Urban Mulch Beds Carbon Improvement<\/h6><\/p>\nResearch team:<\/strong>
\nReuben Danyali (Environmental Analysis & Policy; Economics, CAS)
\nSage Andrews (Biology, CAS)
\nAlexa Smith (Political Science; Economics, CAS)
\nAlex Weintraub (Earth & Environment, CAS)
\nElla J. Grossman (Earth & Environment, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Pam Templer (Biology, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025<\/p>\nThe BU campus has over 70 acres of lawn scape, which accounts for a significant percentage of the school’s budget of carbon flux.This research project will involve measuring changes to ecological factors in urban landscaping by varying management tactics to be more sustainably informed and more ecologically integrated. Tactics will include alterations to mulch application, alternative soil amendments (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.), and possibly cover crops. The measurement of ecological factors will allow us to evaluate changes in biogenic CO2 emissions. From these results we will create a recommended treatment option for altering management in the future to help BU achieve the climate goals set out in the BU CAP, and allow BU to more closely align with its stated land management sustainability goals.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Impacts of closure periods on BU CO2 emissions and local CO2 concentrations<\/h6><\/p>\nResearch team:<\/strong>
\nLexia Cicone (Chemistry; Earth and Environment, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Lucy Hutyra (Earth and Environment, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Summer 2020. Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021.
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/igs\/files\/2022\/08\/Cicone_WebGraphic_Summer2021.jpg\")
This research team is assessing the influence of changes in campus occupancy on local CO2 concentrations, emissions, and Boston University (BU) energy use. In previous phases of research, a substantial increase in per capita electricity and gas use at BU was found during the COVID-19 shutdown period. Continued research will investigate how changes in building usage resulting from the lockdown will affect energy use, as well as make a comparison between BU-specific changes, and Massachusetts-wide changes in energy use. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to identify opportunities for BU energy use reductions associated with changing occupancy and behaviors.
Student Presentations:<\/strong>
\nSeptember 9, 2020: Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nJanuary 29, 2021: Video (@ 18:20)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nApril 20, 2021: Video (@ 32:36)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nSeptember 9, 2021: Video (@ 45:44)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nEvaluation of alternative sensors to minimize HVAC energy use in Boston University buildings and ensure indoor air quality<\/h6><\/p>\nResearch team:<\/strong>
\nJakub Zolkos (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nVladimir Pyltsov (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nMertcan Cokbas (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Janusz Konrad (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Michael Gevelber (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2022. Fall 2022.
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/igs\/files\/2022\/08\/Pyltsov_-Zolkos_-Cokbas_WebGraphic_Spring2022.png\")
HVAC systems account for 40-60% of BU\u2019s energy use in its large buildings, and this is primarily driven by the amount of airflow called for by building automation systems. While passive infra-red (PIR) sensors are being used in many newer classrooms and offices, they are only on-off and do not provide information to modulate airflow at intermediate levels. The proposed research aims to evaluate two alternative sensing approaches to \u201cright-sizing\u201d airflow based on the level of occupancy. One approach uses overhead fisheye cameras and AI algorithms, while the other system uses CO2 sensors and a mathematical model to infer occupancy from CO2 levels. The goal is to compare accuracy of both approaches in determining occupancy in large classrooms and open offices, and to provide an estimate of the potential savings offered by such technologies in several buildings with different room types. Our research team consists of undergraduate student Jakub Zolkos, PhD candidate Mertcan Cokbas and Professor Janusz Konrad, all from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who will work on the camera-based approach, as well as undergraduate student Vladimir Pyltsov and Professor Michael Gevelber, both from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who will focus on the CO2- based approach and the estimation of potential energy savings.<\/p>\n
Student Presentations:<\/strong>
May 16, 2022: Video (@ 25:24)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
January 27, 2023: Slide deck<\/a> (PowerPoint)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nTransforming Cummington Mall: A walkable, climate-friendly future<\/h6><\/p>\nResearch team:<\/strong>
\nZakaria Elkawa (International Relations, Pardee; Anthropology, CAS)
\nZain Ahmed (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nAnkit Patro (International Relations, Pardee School of Global Studies; Economics, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Nathan Phillips (Earth and Environment, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2023.
People-oriented city design is the only way cities can achieve sustainability goals in ways that make the city a more just and community-oriented environment. Our project aims to develop a feasibility study that assesses how Boston University can re-design and further integrate Cummington Mall with its surrounding streets and buildings. The content of our project includes case studies that other cities have implemented, as well as scientific studies, both of which show the ease of how BU can implement change to make Cummington Mall a more welcoming, open space and also outline why such changes are necessary.<\/p>\nThe project will be the first phase of the feasibility study, utilizing tactical urbanism as a framework to explore simple and effective measures that can make the area more dynamic, sustainable, and inviting to all members and commuters of the Boston University community. The first phase will also create a rendering to visualize how the area would look if such measures were implemented. The aim of the project is to allow for space to further improve our design in the future, all in the service of helping Boston University become a more people-oriented campus. Our team includes Zain Ahmed, Ankit Patro and is led by Zakaria Elkawa.<\/p>\n
Mentorship and collaboration will be provided by Earth and Environment professor Nathan Phillips, Assistant Director of Transportation Demand Management and Planning Carl Larson, and Campus Planning and Operations.
