MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP

IAP 2014 Activities by Category - Energy, Environment, and Sustainability

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"Fuel Your Mind" -- A Primer on Transportation Fuels, Current and Future

William H. Green, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Jim Simnick, George Huff

Jan/30 Thu 09:00AM-05:00PM 66-168

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 60 participants

How is crude oil converted into gasoline and other transportation fuels? Is the gasoline available in Boston the same as what is available in Chicago?  What are biofuels and what is driving the demand for these fuels of the future? Which fuel properties matter for performance? Please join us in this short course offered by engineers from BP and Prof. Green to answer these questions, and to gain a better understanding of transportation fuels, and fuel processing technology. 

Projections and recent history suggest significant shifts in the transportation fuels system over the next few decades, but no one is sure how things will actually develop. This mini-course will give you a more complete perspective on the many issues involved when fuel standards or regulations shift and when new types of fuel feedstocks become available.

Experiences so far with E85 (and CNG) illustrate some of the realities which make it very challenging to introduce alternative fuels which are not compatible with existing engines and infrastructure.

Topics Include:

Sponsor(s): Chemical Engineering
Contact: Prof. William H. Green, 66-352, 617-253-4580, whgreen@mit.edu


"Horses and Thunder" -- Meeting the Energy Needs and Oil Exploration and Production in the Deepwaters

Ahmed Ghoniem, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Ryan Yeley

Jan/29 Wed 09:00AM-05:00PM 3-333

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 57 participants

How will we meet our growing energy needs in the future, especially for transportation, which is heavily dependent on oil? More and more oil is discovered and produced offshore, in deeper and deeper water. How do we know where and how to drill for oil? What are some of the engineering challenges in working at 5000’ of water? How do we produce it efficiently, bring it to shore safely, and beyond? What are some of the recent developments in science and engineering that will take us further? This short course will discuss: 1. Energy needs and role of offshore oil 2. Exploration - the idea phase 3. Drilling - the discovery and development phase 4. Production - the extraction phase 5. Transportation - getting it to market 6. Recent science and engineering developments We will look at the Thunder Horse field located in the Gulf of Mexico. Starting with 1999, this field has contributed > 5% of the oil produced within the United States. Since then, oil has been discovered further out and effort is underway to produce from these fields.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up, lunch provided.

Sponsor(s): Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Contact: Prof. Ahmed Ghoniem, 3-344, 617) 253-2295, ghoniem@MIT.EDU


A Great Technology is Not Enough: Cultural Dimensions of Change

Mattias Ohlson

Jan/09 Thu 01:00PM-02:00PM N51-310

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 40 participants

Half of the world’s population use firewood or charcoal for cooking, using old cooking technologies such as open fires or low-efficiency stoves. The negative health effects are staggering: an estimated 4 million people die every year due to indoor air pollution from open fires, more than malaria and HIV/AIDS combined. Families spend a substantial part of their household income on cooking fuel. In addition, making of charcoal is one of the primary causes of deforestation in Africa.

Emerging Cooking Solutions, a social business working in Zambia, has created an innovative system using micro-gasfying cooking stoves and locally produced waste biomass pellets, which reduce emissions drastically, saving money and time for the users and preserving about 6 tons of virgin forest for each stove that use pellets instead of charcoal. Their approach is to work with women’s groups, churches and other local organizations to reduce the initial threshold of entry and create a product that works in the local cultural context.    

Hear founder Mattias Ohlson and Marion Peterson speak about their challenges and opportunities launching a social business in Zambia.

Light refreshments

Sponsor(s): D-Lab, Public Service Center
Contact: Sally Chapman, 33-309, 617 253-4926, SALLYC@MIT.EDU


A World Without Meshes? Learn How to Code Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics

Alexandre Guion and Giancarlo Lenci, Graduate Students

Jan/21 Tue 10:30AM-12:00PM 1-273
Jan/22 Wed 10:30AM-12:00PM 1-273
Jan/23 Thu 10:30AM-12:00PM 1-273
Jan/24 Fri 10:30AM-12:00PM 1-273

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: General programming skills

Are you interested in learning more about meshless approaches for simulating flows? Do you want to build your own code and participate in fun challenges?  Are you interested in discovering hands-on how smoothed-particle hydrodynamics models work, and which applications they are used for?  

