Biorefining U

October 7, 2010

BY LUKE GEIVER

Student A (as in, anybody from anywhere) is interested in all things bio, everything from biobased chemicals to biorefining. Student A is not alone. A growing number of high school, undergraduate and graduate level individuals are pursuing an education in bioenergy and biomaterials just like Student A, and the evidence is in the classroom. Look at the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2), a cooperative research and education center devoted to biomass conversion into fuels and other products. “During the past three years of the C2B2-Research Experience for Undergraduates program, the number of undergraduate student applicants has more than quadrupled from 60 to more than 260,” said C2B2 center coordinator Frannie Ray-Earle. “Student interest in renewable biofuel and biorefining technologies is growing exponentially.”



Companies are looking to build a new energy economy by producing biofuel products with energy efficient technologies and sustainable practices, said Ray-Earle, and to do so, she pointed out, “They will need our students as their future employees in order to stay on the cutting edge.” For the C2B2 program, the “they” interested in the students is virtually a who’s who in energy and transportation. Along with funding from the state and other universities, the program is already sponsored by Chevron Corp., Conoco Phillips, General Motors and Shell Global Solutions. Gevo and ZeaChem, two leading biorefinery developers, have also sponsored the program. Throughout the nation no other bioenergy program can boast more sponsor names than the C2B2 program, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t other university programs providing a quality bioenergy education.



If Student A is looking for a graduate program there are multiple options. The University of Georgia has a biorefining and carbon cycling program as part of the its bioenergy initiative. The program is devoted to research, development and demonstration of biomass conversion technologies through the idea of the integrated biorefinery. At the Bioconversion Research and Education Center, one of the facilities utilized by UGA’s program, Student A could work with many of the components seen in a biorefinery and now, after receiving a $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, Student A could also apply to UGA’s newly created professional science master’s program in biomanufacturing. The scope of the program will allow participants to focus on one of three areas of biomanufacturing: biofuel/biochemical, industrial/environmental or pharmaceutical. As for work opportunities after the program, Timothy Davies, co-director of UGA’s program, said a PSM program participant “could potentially go straight to work at DuPont Danisco’s new biofuel facility,” or “at a veterinary pharmaceutical company like Merial.”

If UGA isn’t the right fit, Student A can also give Maryland a try. The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute’s Bioprocess Scale-Up Facility announced it will double its staff and create a pilot plant for biofuels. In doing so, the facility will be able to take on more projects and provide more training.



And if Student A needs to get away from home and take that trip abroad, there are still suitable programs available, especially at the doctoral level. The University of Nottingham, in London, recently created a research project that is in need of a candidate to assist in macroaglae research. Titled, “A Biorefining approach to macroalgae; sources of specialty chemicals and feedstock for bioethanol fermentation,” the project will provide a large-range of “bio” experience.



If education is the key and the growing number of biorefining programs for people like Student A is an indication, then the future looks bright for the biorefining industry.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement