The in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) has awarded more than $44,000 in funding to advance innovative faculty research at ������ in collaboration with industry partners. Three professors in the will receive 2026 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow awards.

SyracuseCoE’s Faculty Fellows program is designed to catalyze new, externally sponsored research projects that contribute to economic growth and workforce development with New York state businesses. All applicants are required to partner with a New York state company seeking technology, intellectual property or technoeconomic expertise.

The 2026 Faculty Fellows are:

• �ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ���, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
• �ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ���, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
• �ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ���, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)

Lao’s project, “Biomass Filter Material and Its Integrated Device to Remove Water Contaminants,” aims to create a biomass filter that uses solar heating to clean polluted water without electricity or specialized infrastructure. MAE professor  will serve as co-principal investigator, and Syracuse-based startup  is the project’s industry partner.

Qin’s project, “Mycelium-based Double Network Composites for Indoor Air Filtration,” will develop and optimize mycelium–polypropylene network composites for use in indoor air filtration systems, aiming to remove contamination from volatile organic compounds and fine particulate matter. Qin will partner with and MAE professor .

Qiu’s project, “Neuromorphic Inspired Environment Sensing for Smart Buildings Control and Monitoring,” will use ������’s LEED Platinum facility at 727 E. Washington Street as a testbed. ,��SyracuseCoE Co-Director and MAE professor,��will collaborate with Qiu on this effort to develop a processing framework capable of predicting and diagnosing complex patterns in building monitoring sensors. Qiu will leverage industry partnerships built through her role as the University’s site director for the NSF Industry-University Collaboration Research Center for Alternative Sustainable and Intelligent Computing.

“We thank all the applicants who made significant effort in developing strong proposals and collaborative relationships with industry partners,” says , MAE interim department chair and Executive Director of SyracuseCoE.

“It has been a difficult decision in the final selection of awardees, as we received significantly more high-quality proposals than we can fund. We will continue to seek other ways that we can support innovation through SyracuseCoE’s shared research and development labs, networking and joint proposals to external funding agencies and industries.”

As New York State’s Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, SyracuseCoE advances research and commercialization activities that support clean energy, healthy buildings, and resilient communities.

Since 2015, the SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program has allocated over $1.1 million to research and development projects led by more than 70 faculty members from the University and its academic partners, including SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY Oswego.

“Every dollar we dedicate to the Faculty Fellows program is an investment in our regional economy, strengthening Central New York’s research and development ecosystem for companies, including startups,” says Zhang.

(SyracuseCoE) has awarded funds to two startups through its 2025-26 Innovation Fund pitch competition.

�ճ���� is a seed fund supported through  memberships and offered to help companies overcome research and development barriers to commercialization, leveraging the support of SyracuseCoE-affiliated universities, faculty and students. Projects must address a challenge within SyracuseCoE’s broad core focus areas of healthy and efficient buildings, clean energy and resilient, low-carbon communities.

Two startups in SyracuseCoE’s Partner Program,�������Ի���, were selected to receive awards of $7,500 each for research and development projects.

KLAW Industries was awarded funding to study the chemical, mechanical and physical properties of utilizing windowpane waste glass in high-performance, low-carbon concrete. Based in Binghamton, New York, KLAW Industries diverts contaminated glass from the waste stream and repurposes it into a patent-pending material to replace cement in concrete mix. The company will work in partnership with Mohammad Uzzal Hossain at Department of Sustainable Resources Management.

PanLys was awarded funding to validate its Visible-Light Photocatalytic Oxidation (VL-PCO) technology for continuous microbial control in HVAC systems. Partnering with ������ faculty, the startup will test coated filters and in-duct modules to measure microbial reduction, airflow performance and energy impact under U.S. building conditions. PanLys develops innovative technology that protects people from harmful microorganisms in high-traffic indoor spaces, such as hospitals, restaurants, research and development labs and offices.

Innovation Fund pitches are evaluated by a group of external reviewers. SyracuseCoE gratefully acknowledges the panel of volunteer reviewers for lending their time and expertise, including Jim D’Agostino (TDO), Jeff Fuchsberg (Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering at ������), Indaria Jones (Couri Hatchery Business Incubator at the Whitman School of Management), John Lawyer (������ alumnus), and Tong Lin (SyracuseCoE).

“We are delighted to collaborate with companies to turn research into real-world impact,” says Bing Dong, Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and SyracuseCoE co-director. “Congratulations to KLAW Industries and PanLys!”

SyracuseCoE is New York State’s Center of Excellence for Environmental and Energy Systems. Support for the Innovation Fund is provided by members of the SyracuseCoE Partner Program. To date, the Innovation Fund has invested over $640,000 in more than 60 projects throughout New York State and beyond.

