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Michael DeKay, associate professor, Psychology

September 23, 2010

How much do Americans really know about how much energy they use in daily activities, and how to save energy?

In research recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, my colleagues and I surveyed 505 Americans regarding their perceptions of energy consumption and savings. Using a 100-W incandescent bulb as a natural reference point, we asked people to estimate the energy used by various other household devices (e.g., desktop computer, electric clothes dryer) over a short period of time (e.g., one hour, one load of laundry). We also asked similar questions about energy savings (e.g., replacing an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent). Although respondents’ energy estimates for devices and activities were in roughly the correct order, respondents really underestimated energy use and potential savings when considering large appliances. For example, they correctly realized that an electric clothes dryer uses more energy than a computer, but they estimated that the dryer uses only about twice as much energy when in fact it uses more than 20 times as much (an average, anyway).

What is the difference between conserving energy through curtailment vs. energy efficiency? Which saves more energy?

Curtailment involves cutting back on activities that use energy: turning off the lights or reducing automobile use by carpooling. Increasing efficiency typically means investing in devices or appliances that provide the same service while using less energy: installing compact fluorescent lights or tuning up one’s car regularly. When we asked respondents to indicate the single most effective thing they could do to conserve energy, 55% mentioned a curtailment strategy, whereas only 12% mentioned an efficiency improvement. Experts have argued that efficiency improvements actually save more energy than curtailing the use of less efficient devices, in part because curtailment actions must be repeated time and time again. On the other hand, efficiency improvements often have up-front costs. Curtailment versus efficiency is not an either/or choice, of course. Actions of both types are important, but our results indicate that people may not appreciate the sizeable benefits of efficiency improvements.

Why do people have difficulty judging energy use and savings?

For starters, some energy use is invisible or nearly so. For example, we don’t directly perceive the energy used by devices when they are in stand-by mode or the big energy difference between washing clothes on “hot wash/warm rinse” rather than “warm wash/cold rinse.” Because the energy consumption of most devices is difficult to determine by casual inspection, we typically see our energy consumption only in aggregate form, on our monthly utility bills. When information about relative energy use is available, it is not always as helpful as it could be. For example, studies demonstrate that most people make incorrect judgments about gasoline consumption when efficiency is expressed in “miles per gallon,” but these errors can be corrected easily by changing the metric to “gallons per 100 miles.” Finally, although we have all seen lists of things we can do to save energy, these are almost always long, unordered lists that make no attempt to convey the relative effectiveness of possible actions.

Artists hope to inspire climb to eminence

September 22, 2010

Mural turns empty wall space into call to action in the Purchasing Department on Kenny Road

By Jeff McCallister

A man in business casual attire strolls through Ohio State’s Purchasing Office, part of the Receiving and Stores complex on Kenny Road, and suddenly stops.

He takes out his cell phone, aims it at the wall just inside the door to the inner office space. He clicks a quick photo and moves along. Later, on his way out, he passes the same spot on the wall and stops again, this time staring for a moment or two as if lost in thought before heading back to his own office. Continue reading ‘Artists hope to inspire climb to eminence’

Advancement model aims to better engage ‘OSU family’

September 22, 2010

By Jeff McCallister

Ohio State has a huge audience of potential friends and donors, perhaps the largest of any institution of higher learning in the world, and as leaders gear up for a comprehensive fundraising campaign, they want use that potential to its fullest. Continue reading ‘Advancement model aims to better engage ‘OSU family’’

Super-massive black holes hold galaxies’ secrets

September 22, 2010

By Pam Frost Gorder, Research Communications

Astronomers believe they have discovered the origin of our universe’s first super-massive black holes, which formed some 13 billion years ago.

The discovery fills in a missing chapter of our universe’s early history and could help write the next chapter, in which scientists better understand how gravity and dark matter formed the universe as we know it.

In the journal Nature, OSU astronomer Stelios Kazantzidis and colleagues describe computer simulations in which they modeled the evolution of galaxies and black holes during the first few billion years after the Big Bang.

Our universe is thought to be 14 billion years old. Other astronomers recently determined that big galaxies formed much earlier in the universe’s history than previously thought — within the first 1 billion years, Kazantzidis explained.

