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  1. Meeting with Mark Ginsberg, Paul Francisco, and Sterling Laylock

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    Morgan White, Sarthak Prasad, and Quinn Connolly met with Mark Ginsberg, Paul Francsico, and Sterling Laylock to discuss HVAC projects. Below are notes from the meeting:

    Techlink: Contaminant Flow Calculator and Intelligent HVAC

    • Attended by - Sarthak Prasad, Morgan White, Sterling Laylock, Mark Ginsberg, Paul Francisco, and Quinn Connolly
    • Introductions
      • Mark talked about the research
        • Partial differential equation
        • Solve issues using the software
    • Sterling is going to facilitate the meeting
      • Intelligent HVAC systems patent from Mark Ginsberg
      • License the patent
      • So people can do more using that
      • Synergy with University of Illinois and RPC's ICRT
      • Campus as a Living Lab
    • Morgan talked about the Safetraces project
      • Healthy environments for the users - during covid
      • SL connected with students
      • SL and Carl Tutt put together a funding application for SSC in collab with students
      • We don’t have a bucket of funding for these types of project
      • We would like to do another building on campus
        • Using the knowledge with Mark Ginsberg
      • The Building Envelope project for Transportation Building
        • This building is on the list of improvements
        • Blow-door tests
        • SSC project
    • MW asked what kind of opportunities there might be using Mark's technology?
      • Asked SL to start first
        • There is going to be a follow up
        • SL is going to make a recommendation to the Governor's Office
        • Seems that the Governor's office don’t have all the information - so they are asking for it now
        • It will directly benefit the private companies
        • The SB253 and SB 261 - The California Environmental reporting updates starting soon
          • Marsh McClennan is working on this
        • London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and one more stock exchange
        • Marsh McClennan Company to make contact with us - to help with this Environment reporting
          • Can be a good collaboration opportunity
          • Use of the Techlink technology
        • This company's work will not only help California's State Environmental reporting, but also extend to Illinois'
      • Demonstrate the software on university buildings?
        • SL - There is a version
          • Is there an intelligent HVAC in the building
          • MG - EPA is building a simulator at some point
            • A building inside the building
        • MG - The patent takes several years to go through
          • It was awarded at the same time as Covid
          • It was filed when Anthrax issue
        • MG - Trying on campus-
          • The instruction is simple for students
          • One - Solution exist
            • Contaminated person going to hospital don’t cause superspreader event all the time…
          • Recommendations-
            • Replace the air filter frequently
            • Keep the fan on
          • Single family house - taking HVAC from Auto to on (fan) -
            • $18 per month investment
            • Researched some time ago
          • You don’t want somebody downwind of someone
          • Buildings where this technology can be easily deployed?
            • Transportation Building?
            • Classrooms -
        • How would someone do the assessment?
          • Are you getting enough air changes per hour?
          • Are you leaving the builidng's air/fan on when the building is occupied?
            • Turn it off after 6 pm or when everybody leaves
        • The calculation of the consequence is - Advanced UG or Early Grad student could do it
    • SL - Licensing for the technology
      • Small business could use this technology - Phase 2?
      • Phase 1 -
        • Proof of business model?
    • MG -
      • By U of I standard - everything is siting on soft money
      • Nation wide hunt for the tech transfer for his product, and perhaps monetize them
      • MG can keep SL informed but that is how he wants to go
        • Nation wide search himself or hire a specialist
        • Big candidate
          • Big HVAC companies
          • Architecture/Architecture Design companies
            • Benteley Software- company
      • The prospect of
        • What is considered a starter and non-starter
    • There is not a direct benefit to MG?
      • We want to see if we can pay for MG
      • We don’t want to just do this for students to get some experience, we want to learn about the campus and campus buildings too…
    • MG - in terms of monetizing, it is not dependent on if U of I could get some money in the door
    • MW - Which type of buildings?
      • We have some students in Masters in Energy Planning
      • Leon Liebenberg
      • SSC funding - 1 year project
      • Energy efficiency and Air quality
      • We need to make sure that there is someone other than SP and MW advising the students
      • Campus side
        • Students/researchers - propose something they want to do
        • We want to know what would be helpful
    • MG - He has been cooperating with some professors there
      • He will work with some professors who are here currently
      • Right verbiage
      • What I want vs what would fit in student's education
      • Ty Newell - Horizon House
      •  
    • PF - IHSI might be a good connection also
      • Toni Jacobi or Craig Bradshaw
      • Craig Bradshaw is the head of ACRC
    • MW - What we are trying to offer
      • We can help with if we are allowed to use a building for this project
      • Introducing people in faculty and researchers
    • MW - Would you like to do a demonstration project on U of I campus?
      • Yes
      • He will talk to a few people and he will get back to us.
    • We want to start with a small building - Atmospheric Building
    • MG - we can work with some office spaces
      • Not classroom heavy spaces
      • Preferred - Office heavy spaces - some classrooms in the same building are fine
      • Noyes Lab - complicated
      • AITS building
      • Levis Center
      • Orchard Downs
      • North of Green street
      • Transportation Building
      • TBH or Mumford Hall
      • MEL
      • Maybe one of the PRI surveys
      • Formerly SEDAC building
    • Not comfortable with locations with a lot of people at the same time
    • Maybe get together with MG a couple of times a year to maybe tour these places
    • MG - will send a summary email as well

     

     

     

    • Circle back every two weeks?
      • SP will schedule the follow up meeting -
        • Next virtual and then following could be site visits
      • Maybe a site visit as well

     

    Created with OneNote.

  3. Weekly Digest: repair stand mats, bikes for sale

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    Things are picking up here and will likely only get busier as we are fully into August now. We’ve still got around 20 bikes available and a few more in the queue. B-a-Bs are similar numbers. We received some non-slip mats for under the repair stands, which I will install this week.


    The numbers:
    Sales: $471.65

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $160
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $10

    Jacob Benjamin

    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  5. Bike Month Returns

    Associated Project(s): 
    Community Bicycle Events and Rides
    Light the Night
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    September is Champaign County Bike Month:

    • Bike to Work Day is on Wednesday, September 10th, 7:00-10:00 am
    • Light the Night is on Tuesday, September 16th, 4:00-7:00 pm

    The C-U Bike Month Facebook page and cuBikeMonth.org will have announcements when BTWD registration opens later this month. The cuBikeMonth.org calendar already has several bike events listed for August through October.

  7. Save the Date for Bike to Work Day 2025

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    This year, Bike to Work Day will be held on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 from 7-10 am, with a rain date of Thursday, September 11th. Welcome station hosts will be available to provide snacks, drinks, handouts, and incentives to people who bike to work that day. Welcome stations will be located around the U of I campus, Savoy, Downtown Urbana, and Downtown Champaign. 

    Attached Files: 

  8. plans for iCAP 2025 objective

    Associated Project(s): 
    Adopt Environmentally Preferred Procurement (EPP) Guidelines
    Recycled-Content Paper Policy in CAM
    Achieve Zero Waste
    iCAP 2025

    One focus area in FY26 will be to narrow, update, and execute a new CAM policy as an update to BF-11, "Recycling, Recycled Products Procurement, and Waste Reduction". The goal of the updated CAM policy will be to ensure that all paper purchased on campus (except for submitted and approved justifications) will need to be at a minimum 30% post-consumer recycled content.

  9. Inventory of Abandoned Bicycles Complete

    Associated Project(s): 
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    All bikes collected through the abandoned bicycles project have been inventoried as of today, 218 bicycles were collected. This inventory will be shared with appropriate campus units, marking the completion of Phase 3 of the project. If you believe your bike may have been impounded reach out to bike@illinois.edu with detailed information about your bike, including where you left it.

  10. Preliminary Research for Bike Ambassador & Bike Buddy Programs Complete

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Ambassador Program
    Learn How to Ride a Bicycle and Bike Rodeo

    On July 25th, the bike ambassador and bike buddy questionnaire that was sent out June 28th and June 30th closed. In total, 12 responses were collected where one response was collected via a virtual interview. By examining various university, community, and cyclist organizations’ approaches to bike buddy and bike ambassador programs, the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign can better understand the benefits, challenges, and steps to implement such programs. Attached is a draft report and draft presentation that summarize the results of the research.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Resolution to Speech and Hearing Rooftop Solar

    Associated Project(s): 
    Speech and Hearing Rooftop Solar PVs

    The proposed project for a solar array at the Speech and Hearing building was deemed canceled due to the design study which found the roof unable to hold the solar array, as well as an informal shade assessment which found that the panels would not get all day sun due to the existing buildings.

    Please see below a conversation between Morgan White, Jen Frattergio, and Paul Foote regarding this project:

    On January 26, 2024 Paul said:

    ----------------------------------------------

    Hello Jen,

    I hope you are having an enjoyable Friday!

     

    I have a quick question, Marth, Aman and I did a quick assessment of the Speech and Hearing bldg. for rooftop solar array and found it to be a poor source for solar insolation due to the Psychology bldg.. shadowing over it for the morning hours and

    HMV9pe+i1PbPVspCsESS5ODdpXH36pOTz2CcPDDoWICqUgAqo3IEXAD3cWIMBAQAOw== 

     

     

    then there are some trees that block summer sun to the north and west as well.

     

    v6WGGhQWOsW9bRDbv08HvCD7RjSBokHjJ3ryw0BChiCAtACRpCHdd4xLdgBdbvkSz5rStTEb1agB3hIArP8hwUpZcQchbu+WBQ7Bz2dngLhy8ewD2VBgQZYsBfKgSmijF3+ghW5gMY0gxSAA1FICVKI7I1AzWmuYNHGTHMUR6Xl2c6ucjq9bDrlRtEMCAA7

     

    We are tasked with submitting an IL Green Fund (SSC) application for this project and I am wondering if there is a reason this location was chosen and/or can we select another location that may produce higher outputs from the sola array?