Eligibility for Innovation Fund awards is open to all current members of the . To learn more about joining the SyracuseCoE Partner Program, contact Tammy Rosanio at tlrosani@syr.edu.

The Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) is now for the 2026 Faculty Fellows Program. Faculty members are invited to submit proposals of up to $15,000 for innovative research and development projects related to healthy and efficient buildings, clean energy and resilient, low-carbon communities.

This program is open to faculty members who hold full-time appointments at ������, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). Proposals must include engagement with one or more industry partners. SyracuseCoE welcomes proposals that engage multiple faculty members, including interdisciplinary teams from multiple departments, colleges and/or institutions.

Faculty Fellow funding may be used for expenses associated with research, development and demonstration projects, including (but not limited to): use of laboratories and equipment, research materials and supplies, and student employment. Faculty members are encouraged to review the for details on eligibility, funding restrictions, proposal format and reporting requirements.

“SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow awards are an excellent opportunity for researchers to build collaborative relationships with New York state companies that can grow into mutually beneficial R&D partnerships,” says Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, mechanical and aerospace engineering interim department chair and executive director of SyracuseCoE.

Awards will be announced in December 2025. Selected Faculty Fellows will have the opportunity to join SyracuseCoE’s innovation ecosystem, contributing to educational programming, industry collaboration and future sponsored funding proposals. Fellows will also present their work at the annual Innovation Showcase in August 2026.

The Faculty Fellow Program is supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation (ESD/NYSTAR). Since 2015, SyracuseCoE has allocated over $1 million to research and development projects led by more than 70 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows at ������, SUNY ESF, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY Oswego.

Applications must be submitted through ������’s . The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 21. Questions about the program can be directed to Tammy Rosanio, associate director of partner programs .

When junior , an environmental engineering major in the , was growing up, her parents taught her the sensibility of re-using goods, thrifting what she needed and making the best use of everything she had. Around her Bentonville, Virginia, home, she picked up things at auctions, thrift stores and even out of the garbage. “Dumpster diving,” something she had wanted to try, became part of her routine once she arrived at ������.

One day, a Department of Public Safety officer stopped Lubkemann at a campus dumpster and asked for identification.  After confirming her student status, the officer recounted how the night before, he’d ejected a man who wasn’t a student for doing the same thing Lubkemann was doing.

“That was one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had, not only at the University but in my life,” Lubkemann explains. “To me, it was so unjust that a piece of plastic set me apart from others who might need things.” She says she recognized that removing the person from the scene “might have been the difference between a man and his dinner.”

After that incident, Lubkemann began to reflect on her privileged student status and the injustice that she could access found objects on campus while others were barred from obtaining those throwaway goods. “I grew up very privileged, but I was instilled with the value of not taking more than you need. There are things in the garbage that aren’t actually garbage. A lot of stuff is thrown away before its expiration date,” Lubkemann says. “I found my calling in environmental engineering due to the critical shortage of professionals in the field and by a passion for sustainability, which I see as not just an environmental issue but also a social and economic imperative.”

A ‘Revamped’ Idea

After observing high levels of textile waste on campus and how those without a vehicle have limited access to donate clothing or buy affordable used things,�� Lubkemann devised the idea for her business, “.”

Her company is a research-based, pioneering, sustainability-driven mobile enterprise redefining textile waste management through a mobile thrift store and donation hub, currently operating from a repurposed minibus. It takes in discarded yet valuable textiles from their point of disposal and offers an accessible, community-centered solution that diverts waste from landfills while ensuring that high-quality secondhand goods remain in the local economy.

Lubkemann spoke about her idea with ,�� ������ Libraries strategic initiatives advisor and a faculty member in the . She encouraged Lubkemann to submit her idea for a mobile donation center/thrift store/re-distribution hub in the competition. Lubkemann then developed a 10-page business plan, entered the competition and won $5,000.

“I never thought anyone would find interest in this; I thought it was a pipe dream. Who would think a top U.S. university would invest in such a small idea? But Linda gave me the confidence to pursue it, and that was one of the things that totally launched me into this initiative. I like to say Revamped was born from a dumpster, which gives me hope any idea or dream can take shape if you work towards it. It’s really taken off from there,” she says.

Adding Funds, Growth

Lubkemann has continued to refine and grow her company and gain funding. She has won $25,000  from campus competitions since November 2024, including the at the , a award, the and research monies. Her achievements include the following:

• Obtaining a DBA (“doing business as”) certificate and starting a limited liability corporation (Ava Lubkemann LLC).
• Acquiring a minibus and outfitting it to serve as mobile thrift shop/donation center.

