Ron Falta and Fred Molz have received a $991,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to create a Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage (STES) system that can be used as a model for energy efficiency.

Five military bases are being considered for the pilot project, among them the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island and the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, as well as locations in California and Rhode Island.

“This technology has the potential to greatly reduce energy costs and greatly reduce carbon emissions,” said Falta, a professor in Clemson’s environmental engineering and Earth sciences department. “At the same time, it allows for the integration of renewable energy into the infrastructure of the base, and it provides a clear path for reducing base carbon emissions and carbon footprint.”

Using the natural insulating properties of underground sediments to store hot and cold material is an old engineering concept. The new twist is using a conventional heat pump to move heat between buildings and the subsurface: moving heat from the ground to the building in the winter, then heat from the building to the ground in the summer.

The Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage system differs from conventional geothermal heat pump designs in that it takes advantage of waste energy — such as heat produced in power production or low-cost solar heat collectors — to create an artificially hot zone beneath the surface. It then takes advantage of natural winter chill to create an artificially cold subsurface zone.

By using the hot water source in the winter and the cold water source in the summer, the geothermal heat-pump system can achieve higher heating and cooling efficiency than a conventional system.

“STES is a technology where low-cost or waste energy, heat or cold, is harvested when it is produced or when it is available, stored in the subsurface using borehole heat exchangers or water wells, and then used when the heat or cold is expensive or difficult to obtain,” said Molz, an emeritus professor in the department. “This method of heating and cooling is far more efficient than conventional HVAC systems, and it could be 15 percent to 30 percent more efficient than current geothermal heat pump systems.”

That could be a boon to the Department of Defense, which the engineers said spends about $3.5 billion a year at its bases on energy, much of which goes to heat and cool buildings.

“This technology could be widely applicable to buildings at Defense Department and other government facilities, particularly those in the northern two-thirds of the United States,” Falta said. “We believe this technology could be applied at all scales, ranging from a single-family home up to a large manufacturing building.”

Geothermal heat-pump projects are gaining popularity in energy-conscious Europe, North America and Japan. The Clemson engineers point to statistics that show the number of such heating and cooling systems has been growing at a rate of about 10 percent a year for the past decade.

The focal point of this four-year research project, sponsored by the Defense Department’s Environmental Security and Testing Program, will be an existing building of roughly 20,000 square feet. The engineers will retrofit an existing building’s heating and cooling system rather than creating one from scratch to prove that the project can be used in a wide variety of settings.

They will measure temperatures and energy use before and after the Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage installation and fine-tune the process over time.

“If the project, compared to the best current ground-coupled heat-pump technology, achieves a minimum of a 15 percent energy savings, a 10-year payback and a carbon footprint reduction of 15 percent, we will declare it an unqualified technical success,” Molz said.

The findings of the study, led by John Siervedes, an Arnold School doctoral student, were presented June 2 at American College of Sports Medicine’s 57th annual meeting in Baltimore.

While men who were physically active had fewer strokes, cardiorespiratory fitness was shown to be a more reliable predictor of stroke risk. Researchers analyzed data on 45,706 men aged 18 to 100 years, grouped as having low, moderate or high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by a maximal treadmill exercise test.

Based on self-reported information, participants were deemed as sedentary, walker-jogger-runners or sports participants. The study was controlled for age, cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use and family history of cardiovascular disease.

The rate of fatal stroke among low-fit men was 3.2 per 10,000 man-years, compared with 2.0 for both moderately and highly fit men. Non-fatal stroke rates were 10.8, 8.9 and 6.4 for low, moderate and high fitness levels, respectively. Incidence of total stroke showed a strong inverse relationship with increasing levels of fitness. While men who ran, jogged, walked or played sports tended to have higher fitness levels, activity levels alone were not an independent predictor of stroke risk.

“These findings suggest that health professionals might consider assessing their patients’ cardiorespiratory fitness and counseling them to improve fitness levels to prevent stroke,” Sieverdes said. “While physical activity has been shown to reduce health risks, this study concluded that fitness level was closely associated with stroke prevention.”

Data for the study came from participants who were enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study in Dallas, Texas, between 1970 and 2001 and had no history of stroke, myocardial infarction or cancer at their baseline visits. Other researchers on the study, supported by a grant from the National Swimming Pool Foundation, were Dr. Mei Sui,Wonwoo Byun, and Dr. Steve Blair, all from the  Department of Exercise Science at USC.

The University of South Carolina is considered the flagship, public educational institution for the state. Members of the board of trustees are elected by South Carolina lawmakers and are supposed to represent specific geographic regions. However, Leah Moody of Rock Hill is the only minority on the 22-member board despite the fact that nearly 30 percent of South Carolina’s population is African-American according to 2008 US Census information.