Please join us in this new short course, which starts with an introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and meshless approaches, including key governing equations and methodologies.  Afterwards, an implementation of smoothed-particle hydrodynamics to solve flow fields is performed through hands-on coding sessions, with an emphasis on unsteady free-surface flows.  The course  ends with an application to a real-life case, and a final competition for fun between students. 

Sponsor(s): Nuclear Science and Engineering
Contact: Alexandre Guion; Giancarlo Lenci, NW12-306; NW12-238, 617-417-5693;, aguion@mit.edu


(CANCELED) Data Center Engineering w/Action Lab

Albert Rabassa, Data Center Engineer

Enrollment: 20 participants + 20 listeners.
Sign-up by 01/03
Limited to 40 participants
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: Participants (20): Windows Laptops

A Corporate or Enterprise Class data center is perhaps one of the largest technical and financial investments facing corporate planners today.  The stakeholders include: CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, CTOs, systems engineers, computer engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, fire & safety engineers, LEED engineers, and ultimately- the end users of the data center.  Data center designs must meet the system requirements of the organization and its users, drive energy efficiencies, and be ecologically responsible.  Cost constraints demand that the design be future-proof.  Attendees will be exposed to two-year’s worth of information and lessons learned in two-days.  The Action Lab will be limited to 20 participants- as a highly specialized GUI based CFD airflow modeling tool will be loaded on their laptop.  An additional 20 Listeners will be permitted.  No prior experience is required.  Topics will start with high level management and mission decisions.  These topics will be displaced by increasing technical details, concepts, and CFD modeling.  We will conclude by touring a 10MW data center (MGHPCC).

Contact: Albert Rabassa, arabassa@mit.edu


Management & Engineering Topics

Jan/07 Tue 09:00AM-03:00PM tbd

Day-1.  Introduction.  Overview.  Management Decisions.  Engineering Details.  Introduction to CFD Action Lab.

Albert Rabassa - Data Center Engineer


CFD Modeling and Data Center Tour

Jan/09 Thu 09:00AM-03:00PM tbd, Participanring laptop. Data Center Tour Optional.

Day-2.  Technical wrap-up, airflow modeling, and Q&A.  We will end at 12-noon with an optional trip to the new MGHPCC data center to see a 10MW data center in action.

Albert Rabassa - Data Center Engineer


e4Dev: Introduction to Energy and Human Development

Ignacio Perez-Arriaga, Visiting Professor, CEEPR, MIT

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/06
Attendance: Participants asked to attend all sessions; email to discuss exceptions
Prereq: Some familiarity with energy useful but NOT required

More than 1.5 billion people lack access to basic energy services. This is not inherently problematic, as access to energy is not in and of itself a goal of development – rather, we care about improvements to quality of life more broadly. Energy access has, however, been identified as a potentially important component in enabling many essential quality of life improvements, including for example public health, communication, and local business growth.

In a four-day series of lectures, case studies, interactive activities, and the development of an energy access project evaluation strategy, students participating in this course will be exposed to the challenges and opportunities in energy access for the developing world. Lectures will provide working knowledge of the current state of energy access; what it means to provide energy access; a survey of relevant energy technologies; the connection between energy access and poverty alleviation; and financing mechanisms and business models for energy projects in the developing world. 

Sponsor(s): Engineering Systems Division, MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Zachary Accuardi, N52-373, 503-975-7778, ACCUARDI@MIT.EDU


Session 1: Intro to Energy Access

Jan/07 Tue 09:00AM-12:00PM E17-128, A laptop may be useful

Session 2: Energy and Human Development

Jan/08 Wed 09:00AM-12:00PM E17-128

Session 3: Financing and Business Models

Jan/09 Thu 09:00AM-12:00PM E17-128, Laptops will be useful

Session 4: Student Presentations

Jan/10 Fri 09:00AM-12:30PM E17-128

Economics and Policy of Global Change

Arthur Yip, Michael Davidson

Jan/30 Thu 01:00PM-03:00PM 66-144

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This session will outline how energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the world economy and the technologies we use, how climate change impacts affect us, and discuss mitigation and adaptation options and instruments. It will also survey policies in place, and major challenges and opportunities as the world works toward coordinated action. One of the presenters attended the recent UN climate talks held in Poland and will reflect on next steps toward a new global climate agreement in 2015.

