Center of Excellence in Sustainability and the Environment

Bowling Green State University’s Center of Excellence in Sustainability and the Environment develops new strategies and technologies related to renewable, sustainable resources that maintain or improve environmental quality. Through basic and applied research, partnering with the external community, and STEM education, the Center contributes to the economic development of the State in alternative energy, environmental quality, biodiversity conservation, and global change. BGSU’s efforts in alternative energy focus on organic photovoltaics for solar conversion and internal lighting, wind energy production, and the environmental impact of wind energy and algal fuels specific to the Ohio agricultural environment.

Benchmarks

• Nationally recognized Center for Photochemical Sciences

• Major wind energy project in collaboration with the University of Toledo


• Leader in the application of geospatial technology to the solution to environmental problems


• BGSU Center for Regional Development engaged in economic development with regional governments and agencies


• Largest STEM Education program in the State

Goals

Five-year period

• Become the leading Center for Ohio in organic photovoltaics and other photonic materials


• Gain statewide recognition for environmental impact of wind energy and algal-based fuels


• Disseminate STEM Education best practices in Ohio schools


• Impact transformation of manufacturing base to alternative energy industry

Metrics

• Commercialization of intellectual property

• Ohio STEM graduates retained in Ohio

• Number of MS and PhD graduates in STEM areas

• External funding (grants and contracts) in alternative energy, environmental quality, biodiversity conservation, and global change