  

• Establishing a account for potential investors.
• Hosting pop-up sales, cross-campus co-branding events and creating a to distribute on campus.
• Researching textile waste distribution to define more community re-distribution channels.
• Contacting local businesses seeking storage space for additional collected items.
• Ideating two podcasts about Revamped and sustainable living.
• Asking the Sustainability Management group to add sustainable entrepreneurship student ambassadors.
• Contacting George Washington University and Lewis and Clark College to gauge their interest in replicating the Revamped program.

That’s hardly Lubkemann’s limit. From finding goods, to reworking and repairing them, to setting up the mobile store and planning distribution points, she does most of Revamped’s work herself, helped by , the company’s marketer, a student in the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Ava is also a resident advisor, entrepreneur-in-residence at the  student business incubator, a part-time Orange Innovation Scholar worker and a research fellow on the ’s Carbon Capture Team. She continues to enter competitions such as and present at the . She’s also taking 17 course credits.

The Long View

The busy student has no shortage of vision, either. Lubkemann envisions expanding the company and hopes its success lets her form a 501C3 nonprofit organization to funnel a mass accumulation of textile waste to people who really need it.

“That’s what matters to me, trying to make a positive impact in the community. I was raised on the principle, ‘Wherever you go leave it a better place than you found it,” Lubkemann says. “I think that’s the core of making Revamped what I want it to be—a community-oriented program that connects universities with their communities and advocates for the little guy and people who are in need.”

Goods can be purchased from Revamped’s Instagram page, listing, or soon-to-launch website, revampedthrift.com. Lubkemann also plans to announce future campus sales and events via those avenues.

The (ECS) is excited to announce that Professor Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang has been appointed interim department chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering (MAE), as of July 1, 2025. Zhang serves as executive director of the (CoE) and is one of the premier experts worldwide on built environment systems.

Zhang received a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991, worked as a researcher at the National Research Council of Canada for eight years and joined ������ in 1999. He has over 35 years of research experience in built environmental systems and has authored and co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed journal papers and over 100 conference papers. His areas of expertise include combined heat, air, moisture and pollutant simulations in buildings, material emissions, air filtration/purification, ventilation, indoor air quality and intelligent control of building environmental systems.

Zhang has developed advanced experimental methods, tools and equipment, as well as computer simulation models and environmental control technologies. Over his last 25 years with the University, he has established and sustained an active research program in building energy and environmental systems with over $20 million in sponsored research.

He also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the areas of building energy and environmental systems and fundamental heat and mass transfer. He has advised and co-advised over 20 Ph.D. students, over 20 M.S. students and eight postdoctoral fellows.

Zhang is a member of the International Academy of Indoor Air Science (ISIAQ fellow) and a fellow of the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. He is also currently the vice president of the Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation Association. He served as president and chairman of the board of the International Association of Building Physics from 2018-21. He is also editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Ventilation and associate editor of Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

“Professor Zhang is one of the best respected researchers, educators and leaders in his field. I am especially grateful for his willingness to serve as interim department chair because he has been so intentional about mentorship and support of other faculty,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “Although we will miss Dr. Young Moon’s steady leadership of MAE, I am excited to see the innovative actions Professor Zhang will take to move MAE forward.”

“I am truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve the department, college, university and the profession in this new role. I sincerely thank the faculty, staff and ECS leadership for their trust and support, and thank Professor Young Moon for leading and serving MAE over the last decade. MAE has highly talented and very student-caring faculty and staff running excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. I am looking forward to working with them more closely to advance MAE to the next level,” says Zhang.

�ʰ��Ǵڱ�����ǰ��� was recently selected to lead a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) at , the Conference and Workshop on Neural Information Processing Systems. Founded in 1987, NeurIPS is one of the most prestigious annual conferences dedicated to machine learning�����Ի���AI research.

Dong’s workshop proposal, “UrbanAI: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Smart Cities,” will focus on AI tools and technologies that can optimize urban areas. From transportation infrastructure and traffic management to power systems and building HVAC, integrated machine learning solutions can make cities more efficient and reduce carbon emissions. The workshop will convene experts from diverse backgrounds to address the multifaceted challenges of urban sustainability.

A collaborative effort, Dong is organizing the workshop in partnership with colleagues from Harvard, Columbia, the University of Washington and Mila, a Canadian research institute founded by Yoshua Bengio. Professor Bengio is the recipient of the A. M. Turing Award, known as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.”

Zixin Jiang, a Ph.D. candidate in Dong’s lab, will also participate in the conference as a speaker on an expert panel on AI applications for urban environments.

“It is a great honor to collaborate with leading computer scientists worldwide to tackle future smart city challenges,” says Dong. “This is the first workshop at NeurIPS focused on this important topic. We live in a world full of AI applications, and it’s crucial to understand where they may take us, especially regarding energy and environmental issues.”