Some are hesitant to say that racism has anything to do with the challenge to Moody’s re-appointment, but at least some African-American lawmakers are saying it doesn’t look right. Furthermore, some are urging minority athletes to avoid the University of South Carolina where the message seems to be that, if you’re a minority, you’re good enough to run a football but not good enough to help run the school. Side by side with cries of racism has been news of Aramis Hillary, the Gamecocks’ African-American backup quarterback, deciding to leave USC for another school.

It was not clear whether Hillary’s decision had anything to do with the racism debate. Football Coach Steve Spurrier was reported to say that he thought he may have decided to make the switch in order to get playing time and that he didn’t even know what school he was transferring to.

Columbia, SC representative Todd Rutherford has been quoted as saying, “I think any recruit from around this country and particularly those from South Carolina who are considering USC and are top-class recruits might want to consider going out of state first rather than coming here where all they can do is run a football but they can never be put on a board.”

Harry Cato, the SC House Speaker Pro Tempore, has said that it is unfortunate that the “Black Caucus” has made the issue about race. There are simply two equally qualified individuals competing for position on the board. One just happens to be white and seems to have the support of the majority of lawmakers. Moody’s opponent is Alton Hyatt Jr., also of Rock Hill. Hyatt’s appointment to the position currently held by Moody would make the USC Board of Trustees all white.

Moody was originally placed on the board by SC Governor Mark Sanford in 2009 to finish the term of another African-American board member.

The Associated Press has reported that some members of the African-American community have already begun contacting minority recruits asking them to consider other schools besides the University of South Carolina. Spurrier has declined to directly comment on the issue saying its not an athletic issue but a legislative one.

Lawmakers are expected to conduct a vote to appoint Moody or Hyatt on April 14.

See Related Story:

What would Malcolm X do?

The bill has already gone through the House of Representatives. Now the Senate will vote on the Obama Healthcare Plan. But while they vote, they are also voting on student loan legislation. The student loan bill works to eliminate local student loan companies in federally backed student loans. It would take the responsibility of federally backed loans away from institutions like SC Student Loan Corporation and put it on the shoulders of a federal institution where all the risk already lies.

At its peak, the SC Student Loan Corporation provided 10 times as many federally backed student loans compared to private student loans it provided. The local loan institutions are arguing that the move would take away the personal attention borrowers get from lenders which results in fewer defaults on loans.

However, supporters of the bill say that institutions like SC Student Loan Corporation are little more than middle men who make a killing off interest while taking almost no risk since the federal government backs up to 95 percent of the loan. The responsibility then falls to taxpayers when a loan defaults while the lending companies continue to rake in the cash with very little worry. Lenders like SC Student Loan Corporation make the loans and share the profit from the interest with the federal government. However, when a borrower defaults on the loan it is the federal government and not SC Student Loan Corporation that has to pay for it.

The legislation will allow the federal government to get more money from the interest instead of giving it to the middle man. That money could then be used to expand federal grant programs for education instead of providing income for private lending institutions like SC Student Loan. That could mean more money for students. However, it would also mean less money for SC Student Loans which could result in fewer jobs.

SC Student Loan Corporation is prepared to make 111,000 federally backed loans, according to reports. If the legislation passes, they would stand to take a big hit. SC Student Loan Corporation was reported to say that they would have to downsize if that was the case.

The simple majority being used to pass the healthcare plan is allowing the student loan bill to simultaneously pass in a single vote with Obama’s Healthcare Plan. The student loan legislation had been deadlocked previously.

South Carolina led by 18 with less than 12 minutes on the clock. However, Alabama made adjustments and clamped down on defense. South Carolina was never able to provide an answer. Devon Downey didn’t hit a single basket in the last 14 minutes of the game and even put up a couple of air balls.

Alabama threw down an impressive 32-9 run in the last 12 minutes to take down the Gamecocks. It’s the end of the road for South Carolina and a disappointing way for Downey to end his impressive college career. Alabama will get at least one more game under their belt when they face No. 2 Kentucky in the next round.

One of the most public manifestations of race relations is the choice of one’s partner or spouse. This very individual and personal aspect can sometimes produce a lot of public discussion. A recent survey conducted at SC State suggests that 92 percent of students agree with interracial dating.

“I think interracial dating is perfect,” said Freshman Criminal Justice Major Nate Smith who is a white student. “I don’t think you should judge someone for what’s on the outside, you should love them for who they are.”

Over the last several decades, the American public has grown increasingly accepting of interracial relationships. This shift in opinion has been driven both by an attitude change and by the fact that over the period, successive generations have reached adulthood with more racially liberal views than earlier generations.

The Pew Research Center’s recent report finds that more than eight-in-ten Americans (83 percent) now agree that “it’s all right for blacks and whites to date,” reflecting the most dramatic change among the racial attitudes tested in Pew polls. Among this, large majorities of 18-to-29 year old’s express support for interracial dating; mostly college students.