     

    Here is the charge language: Develop and submit an application to IL Green Fund (SSC) for rooftop Solar on Speech and Hearing Sciences Building in collaboration with stakeholders.

     

    ----------------------------------------------------

     

    Jen forwarded the inquiry to Morgan White and Stacey DeLorenzo:

    --------------------------------------

    Hi Morgan and Stacey,

     

    See below for a question from Paul and the Energy Team.

     

    Morgan, you had suggested the team apply for funding from the IL Green Fund (SSC) for rooftop solar on the Speech and Hearing Sciences Building. What was the reasoning behind this recommendation? Is a tool used or an analysis done to identify suitable buildings for installations?

    -----------------------------------

    Morgan replied:

     

    Hi Jen,

     

    Just to close the loop on this old question from 1.5 years ago…  There was an analysis of large roofs that could potentially be retrofitted with solar.  Many of the large roofs are made with gypsum board which is not strong enough for panels, and the remainder would require a structural analysis.  Someone said the Speech and Hearing Sciences Building was retrofitted with a different lower-weight type of insulation which should make it viable to handle the weight of solar panels.  We did an in-house assessment with F&S Design Services, and it was found that the roof could hold the weight of the panels.  Then the Student Sustainability Committee funded a full design, which was completed and is on the iCAP Portal / in F&S records.  The iCAP Energy Team pointed out that the new high-rises around the facility block a lot of the sunlight, so the project was essentially cancelled.  I think it would still be helpful to do a shade study for the building, and potentially it could have a green roof on it.  It is very visible from the Hub (one of the highrises nearby), so it could be a visible sign of our climate action.

     

     

     

  12. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All,
    We’ve been working through some old stock of used parts that are too rusty/damaged to be worth keeping and scrapping them—mostly wheels and a few frames. Getting our stock of sale bikes up into the 20s, which is good but won’t be close to meeting demand. We have almost the same number of bikes available for our Build-a-Bike program, so hopefully folks will take advantage of that when our refurbished bikes sell out.

    Last Friday morning F&S workers were finishing up repairing the outdoor bike pump—news I’m happy to report. On Friday, we also sold the kid’s bikes we had refurbished. In the high bike season, probably good to have a few of those fixed up, something we can quickly remedy this week.

    This evening is the Bike Project Monthly Member Meeting, which I will attend. 

    The numbers:
    Visitors: 19
    Sales: $611.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $175
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes: 16 for $129

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  13. 2025 Bike Month Planning Meeting #3

    Associated Project(s): 
    Light the Night
    C-U Bike to Work Day

    Today, members of the planning team attended the third meeting for Bike Month 2025. The team discussed sponsorships and advertising for Bike to Work Day as well as location and purchasing details for Light the Night. Attached is a document with agenda items and a document with roles & responsibilities.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All,

    Pretty slow week, except for the last hour on Friday—fittingly enough. We’re working through scrapping the remaining low-quality bikes that are only good for the occasional component here and there.

    We had staff in on Tue/Thurs to help ramp up for sale production and we’ve made some headway there. We’ll continue the trend this week. Total for sale bikes is, I think, 15-20 with more in the queue.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 15
    Sales: $316
    Membership: 1  for $30
    Tires/tubes: 14 for $129

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

     

  17. Bicycle Ambassador & Bike Buddy Program Form Responses

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Ambassador Program
    Learn How to Ride a Bicycle and Bike Rodeo

    Emily is continuing to work on researching bicycle ambassador and bike buddy programs. As of July 18th, the form Emily sent out to various universities, municipalities, and organizations, on June 27th, has received 11 responses. Only 2 responses are from groups with bicycle ambassador programs and 2 from bike buddy programs. On July 17th, Emily interviewed a research specialist at the New Jersey Bike and Pedestrian Resource Center at Rutgers University about their former New Jersey Ambassadors in Motion Program. The call was very informational especially when it came to learning about the biggest successes from the program and the challenges that forced it to disband. Emily and the research specialist also discussed other bike programs and bike infrastructure at the university that were relevant to the New Jersey Ambassadors in Motion Program.  

    While the form is open until July 25th, the current information that has been gathered can be useful for understanding potential events, applications, and procedures that students are responsive to in order to implement a bike buddy and bike ambassador program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Attached is a pdf of notes from the call and another pdf of notes from the form.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Weekly Digest

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All,

    To my mind, a bit of a slow week. Sold some bikes and prepped more for B-a-B/sale bikes.

    This week I’ll be bringing staff in extra hours to help build more bikes for the inevitable Beginning Of Semester rush. We’re still hovering around 20 for sale now but are building a good inventory of fully-prepped B-a-Bs for when we sell out of our refurbed bikes. We are paring down our inventory of old/bad wheels that are taking up valuable space and creating safety hazards, which will make way for our more valuable and useful parts/bikes.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 16
    Sales: $499
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $200
    Memberships: 6 for $180

    Tires/tubes: 12 for $78

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center
     

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