Dong is the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the and the Associate Director of Grid-Interactive Buildings at the . He leads the , an interdisciplinary research group working on advanced building controls, building energy system modeling, and indoor environmental quality.

NeurIPS is highly competitive, with a workshop proposal acceptance rate just under 20%. The 2025 conference will take place Dec. 2-7 in San Diego, California.

The smoke from more than 100 Canadian wildfires is reaching many regions within the U.S., including as far south as Georgia. Air quality is deteriorating in the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast, prompting health advisories in many cities. In Canada, more than 25,000 residents across three provinces have been evacuated due to the worsening air conditions.

The  (SyracuseCOE) is advising residents to take simple steps to protect indoor air quality and personal health in the event of increased smoke levels.

, professor and associate director of building science and community programs at ������, provides air quality recommendations below which can be quoted directly. He is also available for interview.

“Get ready ahead of time by purchasing or borrowing a HEPA air cleaner and/or a higher-efficiency furnace filter, and masks for going outdoors.” — Professor Ian Shapiro, ������

Recommendations include:

1. Use Air Cleaners With HEPA Filters: Portable air cleaners equipped with HEPA filters can significantly reduce airborne particulate concentrations within minutes.

2. Run HVAC Fan Continuously: If your home has a forced-air heating or cooling system, locate the thermostat setting labeled “Fan” and switch it from “Auto” to “On.” This will continuously circulate indoor air through the system’s filter, removing particulates. This practice is safe and effective year-round. This is significantly more effective if your system has a high-efficiency filter, such as a filter rated “MERV 13” or higher. If not, consider at least installing a filter rated “MERV 11”, instead of a standard efficiency filter.

3. Close Windows and Doors: Keep all windows and doors shut to minimize the entry of outdoor smoke into your home during smoky conditions.

4. Limit Use of Exhaust Fans: While bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans remove moisture and cooking fumes, they also pull outdoor air into the house. During wildfire smoke events, limit their use to reduce the intake of contaminated air.

5. Wear a Mask Outdoors: When spending time outside, especially if air quality worsens, wear a well-fitting mask to help filter inhaled particles.

The ������ Center of Excellence, led by , conducts cutting-edge research on indoor and outdoor air quality. The center is currently monitoring air quality across multiple locations in downtown Syracuse and continues to provide science-based guidance to the community.

To learn more or to set up interviews, contact:

Daryl Lovell
Associate Director of Media Relations
University Communications
M��315.380.0206

Peter Wirth has a two-fold strategy when it comes to renovating his home.

The Brooklyn, New York, native has called Central New York home for more than 40 years. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Fayetteville, New York, the 1960s-era Craftsman house he shares with his wife, daughter and their cat “Spice” not only features many attractive upgrades in aesthetics and design, but most importantly cuts back on their climate footprint with every improvement plan and project.

“I think what probably got me on the path was I believe in science,” says Wirth, co-founder of the . “I’m trying to remove or reduce our consumption of fossil fuels in the house.”

Wirth keeps energy efficiency at the center of his home upgrades, generating his own renewable energy with rooftop solar panels, and getting his hot water on demand through an updated tankless water heater. His sustainability goals led him to make one of his biggest home upgrades yet—adding an air-sourced heat pump to his natural gas furnace, creating a hybrid heating and cooling system that runs much more efficiently.

“I think once you go to an electric heat pump, you’d never think about doing a gas furnace again,” says Wirth.

Getting more people to consider heat pumps for their homes and businesses has been a mission point for , professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the associate director of Building Science and Community Programs at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. He launched his mechanical engineering career more than three decades ago with designing heat pumps.

Systems That Heat and Cool

While the word heat can lead people to limit the technology to only its warming effect, these systems work to both heat and cool structures.

Shapiro says heat pumps work by moving heat from the outdoor air to the indoor space, similar to how a refrigerator moves heat from the inside to the outside. The heating and cooling system uses electricity to move heat rather than generating it directly. Even on a cold Central New York day with an outdoor temperature below freezing, the pump can effectively pull warm air from the outdoors to heat the inside of a home or building.

“That free outdoor heat is renewable,” Shapiro says. “And much of the electricity is carbon free from sources such as hydroelectricity and solar. If New York state meets its goals by 2040, it will all be clean electricity.”

Residence as a Living Lab

Wirth opened his home to Shapiro’s graduate mechanical engineering students as a “living lab” to execute research questions and learn directly from homeowners about the real-world implications of heat pump technology. The collaboration has proven fruitful for researchers and Wirth. Syracuse researchers were able to identify ways to make his heat pump and home more efficient, and the hands-on work will help students in their professional fields.

“Syracuse has been an ideal place to study heat pump performance in cold climates and older homes,” says mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. student, Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh ’26. “These field studies help bridge the gap between lab-tested efficiency and real-world performance.”

