Technology and Innovation publishes new double issue
with special section on water
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (USF INNOVATION)
Tampa, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2015) - Fresh water--connecting
and sustaining all aspects of life on Earth, including food and energy--is in
great danger. Moreover, scientists are worried not only about fresh water; they
worry that we are not worried enough about fresh water, especially in light of
growing concern over recent events, such as the prolonged California drought.
The current Special Issue Section of Technology and Innovation - Journal of the
National Academy of Inventors has a special section devoted to fresh water and
the challenges it faces from us and from the changing environment.
"As the global population expands, climate
change, overexploitation of water resources, pollution, and economic growth are
impacting the availability of water," said Vimal Chaitanya, vice president
for research and professor of mechanical engineering and chemical and materials
engineering at New Mexico State University, and Frederic Zenhausern, professor
of basic medical sciences and radiation oncology at the University of Arizona
College of Medicine and director of the Center for Applied Nanobioscience and
Medicine at the University of Arizona, in a lead-off editorial. "As a
result, society faces an unprecedented challenge to advance science and develop
appropriate technological innovations to ensure water security," they
conclude.
The authors spell-out the bad news:
- A
human population of 10 billion by the end of the century.
- One
billion people already suffer deficiencies in water access.
- Water
that could be used for drinking is contaminated with microbial toxins,
viral infections, and chemicals, such as pesticides and manufacturing
wastes.
Given this context, the current T&I issue reports
on "innovative solutions" to these problems because, as Chaitanya and
Zenhausern assert, "there is a growing need for developing more sensitive
analytical techniques, in particular when related to measuring biological
responses, but also simpler and affordable methods for monitoring the quality
of water sources. More importantly, these developments will require
implementing regulatory standards and sharing common international practices
for a more comprehensive approach to water management across geo-political and
economic regions."
They cite advances in human epidemiology, bioassay
platforms, and nanobiotechnologies as having "opened new avenues" for
better understanding and monitoring of bioactivities and for transforming the
availability of better and safer water treatments.
The editorial authors review the studies and articles
in the Special Issue Section, starting with the article by Liz Felter (IFAS
extension faculty in commercial horticulture at the University of Florida), et
al, "It's Going to Take More Innovation than Technology to Increase Water
Conservation Practices," a study that examines the perceptions of
homeowners in Orange County, Florida who have automated irrigation systems and
the roles of "social marketing," barriers, and peer pressure in
implementing water conservation.
A paper by Donald Haynie (associate professor of
physics at the University of South Florida), "Biodegradable Foams and
Films: From Purified Proteins to Aqueous Feedstocks of Designed
Polypeptides," suggests that using an approach that includes food foams
and edible films using new composition and fabrication formulations could
provide both environmental benefits and "comparably favorable"
potential for commercial success.
The General Section of T&I: 17.1 includes a
variety of topics. Daniel Hunter (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), in his
submission "Patent Prosecution Highway - Fast Track Examination of
Applications," discusses a way to facilitate work sharing between
intellectual property offices by reducing duplication of work when patent
applications are filed in multiple countries.
Dean F. Martin and Autumn S. Thompson (Distinguished
University Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida and student
assistant, also at USF) write on Jonas Kamlet, a pioneer in chemistry, using
Kamlet's correspondence with his collaborators. The article, "Traits and
Roles of Jonas Kamlet, Pioneering Chemistry Consultant, as a Guide to
Contemporary Inventors," can serve as a guide to success for a new
generation of inventors.
A review of the development of and advances in
"telesurgery" technology, particularly as it relates to
otolaryngology, is provided by Alisha R. Bonaroti and K. Paul Boyev (medical
student at the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida
and director of the Division of Otology/Neurotology/Lateral Skull Base Surgery,
also at USF). The authors include recommended future uses for telesurgery in
"A General Survey of Telesurgical Advances in Otolaryngology."
Finally, A. Alan Moghissi, (president of the Institute
for Regulatory Science) et al, look at the ethical requirements of science and
research as related to policy development in "Ethical Requirements of
Application Science in Policy Including Regulations."
###
The National Academy of Inventors is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit member organization comprising U.S. and international universities,
and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 3,000 individual
inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 200 institutions, and growing
rapidly. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with
patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the
visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of
intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate
the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI offices are located
in the USF Research Park in Tampa.
The NAI edits the multidisciplinary journal, Technology
and Innovation, published by Cognizant Communication Corporation (NY). http://www.academyofinventors.org
The editorial offices of Technology and
Innovation are located in the USF Research Park, 3702 Spectrum Blvd.,
Suite 165, Tampa, Florida, 33612 USA. Tel: +1-813-974-1347. EmailTIJournal@research.usf.edu
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