Research

Reservoirs are underappreciated source of greenhouse gases

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University researchers say the world’s reservoirs are an underappreciated source of greenhouse gases, producing the equivalent of roughly 1 gigaton of carbon dioxide a year, or 1.3 percent of all greenhouse gases produced by humans.

Student works to boost renewable energy in Philippines

By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities RICHLAND, Wash. – In Elmar Villota’s home country of the Philippines, as much as 15 percent of households do not have electricity. Villota, a doctoral student in biological systems engineering at Washington State University Tri-Cities, is motivated to close that gap with renewable energy.

Researchers make breakthrough in biobased materials

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have developed a way to practically separate lignin from wood, a breakthrough that could provide new sources of lignin for advanced renewable fuel and advanced materials applications.

Research examines effect of pot legalization on policing

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers are undertaking a $1 million, three-year study of how the state’s legalization of marijuana has affected law enforcement and crime. The study will look at state, county and tribal police jurisdictions, as well as policing in neighboring states.

WSU studies pollution potential of industrial nanomaterials

By Michelle Fredrickson, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Nanoscale materials are helping provide new and better products for society, but researchers know little about what happens when these materials break down in the environment.