Sponsor(s): Joint Program/Science and Policy of Global Change
Contact: Robert Morris, E19-411, 617 324-7375, RHGMORR@MIT.EDU


Electric Power System Modeling for a Low Carbon Economy

Ignacio Perez-Arriaga, Visiting Professor

Enrollment: For-credit students have priority. Otherwise: first come, first served
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: Advised to bring a laptop and have familiarity with GAMS

This 5-session intensive activity will present power system analysis techniques that will help in modeling and understanding the role of electric power systems in a carbon-constrained economy. The massive deployment of intermittent renewable electricity generation, the anticipated surge of active demand response or the development of smart grids are among the challenges that have to be faced by the mathematical models for optimization, analysis and simulation of the complex decision making processes in power systems. Apart from a theoretical description of the presented models, the instructors will provide the students with a collection of prototypes that will allow them to run study cases and to understand the effect of the different mathematical formulations on the outcomes. Also the use of these models in some real-world applications will be presented.

Also available for credit: ESD.S30

Stellar: stellar.mit.edu/S/course/ESD/ia14/ESD.S30/

Sponsor(s): Engineering Systems Division, MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Karen D. Tapia-Ahumada, katapia@mit.edu


Intro to Power Systems

Jan/27 Mon 09:00AM-11:00AM E51-057

Several models for short, medium and long term will be reviewed. A hands-on approach will be followed to show the basics of the models.

Andres Ramos - Professor, Javier Garcia-Gonzalez - Professor from UP Comillas


Optimal Power Flow in Electricity ...

Jan/27 Mon 11:00AM-01:00PM E51-057

... Networks & Concepts of Nodal Pricing

Practical session: Use a transmission constrained DC economic dispatch model prototype in GAMS.

Javier Garcia-Gonzalez - Professor from UP Comillas


Unit Commitment of Generation Plants

Jan/28 Tue 09:00AM-11:00AM E51-057

The use of a UC model in European projects for the evaluation of the impact of integrating renewable generation and electric vehicles in the Spanish system will be presented.

Andres Ramos - Professor, Javier Garcia-Gonzalez - Professor from UP Comillas


Stochastic UC & Profit-Based UC

Jan/28 Tue 11:00AM-01:00PM E51-057

Practical session: The session will include the use of GAMS prototypes: cost-based UC, and a profit-based UC.

Andres Ramos - Professor, Javier Garcia-Gonzalez - Professor from UP Comillas


Mid-term Hydro-Thermal Coordination

Jan/29 Wed 09:00AM-01:00PM E51-057

Advanced topic: Stochastic Dual Dynamic Programming (SDDP)

Practical session:The session will include the use of GAMS prototype for mid-term planning.

Andres Ramos - Professor, Javier Garcia-Gonzalez - Professor from UP Comillas


Modeling the Behavior of Market...

Jan/30 Thu 09:00AM-01:00PM E51-057

... Participants in the Medium Term: Market Equilibrium Models

Reviews relevant problems and the associated numerical analysis techniques.

Andres Ramos - Professor


Capacity Expansion of Electricity...

Jan/31 Fri 09:00AM-01:00PM E51-057

... Transmission Networks

Use of models in defining the transmission network needed to transport a large amount of electricity from far-away renewable resources to the main loading centers will be presented. European paradigmatic application cases of Desertec, Medgrid and eHighWay2050 will be analyzed.

