Introduction

 

Background

The concept of environmental management in the twenty-first century deals not only with the fulfillment of basic human needs from natural resources, but also with assuring the completion of ecological systems, and sustainable development of humans and the environment. During the exploitation and application of resources, environmental protection and ecology restoration should be focused aggressively so as to achieve reasonable, efficient and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Traditional management policies for the environment focus on environmental engineering and technology, or so called end-of-the-pipe technology. Such technology seeks to solve pollution problems by constructing new facilities, such as the building of wastewater plants to treat wastewater at point sources. However, traditional environmental engineering and technology requires large numbers of steel and cement structures, which are contrary to a philosophy of using natural measures. In addition, the removal of pollutants usually transfers the pollutants from one medium to another and creates secondary pollution. The removal of heavy metals from wastewater and subsequent generation of metal contained sludge is a good example.

Besides the application of traditional environmental technology to remove pollutants from water, air, and soil, environmental management policies in the twenty-first century also use multiple methods. These methods include so called “cleaner technology” to reuse waste or to change industrial processes to reduce the production of waste. Another newer concept of ecological engineering systems is to apply the self-designing capacity of nature to solve the problems of environmental pollution and ecological destruction.

Development

According to Mitsch, ecological engineering is the design of sustainable ecosystems to achieve common benefits for both human society and the natural environment. This type of technology creates and restores both terrestrial and hydraulic ecological systems and the ultimate goals include: (1) restoration of ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities and (2) development of new sustainable ecosystems for the benefit of both humans and nature. Straskraba defined ecotechnology as a technology of using ecosystem management based on the understanding of ecology, the goal of which is to minimize cost and damage to the environment. The major difference between eco-engineering and conventional engineering is that the former applies natural self-organization, natural energy, minimal dependence on fossil fuels, flexibility on hardware demands, high compatibility, etc.

Goals

The main goal of the center is to organize research results and resources related to eco-engineering at Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science (CNU), including manpower, equipment, research plans, and collaboration projects between industry and academia. There are eight primary objectives to the center’s work:

(1) Research and development of ecotechnology for practical applications

Based on collaboration projects with various organizations, including government offices, engineering and consulting firms, and non-governmental communities, the center aims to develop and collection information related to eco-engineering. The information will be studied and summarized by professors in the center and used to satisfy technology demands in our society.

(2) Research and development work in ecotechnology for industrial uses

There are three major fields of research and development work undertaken at the center:

Ecological treatment technology: constructed wetlands, stabilization ponds, soil treatment, macrophytes technology, and living machines, etc.

Resource reuse technology: related technologies and plans from applications of eco-engineering, such as, reservoir restoration, vegetation restoration, wetland parks, green campuses, and green architecture, etc.

Ecological restoration technology: eco-pong aquaculture systems, materials for eco-engineering, waste recovery and reuse technology, wastewater recovery and reuse technology, etc.

(3) Improving ecotechnology research ability and achievements

The center has initiated collaboration work with different specializations and teams on campus at CNU. The academic fields represented include science (botany, biology, environmental hygiene, toxicology, ecology, environmental chemistry, etc.), engineering and technology (environmental engineering and technology, biological technology, material technology, reaction engineering, architecture, landscape, etc.), and humanities and social science (community empowerment, leisure management, etc.). The research teams include a constructed wetland research team, an environmental materials research team, a sediment research team, an environmental hormone research team, an ecological restoration research team, and a humanities and social science research team, etc. In addition to working with CNU specialists, the center has also undertaken several projects with resources from outside the campus, including government offices, consulting firms, companies, other universities, and academics in other countries. This wide range of collaborative work has enhanced the depth and range of the research and development work of the center.

(4) Promoting collaborative industry/academic and government projects with R&D results

The results of research work have been shared in several ways, including websites, conference presentations, journal papers, and training courses for the public. It is further planned to use these results to develop more practical applications. Through working on collaborative projects with various professional groups, more important data can be obtained, upgrading the planning and designing capability of the center. At present, several engineering consulting firms, construction companies, architectural offices, and landscape companies are engaged in long-term cooperation with the center.

(5)Constructing a technology databank on eco-engineering

The main purpose for constructing a technology databank on eco-engineering is to provide a platform for researchers from different disciplines to work with the same concept. The evaluation of the databank can also provide the engineers of the center with opportunities to adjust or upgrade the quality of planning and design in practical projects, and thus improve the technology. The results from these new conceptual designs and plans can be fed back to the databank for future applications.

(6) Managing research results more effectively

Some results from research and practical projects can be used to apply for patents or to create new knowledge. These intellectual properties are intended to be major resources in the technology transfer mechanisms of the center.

(7) Improving teaching effectiveness at CNU through feedback of R&D results

The technology of eco-engineering is a new field of study in Taiwan, and qualified human resources are very scarce. This type of profession requires training in the fields of ecology, environmental science, and environmental engineering. Based on the information and data collected from research and practical projects, the center has proposed important courses of study. Furthermore, a new graduate institute, named the “Ecological Technology Institute”, with a master’s program has been established, and master’s program students have been recruited since 2008. In addition, the professors of the center are often provide short courses in various training projects to share related information with the general public.

(8) Collaborating with other research teams at CNU

The successful collaboration experience of the center can be used as a model for other research teams in CNU, such as those working in bio-technology, environmental technology, and social development, etc. to improve the R&D ability of CNU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organization

Director

Associate Director

Executive Secretary

Eco-tech Treatment group (including resource reuse)

International collaboration group

Ecological restoration research group

Restoration of artificial and natural reservoirs, wetlands, and communities, sustainable campus, green architecture, environment hormones, vectors, etc.

Constructed wetlands, stabilization ponds, hydraulic vegetation technology, living machine, natural treatment systems, aquaculture, waste recycling, organic agriculture, etc.

Technology collaboration, project promotion, academic exchange, manpower education with other countries

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff & duties

There are three major technical research groups in the center: the eco-tech treatment group (including resource reuse), the ecological restoration research group, and the international collaboration group. The eco-tech treatment group is focused on waste treatment and pollution reduction by using natural technologies, including municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater, energy saving and resource reuse, etc. The ecological restoration group is focused on compensation work in natural ecological systems and the reduction of disturbance to eco-systems. The international collaboration group is focused on sharing experience and information concerning application of sustainable technology with other countries, especially developing countries.

 

 

Contact Us

Web: https://ecocenter.cnu.edu.tw/

    http://ecocenter.cnu.edu.tw/

Tel: 886-6-3663872

Fax: 886-6-3663871

E-mail: ceet302@mail.cnu.edu.tw

Address: 60, Erh-Jen Rd., Sec. 1, Jen-Te, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC