Events

Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences Seminar - Mei Sato

The School for Marine Science and Technology Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences Seminar Announcement "How do biological AND physical processes impact life in the ocean?" Mei Sato Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Wednesday, December 1, 2021 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm SMAST East Rooms 101/102 And Via Zoom Abstract: The ocean is the largest living space on the planet. Understanding the behavior of marine organisms in the context of physical environment and species interactions is an important step to understanding how ecosystems function and how they will respond to a changing ocean. One of the fundamental challenges in advancing our understanding of ecological processes in the ocean is the mismatch in sampling resolution between biology and physics. Active acoustics can provide data on the behavior and distribution of zooplankton and fish, key species in the food web linking primary producers and top predators, with spatial and temporal resolution comparable to physical sensors. Here, I present my research on how animals change their behavior in response to biological and physical factors and the effects of these patterns on trophic dynamics in coastal ecosystems ranging from a physically quiet inlet, a tidally-dominated estuary, to an upwelling region. ******************************************************************************** Join Zoom Meeting https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270?pwd=L2Z1bDZESTFCKzJYZWduYVhWenYvZz09 Meeting ID: 974 4006 9270 Passcode: 428029 One tap mobile +13017158592,,97440069270#,,,,*428029# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,97440069270#,,,,*428029# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 974 4006 9270 Passcode: 428029 Find your local number: https://umassd.zoom.us/u/adtxYu9NMO Join by SIP 97440069270@zoomcrc.com Join by H.323 162.255.37.11 (US West) 162.255.36.11 (US East) 115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai) 115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad) 213.19.144.110 (Amsterdam Netherlands) 213.244.140.110 (Germany) 103.122.166.55 (Australia Sydney) 103.122.167.55 (Australia Melbourne) 149.137.40.110 (Singapore) 64.211.144.160 (Brazil) 149.137.68.253 (Mexico) 69.174.57.160 (Canada Toronto) 65.39.152.160 (Canada Vancouver) 207.226.132.110 (Japan Tokyo) 149.137.24.110 (Japan Osaka) Meeting ID: 974 4006 9270 Passcode: 428029 ******************************************************************************** For additional information, please contact Sue Silva at s1silva@umassd.edu

Department of Fisheries Oceanography Seminar - Sandra Shumway

The School for Marine Science and Technology Department of Fisheries Oceanography Seminar Announcement "Microplastics and Molluscs - The Misinformation Highway" Dr. Sandra Shumway Department of Marine Sciences University of Connecticut Wednesday, December 1, 2021 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm SMAST East, Rooms 101/102 Also Via Zoom Abstract Microplastics are a contaminant of global concern and, as such, there has been a rush to action and publication. Over the past decade, this haste has resulted in a chaotic and cluttered literature that is rife with inappropriate methodologies, unrealistic experimental protocols, misinterpreted results, and overstated significance. A comprehensive critical assessment of the current literature on interactions between particle-feeding molluscs and microplastics and their purported impacts (> 600 publications) is underway. It is not surprising that microplastics have been noted in shellfish guts globally. What is surprising is the extremely low level of particles routinely recorded. The data to date clearly demonstrate extremely low numbers of microplastics in bivalve molluscs globally. There are no unequivocal data demonstrating that their presence in filter-feeding bivalve molluscs is a serious risk to human health and few data to demonstrate negative impacts on the shellfish. Many studies on suspension-feeding bivalve molluscs and other invertebrates are weak. There is a recurring presence in the published literature of misunderstanding of the feeding processes, capabilities for particle selection and rejection, and species-specific differences that all leads to misinformation, misinterpretation, and incorrect assumptions regarding potential impacts. There are major shortcomings to many laboratory studies that examined uptake and accumulation of microplastics by bivalves and their subsequent effects. In most cases, the issues can be traced to poor experimental procedures and animal husbandry, and lack of knowledge of the literature. They are compounded by a misunderstanding of the basic biology and physiology of molluscs. The shortcomings have led to a seriously flawed literature based upon the interactions and impacts of microplastic on these animals. Bivalves and other particle-feeding molluscs are complex living organisms with extraordinary capabilities for the control of selective capture, ingestion, and egestion of particulate material. They should be recognized and treated as such in any attempt to describe impacts of stressors, including different particle types, on their feeding and ability to accumulate materials. Any future experimental studies need to be focused carefully, based upon clear questions, use standardized analytical procedures, demonstrate a knowledge of the animals being studied, and an understanding of the literature extant. The hype needs to be curtailed and scientists should not imply impacts or potential impacts when there are no data to support the suppositions. Editors of scientific journals must make a stronger effort to engage qualified peer-reviewers and stop the flow of poorly done studies and superficial reviews that do nothing more than confuse the literature and reinforce prior inadequate studies and potential reviews. ******************************************************************************** Zoom Link https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93758230260?pwd=OHJ5UDloQkZZaCtXcTlBNlR6Qm0rQT09 Meeting ID: 937 5823 0260 Passcode: 426839 One tap mobile +13017158592,,93758230260#,,,,*426839# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,93758230260#,,,,*426839# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Find your local number: https://umassd.zoom.us/u/acosTPRs4V ******************************************************************************** For additional information, please contact Sue Silva at s1silva@umassd.edu

Mechanical Engineering Seminar by Justice Iroegbu and Nathaniel Joyal

Mechanical Engineering (MNE) SEMINAR DATE: Friday, December 3, 2021 TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. LOCATION: Charlton College of Business (CCB) 115 SPEAKER #1: Justice Iroegbu, MS student in Mechanical Engineering (Advisor is Dr. Caiwei Shen) TOPIC: Molecular Dynamics Study of Charge Distribution in Electric Double Layer Capacitors ABSTRACT: Supercapacitors have a major role to play in today's energy landscape. While lithium batteries have been a major breakthrough for energy storage in various devices and applications they are still plagued by limitations such as long charge times (low power density), safety due to electrolyte reactions leading to explosions and fires, amongst others. Some of these issues can be addressed by the development of alternative energy storage solutions which can drastically reduce charging times and are also much safer to use and store. This is where supercapacitors come in with fairly high energy density and very high power density. Some supercapacitors can be developed with solid state polymer electrolytes which would address the safety issue presented by liquid electrolyte systems. In our work we study and characterize electric double layer supercapacitors using experiments and particularly molecular dynamics simulations to understand the ion distribution at the electrode electrolyte interface and other phenomena pertaining to the operation and performance of EDLCs. SPEAKER #2: Nathaniel Joyal, MS student in Mechanical Engineering (Advisor is Dr. Caiwei Shen) TOPIC: Composite All-Solid-State Supercapacitors for Structural Energy Storage Applications ABSTRACT: Increasing reliance on mobile devices and vehicles has generated the need for larger power supply systems to meet the demands of the user, be it a phone's battery life or vehicle range. The larger power needs have increased the size of many electrical devices, expanding the structural components of the devices as well, with the two making up the largest share of the mass of most devices. A solution to this issue is the development of multi-functional energy storage composites, namely structural supercapacitors for their good power density, high cyclability, and safety. This presentation examines the development of structural supercapacitors with good energy storage and mechanical properties created through the formation of a solid solution of thermoplastic polymers and lithium salts. Firstly, the creation, characterization, and optimization of a functional all solid-state electrolyte is conducted. Secondly the formation, testing and optimization of a functional composite prototype using an improved electrolyte system. For more information please contact Dr. Hangjian Ling, MNE Seminar Coordinator (hling1@umassd.edu). All are welcome. Students taking MNE-500 are REQUIRED to attend! All other MNE BS and MS students are encouraged to attend. EAS students are also encouraged to attend.