Andres Ramos - Professor


Energy Careers Spotlight: A Day in the Life

Christie Ko, MITEI Assistant Director for Member Relations

Jan/29 Wed 12:00PM-03:00PM E19-319, (MITEI Large Conference Room)

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 50 participants

Are you interested in pursuing a career in energy but aren't sure what types of jobs interest you and are available? Get a firsthand look from current employees at major energy companies as they walk you through "A Day in the Life" at their job. Event includes lunch and concludes with a networking reception.

>> Click Here to Register

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Christie Ko, E19-370D, 617-253-3478, cko@MIT.EDU


Energy Information: Maps and Data to use with GIS

Jennie Murack

Jan/16 Thu 01:00PM-02:30PM 14N-132

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/16
Limited to 40 participants

Where are the power plants and pipelines? How close are they to population centers? In this session, MIT GIS Services will introduce you to energy maps and spatial data available and demonstrate GIS in action on the energy front.

Register here: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=472354

 

Sponsor(s): Geographic Information Systems Lab, Libraries
Contact: Jennie Murack, 7-238, 617 258-6680, MURACK@MIT.EDU


Energy Sci/Tech Information: Where to Go, What to Do

Chris Sherratt

Jan/14 Tue 03:00PM-04:00PM 14N-132

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)

Information on energy is everywhere! How do you find what you need and keep on the cutting edge of what is published? Attend this hands-on session to find out.

 

Sponsor(s): Libraries
Contact: Chris Sherratt, 14S-134, 617-253-5648, gcsherra@mit.edu


Energy Startups @ Greentown Labs: From MIT to IPO

Emily L. Reichert, Executive Director, Mark Vasu, Greentown Labs Advisor

Jan/27 Mon 01:00PM-03:00PM Greentown Labs, Transportation will be provided

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 25 participants

Meet some of the coolest energy entrepreneurs in Cambridge and see how you can take an idea from inspiration to implementation. Join MITEI on a personalized tour of Greentown Labs in Somerville, where you'll get to explore their brand new maker-spaces, get an inside look at cutting edge technologies, and meet MIT alumni who are involved in the field of energy.

Transportation will be provided

 >> Click Here to Register

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Ethan Feuer, E19-370, 617 452-3199, EFEUER@MIT.EDU


Energy Underground: MBTA Facilities and Tunnel Tour

Ethan Feuer, MITEI Student Activities Coordinator

Jan/24 Fri 09:00AM-01:30PM TBA

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 25 participants

Ever wonder how the MBTA really works? Join a special tour of public transit operation centers and tunnels with MBTA staff. We will visit sites such as the MBTA Operations Control Center and the Haymarket MBTA Station Central Artery and discuss with how America’s oldest subway system operates on a daily basis, as well as how it handles weather emergencies.

>> Click Here to Register

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Ethan Feuer, E19-370, 617 452-3199, EFEUER@MIT.EDU


Financing Capital for Capital Intensive Energy Projects

Santosh Raikar, Managing Director, Seabron Adamson, Senior Consultant

Jan/16 Thu 12:00PM-02:00PM E62-223

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 40 participants

Have you ever wondered how capital intensive energy projects are financed? What is non-recourse financing? What is meant by VPPs and tax equity financing? Please join us for an informal lunch and discussion with industry experts in Energy Finance and learn about various aspects of Project Finance including technology choice, legal aspects, and recent market trends.

>> Click Here to Register

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative, Energy Club, Sloan School of Management
Contact: Ethan Feuer, E19-370, 617 452-3199, EFEUER@MIT.EDU


Fundamentals of Science and Technology Public Policy Making: MIT Sci/Tech Policy Bootcamp

William Bonvillian, Director, MIT DC Office

Jan/27 Mon 09:00AM-03:30PM 56-114
Jan/28 Tue 09:00AM-03:30PM 56-114
Jan/29 Wed 09:00AM-12:00PM 56-114
Jan/30 Thu 09:00AM-12:00PM 56-114
Jan/31 Fri 09:00AM-01:00PM 56-114

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

This activity examines the public policy behind, and the government's role in the science and technology based innovation system. Emphasis placed on the U.S. S&T system, but international examples discussed. The seminar aims to equip those planning careers in and around science and technology with the basic background for involvement in science policymaking.