“As more buildings transition from traditional fossil fuel heating systems to heat pumps, improving their operational efficiency will be crucial,” says Ji Zhou ’28, another Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who plans to work in a heat pump research lab post-graduation.

, with requirements for all new buildings to use electric heat and appliances by 2026 and all existing buildings by 2030. Shapiro estimates there are more than 100,000 heat pumps currently in use in New York state. He anticipates more growth in the years to come as fossil-fuel powered energy becomes more expensive.

For homeowners like Wirth, finding ways to cut down on carbon consumption and reduce greenhouse gases is a personal mission now powering his home and his life.

“For me to recommend to other people to do things without doing them myself, I just can’t do it,” says Wirth. “It would feel hollow. I need to walk the talk.”

Video captured, edited and produced by Amy Manley, senior multimedia producer

Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) is pleased to announce that four local organizations have been selected for the 2025 . This program provides SyracuseCoE Partners with funding to host a paid summer intern. Student interns work on projects related to indoor environmental quality, high-performance/green building design, energy efficiency, and water resources.

The organizations selected are:

• , a startup based in Ithaca, New York, that uses AI-powered technology to provide real-time equipment insights for site auditors, engineers and other HVAC professionals.
• , a startup located in Binghamton, New York, that diverts contaminated glass from the waste stream and repurposes it into a patent-pending material to replace cement in concrete mix.
• , a startup based in Potsdam, New York, that develops and manufactures innovative power electronics for applications in solar, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and grid support.
• , a non-profit housing and community development organization with offices in Syracuse and Buffalo, New York.

Each organization will receive up to $4,000 to host an undergraduate or graduate student this summer. The Industry Collaboration Student Internship Program provides students with critical work-based learning experiences offering hands-on technical skill development and work experience. Ultimately, the program aims to increase post-graduation student retention in Central New York.

“SyracuseCoE is pleased to support local partners manage their talent needs, while also providing meaningful learning experiences for students,” says SyracuseCoE Executive Director . “Since 2004, SyracuseCoE has funded more than 140 student internships with industry partners under this program. This year, we’re pleased to also support an internship with a community-based partner, for the first time since this program was initiated.”

Student interns will present their work on a project poster at SyracuseCoE’s annual Innovation Showcase, to be held in August 2025.

Participation in this internship program is one of the benefits of the . To learn more or join the program, contact Tammy Rosanio, Associate Director of Partner Programs, at tlrosani@syr.edu.

On Feb. 14, Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) hosted the first Smart Cities Research @ SU workshop, led by , associate professor at the School of Information Studies (iSchool). Professor Erdogan is one of the recipients of a 2024 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow award. This past year, SyracuseCoE to support 11 research and innovation projects led by faculty members from ������ and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Erdogan is the director of the , an interdisciplinary research hub focused on the interaction of human, physical and natural systems and on connecting the interdependencies between them. The center seeks to leverage information science and digital technologies to inform public policy, advancing sustainability and resiliency.

Professor Erdogan’s Faculty Fellow project, “Smart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities,” aims to bring together faculty members, government agencies, and community partners to develop an institutional framework for smart cities research. A smart city is one that utilizes sensor networks, advanced Information Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cloud computing to deliver services more efficiently and improve quality of life for residents. The applications can span almost all aspects of city governance including but not limited to mobility, resilience and disaster response, environmental monitoring, energy efficiency, engagement and community, economic development, housing, waste management and more.

The Feb. 14 event was the first of two workshops supported by this Faculty Fellow award. With a strong interdisciplinary approach, the workshop engaged faculty from the School of Information Studies (the iSchool), the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the School of Architecture and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Government stakeholders also attended, including representatives from the City of Syracuse’s Office of the Mayor and from the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC).

To kick off the workshop, Professor Erdogan, along with iSchool Associate Dean for Research and SyracuseCoE Executive Director , gave opening remarks. Jennifer Tifft, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the City of Syracuse, and Vincent Scipione, Director of Digital Services for the City of Syracuse, shared relevant initiatives and research needs at the municipal level. Faculty from across SU then gave lightning talks to highlight ongoing scholarship. also facilitated a working session to identify research themes and areas for potential collaboration.

“This workshop was a crucial step in establishing a collaborative foundation for smart city research at SU and positioning the university as a leader in smart city innovations,” says Erdogan. “At its core, this initiative is about using technology and data for social good, about creating sustainable and resilient communities. Meaningful smart city research begins with collaboration, which is why bringing together key community members was essential.”

“In this first workshop, we focused on engaging faculty and government partners, leveraging our collaboration with the City of Syracuse to identify critical problems, develop potential real-world applications, and explore how Syracuse can help lead in smart city innovation. Looking ahead, our next workshop will expand this effort by engaging community organizations and industry partners. We want to build a research network that actively listens to and serves the community, ensuring technology is used to meet real needs.”

