeling, wetland hydrology and modeling, surface and subsurface hydrologic processes, and soil and water engineering, including modeling nitrogen dynamics in the soil-water-plant system; agricultural drainage and water table management; hydrology and water quality on shallow water table soils: Dr. Wayne Skaggs, WNR Distinguished University Professor; Dr. Mohamed Youssef, assistant professor; Dr. Rodney Huffman, associate professor

Ecosystem restoration of wetlands and riparian buffers and water quality: Dr. Michael Burchell, assistant professor; Dr. Gregory Jennings, professor and extension specialist; Dr. Francois Birgand, assistant professor; Dr. Jean Spooner, extension professor

Animal waste management: Dr. Jay Cheng, professor; Dr. Thomas Losordo, professor and extension specialist; Dr. John Classen, associate professor; Dr. Garry Grabow, associate professor and extension leader

Air quality: Dr. Sanjay Shah, professor and extension specialist LID and urban storm water mitigation: Dr. William Hunt, associate professor and

extension specialist Environmental engineering and renewable energy processes: Dr. Matthew Veal,

assistant professor and extension specialist Hydrology and Water Quality of Forested Lands in Eastern North Carolina: Dr. George

Chescheir, research associate professor Stream restoration and water quality: Dr. Gregory Jennings, professor and extension

specialist; Dr. Francois Birgand, assistant professor; Dr. Jean Spooner, extension professor

Water management and irrigation and irrigation: Dr. Garry Grabow, associate professor and extension leader

Riparian vegetation specialization: Karen Hall, extension associate Biofuels: Dr. Ratna Sharma, associate professor Vermiculture & composting: Sherman, extension solid waste specialist Studies to improve landscape irrigation efficiency Dr. Garry Grabow, associate professor

and extension leader DRAINMOD, other projects aimed at more efficient irrigation of cropland, protection of

water sources from agricultural runoff: Dr. Wayne Skaggs, WNR Distinguished University Professor

Page 27: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 27

Additional projects:

Land Application Training and Demonstration Facility – focuses on subsurface and land application waste management systems addressing agricultural, industrial, and by-product wastes. Mission: to increase the technical competence and knowledge of environmental professionals, students, and decision-makers through education, outreach, and research. http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste_mgt/

Stream Restoration Program – Goal: to improve water quality and aquatic ecology through research, demonstration projects, and education of the public regarding the re-establishment of the general structure, function and self-sustaining behavior of the stream system that existed prior to disturbance. This is a holistic process that requires an understanding of all physical and biological components of the stream system and its watershed, including a broad range of measures. The techniques and methodologies are evolving rapidly with new design aids being developed that will improve design efficiency and confidence. http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/srp/

Department of Crop Science Dr. Thomas Melton, professor and interim department head; director, Center for Integrated Pest Management http://www.cropsci.ncsu.edu/Default.asp?fmtinfo=1,450,150

Crop Science is a diverse discipline that encompasses research, extension and teaching related to the genetic improvement, production and utilization of agronomic and turfgrass crops. From genetically altering crop plants to withstand drought, to management of biofuel crops, our scientists are working to feed, fuel, and clothe our world's growing population. Crop scientists study agronomic crop plants: how they grow and why they die, how to genetically improve the yield of grain, fuel and fiber crops; how to enhance grain nutrition, increase a plant's ability to convert sunlight into usable energy, boost a plants ability to fight off diseases and insects, and produce our crops in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. They also study turfgrasses. North Carolina has over two million acres of turfgrass and our scientists are improving disease and insect resistance of many turfgrass species. A healthy turf is not only attractive but it also provides a safe environment for professional and amateur athletes and protects our soils and natural resources. Selected program examples are:

Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Forage and Grassland Agronomy with ruminant animals including caprine silvo-pastoral systems and agricultural systems that integrate crops and livestock: Dr. Paul Mueller, professor and coordinator, CALS Sustainable Agriculture

Turfgrass and soybean physiology focused on: plant and plant community interactions with the environment; physiological and genetic factors controlling plant responses; experimentation with crop, weed and invasive species; carbon sequestration: Dr. Tom Rufty, Plant Environmental Biology Research Program

Organic weed management in soybeans; introducing legume cover crops into corn, soybean, wheat rotations; reducing tillage in organic systems; allelopathic cover crops: Dr. Reberg-Horton, assistant professor

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediation of competition among crops in monocultures and polycultures and how phosphorus fertilizers reduce crop growth responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, assistant professor and agroecology coordinator

Page 28: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 28

Turfgrass nutrient management; nutrient fate, including tracking of nitrogen applied to golf course fairways and its environmental impact; stress physiology; environmental Best Management Practices (BMPs): Dr. Charles Peacock, professor

Use of computerized decision aids and physiologically-based simulation models to improve crop management decision-making: Dr. Gail Wilkerson, professor

Precision agriculture as well as various other projects aimed at more efficient use of resources in crop production: Dr. Ron Heiniger, professor and cropping systems specialist

Department of Entomology Dr. George G. Kenney, department head and William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agriculture http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/

The NSF Center for Integrated Pest Management works to support and further Integrated Pest Management through the evaluation of emerging technologies, information management and dissemination, environmental stewardship, estimation of economic consequences, resistance management tools and system, and integration of disciplinary expertise. Examples are:

Plant-based green technology for mosquito control: Dr. Michael Roe, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor

Low input and pheromone-based integrated management of urban pests; baits and baiting strategies: Dr. Coby Shal, Blanton J. Whitmire Distinguished Professor; Dr. Ed Vargo, professor; Dr. Jules Silverman, Charles G. Wright Professor of Structural Pest Management, Dr. Waldvogel, Extension Specialist and Extension Associate Professor

Honeybee research to determine the relationship between disease and the genetic diversity of colonies as a consequence of mating systems: Dr. David Tarpy, Associate Professor and Extension Apiculturist

• Ecological, genetic, and chemical aspects of plant/herbivore interactions, pest management and behavioral ecology of arthropods, including ecological and genetic approaches for developing bioengineered pest-resistant crops; combined efficacy of bioengineered pesticidal plants and natural enemies; development of evolutionary stable crop protection tactics: Dr. Fred Gould, William Neal Reynolds Professor of Agriculture

• Structural Pest Control Training and Research Center at Lake Wheeler Road Field Lab http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/training/trainingfacility

Page 29: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 29

Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Dr. Gerald A. LeBlanc, Professor and Department Head http://service004.hpc.ncsu.edu/toxicology/about/index.htm

Environmental Toxicology provides both didactic and research training on the fate and effects of pollutants in the environment. Research and training encompass both human and environmental health consequences of exposure to environmental contaminants. A multidisciplinary approach to research and training are emphasized, spanning such areas as the environmental fate of chemicals and chemical risk assessment. http://service004.hpc.ncsu.edu/toxicology/

Research interests of the Environmental Toxicology faculty members include:

Environmental fate of chemicals Effects and consequences of environmental contamination Remediation Risk assessment (environmental, wildlife populations, mitigating uncertainty) Study of endangered freshwater mussel: Dr. Greg Cope, professor, department

extension leader and coordinator, NCSU Agromedicine and Dr. Damian Shea, professor

Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Dr. Christopher Daubert, interim department head http://www.ncsu.edu/foodscience/index.htm

This department works to identify, develop, and apply the appropriate concepts, theories, and emerging methodologies from the fundamental disciplines of chemistry, engineering, microbiology, food and bioprocessing, nutrition, and sensory science, to the investigation of critical issues in food & biological systems, components, products, and processes. Faculty members:

Interpret, adapt and extend research information to the North Carolina, national, and international food and bioprocessing industries.