We cover the following topics:1)drivers behind science and technology support: growth economics, direct and indirect innovation factors, innovation systems theory, the "valley of death" between R&D and public-private partnership models; 2)organizing framework behind US science agencies, their missions and research organizational models, and the DARPA model as an alternative; 3)the way innovation is organized when it's face-to-face; 4)barriers and challenges to health science advance; 5)The energy technology challenge - how the science/tech innovation system needs to be organized to meet it within an existing and established complex economic sector; and 5) upcoming competitiveness challenge in advanced manufacturing.

Please fill out this web form to participate in activity:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y9B5ioN-3MS9qm3lXdHhQtZyytwSUfEPJhDuZhcyE3Q/viewform

Sponsor(s): Political Science
Contact: Dilon Gardner, dillon@mit.edu


Global Change Science

Daniel Rothenberg, Daniel Gilford

Jan/23 Thu 01:00PM-03:00PM 66-144

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This session will introduce the fundamentals of climate science and provide an overview of what climate scientists know about our current and future climate. The talk will walk through the greenhouse effect, introduce the human-induced and natural climate forcing components such as greenhouse gas emissions, ozone, volcanic eruptions, aerosols, and Short Lived Climate Pollutants. Emphasis will be on the complexity and uncertainty regarding current understanding and future projections of earth's climate. The link between climate and extreme weather will also be discussed.

Sponsor(s): Joint Program/Science and Policy of Global Change
Contact: Robert Morris, E19-411, 617 324-7375, RHGMORR@MIT.EDU


Hydrology Tools with GIS

Jennie Murack

Jan/30 Thu 10:00AM-12:00PM 14N-132

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Prereq: basic knowledge of ArcGIS

Learn about GIS tools for surface water analysis and modeling. Apply ArcGIS tools that pre-process data for HEC-RMS and pre- and post-process data for HEC-RAS model results.

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of ArcGIS

Register here: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=479826

Sponsor(s): Geographic Information Systems Lab, Libraries
Contact: Jennie Murack, 7-238, 617 258-6680, MURACK@MIT.EDU


Inspecting a Non-Lab or Non-Traditional DLC

Craig Bryer, Officer, EHS

Jan/31 Fri 01:00PM-02:00PM N52-391

Enrollment: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/iap-course-registration
Limited to 25 participants

There are a surprising number of spaces EHS Coordinators and Officers are responsible for that don’t fall under the “lab” umbrella! In this class we will explore the differences and similarities in the Level II inspection of a non-lab or non-traditional space, including mechanical rooms, workshops, and storage rooms. We will also provide pointers on common findings, and perform a mock inspection of a non-lab space.

Intended audience: EHS Coordinators, EHS office personnel, Facilities Supervisors, and managers or supervisors who receive inspection findings.

Register at: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/iap-course-registration

 

Sponsor(s): Environment, Health and Safety Office
Contact: Jessica Van, N52-496, 617 452-3233, JVAN@MIT.EDU


Introduction to Process Simulation for non-Chemical Engineers

Randall Field, Executive Director, Conversion Research Program

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions

This course is intended to introduce non-chemical engineers to the tools used in conceptual process development and analysis.  Aspen Plus was originally developed at MIT and it is now widely used by the process industries for research & development, engineering and operations.  Students will learn the basics of process modeling through a combination of lectures, tutorials and hands-on problem sets, with coaching.  Non-chemical engineering students who are planning to use Aspen Plus for research projects are encouraged to attend this course. 

By the end of the course, students should be comfortable with creating system level models of steady-state processes.  They will understand how to provide their own equations into the process model, how to create information feedback loops and the basics of flowsheet convergence.  Thermodynamic models will be used during the course, but the details of how to select the thermodynamic models will not be covered in this course; reference materials will be recommended.

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Randall Field, E19-370P, 617-324-2391, rpfield@mit.edu


Jan/21 Tue 01:00PM-05:00PM 56-167
Jan/22 Wed 01:00PM-05:00PM 56-167
Jan/23 Thu 01:00PM-05:00PM 56-167
Jan/24 Fri 01:00PM-05:00PM 56-167

Randall Field - Executive Director, Conversion Research Program


Planning Session for Event Planners

Ruth T. Davis, Manager of Communications and Sustainability

Jan/29 Wed 12:00PM-01:30PM W1, Flowers Dng Hall, Bring your MIT ID with you

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Learn how to make your event stylish and sustainable. Discover what spaces are available on campus and how to get tables and chairs set up or delivered there. Representatives from Facilities, CAC, and the Green Committee will show you how. At the event there will be a demo of the new Atlas form for requesting services, CAC will review its virtual schedule and event planning guide, and the Green Committee will discuss strategies for making an event zero waste. Your attendees will be mingling and commingling. Sign up here: http://doodle.com/w3q3pp6htifep565

Sponsor(s): Department of Facilities, Working Group on Support Staff Issues
Contact: Ruth Davis, NE49-2200, 617 253-7299, RTDAVIS@MIT.EDU


Revolutionary Marxist Theory for a World in Crisis

Safia Albaiti

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions
Prereq: None

How does Marxism explain ongoing economic crises and the resistance to it? How does the Marxist theory of social reproduction explain the escalation of attacks on women’s reproductive rights and the misogyny pushing them out of the public sphere during the current crisis? Is environmental degradation caused by having too many people on the planet or is it a result of a system built on the accumulation of profits? How does the Marxist labor theory of value explain the drive to lower wages and benefits for workers in the pursuit of profits, and how does the Marxist theory of imperialism help to explain why the United States is onshoring and rebuilding a manufacturing base within its borders after decades of pronouncements that the United States was a post-industrial country? How have Marxist theoreticians of the past, from Karl Marx to CLR James, explained the central role racism has played in the development of US capitalism? How does Marxism as a revolutionary guide to action explain the role of the working class in revolutionary struggle, past and present, and what it takes to make a political revolution into a social revolution? What will it take to get to a future sustainable society that puts the needs of humanity, from each according to their ability to each according to their need, over the dictates of profit making?

Through this discussion based series of classes, we will take on the Marxist theoretical framework for understanding the world and its many crises today.

Contact: Safia Albaiti, E62-631, 617 253-9747, SALBAITI@MIT.EDU


Shell's Program for Excellence in Safety and Health

Lori Glassgold Gibson, Karen Carter, Process Safety Advisor, Judy Salcido, Safety Advisor

Jan/29 Wed 09:00AM-05:00PM 46-3002
Jan/30 Thu 09:00AM-05:00PM 46-3002

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/24
Limited to 100 participants
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session

Health and Safety Professionals from the Shell Oil Technology Center in Houston will describe their EHS Program for Excellence to achieve a safe and healthy work environment in the research laboratory. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to assess and mitigate potential hazards of materials, equipment and processes used in research and how to safely manage change in research. Tools and techniques used by Shell will be presented and discussed.
 
 How to safely handle changes, identify safety issues and select appropriate PPE to ensure no harm to people. This course will cover various topics and are not limited to:
- Elements of the Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Personal Protection Equipment
- Safety Data Sheets
- Top Incidents in the Lab and Solutions
- Management of Change Process
 
 This course is a collaboration with Shell Oil, MIT EHS and MIT Energy Initiative.
 
 Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Register at: http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=EHS00751c

 

Sponsor(s): Environment, Health and Safety Office
Contact: Jessica Van, N52-496, 617 452-3233, JVAN@MIT.EDU


Strategies for Good Housekeeping in Your Lab or Work Space

Gerry Fallon, Inspection Service Team

Jan/30 Thu 01:00PM-02:00PM N52-496A

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Good Housekeeping in labs and other work areas is an important aspect of developing and maintaining a safe work environment. In this course, we will use a panel discussion to help identify housekeeping practices that require correction, develop strategies to address issues and suggest methods to communicate solutions. Refreshments will be provided.