These new computer simulations show that the first-ever super-massive black holes were likely born when those early galaxies collided and merged.

“Our results add a new milestone to the important realization of how structure forms in the universe,” said Kazantzidis, a postdoctoral fellow with the Center for Cosmology and Astro-Particle Physics at Ohio State.

For more than two decades, the prevailing wisdom among astronomers has been that galaxies evolved hierarchically — that is, gravity drew small bits of matter together first and those small bits gradually came together to form larger structures.

Kazantzidis and his team turn that notion on its head.

“Together with these other discoveries, our result shows that big structures — both galaxies and massive black holes — build up quickly in the history of the universe,” he said. “Amazingly, this is contrary to hierarchical structure formation.”

“The paradox is resolved once one realizes that dark matter grows hierarchically, but ordinary matter doesn’t,” he continued. “The normal matter that makes up visible galaxies and super-massive black holes collapses more efficiently, and this was true also when the universe was very young, giving rise to anti-hierarchical formation of galaxies and black holes.”

Astronomers say our Milky Way galaxy is small compared to others. So when it comes to normal matter, big bits like giant galaxies and super-massive black holes come together quickly, and smaller bits like the Milky Way — and the comparatively small black hole at its center — form more slowly. The galaxies that formed those first super-massive black holes are still around, Kazantzidis added.

“One of them is likely our neighbor in the Virgo Cluster, the elliptical galaxy M87,” he said. “The galaxies we saw in our simulation would be the biggest galaxies known today, about 100 times the size of the Milky Way. M87 fits that description.”

They started their simulations with two giant primordial galaxies — ones made of the kinds of stars that were around at the beginning of the universe. Astronomers believe that back then, all stars would have been much more massive than present-day stars — up to 300 times the mass of our sun.

Then the astronomers simulated the galaxies colliding and merging together.

The astronomers were able to make their discovery because they used supercomputers to provide a high-resolution view of what happened next.

Previous simulations showed details of the merged galaxy down to only about 300 light-years across. A light-year is the distance that light travels in year, about six trillion miles.

These new simulations contained features that were 100 times smaller and revealed details in the heart of the merged galaxies on a scale of less than a light year.

The astronomers saw two things happen. First, gas and dust in the center of the galaxies condensed to form a tight nuclear disk. Then the disk became unstable, and the gas and dust contracted again to form an even denser cloud that eventually spawned a super-massive black hole.

The implications for cosmology are far-reaching, Kazantzidis said. “For example, the standard idea that a galaxy’s properties and the mass of its central black hole are related because the two grow in parallel will have to be revised. In our model, the black hole grows much faster than the galaxy. So it could be that the black hole is not regulated at all by the growth of the galaxy. It could be that the galaxy is regulated by the growth of the black hole.”

He and his cohorts also hope their work will aid astronomers who are searching the skies for direct evidence of Einstein’s theory of general relativity: Gravitational waves. According to general relativity, any ancient galaxy mergers would have created massive gravitational waves — ripples in the space-time continuum — the remnants of which should still be visible today.

New gravitational wave detectors, such as NASA’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, were designed to detect these waves directly, and open a new window into astrophysical and physical phenomena that cannot be studied in other ways.

Scientists will need to know how super-massive black holes formed in the early universe and how they are distributed in space today in order interpret the results of those experiments. The new computer simulations should provide a clue.

Tornado wreaks havoc at OARDC campus in Wooster

September 22, 2010

By Mauricio Espinoza and Kurt Knebusch, OSU Extension

Authorities gathered at Ohio State University’s campus of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center on Sept. 17 to assess the damage done by a tornado that ripped through the campus the previous evening.

One graduate student at OARDC suffered a minor injury during the storm, and no animals were injured. Continue reading ‘Tornado wreaks havoc at OARDC campus in Wooster’

Keeping the connection

September 22, 2010

Parents have opportunities to stay involved after sending their kids to Ohio State

By Adam King

Ohio State student Cathy Hatten loves her mom. They’re close to one another and they talk regularly. But, living in Columbus, Hatten wasn’t sure she wanted her mom close enough to pop in whenever the mood struck her while Hatten was going to college. That gave Hatten pause as to whether OSU should be her first choice. Continue reading ‘Keeping the connection’

Ohio State rated one of nation’s top gay-friendly campuses

September 22, 2010

By Julia Harris

Every year, US News & World Report comes out with a list of rankings that universities scan with more than just a passing interest. And every year, Ohio State finds itself favorably positioned among those rankings: 18th this year among all public universities and first in the state of Ohio.