Maintain and improve the safety, variety, and quality of food and biological products.

Areas of expertise include food processing, food chemistry, food engineering, food microbiology, nutrition, and sensory science. Program areas include:

Food processing: meats; poultry; seafood; dairy products; fruits, juices, and vegetables; wines and fermented foods; specialty foods

Food safety and quality Regulatory compliance issues Environmental issues Startup, small business and entrepreneurs

View examples of the research and extension programs of this department. http://www.ncsu.edu/foodscience/research.htm

Page 30: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 30

Department of Horticultural Science Dr. John Dole, professor and interim department head (also see Production Agriculture and Agricultural Systems) http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/research/expertise.php http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/expertise.php

Selected projects include:

Long-term comparative farming systems trials Organic transition strategies Using winter and summer cover crops in vegetable production systems Determining optimum cover crop mixtures Allelopathic suppression of weeds Organic vegetable production. (Center for Environmental Farming Systems/Nancy

Creamer) Specialty crops research and extension programs to increase diversity, sustainability,

and profitability of agriculture in North Carolina, with focus on development of high-value, specialty crops such as medicinal herbs and organic vegetables: Dr. Jeannine Davis, associate professor and extension horticulture specialist

Assistance to help commercial vegetable growers to maintain a high quality of life through the use of integrated, economical and environmentally sound production practices, with emphasis on solanaceous and cruciferous cropping systems: Dr. Christopher Gunter, associate professor

Developing and optimizing cultural practices for commercial production of vegetables, including stand establishment, plasticulture, developing new alternative crops, drip irrigation, nutrition, and seed physiology. Crop emphasis is with sweet potato and cucurbits: Dr. Jonathan Schultheis, professor and departmental extension leader

Landscape design expertise with a focus on sustainable development practices: Will Hooker, professor

Extension work Chatham County with small farmers, local foods: Debbie Roos

Page 31: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 31

Department of Microbiology Dr. Eric Miller, department head http://www.microbiology.ncsu.edu/

Collaborative interactions between departmental faculty and researchers across the campus bring modern, interdisciplinary approaches to basic and applied problems in microbiology. NCSU microbiologists are researching microbial genomes and their functional potential as it relates to cometabolism, oxidative stress responses, RNA control and processing, hyperthermophiles, phage-induced enzymes, nitrogen fixation, lactic acid bacteria and host- pathogen interactions.

An example in the arena of sustainable development is bioremediation work related to the:

• biochemistry and physiology of soil nitrifying bacteria and their impact on wastewater treatment processes and in determining the environmental effects of agricultural fertilizer use. Recent studies have focused on the regulation of the ammonia-oxidizing activity of these organisms.

• microbial cometabolism, which underlies many of the aerobic processes involved in the bioremediation of recalcitrant compounds such as chlorinated solvents.

• characterization of filamentous fungi grown on gaseous hydrocarbons and their potential uses in environmental biotechnology, and more fundamental aspects of their biochemistry and molecular biology: Dr. Michael Hyman, associate professor

Plant Pathology Dr. James Moyer, department head http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/research/

The department focuses on the following three principle research areas, all with topics addressing sustainable development. Examples of their work related to sustainability are provided.

Microbial Ecology and Epidemiology • Biodiversity of fungi in natural and disturbed ecosystems; biodiversity and biogeography

of wood decay fungi: Dr. Michael Benson, professor • Biodiversity of fungi in natural and disturbed ecosystems; biodiversity and biogeography

of wood decay fungi: Dr. Larry Grand, professor • Nitrogen cycling; soil microbes and global change; microbial community structure and

functioning; soil microbial diversity and pathogen/disease suppression: Dr. Shuijin Hu, associate professor

• Farming system impacts on soil microbial communities; population structure and dynamics of Xanthomonads/plant associated bacteria; cultural, fungicide, and host effects on epidemiology of strawberry diseases and bacterial diseases of tomato: Dr. Frank Louws, professor and extension specialist

Host-Parasite Interactions and Genomics Genomics of plant-nematode interactions: Dr. Mck. Bird, professor; Dr. Charles

Opperman, professor

Page 32: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 32

• Fungal and host genomics: Dr. Ralph Dean, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor; Dr. Gary Payne, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor

• Virus movement and systemic plant infection: RNA-RNA virus regulation; Dr. Steen Lommel, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor

• Breeding for disease resistance; population structure of small grains: Dr. David Marshall, Professor (USDA) and Research Leader, USDA-ARS Plant Science Research Unit

• Population structure of soilborne pathogens and mechanisms of infection: Dr. Barbara Shew, research assistant professor

Diagnosis, Forecasting and Disease Management http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/

A wide range of faculty members study strategies such as cultural and biological controls, chemical control, host plant resistance, disease-free planting stock programs, and others to improve farming systems. A major accomplishment of this research has been the development of a high quality diagnostic facility with state-of-the-art database systems for tracking and reporting diagnoses.