Register at: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/iap-course-registration

Sponsor(s): Environment, Health and Safety Office
Contact: Jessica Van, N52-496, 617 452-3233, JVAN@MIT.EDU


Sustainability and the Corporation - New Strategies for Managing Global Business

Jette Steen Knudsen, Visiting Professor

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

In April 2013 the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh killed more than 1,100 people. The collapse led to heavy criticism of working conditions for garment workers in Bangladesh and to demands that western companies such as H&M and the GAP take increased responsibility for improving social and environmental conditions in supplier factories. Many other sectors such as consumer electronics (Apple) and toys (Mattel) have faced similar challenges.

These examples illustrate a growing trend.  Today stakeholders as diverse as investors, employees, the media, NGOs and customers have strong views on how corporations should be run. Firms operating in or sourcing from developing countries are increasingly held responsible for a range of issues that were previously considered the responsibility of public authorities, such as environmental management, labor standards and human rights. Furthermore, several governments have adopted new regulations that require companies to adopt CSR activities (i.e., non-financial reporting requirements; green public procurement; legislation pertaining to anti-corruption). Companies therefore have to consider a wide range of new social issues as a key element of their broader risk management. How can firms best manage and prioritize their social risk management efforts?  Which types of regulation (private or public) are most helpful for managing social risks? 

Sponsor(s): Political Science
Contact: Jette Steen Knudsen, jettesk@MIT.EDU


What is Sustainability

Jan/14 Tue 10:00AM-12:00PM E53-438

Overview of the development of sustainability as business strategy (also referred to as corporate social responsibility/CSR) and focuses on the impact of globalization. Examines strengths and limitations of sustainability as a business strategy. Is there a business case for sustainability?  Which companies gain from having a sustainability strategy? Does society gain from sustainability and if so under what conditions?


Can governments govern intern'l business

Jan/16 Thu 10:00AM-12:00PM E53-438

This session examines the changing boundaries between public and private regulation of sustainability. Can governments govern international business?  How are boundaries changing between public and private regulation of sustainability?

 


Tour of MIT's Nuclear Research Reactor

Taylor Tracy, Administrative Assistant II

Jan/21 Tue 11:00AM-12:15PM NW12, Ring doorbell for entry, may arrive early

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/20
Limited to 15 participants

Come take a tour of the second largest university research reactor in the U.S. and the only one located on the campus of a major university. Learn about nuclear fission, the design of the unique MIT reactor, nuclear safety, as well as various types of research conducted at the facility. Questions are welcomed and encouraged!

At least 24 hours before the start of the tour we'll need the full name, residential address, phone number, and date of birth for all tour participants (MIT ID# may be provided in lieu of address, phone number, and DOB). Please make sure all adults bring a valid government issued photo ID, seeing as we will check this upon arrival (or MIT ID if number has been provided). Cameras, mobile phones, bags, backpacks, open toed shoes/sandals (including flip flops) etc., are permitted in the administrative building but are not permitted on the tour. There is a secure office that you will be able to leave your belongings in. 15 person maximum.

Sponsor(s): Nuclear Reactor Lab
Contact: Taylor Tracy, 617 253-4211, TTRACY@MIT.EDU


Tour of MIT's Nuclear Research Reactor [at capacity]

Taylor Tracy, Administrative Assistant II

Jan/16 Thu 11:00AM-12:15PM NW12, Ring doorbell for entry, may arrive early

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15
Limited to 15 participants
Prereq: None

**This tour is currently at capacity but there is still room on the tour being held Tuesday 1/21 at 11am. Please email ttracy@mit.edu to sign up!**

Come take a tour of the second largest university research reactor in the U.S. and the only one located on the campus of a major university. Learn about nuclear fission, the design of the unique MIT reactor, nuclear safety, as well as various types of research conducted at the facility. Questions are welcomed and encouraged!

At least 24 hours before the start of the tour we'll need the full name, residential address, phone number, and date of birth for all tour participants (MIT ID# may be provided in lieu of address, phone number, and DOB). Please make sure all adults bring a valid government issued photo ID, seeing as we will check this upon arrival (or MIT ID if number has been provided). Cameras, mobile phones, bags, backpacks, open toed shoes/sandals (including flip flops) etc., are permitted in the administrative building but are not permitted on the tour. There is a secure office that you will be able to leave your belongings in. 15 person maximum.