“SyracuseCoE is pleased to host and support this and future workshops on smart cities research and collaborations,” says Zhang. “In collaboration with our academic, industrial and community partners, SyracuseCoE is establishing a multiscale air quality, stormwater, and energy flow monitoring system testbed across Syracuse. The multiscale testbed and its near-real-time data will open ample opportunities for both academic research and industrial innovations in the development of smart city technologies and systems, including preliminary results that support applications for externally sponsored collaborative research projects.”

Faculty who are interested in joining the second Smart Cities Research @ SU workshop should contact Professor Sevgi Erdogan at serdogan@syr.edu.

is hosting “The Ideas Exchange: Sparking Innovation at ������” on Tuesday, March 4, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on the first floor of Bird Library. Students from across campus eager to explore the frontiers of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity are invited to attend this student-designed and student-led event to engage with experts, resources and peers in a dynamic and interactive environment.

is more than just a networking event—it’s an incubator for ideas, where students can find inspiration, seek guidance and connect with the right resources to bring their projects to life. The event features two simultaneous components: The Resource Emporium and Ask the Experts. Sponsored by SU Libraries, the ������ NSF I-Corps and the Orange Innovation Team, this event is for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators and those simply curious about the creative and startup ecosystem on campus.

At the heart of The Idea Exchange is the Orange Innovation Team, including Orange Innovation Scholars Ava Lubekmann, Jair Espinoza, Aidan Turner and Thomas O’Brien and Intelligence ++ Scholars Isaac Munce and Trey Augliano. These student leaders have curated an experience that fosters collaboration, encourages curiosity and provides direct access to some of the most valuable resources available on campus.

The Resource Emporium: Your Gateway to Innovation

On the first floor of Bird Library, a diverse lineup of organizations will host information tables to provide students with resources to help develop their ideas, start businesses and enhance their creative projects. Whether students are looking to create a prototype, launch a creative idea, secure funding for an idea or learn more about innovation on campus, The Resource Emporium will offer access to the right tools and people to take their ambitions further. Participating groups include:

• Blackstone LaunchPad–Campus hub for entrepreneurship
• CASE–Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering
• Couri Hatchery–Student venture incubation
• D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
• E-Club–Entrepreneurship student organization
• FADS–Fashion and design society
• Innovation Law Center–Legal guidance for startups
• Intelligence ++–Inclusive design and assistive technology
• Invent@SU–Rapid prototyping and invention resources
• Maker Space–Hands-on creative workshops and prototyping
• NEXIS–Emerging technology research
• NSF I-Corps at ������
• The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE)–Undergraduate research support
• Startup Garage–Early-stage startup mentoring
• Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems
• TEDx ������–Platform for innovative ideas and storytelling
• WISE–Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Ask the Experts: Conversations That Ignite Ideas

In a format inspired by “Human Library” events, the Ask the Experts session will feature more than 20 confirmed peer specialists and professionals across various fields engaging in small-group conversations. These sessions, held in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons (Room 114 in Bird Library), will provide students with the chance to ask questions from student and alumni thought leaders, receive tailored advice and gain valuable insights into the skills needed to thrive in innovation, creation and entrepreneurship.

Each discussion will be an opportunity to learn from expert peers and experienced professionals while sparking innovative ideas through engaging conversations. The curated topics and expert insights are designed to empower students with practical knowledge and the confidence to move forward with their ventures.

The expert insights will be in the areas of content creation, pitching, brand development and many more.

Mix It Up: Networking and Refreshments

To wrap up the event, attendees can mingle and network from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons. Light refreshments will be provided, creating a casual and welcoming environment for students to connect with peers, experts, and resource representatives.

Why Attend The Idea Exchange?

The Idea Exchange presents an unparalleled opportunity for students to tap into the University’s vast network of innovation resources. Whether you have a business idea, a research project, or a creative endeavor, this event will help you take the next step by:

• Gaining access to key innovation resources: Meet representatives from leading campus programs.
• Engage with experts: Learn from professionals who can provide real-world insights.
• Build your network: Connect with fellow students who share your passion for innovation.
• Find inspiration: Discover ideas and opportunities to explore.

For more information, visit Bird Library 123, home of “The IDEA Studio,” or email OrangeInnovation@syr.edu.

Four startup companies have been selected to receive awards through the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) Innovation Fund. Designed to support projects that help companies overcome research and development (R&D) barriers to commercialization of potentially transformative innovations, the Innovation Fund is funded by SyracuseCoE Partner Program members.

This year’s winning companies are , , and .

