50The Military Engineer l May-June l 2010 E. coli is a well-studied microorgan- ism whose natural ability to synthesize fatty acids and exceptional amenabil- ity to genetic manipulation make it an ideal target for biofuels research. The combination of E. coli with new bio- chemical reactions realized through synthetic biology, enabled researchers to produce structurally tailored fatty esters (biodiesel), alcohols and waxes directly from simple sugars. The JBEI team is now working on maximizing the ef?ciency and the speed by which their engineered strain of E. coli can directly convert biomass into biodiesel. (Contributed by Lynn Yarris, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) ERDC Research Ensures Installation Water Sustainability Sustainable water resources research was front and center in 2009 as the Center for the Advancement of Sus- tainability Innovations, part of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Develop- ment Center (ERDC) Construction En- gineering Research Laboratory (CERL), focused on Army installations. The on- going projects, which involve regional water sustainability assessments that focus on Army installations slated to grow and their vulnerability to climate change, seek to develop methods to de- termine water demand estimates and account for water supply for the next 30 years. The estimates are created from model information that forecasts po- tential water balances in a region using scenarios that take into account grow- ing populations, decreasing water sup- ply and increased installation usage. Regional studies recognize that even water-ef?cient installations can be af- fected by factors outside the fence line, and CERL researchers also are attempt- ing to understand physical, political and social factors that contribute to water demand and supply. Sustainabil- ity assessments have been completed for Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Bragg, N.C. Additional assessments are under- way at10 Army installations in the U.S. in addition to installations in Germany, Italy and South Korea. CERL has long been involved in iden- tifying technologies and opportunities for implementing water conservation and reuse. A long-standing success story is CERLs development of the Cen- tral Vehicle Wash Facility (CVWF). As of 2009, CVWFs recycle about 2.5-billion- G of water per year for the Army. CERLs researchers have also published guid- ance on water-ef?cient installations, information that will be expanded as a series of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Works Technical Bulletins. Other recent CERL water projects focus on current Army installation conservation practices and further ex- ploration of new conservation technol- ogies. A comprehensive guide is being prepared to offer methods to improve installation water ef?ciency based on a variety of criteria, including regional and mission-speci?c factors. (Contributed by Laura Curvey, ERDC- CERL) Technology News (continued) Engineering Environmental Construction Management Program Management Construction Engineering and Inspection Water/Wastewater Corporate Office: Mobile AL - 251.342.1070 Offices throughout southeastern, atlantic and midwestern states www.volkert.com Build A New Alliance. Kitchell, on time and on budget. TOGETHER, BUILDING VALUE EVERY DAY. Susan Davenport sdavenport@kitchell.com 602.222.5300 Ext. 6187 www.kitchell.com/markets Design Build• Program & Construction• Management Engineering & Architectural • Services Environmental Services • Facilities Development • Sustainability & Renewable • Energy
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