Now Ohio State can add another top-tier rating to its pedigree:  A five-star ranking from Campus Pride, a non-profit organization that advocates for safer, more hospitable campuses for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community. Out of 230 institutions surveyed, Ohio State was one of 19 to receive the group’s highest rating. Continue reading ‘Ohio State rated one of nation’s top gay-friendly campuses’

Newsbriefs, 9/23/10

September 22, 2010

Ohio State’s MBI wins $16.2 million grant in national competition

Ohio State’s Mathematical Biosciences Institute has won five years of funding from the National Science Foundation, for a total of $16.2 million in continued support. Since 2002, the MBI has actively promoted and facilitated interdisciplinary research among the mathematical, biological and biomedical sciences. Marty Golubitsky is director of the MBI. For more information, visit researchnews.osu.edu/archive/mbi2010grant.htm.

Ohio State cancer researcher to receive NCI MERIT award

Michael Caligiuri, director of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, is one of four scientists nationwide this year to receive a prestigious MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute for his extensive research focusing on manipulating the immune system to prevent and treat cancer.

MERIT (Method to Extend Research in Time) Awards recognize researchers who have demonstrated superior competence and outstanding productivity. The award provides up to 10 years of support to investigators with impressive records of scientific achievement in research areas of special importance or promise. Less than 5 percent of NIH-funded investigators receive them.

Search committee for College of Nursing dean appointed

Caroline Whitacre, vice president for research, will chair the search committee for the dean of the College of Nursing. Committee members representing the College of Nursing are Karen Ahijevych, William Matcham, Molly Moldovan, Patricia Reid, Byron Roush, Pamela Salsberry and Barbara Warren. They are joined by Mary Nash, Executive Health System; Judith Neidig, Office of Responsible Research Practices; Ellen Rudy, University of Pittsburgh; Daniel Sedmak and Andrew Thomas, both of the College of Medicine; and Karla Zadnik, Optometry.

More information is available at oaa.osu.edu/searches.html.

Battelle Center awarded $1.4 million in grants from NIH, NSF

The Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs has been awarded three major research grants totaling $1.44 million. The funds from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation will help develop a scientific workforce analysis and modeling framework; spur innovation through advanced data visualization tools and study factors affecting implementation, spread and sustainability within the Ohio STEM Learning Network.

Cannon Drive now partially open

A partial opening of Cannon Drive and the moat areas around the Towers was accomplished recently. As construction continues, one-lane, two-way traffic control will be maintained when required. Half or all of the moat area around Lincoln and Morrill towers will be accessible, along with the loading docks.

The bike path north of Drake Union will be closed beginning Sept. 27, so it is important to continue to observe the bike detour until all construction is completed in December 2010 (estimated).

All vehicular traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to use extreme caution in and around the area.

Ohio State sustainability expert to work with US EPA

Joseph Fiksel, executive director of Ohio State’s Center for Resilience, has accepted a part-time appointment as special assistant to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory. Fiksel will advise the NRMRL director, the ORD assistant administrator, ORD senior management, and their senior scientists regarding the integration of a transdisciplinary, systems-based research approach that will provide sustainable solutions for the complex environmental problems confronting the agency. For more information, visit resilience.osu.edu.

Parking lot behind 11th Ave. Garage closed

The parking lot located behind the 11th Avenue Garage has been closed permanently to make way for the construction of the William H. Hall Student Housing Complex. A limited number of “BG2” permits, which provide access into the Ninth Avenue East and Ninth Avenue West Garages, are available as an alternate parking option. For details and additional parking options, visit Transportation & Parking Services’ website at tp.osu.edu/alerts/summerconstruction.shtml.

