This project will replace the outdated incandescent lighting systems in the museum’s primary gallery for special exhibitions. The current system was installed in 1968 and is still in use. The full replacement will encompass 165 – 395 fixtures. Aside from being wasteful of energy, the current system is also increasingly difficult to maintain and presents several safety concerns. This LED conversion is just one component of the museum’s long-term plan for energy savings and sustainability, which will eventually include further LED conversion and a roof replacement.

Just like any other lab or research facility, the South Farms are a valuable asset to the University of Illinois. In order to have the biggest impact on research, the best equipment and data generation techniques are necessary. This allows the university to practice applicable research that improves the quality of human life. As such, this project will fund the purchase of a combine draper head for the South Farms that will increase productivity, diversify available crops for harvest, and elevate the South Farms to be on par with current farming techniques. All researchers on the South Farms, from small grain researchers to cover crop researchers, will benefit from access to this technology due to the higher rates of harvest, cover crop growth, and environmental return this draper head will generate.

The primary goal of this project is to create an intuitive and complete open-source loT solution for both research and general use. This system will make data collection as easy as placing sensors where they are needed and adding them to the system through only a few button clicks, after which the cloud-based platform will take care of everything else. The open-source nature of the project leverages non-proprietary solutions and allows developers to expand the data-collection system to new uses. The more ambitious goal of the project is to bridge the gap between research and application. Users will have an opportunity to share data with any research project and benefit from predictive analytics models derived from researchers’ findings in return. The idea is for this feedback loop it greatly speed up the research process and dramatically cut down the efforts to speed the transition of research outcome into practical benefit.

Located just south of Allen Hall/LAR and west of McKinley Health Center, the Red Oak Rain Garden solves local flooding issues while providing an outdoor space for the UIUC community. This SSC grant provides support for sidewalk modifications and additions, expanding pedestrian and cyclist transportation while strengthening flood control. The project team will also install benches to encourage community members to use the space throughout the year. For outreach, the project team will host a ribbon cutting event that celebrates the upgraded rain garden. Similarly, individuals can follow the rain garden @RainGardenUIUC on all social media platforms. 

iSEE will provide up to $1,000 toward trophies, printing costs, and/or the software needed for building monitors in support of Eco-Olympics this spring.