Each awardee will receive $10,000 to support product development and technological innovation. The companies were selected from a competitive pool of applicants who pitched their projects to a panel of external reviewers. Partner companies were invited to submit proposals aligned with SyracuseCoE’s key focus areas of indoor environmental quality, clean and renewable energy and water resources. The selected projects are:

Hydronic Shell Technologies: “Optimization of Hydrobox Terminal Units”

In this project, Hydronic Shell Technologies will work with its fabrication partners to further develop the HydroBox, a proprietary terminal unit that is key to the hydronic shell system. The funding will be utilized towards overall optimization of the HydroBox design, including air filtration, throw and distribution as well as development of the anchoring and support of the HydroBox to Hydronic Shell’s facade system.

M3 Innovation: “Autonomous Optimization of Energy Usage through IoT Wireless Control System”

This project involves the development and demonstration of Autonomous Optimization Energy Usage through an IoT Wireless Lighting Control System that utilizes a secure IoT platform at 915 MHz and enables long-range communication to remote sensor nodes. The system autonomously adjusts energy consumption, monitors power conditions and integrates with existing infrastructure to minimize energy usage and provide real-time data analysis.

ThermoVerse: “Smart Insulation Material System (SIMs)”

The SIMs project deploys ThermoVerse’s innovative smart insulation drop-ceiling panels in a quarter-scale test bed to reduce HVAC energy consumption by 40% or greater, without compromising the thermal comfort of building occupants. This work forms part of a larger project on grid-interactive smart building envelopes funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) and the American-Made Lab MATCH Prize.

tomPhyzx: “Validation, Visualization and Optimization of Air Flow Analysis in Digital Twins of Hospital and Exam Rooms to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections with Minimal Energy Impact”

This project will extend initial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies conducted through SyracuseCoE’s EPIC Buildings program to validate and improve air flow models in Upstate Medical Simulation Center’s single-patient hospital room and a medical exam room. The goal is to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) while minimizing energy consumption.

The external reviewers who evaluated applicant pitches included Marco Adolph of TROX; Scott MacBain of Carrier Corp.; Cindy Oehmigen of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York; Kate Oja of the Workforce Development Institute; and Dan Rickman of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“The quality and creativity of these project proposals speaks to the strength of the innovation ecosystem that SyracuseCoE fosters,” says MacBain, director of compression module engineering at Carrier Corp, and chair of SyracuseCoE’s Industry Partners Council.

“SyracuseCoE is uniquely positioned to connect startups with academic experts,” says SyracuseCoE Executive Director Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang. “Through partnerships with ������ faculty and students, these Innovation Fund projects will advance energy-efficient technologies and intelligent systems for human health, comfort, resilience and sustainability.”

Created in 2014, the has invested more than $640,000 in more than 60 projects, many of which are based in New York State. Participating companies have reported more than 264 jobs created and over $49,000,000 in additional public and private funding leveraged from the Innovation Fund projects.

All current members of the are eligible to apply to the Innovation Fund. To join the Partner Program or learn more, contact Tammy Rosanio, associate director of partner programs, at tlrosani@syr.edu.

The University has received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create new Building Training and Assessment Center (BTAC) to train undergraduate and graduate engineering students and build a clean energy workforce. The SU-BTAC, aligned with the vision of the DOE BTAC program, will educate and provide hands-on training for engineering students to perform assessments focused on reducing the energy burden for commercial and institutional buildings with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

The SU-BTAC will be housed at the (SyracuseCoE), New York State’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Energy Systems which engages more than 200 private companies, organizations and academic institutions to create new products and services in indoor environmental quality, clean and renewable energy, and water resource management.

With SyracuseCoE, the SU-BTAC will create relationships and company screening opportunities to connect commercial and institutional buildings with existing programs in the region relating to unions, apprenticeships, trade organizations, community programs and others.

“I see the SU-BTAC as an expansion of the ������ Industrial Assessment Center (SU-IAC), now SU-ITAC, and as a great experiential learning opportunity for our students. Not only are we able to help commercial and institutional buildings with reducing their energy burden, but we are also able to teach and mentor the next generation of energy engineers,” says , director of IAC and associate teaching professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

SU-BTAC will be led by faculty from ������ and supported by faculty from the City University of New York. The center will be co-directed by Professor , with involvement from professors and .

The has awarded $198,851 in 2024 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow awards to support 11 research and innovation projects led by faculty members from ������ and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

The SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program supports and honors faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the areas of energy, environmental quality and sustainable design, with additional support available for projects engaging New York state-based companies. These projects were selected from a pool of faculty proposals submitted during a funding solicitation issued by SyracuseCoE earlier this spring. Since 2015, over $1 million has been awarded to advance research and development projects led by SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows.