Poultry Science http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/poultry/index.php Soil Science http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/programs Soil, the thin mantle on the earth's surface, sustains us. Soil provides water, nutrients, temperature moderation, and physical support to the plants we harvest for food, fiber, wood, and biofuels. Soil provides building materials for houses and the foundation for roads. We cycle many of our wastes through soil as biosolids, animal manures, or via septic systems. Soil provides critical ecosystem services, such as water purification and storage, carbon sequestration and pollution remediation. Because soil is essential to our everyday lives, sound stewardship of this vital resource is paramount to humankind. The Department of Soil Science at NC State University addresses the many important roles of soil through our teaching, research and outreach programs. Examples include

• Buffers and Water Quality (Osmond, Duckworth) • Geographic Information Sciences (Crouse, Crozier, White.) • Nutrient Management (Osmond, Crozier, Smyth, Crouse, Gehl, Robarge, White) • Sediment and Erosion Control (McLaughlin) • On-site Wastewater Systems (Hoover, Amoozegar, and Lindbo) • Wastewater Residuals (Lindbo, White, Graves, Amoozegar) • Animal Waste (Smyth, Crozier, Osmond, Crouse, Robarge) • Air Quality (Robarge) • Wetland Soils (Vepraskas, Lindbo and Broome) • Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change (Heitman, Vepraskas, Hesterberg,

Duckworth) • Remediation of Contaminants (Hesterberg, Duckworth, Robarge) • Microbial Source Tracking and Water Quality (Graves) • Water Education Network http://www.wen.ncsu.edu/index.html

Page 33: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 33

CALS Facilities & Centers

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) develops and promotes food and farming systems that protect the environment, strengthen local communities, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. Research and demonstration units include: Pasture-based Beef Unit, the Dairy Unit, the Alternative Swine Production Unit, the Organic Cropping Systems Unit, the Farming Systems Research Unit, and the Small Farm Center. http://www.cefs.ncsu.edu/

Institute for Fruit & Vegetable Science at the NC Research Campus – The primary mission of NC State’s IFVS in Kannapolis will focus on plant systems biology, systems components, and their interactions for the purpose of understanding factors affecting human nutrition or enhancing crops to improve nutritional values and other attributes. However, access to the finest scientific equipment in the world, as well as world-class public/private collaboration, will advance every aspect of science within the College. http://plantsforhumanhealth.ncsu.edu/

Center for Plant Breeding and Applied Plant Genomics - Breeding horticultural and agronomic crops for pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and other traits that support sustainable practices. 30 core faculty in Crop Science, Horticultural Science, and Forestry. http://www.plantbreedingcenter.ncsu.edu/index.html

CENTERE - Center for Environmental Turfgrass Research and Education – An interdisciplinary university center addressing cultural, economic, and environmental issues related to turfgrass management. http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/

Biofuels Pilot Plant for the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol at the Lake Wheeler Field Laboratory.

Williamsdale Farm and Agricultural Extension and Research Facility – University Field Laboratory land in Duplin County allocated for use as a Bioenergy research farm.

Breeze Farm & Research Facility – University Field Laboratory in Orange County dedicated to research, teaching, and extension activities in sustainable agriculture.

North Carolina Biofuels Center – Research campus in Oxford, NC

The Soil and Water Environmental Technology Center (SWETC)

SWETC’s mission is to increase the technical competence and knowledge of environmental professionals, students, and decision-makers through education, outreach, and research. The SWETC is multi-departmental effort, including soil science, biological and agricultural engineering, agricultural and resource economics.

The center's goals are to: 1. Provide quality training programs and facilities for educating students, environmental

professionals, and industry/government decision-makers on technologies related to soil and water resources, waste management, land use, and ecosystem restoration.

2. Conduct relevant and timely research to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate innovative soil and water management technologies that address societal needs for environmental protection and enhancement.

Page 34: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 34

The center provides outreach, educational and applied research programs to address the information and training needs in eight program areas:

1. Decentralized Wastewater Management 2. Land Application and Crop Management 3. Sediment and Erosion Control 4. Urban Stormwater Management 5. Water Table Management 6. Composting and Recycling 7. Stream Restoration 8. Watershed Management

Training and research facilities include the following:

1. Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory, Raleigh 2. Vernon James Center, Plymouth 3. Brunswick County Government Center, Bolivia 4. French Broad Training Center, Asheville 5. Mountain Horticultural Research Station, Fletcher 6. Guilford County Wastewater Research & Education Center, Greensboro 7. NCSU Campus (Rocky Branch, North Creek and Yates Mill)

Sediment and Erosion Control Research and Education Facility (SECREF) Focused on stormwater and erosion control, particularly as it relates to the construction industry, at the located at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory. (Soil Science Department facility.)

Animal and Poultry Waste Management Center http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/waste_mgt/index.htm

Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology: http://www.ncsu.edu/wq/

Center for Environmental and Resource Economic Policy: http://www.ncsu.edu/cenrep/

Center for Integrated Pest Management: http://cipm.ncsu.edu/

NCSU Stream Restoration Program

Southern Region Small Fruits Consortium: http://www.smallfruits.org/

Southeast Dairy Foods Research Center http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/food_science/sdfrc/sdfrc.html

N.C. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE): http://www.sustainable-ag.ncsu.edu/

Specialty Crops Program: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/specialty_crops/

CSREES N.C. Water Quality Program | Weather and Climate Network http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/

Page 35: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 35

College of Education Dr. Jayne Fleener, dean http://ced.ncsu.edu/

Overview The College of Education is a voice of innovation for learning across the life span. We prepare professionals who educate and lead. Our inquiry and practice reflect integrity, a commitment to social justice, and the value of diversity in a global community.

The College of Education has four departments: Curriculum, Instruction & Counselor Education; Elementary Education; Leadership, Policy and Adult & Higher Education; and Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Education. Three of the college's four academic departments offer undergraduate and graduate programs leading to a North Carolina license as a professional educator in public school education, K-12. The fourth department prepares professionals for positions in adult education, educational leadership, educational research and policy analysis, higher education administration, workforce and human resource education. There are also programs leading to educator licensure in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Sustainability-Related Activities The College of Education, in collaboration with the College of Engineering, is developing and implementing environmental education and outreach programs with a focus on teaching students about the environmental impact of technologies.

The Green Research for Incorporating Data in the Classroom (GRIDc) project involves development of instructional resources integrating mathematics and science in engineering design curriculum for middle school, high school and undergraduate teacher education. Curriculum has been developed to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts using data collected from renewable energy technologies at the NC Solar Center located on campus. This project provides data sets for classroom analysis of renewable energy technologies including PV, solar thermal and wind turbine performance. Current research underway will determine the effectiveness of using this data-rich learning environment for developing student’s higher-order thinking skills in students.

The Sustainable Transportation Education Program (STEP), initially funded by NSF under the GRIDc II project, evolved into a middle and high school engineering outreach/pipeline impacting over 100 students in its first year. The program (sponsored by Project Energy and US Navy) engages over 100 middle school students and 50 high school students from North Carolina in a plug-in electric vehicle engineering design challenge. Based on this successful track record, GRIDc was selected as one of 17 educational technologies to be part of an Education Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill, Hart Senate Office Building. The event was attended by many senators and senate staff. Then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, as well as Senators Patty Murray, Jeff Bingaman, Kay Hagan and Ted Kaufman, were among the special guests with whom we interacted.

