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News From Other Universities
Overview of Big 10 & Other Midwestern Universities’ BioEnergy Research Efforts
- Illinois State University
- Iowa State University
- Indiana University
- University of Iowa
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University
- University of Minnesota
- Northwestern University
- Ohio State University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Purdue University
- University of Chicago
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Illinois State University
Illinois State University has developed a curriculum for a renewable energy major that currently is waiting for administrative and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approval. The program is expected to begin enrolling students for fall semester 2008. Students will be able to choose from two specialties: technology, which would prepare students for manufacturing jobs in ethanol plans or maintenance and operations jobs at wind farms, or economics and public policy, which is geared to the business side of operations and legislative iniatives.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University operates the Center for Crops Utilization Research, which was established in 1987 as a multidisciplinary research, development and technology transfer program focusing on new processes, products and markets for corn, soybeans and other Midwest crops. A recent $15 million state-of-the-art laboratory, processing and training facility includes a 35,000 square foot pilot plant processing and support center for wet and dry processing, fermentation and product recovery, hazardous solvent extraction, industrial product development, food preparation and consumer and sensory testing.
http://www.ccur.iastate.edu/about.htm
The Iowa State University Office of Biorenewables Programs (OBP) is an outgrowth of the Bioeconomy Initiative -- a campuswide effort, launched in 2002, to investigate the use of biorenewable resources as sustainable feedstocks for producing chemicals, fuels, materials, and energy. Today, the OBP has more than 140 faculty-affilated members who contribute to the Bioeconomy Initiative with more than $37 million in cumulative sponsored research funding from industry and federal agencies ranging from the Department of Agriculture to the National Science Foundation.
http://www.biorenew.iastate.edu/homepage.html
Indiana University
The homepage for Indiana University does not indicate much bioenergy research on its Bloomington, Ind., campus but its joint-school campus--Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis--has undertaken a number of bioenergy efforts. The IUPUI Advanced Energy Research Laboratory, part of the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology is working with the U.S. Army to develop fuel cells directly powered by ethanol.
http://biopact.com/2006_10_15_archive.html
(Also see the information under Purdue University.)
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa Biomass Fuel Project is a partnership with Quaker Oats. The UI Power Plant burns materials from cereal making with coal. Iowa State University also recently submitted a proposal with the University of California-San Diego to B.P. America, Inc., to pursue addition work related bioenergy.
http://www.facilities.uiowa.edu/BiomassFuelProject.pdf
http://www.facilities.uiowa.edu/uem/biomass/biomassindex.htm
University of Michigan
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute is a broad organization for energy research on the UM campus. Its researchers are looking at nuclear power systems, solar power, hydrogen technology, fuel cells, battery research, low-power electronics, transportation systems, and energy and pollution policy.
During a Feb. 13-14, 2007, energy symposium on the UM campus, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said the Department of Energy is funding three bioenergy research centers. He said he welcomes the competition from UM’s Energy Biosciences Institute.
http://www.mmpei.umich.edu/
http://www.energy.gov/energyefficiency/4794.htm
Michigan State University
MSU is now working with the University of Idaho and Washington State University on developing curriculum materials to deliver a new course on biorefinery for students.
It also is part of the Midwest Consortium for Biobased Products and Bioenergy.
http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~bhe/biorefinery
More information is available on MSU-Department of Bio Systems & Agricultural Engineering Department bioenergy work at:
http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/aenewsletter/1_jan_feb_06/bickert1_06.htm
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is involved with the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, promoting statewide development for sustained ecosystems. Work includes bioenergy and bioproducts.
http://www1.umn.edu/iree/index.html
Northwestern University
Northwestern currently has been partnered with the U of I, the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and Archer Daniels Midland in a proposal before the U.S. Department of Energy that would create and fund bioenergy research centers.
Ohio State University
The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center does research on foods, agriculture, family and the environment.
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State’s Biomass Energy Center is devoted to research, education and outreach and involves cross-discipline work of faculty in the Eberly College of Science, the College of Engineering and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The Center is housed in the College of Agricultural Sciences' Environment and Natural Resources Institute.
Its goal include: improved production of biomass feedstocks, integration of biomassproduction into sustainable agrosystems, conversion of biomass into energy, and technology transfer to companies, state agencies, and the general public.
Purdue University
http://discoverypark.purdue.edu/wps/portal/Energy
The Energy Center at Discovery Park is a multidisciplinary unit that is devoted to looking to contribute to energy solutions. The center’s Bioenergy Symposium will be May 21 and 22, 2007.
http://discoverypark.purdue.edu/wps/portal/Energy
Purdue also is part of Midwest Consortium, Indiana Innovation http://www.indianainnovation.com
An overview of bioenergy research being done at Purdue can be found at:
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/bioenergy/
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago currently is partnered with the U of I, the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and Archer Daniels Midland in a proposal before the U.S. Department of Energy that would create and fund bioenergy research centers.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is looking to have one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s bioenergy research centers being sought by a number of other universities, including the University of Illinois. The Madison campus will have a new Microbial Sciences Building this fall. Initiatives include the University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, the Food Research Institute, and the Biotechnology Training Program. The Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative is a public-private partnership that aims to showcase and build on the college's considerable efforts in bioenergy research, outreach and education, and to foster state and local efforts to attract and support companies working in the bioenergy sector. More details can be found at:
http://www.biotech.wisc.edu
http://www.news.wisc.edu/13374.html