Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting USDA Eastern Regional Research Center Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania August 2 and 3, 2010 8:07 am Sue Nokes, S1041 chairwoman, opens the meeting and greets members. 8:08 am Sevim Erhan, ERRC director, addresses the members. Dr. Erhan has been the director of ERRC for 2 years. Before that, she worked at the ARS lab in Peoria. 8:10 am Dr. William Brown, U. of Tennessee and S1041 advisor, introduces himself. He commented that S1041 is doing timely and important research. He stressed that publishing and writing grants together is important. Also, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is stressing multi-state and multi-disciplinary research. He commented on the excellent symposium to be held the next day. Dr. Brown informed the members about a new report by the National Research Council (NRC) called Biology for the 21st Century that may interest members. This report is available for the NRC website. 8:16 am Members introduce themselves. 8:23 am Carmela Bailey, NIFA National Program Leader for Bioenergy addresses the committee. NIFA has been in existence for one year and consists of four institutes. NIFA lacks an undersecretary (as of the meeting date) since the Presidents nomination has not been confirmed. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has stressed bioenergy as a means for revitalization of rural America. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, the old NRI) has changed. It now includes large Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) for regional feedstock development. Successful projects will use a systems approach. The funding for these projects is $9 million/year for 5 years, which is the largest award ever funded by NIFA or its predecessor CSREES. Ethanol research will not be funded, only advanced biofuels. The Obama Administration wants near- term impacts from these CAPs. Post award management will be very important with the CAPs. Dr. Bailey also commented that some NIFA stakeholders feel that basic agricultural research is being neglected by NIFA. The Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) is now administered by NIFA. This program also stresses a systems-based approach. Both BRDI and the CAPs will require site visits, which is something the committee has done in the past. Peter Arbuckle will lead the post award evaluation of NIFAs bioenergy projects. 8:42 am Peter Arbuckle addressed the committee. Mr. Arbuckle presented some Powerpoint slides on how projects will be assessed. 29 projects are closing in 2011 and need to be visited. Arbuckle asked if S1041 would like to assist NIFA in post-award evaluation of projects. Nokes asked if projects will be followed by NIFA after their termination. Arbuckle replied that they will not. Bailey emphasized that she and others are not trying to force S1041 into evaluating projects. Dr. Julie Carrier, U. of Arkansas, encouraged the committee to participate. Dr. Alvin Womac, U. of Tennessee, stated he had been an evaluator and had been evaluated and that this was an excellent opportunity. Arbuckle stated that previous feedback indicated that S1007s (the predecessor of S1041) reviews were valuable to both PIs and reviewers. Dr. Dorin Boldor, Louisiana State U., asked who pays for the reviews. Bailey stated that NIFA does. Dr. Bernard Tao, Purdue U., asked how many reviews need to be done. Arbuckle said 15 or so next year. Dr. Hashimoto, U. of Hawaii, asked if funding of a CAP can be cut in the middle of a project. Bailey stated yes since they are renewable every year. BRDI projects get their money upfront. 9:06 am Dr. Milford Hanna, U. of Nebraska, addressed the members about past reviews. Hanna will coordinate the reviews if the members want to participate. Pairs of reviewers will do the reviews. Tao moved that S1041 participate in the NIFA post-award reviews. Motion passed unanimously. 9:24 am Break 9:55 am Erhan gave an overview of the ERRC. Tours of the facility then began. 12:10 pm Lunch 12:50 pm Breakout sessions on different objectives begin. 2:39 pm Members reconvene. The logistics objective group discussed a specifications database for feedstocks that could be developed. Coordination between conversion researchers and companies and logistics and handling researchers is needed to ensure that biomass is prepared in a manner suitable for conversion. The bioconversion group debated about the economic viability of algae for biodiesel or other fuels. The biomaterials group about various projects that each members was doing and whether researching biofibers would be a good area for the group. The education objective group discussed compiling a list of bioenergy textbooks. 3:25 pm Members gave station reports. A summary of these is given in the S1041 report. 4:23 pm Business meeting. Boldor was elected secretary. Stillwater, Oklahoma was selected for the site of the 2011 meeting on August 1 and 2. Washington, DC will be the site of the 2012 meeting. Wenqiao Yuan, Kansas State U., Fei Yu, Mississippi State U., and Ajay Kumar, Oklahoma State U., will organize the 2011 symposium. Carrier agreed to coordinate the writing of the next committee proposal. 5:00 pm Meeting adjourned. A symposium was held on August 3 and the proceedings of that symposium can be found on the S1041 website. Research Report Investigators Adhikari, Sushil Auburn University Baldwin, Brian Plant and Soil Science Department, Mississippi Carrier, Julie Danielle University of Arkansas Chen, Paul Cherney, D.J.R. Cornell University Cherney, J.H. Cornell University Clausen, Ed University of Arkansas Fasina, Oladiran Auburn University Hashimoto, Andrew UHM Huhnke, Raymond L. Oklahoma University Jung, Hail Cornell Ketterings, Q.M. Cornell University Khanal, Samir Kumar UHM Montross, Michael University of Kentucky Nokes, Sue University of Kentucky Rausch, Kent ABE, University of Illinois Ruan, Roger University of Minnesota Singh, Vijay ABE, University of Illinois Tumbleson, Mike ABE, University of Illinois Vatamaniuk, Olena Cornell Wilkins, Mark R Oklahoma University Womac, Al University of Tennessee Ye, Drs. Phillip University of Tennessee Yu, Fei Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Mississippi Co-Investigators Belyea, Ron Animal Sciences, MU Clevenger, Tom Civil Engineering, MU Crofcheck, Czar Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky Dien, Bruce NCAUR, ARS Johnston, David ERRC, ARS Atiyeh, Hasan Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University Bellmer, Danielle Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Food and Agricultural Products Center, Oklahoma State University Patil, Krushna Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University Lewis, Randy Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University Tanner, Ralph Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma

Objective A. Reduce costs of harvesting, handling, and transporting biomass to increase competitiveness of biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials and biochemicals. Task 1: Quantify and characterize biological feedstocks Montana State University is evaluating camelina and other oilseed crops as potential feedstock for biodiesel and aviation fuels. The major work includes: 1) camelina cultivar development and evaluation for higher yield and better oil content/profile; and 2) cropping system development for camelina feedstock production. The DOE/Sun Grant Regional Biomass Feedstock Partnership project. The major work includes 1) assessing the yield potential of existing CRP fields at different climate and geographic regions; 2) developing management strategies to increase yield, sustainable production, and less impact to environment and wildlife habitat. Current harvesting method is baling. The CRP biomass is harvested at two growing stages, i.e. at peak biomass production and at frost kill. The project involves University of Illinois, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Georgia, and Montana State University. Michigan State University Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Kentucky are working on algae and thermal tolerant microorganisms for biofuel production. The University of Minnesota are developing technologies to mass produce microalgae as biomass feedstock. Among the many aspect of this algae-to-fuels approach, cost effective harvest techniques are being studied, including the use of bioflocculants to improve recovery efficiency and reduce energy consumption. An experiment was initiated in 2009 at the Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm to investigate the impacts of soil type and fertility treatments on productivity and composition of switchgrass, tall fescue and reed canarygrass. Cool-season grasses were harvested twice/season, while switchgrass was harvested once in October. Composition was greatly affected by species and treatment, with fewer differences due to soil type. Manure treatment generally resulted in highest ash, K and Cl, with compost ranking second among treatments for ash, K and Cl. Chlorine, a problematic element for combustion, ranged from 13.6 g/kg in first growth of cool season grasses with manure, to 0.1 g/kg in switchgrass with or without N fertilizer applied. Harvest management of switchgrass was evaluated in two fields on a high elevation marginal soil site. Harvest management included an October mowing and baling treatment, an October mowing with a flat swath overwintered in the field, and an October mowing with a windrowed swath overwintered in the field. A spring mowing/baling treatment also was included. Spring mowed-Spring baled was 38% lower yielding, Fall windrowed-Spring baled was 32% lower yielding, and Fall flat swath-Spring baled was 56% lower yielding, compared to the Fall mowed-Fall baled yield mean. Prediction of biomass composition was improved using reproducing kernel methods with wavelet