Faculty with expertise in sustainability related areas: Dr. Aaron Clark, associate professor; Dr. Bill DeLuca, associate professor; Dr. John Park, associate professor; and Dr. Patricia Simmons, professor and head, Department of Math, Science and Technology Education

Page 36: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 36

Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (STEM Ed) Dr. Patricia Simmons, department head

This department is collaborating with NC State’s Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology (CAAE) to develop learning materials and strategies to enhance student opportunities to aggregate water quality data and conduct comparative analyses for decision-making. The goals of this project include:

1. Provide water quality and related environmental data for classroom use. Sensors will be installed on a data acquisition platform on the Neuse River in North Carolina. Water quality and environmental variables will be monitored, stored and available for use in Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Science and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education course

2. Develop learning materials integrating data analysis in instruction to increase understanding of factors affecting water quality in marine science with applications to teacher education and K-12 instruction; and

3. Measure the effectiveness of learning environmental concepts in a data-rich learning environment.

For more information regarding College of Education and Sustainability activities, please visit the following websites:

www.GRIDc.net http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/step.php http://www.ncsu.edu/features/2010/06/high-speed-learning/

Page 37: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 37

College of Natural Resources Dr. Robert Brown, dean http://cnr.ncsu.edu/

NC State’s College of Natural Resources (CNR) is a national and world leader in the many disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches that comprise scholarly and applied pursuits related to how societies and organizations use and utilize the natural world, from conservation to manufacturing, from understanding biodiversity to life cycle analysis of the goods and services derived from natural systems. Following are summaries of relevant activities in the CNR departments.

Department of Forest Biomaterials

Department of Forest Biomaterials (Forest Biomaterials, FB) activities include teaching, research, extension programs, continuing education, and technical services that benefit the paper and pulp, wood products and housing, biomaterials and bioenergy industries. Descriptions of each faculty member’s activities can be found in Faculty & Staff Directory.

In addition to conducting extensive and often groundbreaking research into all aspects of wood products and paper science and engineering, FB sponsors the following formal initiatives devoted to subsets of these research areas:

Forest Biomaterials research covering the technical and economic evaluation of pretreatment technologies, process modeling and alternative processing strategies plus projects that investigate the fundamental and applied aspects of new cellulose and lignin based biomaterials. Major emphasis on life cycle analysis (LCA), sustainability and recently Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). Biomaterials & Bioenergy research is a rapidly expanding area for FB. Research projects include significant efforts by Steve Kelley, Hasan Jameel, Dimitris Argyropoulos, Joel Pawlak, Hou-min Chang, Lucian Lucia, Orlando Rojas, Sunkyu Park, Richard Venditti and Richard Phillips. Projects of current interest cover the technical and economic evaluation of pretreatment technologies in order to facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic materials as a first step in the production of bioethanol. Other work includes process modeling and technoeconomic evaluations of alternative processing strategies, some of which can be defined as ‘biorefinery’ components. A number of innovative projects are investigating the fundamental and applied aspects of new cellulose and lignin based biomaterials. These projects include novel chemical approaches, polymeric phase behavior and process development.

Wood Chemistry, Pulp & Bleaching research into pulping and bleaching process modifications that increase the cost-competitiveness of these techniques, the integration of black liquor gasification into kraft mills and new pulping methods such as the recycling of green liquor. Wood chemistry research includes lignin chemical characterization, novel analytical methods, solvent systems for cellulosic materials and biomass conversion to chemical intermediates. Pulping & Bleaching Chemistry research is being carried out by Hasan Jameel, Adrianna Kirkman and Richard Phillips, along with contributions from various other faculty members. Topics of interest include process modifications to pulping and bleaching to increase the cost-competitiveness of these processes, and integration of black liquor gasification into a kraft mill. Dimitris Argyropoulos, Lucian Lucia and Hou-min Chang are all conducting related research involving new pulping methods, such as recycling of green liquor. Wood Chemistry research is being pursued by Dimitris Argyropoulos, Lucian Lucia and Hou-min Chang.

Page 38: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 38

Topics include lignin chemical characterization, novel analytical methods, solvent systems for cellulosic materials and biomass conversion to chemical intermediates. Vincent Chiang pursues fundamental and applied research related to characterization and manipulation of genetics for improved wood properties, enhanced pulping, bioenergy and biofuels. Biotechnology & Enzymes research into creating new genetic strains of trees that retain their strength but have less lignin and more cellulose — leading to improved wood properties, easier pulping processes and more efficiently produced bioenergy and biofuel alternatives.

Papermaking/Wet-End Chemistry research into surface charge phenomena, effects of enzymes, the role of polymeric additives to the process and colloid chemical aspects of the paper manufacturing process. Paper Recycling research related to de-inking, the removal and effects of stickies, repulping of wax-containing paper and automated, high-speed sorting of waste-paper fragments Papermaking and Recycling research is being carried out by various faculty, including Martin Hubbe, Orlando Rojas, John Heitmann, Mike Kocurek, Joel Pawlak and Richard Venditti. The department has made significant research contributions to the understanding of surface charge phenomena, effects of enzymes, the role of polymeric additives to the process, as well as colloid chemical aspects of the paper manufacturing process. Richard Venditti, with contributions from other faculty members, has also made significant contributions in de-inking, removal and effects of stickies, repulping of wax-containing paper, and automated, high-speed sorting of waste-paper fragments.

Physics & Materials Science research into multiphase materials, including porous fibrous web structures, foams made from natural materials, natural super-absorbents, enzymatic manipulation of material structure, natural nano-scale fiber composites and novel applications of rheological phenomenon.

Sustainable Wood Materials research into the use of more environmentally friendly, non-woven materials (such as forest biomaterials and other bio-component fibers) as a component of construction fiberboard that is as strong as traditional fiberboard — but produced without the use of petroleum-based adhesives. Wood Products and Housing research in the department has covered a wide range of topical areas including wood machining analysis and process improvements (Richard Lemasterand Daniel Saloni) to wood composites, wood quality, (Perry Peralta and Ilona Peszlen), to management and marketing (Sudipta Dasmohapatra). Such research also contributes to initiatives led by David Tilotta.

Value Added Wood Products efforts that focus on developing new materials and new production techniques to create customer value, help differentiate products, enhance competitive positioning and improve distribution strategies in the forest products industry. Wood Products Extension, led by Joe Denig, Phil Mitchell and Dave Tilotta, conduct applied research and technology deployment in wood products processing, wood drying, lean manufacturing and sustainable housing. These efforts serve small industries and other clients across the state of North Carolina. Wood Machining & Tooling efforts geared toward evaluating and improving wood machining methods and processes, including cause-and-effect relationships in router spindle vibration problems; the effect of carbide tool composition and edge quality on tool performance; systems for evaluating and quantifying machined surface quality; and on-line process monitoring in machining operations.

