Terracon’s Post

For The Review's Spring 2024 Magazine Edition, I had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the history of the University of Delaware's "Planet Walk," a scaled model of the solar system that spans The Green from Main Street to South Campus. Click the link below to learn about what inspired the model, how it is being honored as a "UD Bucket List" item, and much more. https://lnkd.in/e6bAr-a9

Exciting research update! My study on the 'Impact of natural urban terrain on the pedestrian wind environment in neighborhoods: A CFD study with both wind and buoyancy-driven scenarios' is published at the Building and Environment Journal. This research is a pivotal puzzle piece in my broader exploration of urban climate resilience. Our findings highlight how urban terrain geometry influences local wind patterns, particularly in low and medium-density areas. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for enhancing urban planning strategies and pedestrian thermal comfort.

My thesis, Heads in the Sand, won the 2024 Richard P. Taub Thesis Prize from UChicago's Public Policy Studies department for its "original and extensive research" (their words, not mine). It focused on describing the impact of climate change on Lake Michigan water levels to understand future implications for beach access across the state of Illinois. Through a mix of geospatial and legal analysis, I find that up to 60% of beach spaces may be fully inundated under the most extreme climate scenarios by 2040. The full thesis is linked below, but out of respect for your time I advise you not to try to read the full thing. Also, I graduated. After graduation, I will be a Dunn Fellow for the Governor's Office of Illinois under Deputy Governor Bria Scudder, who oversees executive agencies related to public safety, infrastructure, energy, and the environment. On to the next chapter!

The STEAM of Snow! Our latest article dives into the science of snow, the technology measuring it, the engineering of snow structures like igloos, the art inspired by winter landscapes, and the math behind snowflakes! Learn how snow impacts our ecosystem here in North Dakota and how it connects to the hands-on activities at the Magic City Discovery Center. Discover the full article using the link below! https://lnkd.in/ewa-fbdr

Engaging the bright young minds of today could be the key to solving the challenges of the future. Our STEM ambassadors are a global network of civil and infrastructure engineers who volunteer their time to open up the profession to more people. We spoke to Ada Nwadigo and Ed Tame about breaking down barriers, challenging misconceptions, and inspiring the next generation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiFnEp2G

Celebrating Rockville Science Day: Inspiring Future Generations in Science This weekend, Rockville Science Day once again opens its doors to families, providing an exciting glimpse into the world of science. Events like these are not just about fun and education; they're crucial in inspiring the next generation of scientists, especially those from underrepresented groups, including girls, neurodiverse individuals, and LGBTQ+ youth. Science, at its core, is about curiosity, exploration, and challenging the known boundaries of knowledge. However, not every child feels that the world of science is welcoming or accessible to them. Rockville Science Day offers a unique opportunity to change these perceptions by actively involving and encouraging participation from all backgrounds. Why is this important? Because we all benefit when diverse perspectives are brought to the table. Research shows that diverse groups are more innovative and can solve complex problems more effectively than non-diverse groups. Encouraging underrepresented youth to embrace science can lead to breakthroughs that benefit society as a whole. For girls, who are historically underrepresented in fields like physics and engineering, seeing female scientists and engineers in action can light a spark of possibility. For neurodiverse children, the hands-on nature of many science activities provides a different avenue through which they can learn and excel, often more aligned with their strengths. LGBTQ+ youth, seeking spaces where they can be accepted and valued, can find in the sciences a community that judges on the basis of evidence and merit, rather than on biases or stereotypes. Rockville Science Day is more than just a local event; it's a gateway to a lifelong journey in science. By fostering an environment where all kids can see themselves as scientists, we are not just opening doors for individual careers but are also paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future. Let's support and promote these opportunities, ensuring that every child can access their full potential and possibly one day, become the great scientists who will shape our future. The Equity Office is so proud to co-sponsor our Affinity Group in participating in this event to inspire future scientists. Thank you Kaitlyn Lucey for your leadership. US Pharmacopeia is so luck to have you and other USP staff represent us. Join us, share your experiences, and let's work together to make science truly for everyone! #RockvilleScienceDay #DiversityInSTEM #FutureScientists

Dear fellow coastal engineers and NbS enthusiasts, 🌊 🏝️ I am proud to share with you my PhD thesis "Nature-based Solutions for sandy coasts as sustainable adaptation measures to climate change - A contribution to the broadened conceptual understanding of NbS from an engineering as well as a societal perspective" (https://lnkd.in/e2Aef4UC), written at Hamburg University of Technology and generously supported through the CliCCS project. 🙌 In my thesis I examine the basic assumptions regarding NbS and contribute to broadening the conceptual understanding of NbS from an engineering as well as a societal perspective, to enable NbS to become established in common coastal protection practice.

We are thrilled to share our latest research published in the Building and Environment journal: ‘Impact of natural urban terrain on the pedestrian wind environment in neighborhoods: A CFD study with both wind and buoyancy-driven scenarios’. The research, authored by Tanya Talwar and Prof. Chao Yuan, assesses the role of urban terrain geometry in neighborhood scale urban climate modeling. Their results indicate a localized effect based on building density and proximity to steep terrain. 🔍 Dive into the full paper https://lnkd.in/g2q8vM5x to explore where terrain modeling can be most effective while balancing the computational costs and accuracy of urban wind simulations.

CaSE Assistant Professor Thomas Gernay is taking research to new heights—literally! As part of his National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER supplement, he'll be part of a team setting a 10-story building on fire (don't worry, it's all in the name of science) to better understand the post-earthquake fire performance of cold-formed steel. Learn more about his research and its implications for structural resilience: https://lnkd.in/eQkj3usr

That’s the way to do it.