University Communications’ Kinnear Road offices moving to South Campus Gateway

Effective Oct. 4, University Communications staff currently located at 1125 Kinnear Road will move to the South Campus Gateway. The new address will be 21 E. 11th Ave., (near 11th and High Street, directly behind Barnes and Noble). Visitor parking is available in the Gateway parking garage at the rate of $1 per hour. The garage is located directly behind the Gateway buildings and is accessible from either East 11th Avenue or East Ninth Avenue. Current Ohio State parking passes are not valid in the Gateway parking garage. There also are a limited number of metered parking spaces in front of the Gateway buildings.

Good ‘Vibe’rations at Staff Arts and Crafts Exhibit

September 22, 2010

In our ongoing effort to recognize the outstanding creativity of Ohio State staff, onCampus once again has conferred its Editor’s Choice Award at the 19th annual Staff Arts and Crafts Exhibit.

Debbie Knight, a staff member in the Center for Microbial Interface Biology, has been selected to receive the award, now in its second year, for her modified digital photograph, “Vibe.” Earning the award is an outstanding achievement, especially considering that “Vibe” is Knight’s first digital photograph to be displayed in the exhibit.

The groovy piece of art began as a simple digital close-up of the sound hole of a vintage guitar. Upping the ingenuity, Knight used Photoshop to colorize portions of the 1972 Martin’s wood, as well as to digitally modify the guitar’s 12 strings.

“The piece almost transfixes you as you look at it,” onCampus Editor Jeff McCallister said. “That hypnotic effect made it hard to pull away and go look at the rest of the exhibition. Our whole staff agreed it was worthy of our award.”

The inspiration for “Vibe” arose when Knight snapped the photo for a poster she was designing to publicize her acoustic band (in which, not to lack creativity, she plays the mandolin). As the Photoshop modifications developed, the photo transformed from a simple poster image to an eye-catching work of art.

“I let the artwork that I’m working on inspire me: I get the best results when I let whatever I’m working on “become” what it wants to become as I’m working on it,” said Knight. “Although I didn’t use the image for the poster, I was struck by the vibration effect that was created—so, I framed it and hung it on my wall at home.”

Now, Knight’s entrancing photo hangs, with its new Editor’s Choice Award, on a wall surrounded by her colleagues’ creations. And there’s no place else she’d rather display her artwork than the Staff Arts and Crafts Exhibit.

“I have submitted photographs, paintings and a soapstone sculpture over the past few years and do so because it is a safe and friendly way to show my amateur artwork to fellow employees,” said Knight. “I’m always amazed at the talent we have at OSU and I look forward to seeing the exhibit every year. It’s nice to have my artwork included with so many other amazing works.”

Take a lap toward a healthier you to kick off ‘Hit the Road’

September 22, 2010

By Adam King

Join President E. Gordon Gee, Larry Lewellen, and several other university leaders for a walk around Ohio Stadium from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 29. “Take a Lap Around the Stadium” is the official kickoff event for Your Plan for Health’s third annual Hit the Road with the Buckeyes challenge.

Gee and Lewellen, vice president for Human Resources, will lead a walk around Ohio Stadium to jumpstart participants’ step counts. Steven Gabbe, CEO, OSU Medical Center, and Scott Streator, CEO and executive director for The Ohio State University Health Plan Inc., will join them.

The Buckeye Brass Band, Brutus Buckeye and the OSU cheerleaders will bring the OSU-style entertainment and raffle prizes will be drawn after the walk. Also, various vendors will be onsite from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with fitness demonstrations, food samples, stress management tools and more. Vendors include the Faculty and Staff Fitness Program, OSU Department of Recreational Sports, FrontRunner, Mazah, Blue Chip Athletics, the OSU Health Plan’s Health Coaches and many more!

Participants also can pick up a redemption ticket during the event to receive 15 bonus miles for Hit the Road with the Buckeyes. Each member of a Hit the Road team who attends will receive the bonus, for a team total of up to 75 bonus miles.

For more information about Hit the Road with the Buckeyes, go to hr.osu.edu/HitTheRoad.

Kickoff events also will be held at several regional campuses. Check with your Human Resources contact to determine if there’s an event near you.

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