compressed FT-NIR spectra. FT-NIR spectroscopy generates spectral data with high dimensionality and collinearitythe conventionally used Partial Least Square (PLS) regression shows disadvantages in building accurate, robust, and broad-based models. Kernel Partial Least Squares (KPLS) regression and Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) with wavelet-compressed spectral data promise improved prediction performance. Biomass feedstock research was continuing in Mississippi. Several feedstocks, such as switchgrass, giant miscanthus, energy cane and sweet sorghum were grown in the Mississippi State University south farm for three years. Giant miscanthus yielded more than switchgrass at the third year, however, the yields of giant miscanthus and switchgrass were at the same level. Yield of switchgrass was 8-10 tons/acre. Yield of energy cane was maximum of 22 tons/acre (dry weight), while yield of sweet sorghum ranged from 8-18 tons/acre. Oklahoma State University is studying the effect of harvest time on conversion of switchgrass to ethanol via a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF. The initial hydrolysis rate of cellulose was greater for switchgrass harvested in July and August than for switchgrass harvested in September, October, and November. Theoretical yields of ethanol produced from SSF were greater for July, August, and November than for September and October. Switchgrass harvested in September and October had more lignin than did switchgrass harvested in July and August. November switchgrass also had similar amounts of lignin to September and October. DDGS samples from dry grind processing plants in the upper Midwest were analyzed for nutrient concentrations and sources of variationwere evaluated at the University of Illinios. Differences in maize characteristics and in processing conditions probably were responsible for batch to batch effects. Fat content of DDGS samples was relatively uniform, but there was considerable variation in protein concentration (260-380g/kg db). Low lysine (8.9g/kg db) and elevated pepsin insoluble (bound) protein concentrations were additional concerns. Published values for ruminally undegradable protein content were as accurate as estimates using specific plant data. Task 2: Develop and evaluate harvest, process and handling methods The University of Tennessee, DOE Oak Ridge National Lab, DOE Idaho National Laboratory and equipment manufacturers are collaborating to comprehensively investigate switchgrass supply from harvest through pre-processing. Experiments address issues with harvesting high yield grass crops, densification, and quality metrics of supply. Emphasis addresses use of bales and bulk supply. The University of Kentucky is working with CNH on a similar project. The University of Tennessee teamed with Deere & Co. to identify forage equipment performance in high-yielding switchgrass, effect of switchgrass supply quality on cellulosic ethanol potential, and a cost model for switchgrass feedstock: Drying potential was greatly aided with the use of a mower conditioner, either in June harvest or November harvest periods. Late-season, single-cut harvests with a disk mower was hindered by curtain frame interference with crop flowability through the mower. A representative lab-scale, "biorefinery process" for cellulosic ethanol potential was developed to identify the impact of switchgrass supply chain feedstock "specifications." Factors examined included field-scale samples of multiple cut, single cut, cut timing, storage method, exposure to elements, and harvest as bales, low moisture chopped, and ensiled chopped. Samples were pretreated using liquid ammonia fiber explosion process (LAFEX) at 100°C in which the ammonia was maintained in liquid form throughout, including filling, until explosive release. LAFEX samples were enzymatic hydrolyzed for 72 h using Accellerase 1000 enzyme. Then from the fermentable sugars identified through liquid chromatography, cellulosic ethanol production was predicted. The most dramatic reduction in cellulosic ethanol potential (from ~60 to 18 gal/ dry matter ton) was from portions of stored switchgrass that got wet and stayed wet for extended periods, usually due to continuous contact with soil. Planning for a funded high-tonnage logistics project was initiated to leverage the advantages of low-moisture bulk supply - that will be used to supply a cellulosic ethanol demonstration in Vonore, TN. The project involves bulk compaction and bulk conveyance to maximize handling efficiencies. The University of Hawaii-Manoa (UHM) research team has developed a new concept of "green" or wet processing of tropical grasses that can be harvested during any growth stage and processed wet or green. Green processing can be carried-out onsite, thus eliminating the costs associated with long-distance handling of biomass. The University of Minnesota has been developing distributed conversion systems which are