This document discusses several potential areas of research at the intersection of food, energy, and water systems: 1) Low temperature desalination using waste heat from power plant cooling to produce fresh water from brackish or salt water. 2) Improving measurement of evaporation from large bodies of water like the Great Lakes, which has impacts on downstream electricity production. 3) Harvesting algal blooms, which could provide an agricultural product if the algae can be easily collected and filtered. 4) Use of biochar from pyrolysis of agricultural waste to reduce runoff and increase crop yields, providing a carbon sink and some energy byproducts.

1. 21 Jan 2016- 1
NSF DCL:INFEWS
(Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems)
from Science, Engineering & Education for Sustainability (SEES)
Two versions: 1) any two of three topics
2) emphasis on Nitrogen and Phosphorous
Combined have $75 M over next several years in small chunks
William Schultz
Mechanical Engr
Former CBET: FD Program Director

2. 21 Jan 2016- 2
Low temp desalination
30% of UW Water used to produce electricity (wet cooling towers)
‘Make’ water instead? Using waste heat, Reject Heat to aquifer?
present patent
Similar process used to concentrate orange juice. Perhaps Urine??

3. 21 Jan 2016- 3
Evaporation
Huge part of the Great Lakes water balance budget
Can we measure evaporation better, cheaper?
present method has simple turbulence model, clumsy calibration
Can we model it better? Interesting boundary layer development
terrestrial rough start  windward smooth  developing waves whitecaps
Affects downstream electrical production
An International Great Lakes Turbulence team awaits

4. 21 Jan 2016- 4
Algal Bloom
Can we harvest them?
Easier if on/near surface using skimming technology?
Is it easily filterable?
If it was harvested, is it a useful agricultural product?

5. 21 Jan 2016- 5
Biochar
Reduce Agricultural runoff (water and fertilizer)
Produced by pyrolysis of Ag waste (organic inorganic)
May become a significant carbon sink
Some energy (syngas, heat) produced in pyrolysis.
Significantly increase crop yield
Recent Research at Cornell, Edinburgh, Israel, …