USSC Group Expands, Adds Jobs in Pennsylvania
The bus seating and fire suppression supplier will establish a new manufacturing facility, creating more than 240 new jobs.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Researchers at Michigan State University believe that a manmade version of isoprene, a gas, could provide an alternative to rubber when making tires.
Isoprene is given off by many trees, ferns and mosses, and some plants use it as a mechanism to tolerate heat stress.
Tom Sharkey, chairperson of the Michigan State University biochemistry and molecular biology department, and his research team have measured rates of isoprene emission from plants that are used by the EPA to predict lower-atmosphere ozone levels. The team has also created models to measure how much isoprene plants release on a global scale.
“I’ve found that isoprene research is irresistible,” Sharkey said. “Once it was clear how much isoprene trees and plants produce and how biologically produced isoprene could be a key ingredient in making tires, it was natural to wonder if we could produce isoprene on a commercial scale.”
The majority of automobile tires are made of natural rubber from latex-bearing trees. Since rubber is made up of isoprene, Sharkey has worked to create a manmade version, bio-isoprene, which officials said can serve as an eco-friendly alternative source for synthetic rubber production.
Other researchers have made isoprene from petroleum to make synthetic rubber. Sharkey’s team, however, is working to produce bio-isoprene using an enzyme he has cloned. With the enzyme, Sharkey has made bio-isoprene using bacteria. Ultimately, he hopes this process would take in carbon dioxide and discharge bio-isoprene using only sunlight as an energy source.
The bus seating and fire suppression supplier will establish a new manufacturing facility, creating more than 240 new jobs.
Phillips will work closely with Rev’s business units, which include Type A school bus builder Collins.
The school bus OEM will add energy-efficient heating systems and LED lighting in its offices and manufacturing facilities.
For the new round of DERA funds, the EPA expects to make between 20 and 80 awards for projects to replace or retrofit older diesel vehicles, including school buses.
The national school bus contractor has begun managing operations for Quality Bus Service. Founder Michael Martucci will stay on with the company.
Hundreds of DeKalb County School District drivers take part in a three-day demonstration designed to address concerns over pay and retirement benefits.
Nearly 50 NSTA members are participating in more than 200 individual meetings in congressional offices to address industry issues.
Take a look at the roundtable discussions, presentations, and other networking activities — including a friendly flying competition — at the 2018 edition of SBX.
The school bus OEM highlights the efficiency, reliability, and reduced emissions of today’s diesel engines.
In related news, former school bus driver Johnthony Walker is sentenced to four years in prison for the 2016 Chattanooga crash.
In an apparent road rage incident, police say that a motorist stopped in front of the bus and cracked a panel on the door when the bus driver wouldn’t open it.
President Trump picks Jennifer Homendy, currently a Democratic staff director for a House subcommittee, to join the board of the investigative agency.
The Minnesota driver’s employer gets complaints that he made some students feel forced to pray on the bus. The driver alleges being taken off the route violates his constitutional rights.
School bus driver shortage, alternative fuels, and student behavior are key topics of discussion at the 2018 edition of the event.
The routing software developer honors Schenectady (N.Y.) City School District, which was Transfinder’s first client when it went into business 30 years ago.
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