Latest news with #SigmaChi
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Microplastics are everywhere — new device pulls them from laundry
Not to be knit-picky, but laundry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed tiny fibers during the wash cycle that can pass through standard wastewater treatment and end up in waterways. Now, three Case Western Reserve University engineering alumni have fabricated a special washing machine filtration system to capture microplastics. CLEANR technology is rolling out at three universities while selling online at $249 for home use. Advertisement 5 CLEANR is a new washing machine filtration system designed to capture microfibers that slough off clothing. Courtesy of CLEANR 'It just turned into this project where we realized [that] microplastics seemed like they're going to be a big issue,' CLEANR co-founder and CEO Max Pennington, 24, told The Post. 'We were passionate about [spending] our free time, really, whenever we could, to develop this technology.' Microplastics are a pressing problem because they are literally everywhere — from personal care products to car tires and even food and water. Advertisement These minute particles have been linked to a laundry list of concerns, including a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and certain cancers and potential damage to reproductive, digestive and respiratory health. Pennington and his fellow Sigma Chi fraternity brothers David Dillman and Chip Miller took their bright idea to Sears think[box], a 50,000-square-foot facility at Case Western in Ohio and one of the largest makerspaces in the US. The Princes of Tide started printing prototypes, which went through the wringer. 5 Max Pennington and two of his Case Western University classmates developed the concept. Courtesy of CLEANR Advertisement 'They actually flooded their mother's kitchen,' recalled Terry Moore, executive chairman of CLEANR. 'Then they were trying it out in the washing machine in their fraternity house, and it was working somewhat,' he continued, 'but then they found out it really didn't work when the baseball players threw all their wash in there, with all the dirt and gravel.' The grime-fighting trio turned to nature to iron out their issues. They thought about how manta rays use vortex dynamics to keep their gills from clogging while filtering food from water. Thus, VORTX was born. 5 VORTX (seen here) is said to capture over 90% of microplastics down to 50 microns (about the width of a strand of very fine hair). Courtesy of CLEANR Advertisement VORTX, which resembles a small tornado, sits inside CLEANR's external filter. The apparatus looks like a fancy coffee maker. It's installed on the washer's drain hose to filter the dirty water exiting the machine. VORTX is designed to capture over 90% of microplastics, down to the size of 50 microns (about the width of a strand of very fine hair), and push this waste into a pod that can be removed and tossed. The CLEANR team figures that one filter prevents the equivalent of 56 credit cards worth of plastic from entering waterways each year. The CLEANR app lets customers estimate their impact. There are other washing machine filters on the market — Pennington said the CLEANR technology 'not only captures the microplastics but provides a consumer experience that [allows users to] feel like they're making a difference.' 5 Here's a look at the junk collected by CLEANR. Courtesy of CLEANR Advertisement Moore said they have raised over $7 million from friends and family to get CLEANR to market. Seed money from a Case Western start-up competition helped purchase the team's first washing machine. Now, they have an army of washers and dryers in the think[box]. The sudsy buds are seeking partnerships with washing machine manufacturers to integrate their filters into the machines during production. Advertisement In the meantime, Case Western, the University of Akron and the University of South Alabama are retrofitting campus machines with CLEANR. 5 Case Western, the University of Akron and the University of South Alabama are retrofitting campus machines with CLEANR. Courtesy of CLEANR It's good timing — just this year, France began requiring new washing machines to have a filter to catch microfibers. Other governments have considered similar measures. Advertisement The California legislature passed a bill that would have mandated microfiber filtration systems in new residential and state-use washing machines, but California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it in 2023. He cited concerns about consumer costs. A New Jersey Senate bill introduced in September would require washing machines sold on or after Jan. 1, 2030, to have filtration systems that collect microfibers and microplastics. The legislation, which was referred to committee, noted that, 'in addition to harming marine wildlife and the ecosystems that our communities depend on, microplastics enter our bodies in the food we eat, the water we drink and in the air we breathe.' Advertisement You don't need to tell that to Pennington. 'If we don't act now, and if we don't catch it at the source now, it's going to be too late to make a difference,' he said.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two UCF fraternities close amid probe into 'dangerous and degrading' hazing
Two fraternities at the University of Central Florida shut their doors following investigations into 'dangerous and degrading' hazing allegations, the university announced this week. UCF's investigations of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon confirmed hazing took place but did not lead to criminal charges because of a lack of cooperating witnesses, the university said in a press release. The two fraternities' national organizations decided to shutter their UCF chapters after the March investigations by the UCF police department and administrators. The hazing allegations against Sigma Chi included witness claims that fraternity brothers ran into pledges with their cars. The chapter's closures are indefinite, university spokesperson Courtney Gilmartin said Thursday. Sigma Chi had about 80 members and Delta Upsilon had about 60 last year, according to a UCF report. It's unclear what will happen with the chapters' on-campus houses and the students who live in them. Despite UCF police filing no criminal charges, the students involved in the hazing incidents are still subject to the student conduct process, Adrienne Frame, UCF's vice president for student success and well-being, said in a statement. 'UCF remains committed to fostering a culture of safety, integrity, and respect for all our students, including those in Greek life,' Frame said. The university, however, did not provide any details on what punishment any of the fraternity members might face. Sigma Chi has been a repeat offender at UCF, having been suspended eight times between 2015 and 2020, including four suspensions in 2019 alone. One of those 2019 incidents involved allegations the fraternity had blindfolded a pledge and forced him to use cocaine. In March, the university announced the investigations into both fraternities and then released documents that detailed accusations that Sigma Chi brothers hit new members with a car. Additional documents about the Delta Upsilon investigation were not available as of Thursday. In February, a sorority member whose house sits next door to Sigma Chi's told police that she heard yelling, saw a car strike a young man and then heard someone shout 'help!' and 'my bones, my bones, they're broken,' the report said. She reported seeing several men all wearing white shirts or polos with khaki pants, which she told police was common fraternity pledge attire. Other residents of the sorority later told police 'one of the boys got hit by a car.' A detective assigned to the case wrote in the report, 'Sigma Chi brothers had allegedly forced new members to stand in front of cars while members of the organization hit them with cars.' Police interviewed three Sigma Chi brothers that evening who said they had no knowledge of anyone being hit by a car or getting hurt and that they were playing basketball just before police had arrived. One officer described a fraternity brother as being 'evasive' when questioned. A Kia matching the eyewitness description tried to leave the area driving with its headlights off, but police stopped the car. It's unclear what police found when they stopped the vehicle. Police officers also checked inside the fraternity house and with local hospitals, but they did not find a victim they thought was related to the incident at Sigma Chi, the report said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three Penn State fraternities form independent council
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Three Penn State fraternities have established the State College Independent Fraternity Council (SCIFC) marking a significant moment in the history of Greek life at Penn State. The SCIFC is working to create a sense of brotherhood with its members and to make a meaningful impact on the State College community. The council looks to foster an environment where members can develop leadership skills, build lasting relationships, and contribute to the betterment of their surroundings. This includes partnering with charities, organizing community service projects, and promoting brotherhood and philanthropic endeavors. 'Fraternities at Penn State were founded over 135 years ago as independent organizations and today we are charting a new independent course with the State College IFC', Founding President of the SCIFC and former president of the Sigma Chi chapter Sam Lanza said. 'The SCIFC is committed to creating a fraternity experience that is both personally enriching and socially responsible. We are incredibly proud that all three fraternities' international headquarters fully support this effort and share our vision for a more impactful and locally driven Greek system.' Three of the founding fraternity chapters made comments about the council: 'Pi Kappa Alpha is looking forward to working with the leadership of the State College Interfraternity Council as it aids in the development of leadership, recruitment, and health and safety programming for its members,' Executive Vice President and CEO of Pi Kappa Alpha Justin Buck said. 'Pi Kappa Alpha has long supported the interfraternal efforts of organizations that help to advance the Fraternal experience for men.' 'Sigma Chi places great value on the benefits of inter-fraternalism at the campus, community, and international level,' Executive Director of Sigma Chi International Mike Church said. 'With their primary focuses being health & safety, brotherhood, leadership, philanthropy, and excellence, Sigma Chi international fraternity is looking forward to the benefits that will be derived from our chapter participating in the new State College Interfraternity Council.' 'To provide additional structure and support, the Board of Advisors and Collegiate Leadership of our Pi Chapter have decided to join in partnership with several other independent organizations to form a new independent interfraternal council,' Northeast Regional and Alumni Director of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Peter Dawson said. 'We support them in this effort and look forward to seeing the additional support it provides for the students.' IFC will place an emphasis on safety saying they recognize the importance of member well-being. The SCIFC also partnered with Standing Stone Consulting, a leading provider of event security and risk management services. The council said all fraternities will work closely with Standing Stone to ensure the safety and security of all events to promote a 'culture of responsibility and well-being.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
13-03-2025
- Fox News
University of Central Florida suspends 2 fraternities for alleged hazing, including hitting pledges with cars
An investigation is underway at a Florida university after two fraternities were suspended for serious hazing allegations. The University of Central Florida has suspended fraternities Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon after multiple reports of "dangerous and degrading" hazing, a school official said in a statement shared with WKMG. According to an incident report obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, fraternity brothers at Sigma Chi allegedly hit pledges with a car as part of a hazing ritual. A sorority member whose house sits next door to Sigma Chi's told police she heard yelling, saw a car strike a young man and then heard someone shout "help!" and "my bones, my bones, they're broken," a report said. In the statement, UCF officials stated that both Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon are on interim organizational suspension and under active investigation by UCF Police for felony hazing, including "a risk of injury or death." A detective assigned to the case wrote in the report, "Sigma Chi brothers had allegedly forced new members to stand in front of cars while members of the organization hit them with cars." The outlet uncovered that Sigma Chi has been a repeat offender at UCF, having been suspended eight times between 2015 and 2020, including four suspensions in 2019 alone. One of those 2019 incidents involved allegations the fraternity had blindfolded a pledge and forced him to use cocaine. The national chapters have also temporarily suspended the UCF fraternities. The oldest incident occurred in November at a fraternity house off campus, according to records obtained by WKMG. The incident happened while UCF's main campus was closed and was not reported until Jan. 22. A second hazing incident allegedly occurred on campus at the Sigma Chi house. The log says the incident occurred between Feb. 3 and Feb. 24 and was reported March 7. A third incident, involving Sigma Chi, stems from allegations of a hit-and-run incident that occurred Feb. 24 on campus. The fourth hazing incident was reported March 4. Authorities have not released details about the specific incidents that led to the investigations or whether any individuals have been charged. It is also unclear how long the suspensions will last or what disciplinary actions the fraternities may face. This is the latest incident involving serious allegations within the school's Greek system, which has added to growing concerns about a hazing culture on campus. The suspensions follow last month's action against Phi Gamma Delta for alleged antisemitism, which reportedly involved "the use of hate symbols." "UCF unequivocally condemns hazing in all forms, and we are committed to holding individuals and organizations accountable for actions that threaten the safety and well-being of our students and others," Courtney Gilmartin, assistant vice president of strategic initiatives and communications, told WKMG. Gilmartin added that the fraternities' suspensions barred them from on- and off-campus activities, including recruitment and social events. Fox News Digital reached out to the university for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
UCF fraternities suspended after reports of ‘dangerous' and ‘degrading' hazing
Leaders with the University of Central Florida are investigating reports of hazing at some of the fraternities on campus. UCF said it has received multiple reports of alleged hazing incidents involving Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities. Officials said the reported hazing was 'dangerous and degrading' to those involved. 'UCF unequivocally condemns hazing in all forms, and we are committed to holding individuals and organizations accountable for actions that threaten the safety and well-being of our students and others,' a UCF spokesperson said. Officials said the UCF Police Department is investigating the incidents as 'felony hazing.' UCF said Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon have been temporarily suspended by their national chapters. 'Based on facts gathered by police as part of their investigations, the university will follow processes for individual and organizational conduct violations as outlined in the Golden Rule Student Handbook,' officials said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