Page 39: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 39

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (FER) is one of the oldest and largest schools of its kind in America. We are committed to promoting the science and practice of modern forestry as well as state-of-the-art environmental resource management. We are distinguished by a long history of innovation, an exceptional faculty, outstanding learning facilities, a commitment to research and extension plus an ability to educate students in all sectors of forestry and environmental science. Our primary interest areas currently include: Conservation & Restoration, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Technology and Management, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, Forest Ecology & Management, Forest Genetics & Biotechnology, Geographic Information Science, Natural Resource Economics & Policy, Natural Resource Management, and Watershed Hydrology. However, our activities are not limited to these areas. FER often works on a cross-disciplinary basis with other departments within the College of Natural Resources (CNR) or other colleges at NC State to address how people, communities and enterprises can nurture their forests and other natural resources in a way that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. FER offers a wealth of Academic Programs. FER Faculty are leading experts in pine silviculture, forest genetics, biotechnology, wildlife management, forest policies and economics and more.

FER Research activities have been responsible for many of the most important forestry and natural resource breakthrough of the past century, and our Extension & Outreach Services serve broader interests.

Some of our long-term and current research thrusts are --

Camcore, a non-profit, international program that works for the conservation of tropical and subtropical forest tree species. Camcore works around the world with industry partners to identify threatened species and collect seeds from them for use in conservation and growth studies, assess genetic diversity to improve methods of conservation, evaluate the adaptability of trees to new locations and develop long-term improvement programs for ensuring the sustainability of resources.

Center for Advanced Forestry Systems (CAFS) is a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center that bridges top forestry research programs with industry members to solve complex, industry-wide problems and transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Center for Earth Observation was established in 1983 and is an Affiliate Campus of the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. The Center pursues a varied research and teaching agenda, using high-end laboratories equipped with powerful computer research capabilities.

Christmas Tree Genetics Program is improving the growth, quality and pest resistance of Christmas tree species important to North Carolina including Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Eastern white pine and Eastern red cedar. It also screens new species and is conducting genetic conservation efforts for Fraser fir, a globally threatened species.

Forest Biotechnology, which works with partners around the world to promote innovation in basic science in order to advance the application of molecular genetics to forest trees. This area of work includes the Forest Biotechnology Industrial Research Consortium (FORBIRC) promotes innovation and advances in forest, wood, and paper science using the most advanced forest biotechnology by creating a collaborative platform involving leading forest products industry participants worldwide and NC State University.

Forest Productivity Cooperative is an international partnership committed to creating innovative solutions to enhance forest productivity and value through the sustainable management of site resources. Team members have expertise in silviculture, forest

Page 40: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 40

nutrition, ecophysiology, soils, plant community ecology, growth and yield modeling, remote sensing, spatial analysis and GIS, and statistics.

Natural Resource Economics, Management and Policy, which combines forest management and economic policy techniques under a single umbrella, allowing graduate students to pursue customized interdisciplinary studies covering the whole spectrum of forest economics and management, including public resource policy.

Southern Center for Sustainable Forests, a cooperative organization comprised of FER, Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences and the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources. The Southern Center provides leadership for research, education and extension that promotes economically and ecologically sustainable management of forests in the South.

Restoration Ecology, a unique program that prepares students to help in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged or destroyed. Emphasis is placed on the actual craft of restoring natural ecosystems as well as the social and philosophical principles that mandate restoration.

Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium (SOFAC) develops forest sector market models for application to forest resource assessments in the South, U.S., and the World. SOFAC integrates currently available forest resource data from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program and economic theory to model timber supply and demand in the South by local area.

The Nicholson Endowment supports faculty and scientist exchange with Sweden, especially SLU. The endowment was established to create fellowships for Swedish students to pursue doctoral degrees in the Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources at NCSU and for NCSU faculty to go on sabbatical or promote other long-term exchanges between DFER faculty and Swedish institutions.

Tree Improvement Cooperative (TIP) is committed to on-going research into forest genetics, selection, breeding, testing, and technology transfer in an effort to increase forest productivity within the Southeast timber region. TIP is responsible for some of the most significant breakthroughs in forestry over the past half century and it continues to lead the way in developing new and more effective productivity and breeding improvement techniques.

Several of our cooperative research programs comprise the Center for Industrial Research Programs in Forestry.

For more information on individual research initiatives, please visit our Faculty Directory, and click on the left column to learn more about other research initiatives.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) (http://cnr.ncsu.edu/prtm/)

PRTM specializes in preparing planning and management professionals for the fields of parks, recreation, tourism, golf and recreational sports. We teach skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments and prepare our graduates to be the leaders in the next generation of park, recreation, tourism and sport professionals. PRTM is a national leader in research and extension activities - dedicated to finding real solutions for real problems and transferring that knowledge to help communities and people thrive.

The department offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of specific concentration areas. PRTM researchers are deeply engaged in work in four broad areas:

Page 41: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 41

Livable Communities and Healthy Living Research -- Active Living, Leisure Behavior, Youth Development, Gender and Diversity, Consumer Behavior in Sport and Tourism

Human Dimensions of Built and Natural Environments -- Humans Dimensions in the Outdoors, Recreation Ecology and Visitor Impact Management

Sustainable Tourism for Economic Development -- Tourism Marketing and Development, Consumer Behavior in Sport and Tourism

GIS analytical methods and models (Geographic Information Sciences and Spatial Analysis Tools, Processes and Modeling for Examining People-Landscape Relationships).

The PRTM department sponsors the largest recreation technical assistance and professional service program in the United States and a vibrant and effective tourism extension Program. The department's various Oglebay Management Schools taught through the national training program have certified over (10,000) professionals since 1975. In addition, PRTM’s Recreation Resources Service (RRS) provides technical assistance and offers applied research and training programs to recreation providers across North Carolina. Our Tourism Extension program helps individuals and communities across the state to enhance economic development and quality of life through tourism. PRTM also provides leadership and thousands of volunteer hours each year for the N.C. Senior Games, and assists a wide variety of local agencies with their park and recreation programs through a thriving service learning program.

For more information on individual faculty, including research activities and publications, see http://cnr.ncsu.edu/prtm/faculty/.

Page 42: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 42

College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) Dr. Jeffery P. Braden, Dean http://www.chass.ncsu.edu/

Overview Established as a distinct college in 1963, CHASS represents the intellectual core of the university. Now the second largest college at NC State, CHASS offers 60 bachelor’s programs, 15 master’s programs and four PhD programs, with close to 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Our students are involved in campus life, in the community, and in internships in government, business and the nonprofit sector.

