Humboldt State's New Green Lab Ready For Action

The idea, originated by Roger Pryor of Bayside Builders, is exactly the sort of thing that Dr. Russell and others behind the GreenLab at Humboldt State hope to see students, faculty and community members working on in the near future.

Dr. James Russell holds a repurposed styrofoam and concrete block. (Photo courtesy Humboldt State U.)

So far, the repurposed styrofoam idea looks like it could be useful - the material is relatively light weight and keeps its form when compressed. As far as it"s R-value goes, a measure of the material"s insulation properties, that is yet to be determined in the design and prototyping courses offered by Applied Technology and undertaken in the GreenLab.

The GreenLab is Humboldt State's newest chartered research institute and Dr. Russell, along with John Ash, architect and head of the John Ash Group and Dr. Susan Higgins, dean of the College of Professional Studies, are welcoming the public to the grand opening next Friday, April 18 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm in Jenkins Hall.

Officially known as the Green Product Design and Development Laboratory, GreenLab grew out of a partnership between the Department of Applied Technology, the John Ash Group and the university"s Office for Economic and Community Development.

That office's director, Maggie Gainer, says, "The GreenLab adds a new dimension to HSU's impact on the region's economy - innovation of green technologies and environmentally sustainable products."

A unique partnership between Humboldt State and the environmentally conscious business community is emerging.

Gainer says, "I'm excited about the GreenLab's potential for partnerships with local business and industry."

The goal for the lab is not only to serve as a think tank, meeting space and research facility but also to bridge the gap between visions for innovative products and market-ready goods.

Russell, whose background includes bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering, worked for Pilkington Glass designing equipment and eventually taking on the roll of environment and safety manager. "It was a glass manufacturer, so safety was paramount. There was never any time for anything proactive, environmentally," he says.

With the opening of the lab at the end of this week, Russell wants to put the word out to local businesses that seedling ideas for product designs and innovations are the perfect "grist for the GreenLab."

"Ideally I'd like to have a stack of these ideas for my students to work on," says Russell.

Already, Applied Technology's impact on the local community is being felt. Ben Davis, who graduated from the program last fall, designed a heat recuperator for Fire & Light"s three production furnaces. The design has the potential of shaving 30 percent off the company"s $15,000 per month energy bill.

Class and laboratory experiences and face-to-face contact with industry professionals are paying off big for the students. With offers coming in for internships and post-graduation jobs at top construction and manufacturing firms, it is only a matter of time before a graduate of the Applied Technology program comes in with his or her own firm, looking to the GreenLab for help developing the next million dollar idea.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.