Student Presentations:<\/strong>
\nApril 12, 2023: Slide Deck<\/a><\/em> (PDF)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nInfluence of landscape management practices on urban greenhouse gas budgets<\/h6><\/p>\n
Research team:<\/strong> The BU campus has over 70 acres of lawn scape, which accounts for a significant percentage of the school’s budget of carbon flux.This research project will involve measuring changes to ecological factors in urban landscaping by varying management tactics to be more sustainably informed and more ecologically integrated. Tactics will include alterations to mulch application, alternative soil amendments (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.), and possibly cover crops. The measurement of ecological factors will allow us to evaluate changes in biogenic CO2 emissions. From these results we will create a recommended treatment option for altering management in the future to help BU achieve the climate goals set out in the BU CAP, and allow BU to more closely align with its stated land management sustainability goals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Research team:<\/strong> Research team:<\/strong> Student Presentations:<\/strong> Research team:<\/strong> The project will be the first phase of the feasibility study, utilizing tactical urbanism as a framework to explore simple and effective measures that can make the area more dynamic, sustainable, and inviting to all members and commuters of the Boston University community. The first phase will also create a rendering to visualize how the area would look if such measures were implemented. The aim of the project is to allow for space to further improve our design in the future, all in the service of helping Boston University become a more people-oriented campus. Our team includes Zain Ahmed, Ankit Patro and is led by Zakaria Elkawa.<\/p>\n Mentorship and collaboration will be provided by Earth and Environment professor Nathan Phillips, Assistant Director of Transportation Demand Management and Planning Carl Larson, and Campus Planning and Operations.
\nReuben Danyali (Environmental Analysis & Policy; Economics, CAS)
\nSage Andrews (Biology, CAS)
\nAlexa Smith (Political Science; Economics, CAS)
\nAlex Weintraub (Earth & Environment, CAS)
\nElla J. Grossman (Earth & Environment, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Pam Templer (Biology, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2025, Summer 2025<\/p>\nImpacts of closure periods on BU CO2 emissions and local CO2 concentrations<\/h6>
\nLexia Cicone (Chemistry; Earth and Environment, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Lucy Hutyra (Earth and Environment, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Summer 2020. Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021.
<\/p>\n
This research team is assessing the influence of changes in campus occupancy on local CO2 concentrations, emissions, and Boston University (BU) energy use. In previous phases of research, a substantial increase in per capita electricity and gas use at BU was found during the COVID-19 shutdown period. Continued research will investigate how changes in building usage resulting from the lockdown will affect energy use, as well as make a comparison between BU-specific changes, and Massachusetts-wide changes in energy use. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to identify opportunities for BU energy use reductions associated with changing occupancy and behaviors.
Student Presentations:<\/strong>
\nSeptember 9, 2020: Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nJanuary 29, 2021: Video (@ 18:20)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nApril 20, 2021: Video (@ 32:36)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
\nSeptember 9, 2021: Video (@ 45:44)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nEvaluation of alternative sensors to minimize HVAC energy use in Boston University buildings and ensure indoor air quality<\/h6>
\nJakub Zolkos (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nVladimir Pyltsov (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nMertcan Cokbas (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Janusz Konrad (Electrical and Computer Engineering, ENG)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Michael Gevelber (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2022. Fall 2022.
<\/p>\n
HVAC systems account for 40-60% of BU\u2019s energy use in its large buildings, and this is primarily driven by the amount of airflow called for by building automation systems. While passive infra-red (PIR) sensors are being used in many newer classrooms and offices, they are only on-off and do not provide information to modulate airflow at intermediate levels. The proposed research aims to evaluate two alternative sensing approaches to \u201cright-sizing\u201d airflow based on the level of occupancy. One approach uses overhead fisheye cameras and AI algorithms, while the other system uses CO2 sensors and a mathematical model to infer occupancy from CO2 levels. The goal is to compare accuracy of both approaches in determining occupancy in large classrooms and open offices, and to provide an estimate of the potential savings offered by such technologies in several buildings with different room types. Our research team consists of undergraduate student Jakub Zolkos, PhD candidate Mertcan Cokbas and Professor Janusz Konrad, all from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who will work on the camera-based approach, as well as undergraduate student Vladimir Pyltsov and Professor Michael Gevelber, both from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who will focus on the CO2- based approach and the estimation of potential energy savings.<\/p>\n
May 16, 2022: Video (@ 25:24)<\/a>. Slide deck<\/a> (PDF)
January 27, 2023: Slide deck<\/a> (PowerPoint)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nTransforming Cummington Mall: A walkable, climate-friendly future<\/h6>
\nZakaria Elkawa (International Relations, Pardee; Anthropology, CAS)
\nZain Ahmed (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nAnkit Patro (International Relations, Pardee School of Global Studies; Economics, CAS)
\nMentor:<\/strong> Nathan Phillips (Earth and Environment, CAS)
Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2023.
People-oriented city design is the only way cities can achieve sustainability goals in ways that make the city a more just and community-oriented environment. Our project aims to develop a feasibility study that assesses how Boston University can re-design and further integrate Cummington Mall with its surrounding streets and buildings. The content of our project includes case studies that other cities have implemented, as well as scientific studies, both of which show the ease of how BU can implement change to make Cummington Mall a more welcoming, open space and also outline why such changes are necessary.<\/p>\n
Student Presentations:<\/strong>
\nApril 12, 2023: Slide Deck<\/a><\/em> (PDF)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nInfluence of landscape management practices on urban greenhouse gas budgets<\/h6>