Homegrown Solutions

11/01/2011 Added

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[00:00:00.076]It starts with an idea
[00:00:02.039]that is tested in the lab
[00:00:03.090]nurtured and polished
[00:00:05.026]until the idea grows into the future.
[00:00:08.059](MUSIC)
[00:00:15.086]It could be a real game changer.
[00:00:17.086]This is a very global project.
[00:00:19.063]Ask the question that becomes the answer
[00:00:22.033]to a global challenge.
[00:00:24.010]We try new things.
[00:00:25.066]Will make an impact across the nation.
[00:00:29.081]The bold questions that lead to innovative solutions
[00:00:33.000]come from University of Nebraska-Lincoln research.
[00:00:37.000]UNL is part of a national science and industry consortium
[00:00:40.023]working on magnetic materials that would improve
[00:00:43.006]hybrid cars and wind turbines.
[00:00:46.006]The Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience
[00:00:48.076]harnesses the expertise of researchers across disciplines
[00:00:52.031]to build for the future.
[00:00:54.086]All these things are very important to help our
[00:00:56.079]country solve its energy problems.
[00:00:59.010]UNL engineers are developing tools to help create
[00:01:02.050]the next generation power grid, technology to
[00:01:05.059]integrate renewable energy sources.
[00:01:08.015]The goal of the smart grid is to provide better
[00:01:13.033]electricity service, to provide more affordable,
[00:01:15.093]sustainable, cost-effective, reliable service to consumers.
[00:01:22.010]A UNL team has developed unique processes that use
[00:01:25.050]lasers to make nanostructures built from carbon atoms.
[00:01:29.040]Energy is stored on the surface of so-called nano-onions,
[00:01:33.016]layered structures with potential for high-density
[00:01:36.022]energy storage.
[00:01:38.006]A process for linking carbon nanotubes will lead to
[00:01:41.003]smaller, lighter wire for use in electric cars.
[00:01:44.059]Researchers have also developed a simple process
[00:01:47.086]to write graphene patterns on surfaces.
[00:01:50.043]That process could lead to improved LCD screens
[00:01:53.038]and solar panels.
[00:01:55.046]University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a very strong
[00:01:58.023]program in materials and this is one area people are looking at.
[00:02:04.090]In the lab and in the field, the idea is put to the test.
[00:02:09.026]At a busy intersection, traffic lights are powered
[00:02:13.090]with the help of green energy.
[00:02:16.048]UNL electrical engineers work on power production
[00:02:19.031]capability while transportation engineers study the impact on drivers.
[00:02:24.098]Some of the drivers can get distracted so we want to
[00:02:27.081]find out what kind of distraction that is. We also
[00:02:31.016]want to find out the economic feasibility of the project.
[00:02:33.093]We have very unique capabilities here at the University of Nebraska.
[00:02:37.093]We had such an outstanding transportation research
[00:02:40.090]group here at the university. We have excellent expertise
[00:02:43.069]in power electronics, renewable energy, smart grid technology
[00:02:47.069]here at the university. And it's sort of a natural to
[00:02:50.040]mesh these two groups of technologies together.
[00:02:54.026]Many cattle can carry microbes that may cause
[00:02:57.009]food-borne illness. But some animals are chock-full
[00:03:00.065]of pathogens. UNL research explores the link between
[00:03:04.066]genetics and animals carrying high numbers of
[00:03:07.043]microbes in order to develop another tool to make
[00:03:10.069]our food safe.
[00:03:12.006]If you can reduce those number of animals out there
[00:03:14.059]in the production setting, it would have a significant
[00:03:18.023]impact on reducing the risk that beef or things in the
[00:03:23.083]beef environment would be contaminated with these organisms.
[00:03:26.095]By the time they reach fourth grade, about a quarter of
[00:03:32.053]children have trouble understanding what they read.
[00:03:35.090]UNL researchers are part of a national consortium
[00:03:38.056]testing thousands of children and developing
[00:03:41.036]activities that help teachers and students.
[00:03:44.043]The end goal would be to understand how language
[00:03:46.083]influences reading comprehension and
[00:03:49.040]to have interventions that work in the classroom.
[00:03:52.026]For decades, farmers, manufacturers and retailers
[00:03:55.076]have depended on the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory.
[00:03:59.006]It's the only officially designated tractor test station in the country
[00:04:02.080]and ensures the machines are up to standard.
[00:04:06.053]Fuel consumption and other measurements help
[00:04:08.059]protect the environment and save money.
[00:04:11.040]Now, the Department of Energy wants to expand
[00:04:13.073]testing to include other off-road vehicles for
[00:04:17.010]construction and agriculture.
[00:04:19.026]We have the necessary skills and backgrounds to
[00:04:21.073]help them develop the testing and conduct it properly
[00:04:25.004]So it's a real vote of confidence for the tractor test lab.
[00:04:27.075]An idea comes alive with the help of partners.
[00:04:32.036]The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research
[00:04:34.093]is a collaboration between UNL and the Nebraska Public Power District
[00:04:39.046]to support research on renewable energy resources
[00:04:43.006]and energy conservation.
[00:04:47.013]Partnerships also build a stronger future for agriculture.
[00:04:51.039]The future for me got a whole lot brighter today.
[00:04:54.056]UNL's strength in wheat breeding is at the heart of
[00:04:57.000]an agreement between the university and Bayer CropScience.
[00:05:01.000]The agreement was forged with the help of NUtech Ventures,
[00:05:03.076]a non-profit corporation responsible for
[00:05:06.060]commercializing UNL research.
[00:05:09.010]I think the mutual benefits are going to be in
[00:05:11.014]working together and collaborating together and sharing together.
[00:05:14.093]Under the agreement, Bayer supports UNL research and education
[00:05:18.056]in return for non-exclusive access to UNL's germ plasm,
[00:05:22.031]the genetic resources used for wheat breeding.
[00:05:25.077]Bayer will also build its North American headquarters near Lincoln.
[00:05:29.069]It's a very good partnership, a win-win for both of us.
[00:05:34.048]Partnerships that fuel Nebraska's economic growth will
[00:05:37.056]bring UNL research from ideas to action on Nebraska Innovation Campus.
[00:05:42.081]Leveraged by state and private investment, the first
[00:05:45.060]phase of the project includes a food, fuel and water research facility.
[00:05:50.030]We would hope that groundbreaking research
[00:05:52.026]would be developed there that could be applied on
[00:05:56.046]a broad basis for economic development for the
[00:06:00.039]companies we partner with and also the citizens of the state.
[00:06:04.030]From an idea, to a lab, to the marketplace,
[00:06:07.023]UNL research provides home-grown solutions for the world's future.

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Homegrown Solutions

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