CHASS faculty members are active researchers across a range of fields, including matters relating to the environment, energy, environmental sustainability, natural and technological hazards, to name a few. Particular areas of expertise include:

Middle-East history and its relation to oil and other energy sources The problems of coordination among all economic sectors during crises and disasters The assessment of public opinion on existing and novel technologies, including the

communication of risks and benefits of these technologies The nature and function of digital social media American environmental history, which informs current efforts to raise awareness of

sustainability efforts The politics of environmental regulation at all levels of government

CHASS houses four Ph.D. programs and 15 Master's programs, all of which have students and faculty that study and break new ground in questions of sustainability and environmental policy: The college engages in research, education, and community service activities in collaboration with all of NCSU's colleges, across the UNC system, and with local, national, and global partners.

Page 43: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 43

Poole College of Management Dr. Ira R. Weiss, dean poole.ncsu.edu

Overview The NC State Poole College of Management focuses on management education for a technology driven global marketplace. That was its mission when it was established in 1992, and it remains at the core of its research and teaching programs at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels. With the naming of the college in December 2010, the college made a commitment to establish a center of excellence in sustainability. A faculty task force has been meeting regularly to lay a foundation for the new center, building on the college’s existing strengths and areas of faculty expertise, its existing center and initiatives, and the university’s robust interdisciplinary research community.

Faculty research in organizational culture, innovation management, and technology commercialization led to the relocation of the Center for Innovation Management Studies (CIMS) to the college in the 1990s; similarly focused research and a response to evolving industry needs led to the establishment of the college’s Bioscience Management Initiative, Enterprise Risk Management Initiative, and Supply Chain Resource Cooperative in recent years. Each provides valuable connections with business and industry that assure faculty research and teaching remain relevant for today’s global business environment. These relationships also provide essential real world experiences for students as they apply classroom learning to practicum and other team projects presented by the associated companies.

The college’s emphasis on applied learning has been nationally recognized. The Product Innovation Lab – part of the innovation management concentration in Poole College’s Jenkins MBA program – was named one of Forbe’s ten most innovative business school courses in 2010. Students in all the college’s graduate programs, including the Master of Global Innovation Management (MIGM) program, can enroll in this concentration. The MGIM program itself received honorable mention in 2010 in the International Exchange Partnerships category of the IIE Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education.

The MBA program’s technology commercialization concentration teaches students how to assess the commercialization potential of new technologies and to build a foundation for launching the technology as a new venture. The TEC model – the core component of this curriculum – is now being taught by academic institutions in several countries and other universities in the United States through TECnet, an international network of entrepreneurship educators led by Poole College faculty.

The college’s faculty members are organized into four departments: accounting, business management, economics, and management, innovation and entrepreneurship (MIE). Collectively, they bring to the classroom a blend of their own real world experience as entrepreneurs and practitioners in business and industry as well as research-based knowledge. Students benefit from the powerful mix of theory and practical learning.

Executives affiliated with CIMS and the college’s initiatives also benefit from professional development offered through the research units’ meetings and executive programs developed by the college’s Business Collaboratories, its executive programs unit, as well as opportunities to actively partner with faculty on research.

Page 44: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 44

The college’s location within North Carolina’s dynamic Research Triangle Park facilitates the continued expansion of industry partnerships in support of teaching and new areas of faculty research, including in the area of sustainability, as well as meaningful learning experiences and employment opportunities for our students. .

Following is a summary of the college’s work related to sustainability.

Center for Innovation Management Studies (CIMS) Paul Mugge, professor of practice in innovation and director of CIMS CIMS began focusing on sustainability issues in the fall of 2009, following discussions with one of its global member companies. To create a ‘level-set’ for all of its diverse members, CIMS’s spring 2010 meeting presentations focused on topics related to innovations in sustainability management practices. Following presentations and discussions with sustainability leaders including Hunter L. Lovins, president and founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions, sustainability Futurist Dennis Walsh and Nathan Shredoff, professor at the California College of the Arts, CIMS’ members concurred on the need for future research projects in sustainability management. Following is CIMS recent activity in this area. At the suggestion of Dr. Stephen Markham, associate professor in the college’s

Department of Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, CIMS worked with the Product Development Management Association’s research committee to include 10 sustainability related questions in its annual industry survey. These questions, submitted in the summer of 2010, were modeled after the Wal-Mart Sustainability Index.

Ongoing discussions amongst CIMS members led to a new research project that evolved into the TEC Renaissance Project. Launched during the spring 2011 CIMS meeting, this CIMS-funded project aims to expand the TEC model (used in teaching entrepreneurship commercialization) to include sustainability, business intelligence and services. Industry or consortium participants may find value in working with the researchers to test and validate the tools being created through this project. The project is being conducted by Dr. Ted Baker and Markham, professors in the college’s MIE department.

CIMS’ spring 2011 meeting focused on business intelligence and sustainability management practices. Scott Showalter, professor of practice in accounting, presented an in-depth look at sustainability reporting. Dr. Bob Abt, professor in NC State’s College of Natural Resources, discussed economic and environmental sustainability aspects of using wood for energy. Dr. Sudipta Dasmohapatra, professor in CALS, discussed a report on Society and Bioenergy: A Public Perception Study in the Southeast U.S., and Dr. Danesha Seth Carley, also from CALS, discussed Agriculture and Sustainability in the Changing Global Climate. The good response to the presentations by the CIMS members indicates opportunities exist for collaboration across multiple disciplinary areas within the study of sustainability management.

CIMS has included sustainability management in its updated version of the Innovation Management Maturity Assessment (IMMA) which has already been administered to 1000 respondents from one of the world’s largest chemical companies. Over time the data collected from this assessment within this particular area of study will allow both CIMS and the college’s new center of excellence in sustainability opportunities for benchmarking research.

CIMS has included sustainability in its overall business intelligence/decision readiness research utilizing cloud computing. The goal is to create a database that is solely

Page 45: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 45

dedicated to sustainability management practices, which will be continually updated through the reoccurring web crawls that are conducted throughout a set time period.

Sustainability Reporting and Assurance Scott Showalter, professor of practice, Department of Accounting

An increasing number of organizations are issuing sustainability reports; whether as stand-a-lone reports or as integrated reports including financial and sustainability information. Many of these organizations are using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) measures. Over 65% of large corporations have claimed to incorporate sustainability into their corporate strategies; with 50% incorporated within the past three years. This underscores both the importance of considering sustainability in their strategy and the recent move to incorporating sustainability into their strategies. Following are several Department of Accounting activities in this area.

Recognizing the recent movement and the need to prepare our students for this trend, this past year accounting faculty developed and taught two one-hour MBA classes on sustainability reporting at Poole College. Both classes included outside speakers from the AICPA and companies who have integrated sustainability into how they manage and measure their business results.

