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Alternative Energy ExplorationThe University: Experience and Qualifications Since its founding in 1855 as the first land grant university in the U.S., Michigan State University has adhered to its original mission: to “strive to discover practical uses for theoretical knowledge, and to speed the diffusion of information to residents of the state, the nation, and the world.” In operational terms, MSU has concentrated on building its strengths in educating and training succeeding generations of researchers both from the U.S. and the world at large. It has sought to establish collaborative links with people and institutions worldwide, broadening its research, academic and service outreach. MSU is recognized as a center of excellence in international development. The academic and professional community at Michigan State is highly diverse and responsive and augments the University’s international goals with a broad array of globally relevant skills and expertise. People from every county in Michigan, every state in the U.S. and 134 countries around the world contribute to the University’s success. Annually, more than 3500 international students and scholars enroll in MSU’s graduate and undergraduate and certificate programs. MSU plays host to hundreds of international visitors every year who come to view campus research facilities, participate in campus life as visiting scholars and specialists, or to meet with MSU colleagues. Hundreds of MSU faculty members are engaged in critical outreach programs in many countries throughout the world, teaching, conducting research or providing technical assistance. For more than 50 years, Michigan State University has been a leader among U.S. universities in international development programs. MSU has had a broad and deepening involvement in conducting technical assistance and research in developing countries, assisting the development of new institutions, and providing training for development tasks. MSU, through its Departments and Institutes and Centers, has also managed projects throughout the world, providing short- and long-term in-country technical assistance, degree and non-degree training programs, and extensive backstopping support from the main campus. The Office of the Dean of International Studies and Programs has overall responsibility for the university’s international initiatives. While historically a majority of MSU’s international development and technical assistance projects have been conducted by faculty in various departments of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, international expertise is increasingly incorporated into all aspects of university life marking MSU as a global university. The Office of Contract and Grant Administration (CGA) holds fiscal audit authority and responsibility for the MSU contractual portfolio with both domestic and international external donors. In fiscal 2006-2007 awards for sponsored projects reached $308 million. To ensure that MSU is aware of, and can comply with the various agency regulations, CGA is organized by funding agency. CGA has a separate group dedicated to administration of international projects. Life Cycle Models of Biobased Product Systems at MSU Over the next century, a much larger fraction of chemicals, materials and fuels will be produced from plant raw materials. These biobased industrial products offer the potential for a much more sustainable economy based on environmentally-superior products. In order to realize the full economic and environmental benefits of biobased products, engineers and scientists at MSU will carefully analyze and improve the life cycle performance of plants. MSU scientists are currently involved in life cycle studies involving “refining” of corn, soybeans and forage crops (alfalfa and switch grass) to fuel ethanol and other products. Leading edge research is focused upon identifying portions of the overall agricultural production, biorefining and product use systems that have the greatest impact on environmental and economic performance so that these areas can be targeted. Transformation of Industrial Brownfields MSU is leading the investigation of the transformation of “brownfields” – areas that aren’t desirable for commercial or residential uses, such as abandoned industrial sites – into growing sites for some varieties of oilseed stocks – including soybeans, sunflower, and canola and other crops such as corn and switch grass – for use in ethanol or biodiesel fuel production. At the same time, MSU engineers are exploring more efficient and effective biofuel production systems. There is currently no national standardized specification for what constitutes B20, a blend of 20 percent biofuel and 80 percent petroleum that is commonly used in diesel engines. MSU engineers and the US government are working to establish standards. Researchers are focusing on multiple benefits of using marginal lands for oil seed and ethanol production; sites that are not preferable for food crops. Bioremediation MSU researchers involved in the transformation of industrial brownfields have a secondary goal. They are working to examine whether the growing plants actually contribute to bioremediation, which means that they take up contaminants in the soils, without affecting their quality for use in biofuels. Utilization of Renewable Resources More fuels, chemicals and materials will be produced from renewable plant materials. MSU scientist’s current work is focused on pretreatments to increase the conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars. MSU experts also collaborate with others on the development of microorganisms and engineering strategies to ferment complex mixtures of these sugars. A new project is to genetically engineer plants to express cellulose (cellulose hydrolyzing) enzymes in plant tissue and then develop processing strategies and processes so that the enzymes retain their activity until released in the biorefinery. MSU faculty are also working to develop optimal mixtures of hydrolytic enzymes to convert complex carbohydrates in biomass to fermentable sugars. Recovery and Fractionation of Oils MSU scientists have been evaluating absorption and liquid-liquid extraction of separations based on hydroxyl content. Sustainable economy will incorporate chemicals made from natural feedstocks. Hydrogenolysis of Carbohydrate Feedstocks Carbohydrate feedstocks such as glucose or xylose can be hydrogenated to sugar alcohols and further cracked to value-added polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerol. MSU researchers are leaders in the science. Hydrogenation of Organic Acids Organic acids constitute an important class of feed materials for renewable resource-based chemicals production. Hydrogenation in aqueous solutions gives a variety of valuable products. MSU scientists are leaders in both fundamental science and applied aspects. Wind Energy Exploration MSU is leading the science in search for alternative energy sources in rural areas. As the knowledge base expands and technologies are updated, MSU is spearheading an innovative program of loaning wind-generation equipment to farmers who have previously identified plots of land with good wind resources. Both economically viable and environmentally friendly, wind generation schemes have significant global applications. Links: Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science MSU Extension Center for Plant Products and Technologies |
