Research Projects

The following are research projects offered for the 2016 CenUSA Bioenergy Undergraduate Research Internship Program

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PROJECTS

A. Laboratory studies of solvent liquefaction

Solvent liquefaction is a process that thermally deconstructs biomass in the presence of a solvent.  We seek an undergraduate intern with interests in biorenewables, thermal processes, and organic chemistry. The student intern will work with a graduate student to investigate the generation of soluble carbohydrate from biomass using bench-scale reactors and state-of-the-art analytical equipment. This internship is located on the campus of Iowa State University. Mentor: Dr. Robert Brown – Iowa State University

B. Pilot plant investigations of autothermal pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is the thermal depolymerization of biomass, usually in the absence of oxygen, to produce primarily a liquid product known as bio-oil.  One of the challenges of building commercial-scale pyrolyzers is getting sufficient heat into the reactor to support endothermic pyrolysis reactions.  We have recently discovered that addition of a small amount of air to a pyrolyzer burns part of the biomass providing sufficient heat for reaction without compromising bio-oil yields. The student intern will work with a team of graduate students and scientific staff at Iowa State University’s BioCentury Research Farm, located six miles from campus, to perform experiments on a pilot plant autothermal pyrolyzer to determine the optimum conditions for maximum bio-oil yield and to characterize bio-oil quality. Mentors: Dr. Robert Brown and Ryan Smith – Iowa State University

C. Analysis and development of biomass densification systems

The primary challenge related to the development of viable feedstock supply chains is the collection and transportation of low density biomass material.  The present systems utilize conventional forage harvest systems based on large round and square balers.  The student will analyze, develop recommendations and designs for alternative densification systems for biomass harvest and transportation. This internship position is located on the campus of Iowa State University. Mentor: Dr. Stuart Birrell - Iowa State University

D. The effects of biochar on soil physico-chemical properties

The aim of this project is to evaluate changes in pH, electrical conductivity, cation and anion exchange properties and nutrient holding capacity of soils after a one-time biochar (different rates) application. The intern, who will be working on the Iowa State University Campus, will also learn about the liming potential of the biochar and the effects of surface acid functional groups of biochar on soil chemical properties. Mentors: Dr. David Laird and Santanu Bakshi – Iowa State University

E. Sorption of hydrophilic organic compounds on fresh and aged biochar surfaces

The process of aging modifies the surface charge of biochars, which influences sorption/desorption processes and the fate of organic compounds in soil environments. Determination of isoelectric point (or point of zero net charge; PZNC) is one way of evaluating biochar surface charge. The goal of the project is to determine isoelectric point of a number of fresh and aged biochars and to related biochar surface charge to the capacity of biochars to sorb/desorb selected polar organic molecules. Mentors: Dr. David Laird, Chumki Banik, and Santanu Bakshi – Iowa State University

F. Seed treatments to improve switchgrass establishment

This project will investigate the use of various seed treatments for improving establishment of switchgrass. Switchgrass roots initially form very near the soil surface. Consequently, germinating switchgrass plants can be exposed to moisture stress if timely rainfall does not occur in the first few weeks after imbibition and the soil surface dries out. Treatments applied in this experiment will include coatings that enhance moisture movement to the seed and moisture retention near the seed during germination. Mentors: Dr. Ken Moore and Dr. Andrew Lenssen – Iowa State University

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, LINCOLN PROJECTS

G. Developing productive and sustainable biomass systems 

Successful biomass production systems must be productive, profitable for the farmer, and protective of the environment. This internship is based in the field and will address critical aspects of ecosystem sustainability. This research will include work with several biomass feedstocks, including switchgrass, big bluestem, indiangrass, and corn stover.  Research experiences include conducting state-of-the-art plant and soil evaluations, such as greenhouse gas sampling and soil carbon analysis. This internship position is located on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mentors: Dr. Virginia Jin, Dr. Marty Schmer, and Dr. Rob Mitchell - USDA-ARS and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

PURDUE UNIVERSITY PROJECTS

H. Scenario driven analysis of the effects of water quality due to the cultivation of switchgrass

Selection and placement of energy crops may have important hydrologic/water quality impacts. The overall goal of this project is to determine the potential effects on water quality if we implement switchgrass in agricultural areas and to determine possible areas where it would be the most beneficial to the environment to implement switchgrass. The intern will work with researchers on the campus of Purdue University. Mentor: Dr. Indrajeet Chaubey - Purdue University

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON PROJECTS

I. Switchgrass breeding, genetics, and genomics

Conduct research field and/or laboratory research to discover the origins of switchgrass and to identify key genes involved in the flowering pathway and in pathways that help to deconstruct biomass for either fermentation or pyrolysis.  Learn field-plot techniques, laboratory methods for DNA extraction and analysis, and computer software for aligning DNA sequences and conducting analyses of associations between DNA markers and plant traits. This intern will work with researchers on the campus of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Casler - University of Wisconsin, Madison

J. Preservation of high-density biomass bales

Biomass bale density has a critical impact on storage and transportation costs.  As part of the CenUSA project, several mechanical techniques have been investigated to achieve bale densities that ensure weight limited transport.  This internship project will focus on conducting experiments to quantify how moisture content and bale density effect the conservation of biomass materials. Bale conservation will be quantified by temperature profile, mold growth, and dry matter loss.  Controlled replicated experiments using several different types of biomass will be conducted as part of this work. Mentor: Kevin Shinners – University of Wisconsin, Madison

K. Techno-Economic Modeling of Alternative Biomass Transport and Processing Systems

Several alternative biomass baling and processing strategies have been developed as part of the CenUSA project. This internship project would focus on economic modeling of these developed alternatives to predict how variables such as bale size; product density; harvest and processing energy; transport trailer configuration; and transport distance will affect the delivered cost of the feedstock.  The model is not expected to be inclusive of the entire logistics systems, but to focus narrowly on the alternative approaches to packaging, transport and processing. Mentor: Kevin Shinners – University of Wisconsin, Madison