Summer at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) was anything but lazy this year, as 92 students and 45 faculty members delved into 53 projects as part of TCNJ’s Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience, known as MUSE. This eight-week program allows students to engage in research or creative activities in collaboration with TCNJ faculty members across all academic disciplines.
One of the standout projects from this summer was led by Professor Manuel Figueroa, who worked with students Shayaan Makki and Sahir Tehseen on a project titled „Modeling the Effects of Vertical Green Walls on Thermal Regulation in TCNJ Dormitories.“ The project focused on the use of green facades, which are vertical walls covered with growing plants, to increase energy efficiency in buildings. Makki and Tehseen hypothesized that growing a trellis of vertical vines could help regulate temperatures in campus residence halls while adding greenery and serving as a conversation piece.
To collect data for their project, Makki and Tehseen built three four-foot-tall models of a dorm room, each equipped with sensors. They compared temperature differences between models with varying amounts of foliage on the green facade and those without. With the help of colleagues in the physics department, the team used a drone equipped with a thermal camera to create thermal profiles of the residence halls. They found that green facades can make a significant difference in the building’s interior temperature, with variations of 2-10 degrees Celsius depending on the season.
However, the project faced a potential pitfall when a deer was spotted snacking on one of the vines, highlighting the challenges of working with nature in research projects. Despite this setback, the team continued to gather valuable data on the benefits of green facades for thermal regulation in buildings.
Another fascinating project from MUSE focused on first-generation college students pursuing majors in education. Led by faculty member Nadya Pancsofar, students Lisa Falvey and Christian Perez analyzed interviews with first-gen students to identify pathways for recruiting them into teaching fields. By applying the community cultural wealth theory, the team aimed to create a more representative and robust teacher workforce by understanding how first-gen students enter the education field.
In a different vein, student Leah Sklar and faculty member Ardeshir Tabrizi worked on a project titled „Design of a Solar-Powered Frost Prevention Device.“ This project aimed to address the issue of frost damage to budding fruit trees in early spring. Sklar and Tabrizi developed a proof of concept using solar power to heat and circulate water through outdoor pipes, providing radiant heat to protect crops from frost damage. This eco-friendly solution not only reduces environmental impact but also provides more reliable frost protection for farmers.
Overall, the MUSE program at TCNJ showcased the diverse and impactful research projects undertaken by students and faculty over the summer. From exploring the benefits of green facades for thermal regulation to developing innovative solutions for frost protection using solar power, the projects demonstrated the creativity and dedication of the TCNJ community. For those interested in getting involved, more information can be found on the MUSE website. Summer may have been hot, but the research at TCNJ was even hotter.