Five faculty members in the accounting department submitted a request for a research grant from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) related to how a company uses activity-based flexible budgeting for physical sustainability indicators. This research is being conducted in concert with a company that has developed an index to measure their impact on the change in energy, water, and greenhouse gases. The faculty are not only learning how the index is calculated and used by management and the board, but are analyzing the index to provide suggestions and to substantiate the index as a method to use managerial cost data to measure and report sustainability efforts.

Prior to joining the accounting department faculty, Showalter was a partner in KPMG LLP where he led the development of KPMG’s Sustainability Reporting service line. He is familiar with reporting and attestation issues and has continued to monitor corporate sustainability reporting trends. Showalter teaches one of the one-hour MBA classes, where the students are introduced to sustainability reporting and develop a sustainability report prototype and recommendations for how an organization would modify its operations to measure and report implementation of sustainability initiatives.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Initiative’s Focus on Sustainability Dr. Mark Beasley, ERM Initiative director and Deloitte Professor of ERM

One of ERM’s focus areas is how enterprise risk management integrates with strategic planning and corporate governance. ERM has become an important emerging business discipline that that seeks to strengthen an organization’s ability to achieve its strategic goals through more proactive and forward-looking oversight of emerging risk exposures. Poole College offers it as a concentration in its Master of Accounting program.

The recent financial crisis, emerging political unrest in nations around the globe, and the impact of natural disasters are placing even more emphasis on the importance of robust and strategic risk management practices in organizations of all types and sizes. The increasing focus on sustainability is attracting attention as organizations evaluate how potential emerging risks arising from shifts in expectations and regulations related to the environment and social responsibility, among other concerns, may impact the organization’s strategic goals. Greater understanding of how issues related to sustainability affect an organization, such as impacting

Page 46: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 46

their products and services, supply chain, and human capital, will be vital to the organization’s overall enterprise-wide risk oversight to ensure the long-term viability of the organization.

The ERM Initiative is in a position to provide thought leadership on the integration of sustainability and ERM through the Initiative’s four primary areas of focus: outreach to business executives, the internet, research, and graduate education. ERM affiliated faculty offer a number of executive education training sessions and customized consulting on ERM-related topics. The ERM Initiative website (www.erm.ncsu.edu) is globally recognized as a vital ERM resource. The website includes over 300 abstracts of ERM-related articles, thought papers, surveys, speeches, and ERM frameworks. It brings emerging issues to the attention of its readers through its twice-monthly ‘ERM in the News’ electronic newsletter. ERM faculty also are involved in conducting ERM related research, writing ERM thought papers, and training the next generation of executives through a series of graduate level courses on ERM. The ERM Initiative is well positioned to provide explicit thought leadership on the importance of integrating sustainability issues with the organization’s overall enterprise-wide risk oversight so that the value of the organization is preserved and enhanced for the long-term.

Supply Chain Resource Cooperative Robert Handfield, Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management and Co-Director, Supply Chain Resource Cooperative

The Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) based in Poole College’s Department of Business Management focuses on improving the caliber and preparation of students aspiring to enter the SC management profession by providing applied learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction and by bringing the classroom into industry settings. SCRC faculty and staff, together with professional SC managers at SCRC’s project-sponsoring companies, provide infrastructure and oversight for the teams of MBA and undergraduate SC students. Since 2000, 1,251 students have completed 331 projects with 39 companies, including increasingly projects involving supply chain sustainability issues.

An example of sustainability-related research by SCRC and other Poole College supply chain and operations faculty is a large database project that assesses the extent to which companies are proactively engaged in supply chain processes that improve sustainability and respect labor and human rights standards. This data is collected through student activity and course work, and is based on research that resulted in a maturity assessment. To date, the SCRC has developed sustainable supply chain maturity assessments for over 500 companies which are being used primarily for research activity. This assessment is based on current global regulatory guidelines, including ISO 14000 and the U.N. Compact and Fair Labor Association criteria that define the journey ahead for organizations to address violations in their supply chain. The maturity model provides clear actionable guidelines for senior leaders to adopt in their strategic supply chain configurations, and helps to provide a vision for future collaboration with global business communities and industry associations. Students are engaged in assessing a set of companies and providing background information, as well as assessing others’ work and providing an independent rating of sustainable supply chain maturity. Results of the maturity guidelines provide a model for socially responsible investors, as well as consumers, to understand which companies are more socially responsible than others. Most importantly, the framework emphasizes the importance of transparency and disclosure in global operations, and the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of global supply chain conditions. The sustainable maturity model applies to any company that sources from a global

Page 47: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 47

network, including apparel, footwear, retailers, toy manufacturers, as well as financial institutions and IT firms that offshore services. The framework helps ensure that a company’s supply chain has the right checks in place to make sure LHR violations do not occur, as well as remediation and problem-solving when abuses have been discovered.

Other sustainability-focused research, presentations and publications by Handfield and research collaborators address topics such as fundamentals of the food supply chain; supply chain management in relation to North Carolina’s fishing industry; environmentally conscious manufacturing, integrating environmental issues into product design planning and manufacturing; environmental management systems and green supply chain management as complements to sustainability; integrating environmental management and supply chain strategies; applying environmental criteria to supplier assessment and the linkage between Total Quality Management and environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Sustainability in Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) Dr. Steve Barr, interim department head and professor

Faculty members in the Poole College’s MIE department teach and conduct research in several areas that pertain directly to sustainability, including strategy, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship.

Strategy continually scans the environment and redirects the organization to maintain its viability and affect the environment in ways that make it sustainable per the triple bottom line. Entrepreneurship looks to create opportunities based on the environment, including opportunities related to issues like minimizing the carbon footprint and reducing waste. Organizational behavior focuses on how to get people working together in ways that not only get the tasks accomplished, but also meet the long-term needs of the organization’s participants and stakeholders. An important concern in both strategy and organizational behavior is social responsibility. Social responsibility focuses on how an organization balances needs for short-term accomplishments with larger human and societal needs. Organizational behavior deals with influencing people’s attitudes, which is critical to getting people to embrace change in how their organization functions. This is a key issue in getting companies to not only accept, but to actively pursue doing business in a more sustainable way.

Sustainability in Business Management Dr. David Baumer, department head and professor

Research by a number of faculty members in the disciplines within the Department of Business Management has implications for sustainability. Dr. Stacy Wood, Langdon Distinguished Professor of Marketing, is launching a new lab for her work in neuroeconomic research, which uses brain imaging technologies to observe which parts of the brain are engaged during decision-making. Dr. Fay Cobb-Payton, associate professor of information systems, researches the impact of IT in health care, where it can enable improvements in health care processes, engage patients and stakeholders, and ultimately provide infrastructure to share clinical and financial information more efficiently. Dr. Paul Bergey, associate professor of IT, conducts research regarding energy-related decision support systems.

