The 2011 MSU Biofuels Conference will be held at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Colvard Union on October 5-7. Presentations will be on the latest achievements in biofuels in terms of research and and current and future opportunities in advancing biofuels. The first day (Wednesday, October 5th) will focus on the education and training of selected middle school science teachers and students in the generation of biofuels from microbial oils. MSU currently has state of the art fermentation facilities that will be used to teach and illustrate the bioprocessing steps involved in microbial oil generation. Furthermore, MSU will have a 1000 L pilot facility for the production of microbial oils. Middle school teachers and students will have the opportunity to connect observations at the laboratory scale with the functioning and operation of the pilot scale facility. Experience indicates that many students begin to get attracted to specific careers at the 7th-8th grade levels. It is the intention to contribute to this process by exposiong selected students to the science and engineering of biofuels, and to highlight the importance of this area to their daily lives. Another major feature will be the connection of several groups of scientists from around the world (Puerto Rico, Germany, and Mexico) via Skype and/or webcast. Their interaction with the audience at MSU will provide useful information on the specific regulatory framework and the science and engineering infrastructure in place in these countries. The conference will provide an excellent environment for students to defend/debate research findings in front of internationally recognized experts in biofuels. A student poster contest will give students the chance, to not only showcase their research projects, but also to network with potential employers for job opportunities in both industry and academia. The conference will highlight two new biofuel pilot facilities. One of the pilot facilities is for the generation of microbial oils using municipal and industrial wastewaters as the growth media, and the other is for production pyrolysis oil using biomass. Both of these renewable oils can be used to produce biofuels (renewable diesel, biodiesel, or BioJetFuel). Tours to demonstrate the operation of these facilities will be included as part of the conference.
The 2011 MSU Biofuels Conference (see attached brochure) was held at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Colvard Union on October 6-7. The Conference built on the successes of the 2009 and 2010 MSU Biofuels Conference. The conference was initiated on October 5 with a reception at the new MSU pilot facilities: one for the generation of microbial oils using municipal and industrial wastewaters as the growth media, and another for production pyrolysis oil using biomass. Both of these renewable oils can be used to produce biofuels (renewable diesel, biodiesel, or Bio-Jet Fuel). Tours to demonstrate the operation of these facilities were included as part of the conference. Other activities related with the conference included a visit to Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus, MS and Armstrong Middle School in Starkville, MS. Students (7th-8th grades) were provided a seminar on biofuel production processes, and the importance to develop alternative to fossil, non-renewable fuels. Students were shown the process of microbial oils and biodiesel production. Our experience as a chemical engineering department during the recruitment of prospective students indicates that many begin to get attracted to specific careers at the 7th-8th grade levels. It was our intention to contribute to this process by involving selected students on the science and engineering of biofuels, and highlight the importance of this area to their daily lives. Another seminar and tour of pilot facilities was given to the students of Winston Academy in Louisville, MS. They toured the biofuel production and analytical facilities, and were provided with information about engineering careers, and their relation to the biofuels industry. On October 6, The Honorable Raymond Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, provided the opening presentation. He highlighted the importance of domestic sources of fuels to national security and the commitment of the Navy to displace 50% of fuel consumption with biofuels by the year 2020. His presentation attracted over 225 people and generated several press articles and newsletters: MSU biofuels research contributes to national security (MSU University Relations) www.msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=5373 MSU biofuels conference a success (Energy Institute newsletter) www.ei.msstate.edu/newsletter/March2012/story2.html Mabus speaks at Mississippi State biofuels conference (Biodiesel Magazine) www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/8100/mabus-speaks-at-mississippi-state-biofuels-conference Biofuels Conference: Secretary of the Navy says military can lead the way in alternative energy (The Dispatch) www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=13418 U.S. secretary of Navy attends biofuels conference (The Reflector) www.reflector-online.com/news/u-s-secretary-of-navy-attends-biofuels-conference-1.2650057#.T9X9-dVfGSo Mabus: Biofuels make Navy 'better war fighters' (Navy Times) www.navytimes.com/news/2011/10/ap-mabus-biofuels-make-navy-better-war-fighters-100711/ Mabus: Biofuel research crucial to U.S. Navy (Mississippi Business Journal) http://msbusiness.com/2011/10/mabus-biofuel-research-crucial-to-u-s-navy/ Navy secretary speaks at biofuels conference (Ventura Country Star, The Associated Press) www.vcstar.com/news/2011/oct/07/navy-secretary-speaks-at-biofuels-conference/?print=1 The conference integrated most of the key components of biofuel production. In addition to a link between fundamental research and commercial applications, the agenda included presentations on biomass feedstocks (Phillip Jennings, REPREVE Renewables), chain supply economics (Dr. Sandra Eksioglu, MSU), and environmental and energy sustainability (Dr. Joseph Fiksel, The Ohio State University). It is important to highlight the fact that chemical and/or biochemical conversion processes can successfully transform biomass into fuels and chemicals. However, in many cases, the logistics and availability of biomass, carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients, or the efficient separation of products (e.g., biofuels and biochemicals) are the missing components for success. This fact was clearly established and highlighted during the conference’s invited presentations and Student Poster Competition. For the Thursday luncheon, Dr. Lonnie Ingram of the University of Florida, Gainesville provided the keynote lecture for the conference. Dr. Ingram’s presentation was part of the Robert F. Dye Lecture Series in the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State University and was sponsored by the William Flowers Hand Endowed Fund. He is an Academy of Science Member, internationally recognized in the area of microbiology and biomolecular applications associated with biofuels. He presented on the evolution of microbiology and the impact of genetics on the future of renewable energy. He also highlighted the importance of molecular biology on the generation of bioproducts like succinic acid. The student poster session, which has been one of the major highlights of past conferences, was held the evening of Thursday October 6. It provided an excellent venue for interaction, exchange of ideas, and networking among students, faculty, and potential employers alike. The 2009 Biofuels Conference marked the first time that prizes were awarded to the best posters as judged by a panel composed of several of the invited speakers. The conference attracted participants from Auburn University, MSU, and University of Hohenhein, Stuttgart. It is clear that the pool of student participants in the poster session has expanded to include students from other universities in the southeast region and abroad given the interest and willingness of leaders of biofuel/renewable energy centers to send students.
