Mobile Field Laboratory for Geological Sciences

Project EM_BARC

Norwich University’s Center for Integrated Studies in the Built Environment (CISBE) is developing Project EM_BARC (Energy Mobile - Building Arts Research Center) as part of a broad platform for renewable energy and environmental science related research activities. Project EMBARC is a mobile research facility with the agenda of analyzing and demonstrating the effects of human interventions on natural environmental systems. Current research interests focus on solar electric power systems, solar thermal heating, passive heating, wind power, ground water evaluation and monitoring, and long-term evaluation of river quality. 

A Dual Mission

As a teaching tool, the EMBARC facility can travel between local venues such as grade schools, environmental fairs, and community gatherings and act as a means to promote and discover new paths to conservation-based environmentalism. Using a standard 20’ intermodal steel shipping container as a structural chassis, the facility will house multiple research projects led by Norwich University faculty. Despite it’s small footprint, it can accommodate a steady stream of visitors that can engage and interact with displays that present real-time relationships between the built  environment and the natural environment.    

In addition to Project EMBARC, a new mobile design / build facility is available for building arts related projects. The mobile design build facility is outfitted with a complete woodworking shop, a welding machine, and many metal working tools. The shop can be attached to the EMBARC facility via an umbilical to be powered by solar energy. The mobile design / build facility is a key piece of infrastructure supporting the School of Architecture and Art’s mission of community supported design / build projects and allows students to engage in large-scale design & construction.