Controlled Environment System Engineering
Environment control is a critical component of totally enclosed systems, including greenhouses, residences, and livestock and aquaculture facilities. Faculty research areas include:
- Geothermal heating and cooling system
- Intelligent environment control systems using fuzzy logic and neural networks
- Mathematical modeling of livestock growth and response to the environment
- Vapor pressure deficit control in greenhouse production and propagation
- Cooling system technologies
- Air infiltration in structures
Recent accomplishments in this area include: energy savings of $600 per broiler house per year with the use of computerized environmental controllers, and development of cooling systems for dairy cattle that can improve the net income of Kentucky daries by $3 million annually.