“I feel that race is not something that should depict who you do or don’t date. If you love the person, color, religion, or anything else should not be an issue,” said junior Psychology major, Brooke Ehinger, another white student at SC State. “I do think however, that relationships are very difficult and it would be difficult to date outside of your race just because of the different comments or looks that you may get from others who might not agree with your situation. But if you are strong enough in your relationship, then it should not be a problem.”

But do interracial relationships really work? “Me personally, I don’t see a problem with interracial couples, but I would never date a white female,” said freshman Allen Branon. “I just can’t see myself with them. No disrespect, but I don’t find them attractive.”

Although Branon represents 8 percent of SC State students, interracial couple Eric Shattuck and Shabree Roberson strongly disagree. Shattuck and Roberson are both sophomore students at SC State and the chemistry is still there after two years and three months. Shattuck, white and Roberson black, started dating at their high school in Austin, Texas. While working as student aids in the front office, Robinson pursued Shattuck by sending him a letter asking him out on a date. After that date, things have been going great since.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision but I knew it would be hard to approach him because I didn’t know how he felt about interracial dating, but after I did, he was like any other guy,” said Roberson. “I see interracial dating just like any other dating. Where we’re from, it’s pretty common,” said Shattuck. “Sometimes we get weird looks, but it’s nothing that we can’t handle,” added Roberson.

Shattuck and Roberson’s interracial relationship has taught them a lot about each other. “We definitely learn a lot about each others’ culture. It contributes to our problem solving skills,” he said. “We learn to approach problems with a different view point. I’ve learned to adapt to another culture. I can’t view things like I used to, and I’m learning from this experience.”

You may think that because these two are an interracial couple, they go through a lot of problems outside of their relationship, but everything seems to be peaches and cream, with the exception of a few stares. Their parents have accepted the relationship and even the older the generation; their grandparents.

“It’s not as bad as I expected going into the relationship, we just have our everyday challenges just like any other relationship,” said Shattuck.

Despite the success that Roberson and Shattuck are having, not all interracial relationships work out. Sophomore Special and Drama Education major, Elizabeth Watkins was one of those persons who had difficulty.

“My interracial relationship did not work. The start of the relationship was great, but because of the race difference our families did not agree with it. Love was not strong enough to keep us together.” Watkins also expressed being criticized openly for her choice of partner. “People would curse at us, give us weird looks and call him a nigger lover [in Charleston, SC].”

STEREOTYPES

Dating outside of one’s race; generally black and white couples, come with a lot of stereotypes. Most African American guys surveyed said that dating a white female is easier than dating an African American female.

“I believe all races are beautiful,” said Freshman Mechanical major, David Heirs. “Although white girls are so much easier to talk to at STATE! Most African American females are hard to talk to, they seem more stuck up. It’s hard to have an intellectual conversation with most and dealing with them in a relationship is a HUGE challenge. White females are more laid back and easier to date. They seem more appreciative when it comes to a relationship.”

Based on Pew Center research, 47 percent of African American males agree that white women are easier to date than African American females. A poll done by The Collegian shows that out of 100 guys, 63 feel like African American females make dating more complicated.

Freshman Tamoya Morrison disagrees with this stereotype. “Even though I’ve never dated a white guy, I don’t see a problem with it. I don’t agree with all of the preferences, I feel like everybody’s the same.”

“I definitely don’t agree with this stereotype,” said Junior Antoinette Baker. “If black guys think we’re too hard to date, then THEY made us that way!”

Although guys have their preference, so do females. An alarming 76 percent of SC State’s females say that they would NOT date a white guy.

“I wouldn’t date a white guy because I feel like a black guy would know me better,” said Sophomore Alicia Heyward. “A black man would know my needs and wants in contrast to a white man.”

Despite this, Pew Research Center reveals that there is a high level of acceptance when it comes to interracial dating, this holds true across ethnic and racial groups; there is no significant difference between white, black and Hispanics in the degree of acceptance. Interracial relationships have finally become more of the norm than the exception.

At least one Harvard graduate, a current University of South Carolina professor, thinks there may be something to it. She’s joined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) who thought enough of the idea to provide funding for the study.

Jane Teas is the researcher. Her book, “Faith that Heals: Stories of God’s Love” is a compilation of the interviews she conducted with hundreds of  Christians in the Columbia, SC area. Her research turned up what some call “miracles”. One subject reported that her doctor refused to see her anymore after she was healed by faith because there was nothing that he could do for her.

In an interview with The State newspaper, she said the fascination began as a child when she watched a poison ivy rash on her mother’s arm disappear because she believed Vitamin C would help. It did not heal her own rash in the same way. The study is a difficult one for the scientific community to swallow because there is no control group that usually accompanies a scientific study. You either have faith or you don’t she says. There is no psuedo-faith you can give people.