intended to be installed and operated on or near biomass feedstock production sites so that costs for handling and transportation will be significantly reduced. Task 3: Model and analyze integrated feedstock supply and process systems UT has developed a switchgrass supply cost model built around equipment ownership concept for various switchgrass yields and harvested switchgrass area. Spreadsheet model input incorporates field equipment observations and measurements from switchgrass harvest experiments conducted as described above. Numbers of equipment harvest units were based on windows of opportunity for harvest. Switchgrass supply costs to the biorefinery gate as round bales ranged from $72/ dry matter ton (1000 acre, 15 ton/ac yield) to $190/ dry matter ton (100 acre, 5 ton/ac yield). Several investigators at Auburn University continue to work on developing technologies and process to effectively and efficiently handle, store and transport biomass. Some of the studies carried out include densification studies on various biomass feedstocks, optimizing the fast pyrolysis of switchgrass and woody biomass, fractionation of woody biomass into lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses streams, and conversion of the fractionated streams into compact forms. The investigators are also involved in the Department of Energys high tonnage loblolly pine project at Auburn University that involves developing efficient and economical logistical system for delivering forest biomass to biorefinery. Objective B. Improve biofuel production processes Cornell is studying Brachypodium distachyon as a model grass species of a particular value in the cell wall biogenesis research for biofuel production. However, functional genomics tools have not been fully developed in Brachypodium, and its cell-wall biogenesis pathway is not understood. Since protoplasts regenerate their cell walls, gene expression silencing via double-strand (ds) RNA interference (RNAi) in protoplasts emerges as a rapid approach for discovery of genes involved in cell wall biogenesis. The aim of the project is to develop double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) interference (RNAi) in Brachypodium protoplasts as a rapid reverse genetic tool for screens for factors involved in cell wall biogenesis. We developed the first procedure for transfection of Brachypodium protoplasts and determined that the transfection efficiency is greater than 50%. 3. We established that RNAi is suitable for gene inactivation in Brachypodium protoplasts. We have transfected Brachypodium protoplasts with dsRNA against Bradi2g51210.1 and determined that expression of this gene in RNAi protoplasts was reduced by 40% in comparison with mock-transfected (control) protoplasts. Work continued in the area of producer gas fermentation. Reducing agents DTT and methyl viologen were found to be beneficial for promoting ethanol production by Clostridium ragsdalei (ATCC: PTA-7826). Also, it was found that heat shocking Clostridium ragsdalei at 92°C for 3 minutes promotes ethanol production and sporulation. This is similar to other alcohol-producing Clostridium bacteria. (OK) Populus sp., are hardwood feedstocks that grow in forest management areas that are logged for softwoods; however, they are also being considered as an energy-destined feedstock. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of xylose yield from dilute acid and hot water pretreatments performed in unstirred batch stainless steel reactors at temperatures ranging from 140 ºC to 200 ºC. Populus deltoides clones S13C20 and S7C15, used in this study originated from Eastern Texas, and were cultivated for 14 years in Pine Tree, AR. P. deltoides clones S13C20 and S7C15 had specific gravities of 0.48 and 0.40, respectively. Bark and wood were examined separately. As expected, hot water pretreatments, in the tested temperature range, resulted in very little direct xylose recovery. However, the 140ºC dilute acid pretreatment of the lower specific gravity clone, S7C15, wood yielded the highest average xylose recovery of 56%. This condition also yielded the highest concentration of furfural, 9 mg/g sample, which can be inhibitory to the fermentation step. The highest xylose recovery from bark samples, 31%, was obtained with clone S7C15, using the 160ºC dilute acid pretreatment for 60 min(UA). Characterization of bio-oils produced from fast pyrolysis of southern forestry and agricultural feedstocks was performed. Several southern forestry and agricultural biomass types, such as pine wood, cotton wood, switchgrass and giant miscanthus, etc. were tested as pyrolysis feed stocks. Feedstocks, bio-oils and chars were chemically and physically analyzed before and after fast pyrolysis. Viscosity was determined by ASTM 445 kinematic method; acid number, water content, solids content were also determined. Chemical qualities were characterized by GC/MS, GPC, FTIR and HPLC. The laboratory-scale steam