Me at a traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.

Name: Ben Lemkau
Major: Civil Engineering
University: Gonzaga University

Project:
Developing a prototype anaerobic digestor and power generation system driven by methane emissions

Research Location:
Southern University

Faculty Advisors:
Dr. Onu

Dr. Onu has proposed to develop small-scale model of an anaerobic digestor system, similar to the systems used at many wastewater treatment plants. This system would break down animal waste through a methane-emitting bacteria. This methane can be captured, purified, and put through a generator to produce electricity. How much gas can be obtained depends on the manure-type, pH levels, B.O.D. concentrations, and a maintained constant temperature. Successful projects like this can provide an entire community with an environmentally safe power supply, and become a dependable source of income for farmers.

Personal Information

My home town is Woodinville, Washington, near Seattle, commonly referred to as Wu-town. I am studying Civil Engineering at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and will graduate next spring. After graduation, I plan on taking a summer off before entering the Peace Corps. I will play any sport that involves a round object, such as basketball, soccer, golf, bowling, and tennis. I also love the outdoors, which inevitably means I snowboard, camp, hike, wakeboard, rock climb and kayak whenever possible. I am also on the Ultimate Frisbee team at Gonzaga, affectionately known as GURU (Gonzaga University Rex Ultimas, or King of Ultimate) and compete all along the west coast in frisbee tournaments. I also like checkers.
I am also involved in a group on campus known as Engineers Without Borders, a nationwide program that passes out engineering projects in needy countries to student and professional chapters. My senior project next year will be to design a water filter system for a school in Azove, Benin in Africa. I analyzed their drinking water last semester, and found that it contains typhoid and cholera, as well as gasoline and other pollutants. This filter, using a ceramic filter and activated carbon from coconut shells, will remove these toxins. This will increase life expectancy in the area (currently at 50 years) and alleviate some of the need for a new local hospital. I plan to continue this type of work for as long as possible because frankly, there is no better cause than this that I would want to work towards. Two thumbs up for sustainability!