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Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Vol. 28, No. 3, 236-243 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0270467608315941

Teaching Green Engineering: The Case of Ethanol Lifecycle Analysis

Daniel A. Vallero

Duke University

Chris Braiser

Duke University

Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool in teaching green engineering and has been used to assess biofuels, including ethanol. An undergraduate engineering course at Duke University has integrated LCA with other interactive teaching techniques to enhance awareness and to inform engineering decision making related to societal issues, such as energy sources and environmental quality. The course also includes a three-part studio beginning with application of thermodynamics, moving to team projects, and ending with a "green" innovation proposal by each student. Students who participated in this interactive series were able to apply LCA to venues beyond biofuels (e.g., computing and brick making). They were also able to consider societal and geopolitical aspects of complex issues, such as comparing benefits to costs and risks associated with increased production of ethanol on decreased food production and environmental impacts.

Key Words: lifecycle analysis • green engineering • ethanol • alternative fuels • engineering education • benefit-cost ratio • environmental impact


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