explosion equipment was used to pretreat one feedstock and the bio-oil produced. Milling equipment for feedstock size reduction was developed for milling of feedstocks to various particulate sizes. Yields of bio-oil ranged from35.2 percent to 60.1 percent for the various feed stocks. Pyrolysis process and characterization were reported in publications resulting from this research (MS). Stabilization of raw bio-oil from fast pyrolysis was performed at Mississippi State by esterification process to improve the combustion quality of the bio-oil by reducing water content. Following final refinement of the stabilized bio-oil production system detailed physical and chemical tests were performed: chemical analysis by GC/MS and HPLC, viscosity over time by ASTM 445, flash, cloud and pour point, water, total acid number and pH, and HHV were also measured. A patent disclosure was drafted and submitted to protect the intellectual property developed to produce stabilized bio-oil as heating fuel. Construction of a heated upflow catalytic vapor phase reactor, attached to the outlet of the auger-fed bio-oil reactor was completed and catalytic reactions were performed. The ~ 450 °C pyrolysis vapor and enters the catalytic heated upflow reactor, where the temperature can be raised to predetermined temperatures (450 to 650 °C). After flowing through a proprietary ceramic filter to remove the very fine char, the vapor passes upwards through a packed catalyst bed and then to a condenser train. The condensed products were analyzed by GC/MS and the acid values and percent water were determined (MS). Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) catalysts were developed last year and tested in a batch reactor at various temperatures, residence time and pressure regimes. A packed-bed reactor was installed to test the new hydrotreating catalyst system. The system will be refined to further reduce oxygen and water content. Hydrogen consumption for the process will be precisely measured (MS). Several feedstocks, such as pine wood, switchgrass and giant miscanthus were gasified in a downdraft gasifier. Gasification process and characterization were reported in publications resulting from this research. A Mo/H-ZSM-5 catalyst was being used in a one step catalytic reaction for the conversion of syngas to liquid hydrocarbons. Next generation catalyst is under development to increase the conversion rate and product selevtivity (MS). We have been investigating two innovative conversion processes, namely microwave assisted pyrolysis (MAP) and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). We have developed continuous pilot scale MAP systems and continuous lab scale HTL systems. Effects of catalysts on product yields and quality were investigated. Some catalysts were found to selectively convert biomass to desirable products (UMN). We studied a number of bio-oil upgrading and reforming processes for converting vegetable oils and bio-oils to gasoline like fuels and for deoxygenation and denitrogenation (UMN) Work by Illinois under Objective B strives to improve the corn-ethanol production process by improving process efficiency, developing methods of analysis for process improvement, understanding enzyme and starch degradation kinetics, and development of improved coproduct value (UIUC). Heat transfer fouling characteristics of microfiltered thin stillage from the dry grind process (Arora et al 2010a). We investigated effects of microfiltration (MF) on heat transfer fouling tendencies of thin stillage. A stainless steel MF membrane (0.1 micron pore size) was used to remove solids from thin stillage. Thin stillage was concentrated from 7.0 to 22.4% solids with average permeate flux rates of 180 ± 30 L/m2/h (LMH) at 75°C. Theeffectiveness of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) for nutrient recovery from a thin stillage stream was determined. When a stainless steel MF membrane (0.1 micron pore size) was used, the content of solids increased from 7.0 to 22.8% with a mean permeate flux rate of 45 LMH, fat increased and ash content decreased. Nutritional composition, nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy, and amino acid digestibilities of new corn distillers dried grains with solubles produced by new fractionation processes (Kim et al 2010). As ethanol production is increasing, new processes are being developed to maximize ethanol production from corn and to create new, more highly marketable corn distillers dried grains with or without solubles (DDGS or DDG, respectively). This study evaluated coproducts produced from two modified processes, the enzymatic dry grind (E-Mill) and the Elusieve processes. The E-Mill process subjects the corn kernel to enzymes that hydrolyze starch and help in removing germ, pericarp and endosperm fiber to create a modified higher protein, lower fiber DDG. The Elusieve process involves sieving the finished coproduct, DDGS, and then elutriating (air classifying) to remove fiber from the DDGS samples. A precision fed cecectomized rooster assay was conducted to determine TMEn and amino acid digestibilities of E-Mill DDG and several Elusieve DDGS samples produced using different screen sizes and elutriation air velocities. When compared with a conventionally processed DDGS, E-Mill DDG had increased protein (56.4 vs. 29.9%), increased TMEn (3.656 vs. 3.299 kcal/g DM), and higher amino acid digestibilities. When DDGS was subjected to various Elusieve processes, the resulting DDGS samples generally had an increased protein content and TMEn. As expected, the higher fiber fractions obtained from the Elusieve process had reduced protein, amino acid concentrations, amino acid digestibilities, and TMEn in comparison to the lower fiber fractions produced from the Elusieve process. The results of this study indicate that the Elusieve and E-Mill processes can be used to increase the nutritional value of DDGS for poultry(UIUC). Enzymatic corn wet milling: Engineering process and cost model (Ramirez et al 2009). Enzymatic corn wet milling is a process derived from conventional wet milling for the recovery and purification of starch and coproducts using proteases to eliminate the need for sulfites and decrease the steeping time. Process engineering and cost models for an enzymatic wet milling process have been developed for a processing plant with a capacity of 2.54 million kg corn per day (100,000 bu/day). (UIUC). Optimization of yeast and enzyme dose for dry-grind corn fermentation process for ethanol production (Rathore et al 2009a). This study was conducted to determine the effects of initial enzyme and yeast dose on starch-to-glucose and glucose-to-ethanol conversion, and to optimize yeast and enzyme doses for the production of sugar and ethanol during simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) (UIUC). Monitoring liquefaction unit operation in dry-grind ethanol process: factors affecting hydrolysis and methods for analysis (Rathore et al 2009b). Because yeast cannot consume starch directly, starch must be converted into sugars using enzymes. Liquefaction is the unit operation which typically involves cooking and hydrolysis by enzymes, which facilitates the conversion of starch into sugar. This study was conducted to determine effects of corn hybrids, enzyme types, initial enzyme dose, solids content, and operation time on the liquefaction operation. (UIUC). Effect of resistant starch on hydrolysis and fermentation of corn starch for ethanol (Sharma et al 2010). Starch samples with 0 or 30% amylose were subjected to four liquefaction enzyme treatments (at various temperature and pH conditions) followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Resistant starch (RS) measurements were conducted for the initial starch sample, after liquefaction and after SSF. Decreases in RS after high temperature liquefaction were 55 to 74%, whereas low temperature liquefaction decreases were 11 to 43%. For all treatments, RS decreased further after SSF (UIUC). Effect of endosperm hardness on an ethanol process using a granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme (Wang et al 2010). Granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes (GSHE) can hydrolyze starch at low temperature (32°C). In this study, effects of endosperm hardness, protease, urea and GSHE levels on GSH process were evaluated. Ground corn and soft and hard endosperm were processed using two GSHE levels (0.1 and 0.4 mL per 100 g ground material) and four treatments of protease and urea addition. For fermentation of soft endosperm, GSHE dose can be reduced. Due to nutrients (lipids, minerals, and soluble proteins) present in corn that enhance yeast growth, ground corn fermented faster at the beginning than hard and soft endosperm (UIUC). Utilize coproducts: Prosperous biodiesel industry provides an excessive amount of glycerol to the market. The sustainability of biodiesel industry requires production of value-added chemicals from its byproduct glycerol. Acrolein, which is currently manufactured via the oxidation of petroleum-based propylene, is one of those glycerol derivatives, holding an important status as intermediate for the production of many high-value chemicals, such as methionine and superabsorbents. The goals of our study were to develop an efficient process to produce acrolein from glycerol and to provide information for the potential scale-up (TN). The work provides insight into reaction pathways for bio-polyols, and therefore is informative for designing a cost-effective and efficient chemical catalysis system for the conversion of bio-renewables to bio-fuels and bio-chemicals (TN). The UHM research team has optimized the dilute-acid pretreatment of wet-processed banagrass. The team has also started working on optimizing dilute alkali pretreatments, and intends to evaluate its combined effect with ultrasonication in an attempt to reduce the chemicals, temperatures, and time required for biofuel production. Some of the projects that were carried out at Auburn under this objective include (a) development of techniques to improve properties of bio-oil; (b) hydrogen production from glycerol using metal catalysts; (c) optimizing the gasification of various biomass in a downdraft gasifier; and (d) TGA-FTIR and DSC analysis for various biomass feedstocks. Objective C. Identify, develop, and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials (non-fuel uses) The yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus IMB4 has been found to be an effective producer of xylitol from xylose at 40°C. Yields were greater than 0.8 g xylitol/g xylose. A thermotolerant yeast would be beneficial for an SSF process that would hydrolyze xylans. (OK) The UHM research team has been working on converting biofuel residues into protein-rich fungal biomass as an aquaculture feed for Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. We developed methods to convert bio-polyol rich bio-oils to polyester and polyurethane based bio-polymers (UMN). We have examined the feasibility of bio-char produced from MAP process as catalyst for MAP process and soil amendment agent (UMN). Objective D. Identify and develop needed educational resources, develop distance based delivery methods, and develop a trained work force for the biobased economy. The consortium of Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, and South Dakota State University finalized plans for a graduate certificate in Biobased products. The first course that will be part of the program will be offered next fall. Course approvals are ongoing for this program. (OK) Samir Khanal has developed and taught a new course: Biomass Conversion to Biofuel and Bioenergy, and edited a book entitled" Bioenergy and Biofuel from Biowastes and Biomass" (American Society of Civil Engineers, 2010). Both investigators continue to teach biomass and bioenergy related courses to undergraduate and graduate students at Auburn University, thereby contributing to the training of the workforce of the future for the biobased economy. (Auburn). In January 2010, a short course on corn wet milling was held that focused on the fundamentals of the wet milling process. The course was taught by eight experts: four faculty, two USDA-ARS scientists and two speakers from industry. Seventeen attendees from wet milling and allied industries participated in the course. In May 2010, a short course focusing on ethanol production was taught for 12 participants from the ethanol and allied industries. This short course was taught by 12 experts: six faculty, two USDA-ARS scientists and four speakers from industry. For 2011, the Seventh International Starch Technology Conference will be held June 5-8 which will attract speakers from government research agencies and industry (UIUC). Application, # 2009-00926, Biobased Products and Bioenergy Multi-University Graduate Program was funded by the USDA. This consortium, headed by Kansas State, includes Oklahoma State, South Dakota State and the University of Arkansas. This grant is for the design and implementation of a 15 hour web-based graduate certificate. Dr. Carrier is responsible for the creation and implementation of the course that will showcase how to convert biomass into various forms of energy. An off-line version of the course will be offered in the spring of 2011 (UA). We incorporated some the knowledge generated from our research into classroom teaching materials (UMN). We are participating in Bioenergy Education Materials Exchange System (BEEMS) program founded by USDA. SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES § Womac, A.R. (P.I.), K. Tiller, S. Jackson, P. Flowers, M. Kessler, G. Braswell, K. Althoff, T. Kraus, J.R. Hess, P. Pryfogle, E.G. Wilkerson, and S. Sokhansanj. 2009. Development of a Bulk-Format System to Harvest, Handle, Store, and Deliver High-Tonnage Low-Moisture Switchgrass Feedstock. U.S. Dept. of Energy Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0000060, Performance Period: January 1, 2010  December 31, 2012. Submitted through Genera Energy LLC (a UTRF-corporation, Knoxville, TN), Federal Request $4,999,758, Applicant $5,000,000, Total $9,999,758, (UT TAES: $685,104) - $4.999,758 was funded. § Wilkins was hosted for a Big 12 Fellowship at Kansas State University by Donghai Wang. Research was focused on conversion of eastern red cedar to sugars (OK). § HI worked with Texas A & M and Oklahoma State Universities, ARS and several commercial entities to respond to the recent USDA-NIFA CAP solicitation. § Carter, E., Via, B., Adhikari, S., Tu, M. and Fasina, O. Conversion of small diameter pine into bio-oil for moisture resistance wood products. USDA-Forest Service (Auburn). § Eden, M, Roberts, C., Taylor, S., Adhikari, S. Integrated Biorefinery Optimization through Biomass Fractionation, Gasification and Advanced Catalytic Conversion Processes. Southeastern Sun Grant Regional Grants (12/09-11/11) (Auburn). § The investigators are involved in several NIFA CAP projects with investigators from other stations (Auburn) § This project has allowed our station to create the necessary linkages to write the education grant. § Without this collaboration, the right partners would have not have been identified. So, grant # 2009-00926 would not have been funded without this partnership. § Serving on panels, 1) 2009 NSF CBET Research Projects Energy, Arlington, VA 2) 2009 USDA DOE Biomass Research Initiative (Full Proposals), Washington, DC (Panel Manager) , 3) 2009 DOE Biorefinery Merit Review Golden, CO, 4) 2010 USDA-SBIR Biofuels (Phase I and Phase II), Washington, DC, and, 5) 2010 NSF CBET Research Projects Energy, Arlington, VA would not have been possible without the networking provided by this multi-state project (UA). § Collaborate on sunn hemp for energy and fiber crop development with the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Florida (MS). § Collaborate on derivation of co-product polymers from high-sugars pyrolysis oils during production of hydrocarbons with Washington State University, South Dakota State University and Michigan State University. (MS). § Co-author a book chapter on lignocellulosic biomass processing with the University of Texas Austin. (MS). § Consortium with Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma and Brigham Young University on the Biomass Based Energy Research project. (MS). § Jointed proposals developed with SDSU, KSU, OSU, IowaSU, etc (UM). § Served on NSF Physiological and Structural Systems Cluster Grant review Panel, Division of Integrative Organismal Systems(Cornell 2009) § USDA-AFRI Plant Biology Environmental Stress Grant Review Panel (Cornell 2010)

Abbott J, Medina Bolivar F, Martin E, Engelberth A, Villagarcia H, Clausen E and Carrier DJ. Purification of resveratrol, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3 from hairy root cultures of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and determination of their antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity. Biotechnology Progress (in press) Agus Haryanto, Sandun Fernando, Lester Pordesimo S. D. Filip To, Philip H. Steele and Sushil Adhikari, 2009. Hydrogen production through water gas shift reaction: thermodynamic equilibrium vs. experimental results over supported Ni catalysts. Energy & Fuels, Vol. 23 (6), pp 30973102. Allen, T.D., M.E. Caldwell, P.A. Lawson, R.L. Huhnke and R.S. Tanner. 2010. Alkalibaculum bacchi gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel CO oxidizing, ethanol producing acetogen isolated from livestock-impacted soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.018507-0. (In press.) Arora, A., Dien, B. S., Belyea, R. L., Singh, V., Tumbleson, M. E. and Rausch, K. D. 2010a. 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International Journal o Agricultural and Biological Engineering 2(4):1-30. Cheng, L. and X.P. Ye*. 2009. A DRIFTS Study of Catalyzed Dehydration of Alcohols by Alumina-Supported Heteropoly Acid. Catalysis Letters, 130(1-2), 100-107. Cheng, Y., S. Deng, P. Chen, and R. Ruan. 2009. Polylactic acid (PLA) synthesis and modifications: a review. Front. Chem. China 4(3):259-264 Cherney, J.H., Q.M. Ketterings, M.H. Davis, and D.J.R. Cherney. 2010. Split Application of Nitrogen vs. Dairy Manure on Temperate Perennial Grasses. Online. Forage and Grazinglands doi:10.1094/FG-2010-0215-01-RS. Chevanan, N., A.R. Womac, V.S.P. Bitra, C. Igathinathane, P.I. Miu, Y.T. Yang, S. Sokhansanj. 2009. Bulk density and compaction behavior of knife mill chopped switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover. Bioresource Technology 101(1):207-214. Chevanan, N., A.R. Womac, V.S.P. Bitra, D.C. Yoder, S. Sokhansanj. 2009. Flowability parameters for chopped switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover. 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The performance (quality) of size reduction of woody biomass. Paper No. 097475. ASABE, St. Joseph, MI. Igathinathane, C., L. O. Pordesimo, A. R. Womac, S. Sokhansanj. 2009. Hygroscopic moisture sorption kinetics modeling of corn stover and its fractions. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 25(1):65-73. Kaur, P., Rausch, K.D., Tumbleson, M.E. and Singh, V. 2009. Enzymatic and process technologies to increase corn dry grind slurry solids. Cereal Foods World 54:A21. AACC International. St. Paul, MN. Kaur, P., Rausch, K.D., Tumbleson, M.E., and Singh, V. 2010. High solids fermentation using granular starch hydrolyzing enzymes in the corn dry grind process. Abstract. Corn Utilization and Technology Conf. National Corn Growers Association, St. Louis, MO. Khullar, E., Sall, E.D., Rausch, K.D., Tumbleson, M.E. and Singh, V. 2009. Ethanol production from hard and soft endosperm corn types. Cereal Foods World 54:A21. AACC International. St. Paul, MN. 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