North Dakota State University (NDSU) has invested in developing technologies in fields crucial to the state’s economic and commercial interests. Three Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) projects indicate that impact on the state of North Dakota.

Economic Diversification Research Funds (EDRF) were initiated by the North Dakota Legislature in order to ensure that the state economy generates additional revenue streams, particularly through the investment into the research universities that would stimulate economic growth in the state, in part by innovating new technology, ideas and products. 

One of the programs that NDSU’s Office of Research and Creative Activity put forward is the Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) is an initiative funded by ND state legislative EDRF appropriations. TAP aims to further the development of prototypes (e.g. software, Internet of Things (IoT), algorithms, sensors, biologics, materials, medical devices) that have the capability to leverage public-private partnerships along with fitting with NDSU’s Strategic Priorities. 

“NDSU engineers are seeking to solve real-world problems through technological innovations to address threats to clean water, safety in road construction zones, and the need for consistent and reliable solar-powered fencing in snowy weather,” said Colleen Fitzgerald, NDSU vice president for research and creative activity. “Through the Technology Acceleration Program at NDSU, the Economic Diversification of Research Funds are enabling solutions-based research.” 

Three prototypes were funded in the latest round of EDRF Tap projects.

Membrane Electrochemical Reactor for Landfill Leachate PFAS Treatment

This is an engineering project to treat Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are frequently used in everyday products like packaging and textiles. When products like this are discarded into landfill, PFAS often seep into the leachate, which is a liquid that form as waste breaks down. In the U.S. alone, nearly 60 percent of landfills send that leachate to wastewater treatment plants, which are not equipped to remove PFAS. The results are PFAS contaminated rivers, lakes and drinking water.

NDSU assistant professor of civil, construction & environmental engineering Syeed Iskander received $32,500 in TAP funds to develop a membrane electrochemical reactor (MER) that would treat landfill leachate PFAS. The goal of this technology is to remove PFAS high-strength landfill leachate before it seeps into the nation’s waterways. The TAP funds supported the data analysis of the PFAS samples that Iskander’s students generated for the EPA P3 competition.  The EPA P3 – People, Prosperity and the Planet – is a team competition where college students develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Iskander and his team utilized some of the funds to test and prepare samples that were required for the competition. The students were successful in moving to the next round to compete for the $100,000. 

MER is an electrochemical technology with two chambers – anode and cathode. Conductive electrodes are used in the two chambers. With an electrical charge is applied in an MER, oxidation reactions happen in the anode while reduction reaction happens in the cathode chamber. This will reduce the pH of anolytes and increase the pH of catholyte.  

“The best outcome for this work would be the successful implementation of the innovative technology for removing PFAS from high-strength landfill leachate,” Iskander said. “This would lead to a significant reduction in the treatment cost of leachate, increase employment opportunities within the industry, and improve the quality of life for communities, particularly those in underserved areas. The improved treatment of PFAS would decrease their presence in natural water bodies and drinking water, enhancing environmental health and human well-being.”

Development of an IoT-based sensor for advancing safety monitoring and intervention in work zone areas

Every 15 hours, a work zone death occurs in the United States. Highway work zones can be dangerous areas for motorists and workers, but these areas hold unique threats for Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) because of their size, stopping distances and the challenge of maneuvering them. This project is focused on improving safety in work zones by reducing speeding, which is a major factor in work zone crashes. 

NDSU assistant professor of transportation engineering Armstrong Aboah received $153,889 in TAP funding to develop an Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensor that utilizes computer vision technology to help make work zones much safer by detecting vehicles under different environmental conditions and assessing speed and size in real time. 

A highlight of the technology will be a dual-alert mechanism. The system will initially determine speeding and dangerous driving methods via AI-powered cameras. There will be a visual alert issued with real-time signage to encourage drivers to reduce their speed. If the operator continues to drive too fast or in a dangerous way, an audible alarm will be a second reminder to catch the drivers’ attention. Predictive analytics will play a vital role by analyzing traffic patterns to avoid potential incidents before they happen.

“The ideal outcome would be a substantial reduction in work zone crashes, especially those involving CMVs, through the deployment of our IoT-based safety system,” Aboah said. “By providing real-time alerts and utilizing predictive analytics, we aim to create a safer environment not only for the drivers but also for the workers in these zones. Ultimately, we hope to see our technology adopted widely, setting a new standard for work zone safety across the country.”

Solar Powered Snow Fencing at Prairie Rose Farm

This agricultural-focused project is focused on developing solar panel snow fencing at a greenhouse at Prairie Rose Farm near Felton, Minn. The solar power from this fencing will be stored on batteries and connected to the electrical system with the aim of powering the greenhouse through the winter season.

NDSU professor of civil, construction & environmental engineering Mijia Yang received $175,000 in TAP funding for the project. 
Prairie Rose Farm/PRAIRIE (Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute for Research, Innovation & Education) is a non-profit organization that provides access to land and training/educational support for the New Roots Farm Incubator, currently comprised of 10 immigrant refugee farmers from the Fargo/Moorhead area.

Last year, a high tunnel and production greenhouse was constructed but suffered heavy damage from snow and winds. The solar snow fence serves two purposes. First, it will lessen the impact of such weather conditions on the high tunnel and production greenhouses. In addition, the solar panels on the fencing will provide electricity for both facilities. Solar-powered capacity allows the greenhouse to function in the winter, including greenhouse light, temperature and moisture control which will allow suitable growing conditions in the high tunnel and production greenhouse for Prairie Rose.  

Yang has a patent for the RTF 637: Solar Energy Power Conversion System that will be used on the Prairie Farm snow fence. The patent is about a modularized solar conversion system that has better efficiency and can integrate solar panels of groups. That patent is funded by the NDSU Research Foundation.

This project will help determine how long the snow fence needs to be to generate the right amount of power for a certain size greenhouse; for example, the inverters being used in moving the energy from the panels on the snow fence to the greenhouse.  This will provide a test to see if the technology is viable for farms and businesses going forward.

“The suggested solar snow fence has been proven to be able to mitigate wind and snow effect which will surely solve the wind stability issue for the high tunnel and the greenhouse,” Yang said. “The generated electricity through solar can further be used to provide the suitable growth conditions of the high tunnel and the production greenhouse, with automatically controlled convertible hemp panel insulations, remotely controlled heater, misting, light intensity, and air vent, which is exactly what PRAIRIE needs for innovative agricultural solutions.”

“We are so grateful to North Dakota lawmakers and taxpayers for their investment in our research programs in the College of Engineering,” said Alan Kallmeyer, professor and interim dean of the NDSU College of Engineering. “Our research mission is to create new knowledge that improves lives in North Dakota and beyond, and this funding elevates our ability to make transformational discoveries, increase partnerships with industry and enhance learning opportunities for our students.”