GTRI Health and Environmental Systems Laboratory
Encyclopedia
The Health and Environmental Systems Laboratory (HESL) was one of eight labs in the Georgia Tech Research Institute
. In mid-2006, it was disbanded, and the staff were transferred to other parts of GTRI. ELSYS, the largest lab within GTRI, received most of the personnel.
, and healthy environments.
. The Environmental Systems Division conducted research and development in the areas of air and water quality, hazardous materials, sustainable facilities, and environmental sensors. It was also involved in energy-related issues as they impact the environment.
The Food Processing Technology Division conducted significant research in improving the production and quality of food while minimizing the environmental impacts of the industry. This program was designed to enhance the productivity of Georgia’s agribusiness
and the competitiveness of Georgia’s food processing
, applying computer vision
, robotics
, plant ergonomics, biosensor
s, and wearable computer
technology. The Occupational Safety and Health Division offered programs of technical assistance on-site at private and public facilities, along with research and development of cost-effective solutions.
Georgia Tech Research Institute
The Georgia Tech Research Institute is the nonprofit applied research arm of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States...
. In mid-2006, it was disbanded, and the staff were transferred to other parts of GTRI. ELSYS, the largest lab within GTRI, received most of the personnel.
Overview
HESL was a leader in the development and application of innovative technologies, information, and engineering solutions focused on enhancing human health and its relationship with the environment. Researchers in HESL worked in biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics, in environmental assessment and remediation, and in the intersection between health and the built environment: green buildings, smart and sustainable urban neighborhoodsNeighborhood planning
In 1915, Robert E. Park and E. W. Burgess introduced the idea of "neighborhood" as an ecological concept with urban planning implications . Since then, many concepts and ideas of a neighborhood have emerged...
, and healthy environments.
Organization and Research Areas
The Health Systems Division conducted research and development in the areas of diagnostic sensors, biomarkers, vision enhancement, materials characterization and delivery, and advanced prostheticsProsthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
. The Environmental Systems Division conducted research and development in the areas of air and water quality, hazardous materials, sustainable facilities, and environmental sensors. It was also involved in energy-related issues as they impact the environment.
The Food Processing Technology Division conducted significant research in improving the production and quality of food while minimizing the environmental impacts of the industry. This program was designed to enhance the productivity of Georgia’s agribusiness
Agribusiness
In agriculture, agribusiness is a generic term for the various businesses involved in food production, including farming and contract farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing, and retail sales....
and the competitiveness of Georgia’s food processing
Food processing
Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry...
, applying computer vision
Computer vision
Computer vision is a field that includes methods for acquiring, processing, analysing, and understanding images and, in general, high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information, e.g., in the forms of decisions...
, robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
, plant ergonomics, biosensor
Biosensor
A biosensor is an analytical device for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological component with a physicochemical detector component.It consists of 3 parts:* the sensitive biological element A biosensor is an analytical device for the detection of an analyte that combines a biological...
s, and wearable computer
Wearable computer
Wearable computers are miniature electronic devices that are worn by the bearer under, with or on top of clothing. This class of wearable technology has been developed for general or special purpose information technologies and media development...
technology. The Occupational Safety and Health Division offered programs of technical assistance on-site at private and public facilities, along with research and development of cost-effective solutions.