Sponsor(s): Nuclear Reactor Lab
Contact: Taylor Tracy, 617 253-4211, TTRACY@MIT.EDU


Tour of MIT's Nuclear Research Reactor [at capacity]

Taylor Tracy, Administrative Assistant II

Jan/14 Tue 11:00AM-12:15PM NW12, Ring doorbell for entry, may arrive early

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/13
Limited to 15 participants
Prereq: None

January 14th's tour of the reactor is currently at capacity, however there is still space available for tours at 11am on Thursday 1/16 and Tuesday 1/21. 

Come take a tour of the second largest university research reactor in the U.S. and the only one located on the campus of a major university. Learn about nuclear fission, the design of the unique MIT reactor, nuclear safety, as well as various types of research conducted at the facility. Questions are welcomed and encouraged!

At least 24 hours before the start of the tour we'll need the full name, residential address, phone number, and date of birth for all tour participants (MIT ID# may be provided in lieu of address, phone number, and DOB). Please make sure all adults bring a valid government issued photo ID, seeing as we will check this upon arrival (or MIT ID if number has been provided). Cameras, mobile phones, bags, backpacks, open toed shoes/sandals (including flip flops) etc., are permitted in the administrative building but are not permitted on the tour. There is a secure office that you will be able to leave your belongings in. 15 person maximum.

Contact: Taylor Tracy, 617 253-4211, TTRACY@MIT.EDU


UNCOVERING IRAN: What You Need To Know About the World's Most Talked-About Nuclear Program in 2 Delicious Lunches

Patricia Weinmann, Associate Coordinator, Technology and Culture Forum, Samuel Brinton, Global Zero

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

UNCOVERING IRAN: What You Need To Know About the World’s Most Talked-About Nuclear Program in 2 Delicious Lunches:

Wednesday, January 22: "Persia: The Pertinent History of the Islamic Republic of Iran", with John Tirman, Executive Director, Center for International Studies
Friday, January 24: "Diplomacy in Danger: The Nuclear Build-up and Interim Deal with Iran", with Jim Walsh, Research Associate, Security Studies Program

12:00-1:30pm
4-253

Sponsored by MIT Global Zero and the Technology and Culture Forum at MIT

Sponsor(s): Technology and Culture Forum
Contact: Patricia Weinmann, W11, 617-253-0108, weinmann@mit.edu


A Brief History

Jan/22 Wed 12:00PM-01:30PM (CANCELED)

UNCOVERING IRAN: What You Need To Know About the World's Most Talked-About Nuclear Program in 2 Delicious Lunches

Wednesday, January 22: "Persia: The Pertinent History of the Islamic Republic of Iran", with John Tirman, Executive Director, Center for International Studies

Jonn Tirman - Executive Director, Center for International Studies


The Nuclear Build-Up

Jan/24 Fri 12:00PM-01:30PM 4-253

UNCOVERING IRAN: What You Need To Know About the World's Most Talked-About Nuclear Program in 2 Delicious Lunches

Friday, January 24: "Diplomacy in Danger: The Nuclear Build-up and Interim Deal with Iran", with Jim Walsh, Research Associate, Security Studies Program

Jim Walsh - Research Associate, Security Studies Program


Wind Technology Testing Center Tour

Ethan Feuer, MITEI Student Activities Coordinator

Jan/28 Tue 10:15AM-12:30PM Off-Campus, Transportation will be provided

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 25 participants

Ever wonder how those spinning wind turbines are actually tested for safety? Before a turbine can be deployed in Massachusetts, it must meet strict international safety and design standards. Come join us for an exclusive tour of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Wind Technology Testing Center. In this tour, we will have the opportunity to see first-hand the blade-testing wind rooms (that tests blades up to 90 meters in length!), as well as to meet and ask questions of the center’s staff.

Transportation to testing facility will be provided by MITEI

>> Click Here to Register

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Initiative
Contact: Ethan Feuer, E19-370, 617 452-3199, EFEUER@MIT.EDU