Page 48: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 48

Environmental Economics Craig Lee, head, Department of Economics

Sustainability has been an important part of environmental economics for many years because issues such as preventing environmental degradation and allocating scarce resources over time are central to this discipline. Our environmental economics program at NC State is one of the strongest in the field and has an international reputation. Our graduate economics programs, including doctoral students, are taught by faculty in Poole College’s Department of Economics and the CALS’ Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The faculty’s Center for Environmental and Resource Economics and Policy brings together faculty, post-docs, and students from across the university and the Triangle.

Page 49: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 49

NC State Institute for Advanced Analytics Dr. Michael Rappa, institute director http://analytics.ncsu.edu/?page_id=2

The Institute for Advanced Analytics promotes graduate education and research in the emerging field of analytics. Core to its mission is the education of the citizens of North Carolina and beyond in the concepts, methods, software tools, and application of analytics.

Analytics covers a broad spectrum, including data management, mathematical and statistical methods for data modeling, and techniques for data visualization in support of enterprise-wide decision making. Driving analytics is the unprecedented amount of data now available to organizations. Demand is growing rapidly for professionals with strong quantitative skills coupled with an understanding of how analytics tools and techniques are applied to a variety of critical decisions facing organizations.

Founded at North Carolina State University in 2007, the Institute’s flagship program is the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree, an intensive, full-time, 10-month learning experience with an innovative curriculum consisting of classes developed exclusively for the program. Topics include data mining, text mining, forecasting, optimization, databases, data visualization, data privacy and security, financial analytics, and customer analytics, as well as communication and teamwork skills. The Institute works closely with numerous organizations faced with real-world analytical challenges, and student team projects are based on analytical problems using real data from sponsoring organizations. Each year the Institute seeks employers to sponsor student team projects as part of the MSA Practicum.

Page 50: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 50

Selected NC State Sustainability Publications

Athalye, R., & Eckerlin, H. M. (2009). Measurement and analysis of the annual daylighting performance of a middle school in North Carolina. (ES2009: Proceedings of the ASME 3rd International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Vol 2, ) (pp. 351-361).

Barrett, M. A., Bouley, T. A., Stoertz, A. H., & Stoertz, R. W. (2011). Integrating a One Health approach in education to address global health and sustainability challenges. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9(4), 239-245.

Bras, B., Isaacs, J. A., & Overcash, M. (2006). Environmentally benign manufacturing - A workshop report. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(5), 527-535.

Darnell, N., Handfield, R., & Jolley, J. (2008) Environmental Management Systems and Green Supply Chain Management: Complements for Sustainability? Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 18, 30-45.

De Koeijer, T. J., Wossink, G. A. A., Struik, P. C., & Renkema, J. A. (2002). Measuring agricultural sustainability in terms of efficiency: the case of Dutch sugar beet growers. Journal of Environmental Management, 66(1), 9-17.

Frey, H. C., Rasdorf, W., Kim, K., Pang, S.-H., Lewis, P., & Abolhassani, S. (2007). Life cycle inventory and impact analysis framework for non-road construction vehicles and equipment based upon in-use measurements. (Technical Report) Raleigh, N.C.: National Science Foundation.

Galik, C. S., Abt, R., & Wu, Y. (2009). Forest biomass supply in the southeastern United States-implications for industrial roundwood and bioenergy production. Journal of Forestry, 107(2), 69-77.

Gonzalez, R., Treasure, T., Wright, J., Saloni, D., Phillips, R., Abt, R., & Jameel, H. (2011). Exploring the potential of Eucalyptus for energy production in the Southern United States: Financial analysis of delivered biomass. Part I. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(2), 755-766.

Graf, W. L., Wohl, E., Sinha, T., & Sabo, J. L. (2010). Sedimentation and sustainability of western American reservoirs. Water Resources Research, 46.

Griffing, E. M., Overcash, M. R., & Kim, S. (2004). Environmental analysis of swine waste management technologies using the life-cycle method. Report (Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina), (350) Raleigh, NC: Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina.

Handfield, R., Walton, S., & Sroufe, R. (2004) Integrating Environmental Management and Supply Chain Strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 13, 1-14.

Jimenez-Gonzalez, C., & Overcash, M. (2000). Energy sub-modules applied in life cycle inventory of processes. Clean Products and Processes, 2(2000), 57-66.

Jimenez-Gonzalez, C., & Overcash, M. (2000). Life cycle inventory of refinery products: Review and comparison of commercially available databases. Environmental Science & Technology, 34(22), 4789-4796.

Page 51: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS · materials acquisition, product manufacturing and processing, the product use phase and management at the end of life. NC State University

N C S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y | S u s t a i n a b i i t y a n d L i f e C y c l e A n a l y s i s

Page 51

Jimenez-Gonzalez, C., Kim, S., & Overcash, M. (2000). Methodology of developing gate-to-gate life cycle analysis information. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 5(3), 153-159.

Jimenez-Gonzalez, C., Curzons, A., Constable, D., Overcash, M., & Cunningham, V. (2001). How do you select the `greenest? technology? Development of guidance for the pharmaceutical industry. Clean Products and Processes, 3(2001), 35-41.

Kaplan, P. O., Ranjithan, S. R., & Barlaz, M. A. (2009). Use of life-cycle analysis to support solid waste management planning for Delaware. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(5), 1264-1270.

Kim, S., Hwang, T., & Overcash, M. (2001). Life cycle assessment study of color computer monitor. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 6(1), 35-43.

Li, Y., Griffing, E., Higgins, M., & Overcash, M. (2006). Life cycle assessment of soybean oil production. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 29(4), 429-445.

Overcash, M., Li, Y., Griffing, E., & Rice, G. (2007). A life cycle inventory of carbon dioxide as a solvent and additive for industry and in products. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 82(11), 1023-1038.

Ozaki, V. A., Ghosh, S. K., Goodwin, B. K., & Shirota, R. (2008). Spatio-temporal modeling of agricultural yield data with an application to pricing crop insurance contracts. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 90(4), 951-961.

Robison, D. J. (2002). Prospects for the future sustainability of wood supplies in a crowded world. Sylvanet, 15, 7-8.

Steelman, T. A. (2002). Community-based involvement in biodiversity protection in the United States. In S. Stoll & T. O'Riordan (Eds.), Protecting the protected: managing biodiversity for sustainability. Cambridge University Press.

Sumner, D. A., Gow, H., Hayes, D., Matthews, W., Norwood, B., Rosen-Molina, J. T., & Thurman, W. (2011). Economic and market issues on the sustainability of egg production in the United States: Analysis of alternative production systems. Poultry Science, 90(1), 241-250.

Sydorovych, O., & Wossink, A. (2008). The meaning of agricultural sustainability: Evidence from a conjoint choice survey. Agricultural Systems, 98(1), 10-20