“This does not make the experience of being healed by faith invalid, just beyond the standard definitions of study,” she said.

The study, she says, has been viewed suspiciously by her intellectual collegues as if it were piece of fantasy like Harry Potter. However, there has been a little open mindedness among a couple of doctors. What everyone can agree  on, though, is that things happen beyond our ability to comprehend.

The 8.8 richter scale earthquake in Chile was thousands of miles away and the consequent tsunamis were in a completely different ocean. But the deadly quake still had an impact on South Carolina. At least seven South Carolina students were in Chile when the earthquake struck.

The students were part of a study abroad program. One student, in Santiago which was well away from the epicenter, told newspapers that the quake woke him around 3:30am. His apartment building was shaking and knocking things off the wall. Several aftershocks continued throughout the night. In the morning, he was able to see some damage to buildings and even a steeple that had fallen off a church. Much of the damage in Santiago, he said, was to bridges and roads.

Another student was at a dance club when the quake hit. They stated they thought the rumblings might have been part of a dance floor gimmick.

Reportedly, none of the seven University of South Carolina students associated with this report were injured in the quake. However, over 300 people have been reported killed in Chile as a result of the earthquake.

See related stories:

Death toll jumps, curfew enforced after looting in Chile earthquake

Deadly earthquake strikes Chile. Tsunami warning

The site, called i3 (http://www.innovationininsurance.com) is operated as a small business enterprise by Moore School students who are interested in insurance and technology.  The site focuses specifically on issues related to technology innovation in the insurance business process — from the time the policy is sold until the claim is paid and the policy has expired.

“Insurance is perhaps the most data and process-driven service business in the world,” said Jeff Thompson, i3’s managing director and adjunct faculty member for insurance at the Moore School.  ”This new web portal provides everyone in the industry — particularly insurance technology professionals — the critical access to information about innovative developments in the industry.”

The new site features a simple design, is rich in content, and includes sections on:

• News about mergers, acquisitions, major investments and major industry developments
• Vendor and company announcements, including new products, personnel, etc.
• Insurance technology industry events
• A comprehensive directory of insurance technology vendors

As a new venture, i3 has recruited an impressive Board of Directors and Board of Advisors (http://www.innovationininsurance.com/AboutUs/tabid/57/Default.aspx), made up of some of the leading executives and academics in the industry, to guide the content and research direction of the program.

“From an educational perspective, this initiative provides a tremendous opportunity for our students to interact with key executives in the insurance industry and gain direct, hands-on experience in running a small enterprise,” says Moore School Deputy Dean Scott Koerwer.

The Moore School is known for its strong academic reputation in insurance — ranking among the top ten in the country among business school insurance programs in U.S. News & World Report.  The School also receives strong business support in the community with various benefactors providing for approximately 25 scholarships for undergraduate business students in insurance and risk management.

Columbia, SC has long been a central hub for the insurance technology industry with more than 30 companies represented in the area.  The city and surrounding region are home to such insurance technology notables as Eagle Eye Analytics; AcroSoft Corp.; AIG Technology; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of SC (a major insurance technology firm for Blues organizations nationwide); CSC; Duck Creek; Group1; SpeedBuilder Systems; StoneRiver; TM Floyd & Company; Trumbull Services; AQS; CGI; Innovation Group; and DocuCorp/Skywire.

Industry leaders believe the Columbia area is ripe for further investment by insurance technology firms in the area.  ”Columbia has a strong reputation in the insurance technology industry,” said Eddie Jones, Senior Vice President of Marketing for StoneRiver, and co-chair of i3’s Board of Directors.  ”By successfully partnering with the University of South Carolina and by developing new talent in the industry, we believe we can further enhance Columbia’s already strong reputation with the aim of attracting future investment in the Midlands.”

“The new portal is located in cyberspace, but with our editorial team located in Columbia, we can draw on all of the insurance technology expertise and worldwide resources to publish the most innovative information available to the industry in real time,” said Ernie Csiszar, Executive Director and Co-Chair of i3.

About i3

The purpose of www.InnovationInInsurance.com is to foster innovation in the way insurance is practiced by providing a portal to all online resources helpful to insurance technology, services, and outsourcing.

About the Moore School

The Moore School of Business is among the highest-ranked business schools in the world for international business education and research. Founded in 1919, the school has a history of innovative educational leadership, blending academic preparation with real-world experience through internships, consulting projects, study-abroad programs, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Moore School offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as distinctive executive education programs. In 1998, the school was named for South Carolina native and New York financier Darla Moore, making the University of South Carolina the first major university to name its business school after a woman.  For more information, visit http://www.moore.sc.edu.