“We are excited to include these exceptional faculty members in SyracuseCoE’s growing network,” says SyracuseCoE Executive Director , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering amd Computer Science. “Their diverse expertise across disciplines and, in many instances, collaboration with local entrepreneurs will be critical in supporting our mission of promoting innovative solutions for human health, global energy and environmental challenges.”

“This is an excellent program for energy and environmental research and development,” says , associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “The support from SyracuseCoE addresses a critical gap in aligning the technical needs of regional and national companies with the expertise of faculty and students at ������.”

Lindi Quackenbush, interim vice president for research at SUNY ESF, says, “SUNY ESF is a longstanding partner institution of SyracuseCoE, and the SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program provides important support for SUNY ESF faculty, often working in collaboration with regional companies and communities, to develop and expand their research capabilities and expertise while addressing global challenges.”

2024 Faculty Fellow awards include: 

• Bing Dong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, ������, “Smart Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERVs) for Schools”
• Scott Erdman, associate professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences, ������, “Metal Doped Fungal Biomass as Material for Energy Storage Devices”
• Sevgi Erdogan, associate professor, School of Information Studies, ������, “Smart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities”
• Jennifer Goff, assistant professor of chemistry, SUNY ESF, “Characterization of Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Usage as Air Filter Antibacterials”
• Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, assistant professor of sustainable resources management, SUNY ESF, “Revitalizing Local Waste Material in Low Carbon Construction Materials Through Materials Circularity for Decarbonizing the Built Environments”
• Tong Lin, postdoctoral research associate, Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory, ������, “Enhanced Cooling Fan Design Coupled with Advanced Mixed-Flow Fan Rotor for Improved Efficiency and Compactness”
• Ericka Redmond, assistant professor of chemical engineering, SUNY ESF, “Innovative Nano-Sawdust Composites for Sustainable Thermal Insulation”
• Yilei Shi, associate teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering and undergraduate civil engineering program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science, ������, “A Pilot Study on Simulated Hygrothermal Behavior of a Novel Sustainable Roof System for Green Buildings”
• Endong Wang, associate professor of sustainable construction, SUNY ESF, “Facilitating Market Penetration of Sustainable Building Retrofitting Through Persuasive Technology”
• Yeqing Wang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering amd Computer Science, ������, “Renewable and MOF-Coated Highly Porous Delignified Wood Composite for Gas Separation”
• Weiwei Zheng, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, ������, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Emission Control Application”

The awards were made possible by funding to support SyracuseCoE activities, awarded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

One of 13 New York State Centers of Excellence, SyracuseCoE strategically brings industry partners together with researchers and students in a thriving culture of collaboration and innovation, ultimately creating new businesses and jobs, strengthening regional and state economies. SyracuseCoE supports growth and innovation through companies and researchers. Since 2002, more than 200 firms and institutions have been engaged in SyracuseCoE collaborative projects, in addition to more than 75 faculty in Central New York. For more information, .

Story by Kai Volcy

������ Libraries is accepting fall 2024 applications for the grant now through Friday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m. Interested applicants should plan to attend one of the information and proposal/grant writing workshops on Sept. 10, 11 or 12.

The Orange Innovation Fund supports student research initiatives emerging from campus innovation programs. The grant ‘concept to commercialization’ fund is designed to help move graduate and undergraduate student research or scholarly projects from ideation to proof of concept to commercialization. Initial funding from the program came from a gift to the Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the University Board of Trustees.

Grants up to $5,000 per award will be made, with a total of up to $50,000 per academic year based on the merit of applications.

The program is administered through ������ Libraries, in collaboration with the University’s research and commercialization programs such as the  (SOURCE), the ,��, ,��, the , the  at Syracuse,��,��, the  (NYSTAR designated Center for Advanced Technology) and the . Applicants can also come directly through research classes, labs or independent study programs across the University.

Student applicants must identify specific tangible needs related to the product, service, technology or creative work they are developing. Grants will support defined projects over a clear timeframe with identified outcomes that will help move a research project or innovative venture toward proof of concept toward commercialization.

A prerequisite to applying is attendance at one of the proposal writing workshops being offered by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, advisor, strategic initiatives ������ Libraries, and former founding director of the Blackstone LaunchPad. Students should attend one of the following workshops to create a successful application:

• Tuesday, September 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Bird Library
• Wednesday, September 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Couri Hatchery, Whitman Room 116
• Thursday, September 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. Hybrid in Bird Library or via

Dickerson Hartsock is also available to help coach applicants through the process and can be scheduled for sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons by emailing ldhart01@syr.edu.

Applications are due Friday, September 27, by 5 p.m. to ������ Libraries. For a link to the application or to register for a workshop, please e-mail orangeinnovation@syr.edu to indicate your interest in the program.

Following a cross-campus committee review process, announcements and award letters will be made in October.

Nine student teams were the