Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The annual report was compiled from individual station reports submitted by station representatives. The report starts with a brief outline and description of each individual objective and associated tasks, followed by individual station reports in alphabetical order by state. The specific objectives and tasks are associated in individual station reports. The station reports include outcomes and impacts, outputs (publications, etc.), participants, and target audiences. For a detailed description of each individual objective and task, see the project statement available on the NIMSS database website. Due to the length of the termination report please contact me at donna_pearce@ncsu.edu for a copy of the complete termination report.

Objective A. Reduce costs of harvesting, handling, and transporting biomass to increase competitiveness of biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials, and biochemicals. Alabama continues to evaluate the impact of harvesting, handling and transportation techniques on the cost and properties of biomass from southern pine energy plantation as potential feedstock for biodiesel and aviation fuels. Some of the major accomplishment include (a) new energy-efficient, high productivity harvest, handling and transport machines that have been designed, field tested and are ready for the market, (b) reduction of nearly 50% of stump-to-mill harvest and transportation cost for biomass harvested from 10-15 year old southern pine plantations, and (c) test and implemented transpirational drying techniques that resulted in significant reduction in southern pine moisture content (hence cost) prior to delivery to the refinery. Other projects that are currently being conducted regarding this objective include particle size effect on biomass flowability, ignition properties of dust from southern pine and other biomass feedstocks, biomass fluidization, biomass storage and off-gassing, and characterization of physical and chemical properties, and ultimate and proximate composition of southern pine due to changes in harvesting and handling systems. Several of the logistics projects that led to the above stated accomplishment were funded from USDA-NIFA, DOE, multistate hatch and Sungrant. Objective 2: Improve biofuel production processes Most of the work that has been conducted at the Alabama station is focused on developing and validating models for biomass gasification, tar formation and syngas composition using experimental data from bubbling-bed fluidized-bed reactor. We have performed gasification studies on different biomass species (e.g. pine, eucalyptus, poplar, and switchgrass) with the goal of understanding the effect of biomass species/properties on syngas quality and contaminants (e.g. tar, and hydrogen sulfide), and with fate of these contaminants when gasification is conducted with different oxidizing media. Other projects being conducted that are related to this objective include biomass fast pyrolysis and hydrogen production from biobased materials. The impact from these projects is that we have developed information and models that will accurately predict syngas composition from biomass characteristics and gasifier operating parameters. Objective 4: Develop a trained work force for the biobased economy. The Alabama station is currently participating in three federally funded projects that specifically focus on training of undergraduate and graduate students for the biobased economy as follows: (a) NSF/IGERT ; (b) NSF/REU  Biofuels and bioproducts from lignocellulosic biomass, and (c) SEED fellow program for undergraduate students  a part of the USDA-NIFA IBSS (Southeastern Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply System). Ten Ph.D. and 24 undergraduate students are currently or have participated in these programs. Several undergraduate and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D. students) are also involved in the biomass and bioenergy programs at Auburn University. Other trained work force activities include development and delivery of undergraduate and graduate courses, and the development of procurement specialist course through the extension system. B.2. Value added products and markets based on thermochemical conversion technologies. Task 2: Develop conversion processes A small scale micro-pyrolysis unit was developed to explore catalytic reactions at microgram scales. The reactor system developed was used to evaluate multiple catalysts by themselves and in combination, using hydrogen pressures up to 2.25 atm and retention times in excess of 90 minutes. By employing micrograms of catalysts and biomass, a reduction in the costs associated with fundamental R&D was achieved. The resulting upgraded products after pyrolysis had similar boiling point range characteristics as Diesel # 2 fuel. However, a complete analysis of the product stream has not been completed as issues with excess water production in the reactor system have yet to be resolved. Objective D: Identify and develop needed educational, extension and outreach resources to promote the transition to a bio-based economy. Task 1: Serve as a knowledge resource base for bio-based economy Along with the delivery of courses in Biomass and Bioenergy (NRM 393), delivered in person and on-line to two campuses, the state representative (Dr. Soria) assisted the Alaska Energy Authority Biomass program with technology evaluation and performance. 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 An algal production system was constructed at the University of Arkansas Swine Research Center near Savoy, AR. The system will use swine wastewater as input to four parallel flow ways that are each 5 ft wide X 200 ft long on a 2% slope. A smaller pilot system was operated with varied effluent dilutions to optimize algal productivity as a function of effluent water quality. The larger system will become operational following the identification of optimal conditions form the pilot system. Objective B. Improve biofuel production processes. Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods for biological conversion processes. July- and February-harvested switchgrass hemicelluloses were extracted and characterized for monosaccharide constituents, glycosyl linkages, and molecular size using acid hydrolysis, per-O-methylation analysis, and size exclusion chromatography, respectively. July hemicelluloses contained 13% glucose, 67% xylose, and 19% arabinose, while February hemicelluloses contained 4.8% glucose, 79% xylose, and 16% arabinose. Changes in composition, depending on season, could affect biochemical processing. Glycosyl linkage analysis showed that both hemicelluloses have similar linkages, but in different proportions. Size exclusion chromatography showed that July hemicelluloses had an average molecular weight of 30,000 g mol-1, while February hemicelluloses had an average molecular weight of 28,000 g mol-1 (Bunnell et al. 2013). Birchwood xylan were used as feedstock for production of xylose oligomers. Xylan were autohydrolyzed at 200 °C, and the crude xylose oligomer preparation was fractionated using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) with a butanol:methanol:water (5:1:4, V:V:V) solvent system. Xylose oligomers with a degree of polymerization from two to four were successfully purified (Lau et al. 2013). The effects of formic acid and furfural on Accellerase ®1500 with cellulose powder and dilute acid-pretreated-poplar as substrates were examined. Using cellulose powder as the substrate for enzymatic hydrolysis with the addition of 5 or 10 mg/mL formic acid, glucose recovery was reduced by 34% and 81%, respectively, in comparison to the control. The addition of furfural, at 2 or 5 mg/mL, to the enzymatic system reduced glucose recovery by 5% and 9%, respectfully. When 5 mg/mL of formic acid was combined with 5 mg/mL of furfural, glucose recovery in cellulose powder enzymatic system was reduced by 59%. Inhibition of sugar recovery was more pronounced when dilute acid-pretreated-poplar was used as a substrate for enzymatic hydrolysis. At 24 h incubation, recovery reductions were 94%, 97% and 93% in the presence of 5 or 10 mg/mL formic acid or of 5 the mg/mL combination (Arora et al. 2013). The effect of rinsing pretreated biomass was examined in Frederick et al. (2013). Objective C. Identify, develop, and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials (non-fuel uses) Task 3: Develop applications for biochemicals and biocatalysts with biological activity. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) ia a rich source of commercial phytochemicals with a broad range of biological activities. Specifically, sweetgum bark is a potential source of food grade anti-oxidants and an all-natural antimicrobial against Listeria monocytogenes. Solvent free sweetgum bark extracts were prepared and tested using the Thiobarbituric Reactive Substances (TBARS) and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays. Our studies showed that 0.1µL of the sweetgum bark extract in 10 µL of DMSO (or a 1% concentration) decreased the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 60%. The MIC of the sweetgum bark extract arrested the growth of seven L. monocytogenes strains and was determined to be 0.19%. These results suggest that extraction of these phytochemicals could add value without diminishing sweetgums potential as a bioenergy feedstock. These valuable phytochemicals could find applications in food safety, nutraceutical and cosmetic industry. Task 1: Quantify and characterize biological feedstocks " Thermal properties of ponderosa pine were characterized using TG/DTA and multicomponent modeling and analysis as part of a study of biochar production at temperatures ranging from 300 to 900C. Pine samples were fractionated into wood, bark, branch and needles for individual characterization and implications for char yield and properties ( Jenkins). " Sugar beets , wheat straw and food waste were analyzed, providing the characteristic and compositional data for biofuel production. They include soluble sugars, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, solids and nutrient contents (Zhang). Task 2: Develop and evaluate harvest, process and handling methods " A geospatial bioenergy systems model was integrated with a farm level crop adoption model to assess poplar plantings in the Pacific Northwest as resource for liquid biofuel production. A poplar growth model was also extended to account for local variations in weather, irrigation, and soil conditions and for coppicing and was also integrated with the spatial and crop adoption models. Together, these models provide a basis for identifying optimized industry development scenarios, feedstock and biofuel capacity levels, and facility siting alternatives (Jenkins). B.1. Biological conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods for biological conversion processes " Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is the residue of beet sugar processing and is a promising feedstock for fuel ethanol production. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of temperature, acid concentration and solid loading on dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of SBP. Mass balances on cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and protein were performed and sugar degradation products such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and acetic acid were monitored. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study changes in the physical structure of SBP upon pretreatment. Acid pretreatment increased the enzymatic digestibility of SBP from 33% (raw) to 93% (treated). Pretreatment at optimum conditions (temperature =120°C, acid concentration=0.66% and solid loading=6%) resulted in 93% enzymatic hydrolysis yield and 62% total reducing sugar yield. The ethanol yield from pretreated SBP under the optimum conditions was 0.4 g ethanol/g dry matter in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process employing Escherichia coli KO11 (VanderGheynst, Jenkins, Zhang). " Two types of grape pomace were ensiled with eight strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Both fresh grape pomace (FrGP) and fermented grape pomace (FeGP) were preserved through alcoholic fermentation but not malolactic conversion. Water leaching prior to storage was used to reduce water soluble carbohydrates and ethanol from FrGP and FeGP, respectively, to increase malolactic conversion. Leached FeGP had spoilage after 28-days of ensilage while FrGP was preserved. Dilute acid pretreatment was examined for increasing the conversion of pomace to ethanol via Escherichia coli KO11 fermentation (VanderGheynst, Jenkins, Zhang). Task2: Develop conversion processes " Experiments were completed to investigate the application of virus infection and amylolytic enzyme treatment on sugar release from Chlorella variabilis NC64A and bioethanol production from released sugars via E. coli KO11 fermentation. Biomass characterization indicated that Chlorella variabilis NC64A accumulated starch when it was cultured in a nitrogen-limited medium. The accumulated starch was not consumed during the period of viral infection. Both amylolytic enzyme addition and virus infection were important for hydrolysis of carbohydrates, but the addition of amylolytic enzymes and virus were more significant on the release of glucose and neutral sugars, respectively. The combination of enzyme addition and virus infection also resulted in the highest ethanol production after fermentation. This study demonstrated that viral infection can be used for disruption and hydrolysis of algal biomass to generate fermentable sugars (VanderGheynst). " A new integrated system was developed and proven in the laboratory and then scaled up to the pilot scale for converting whole sugar beets into ethanol and biogas fuels. A pilot scale ethanol fermentation system capable of fermenting up to 10 tons per batch was developed and successfully tested. The ethanol yield from sugar beets was determined to be about 0.4 gram per gram of total solids in the beets, which was 90% of the ethanol yield obtained in the laboratory research. The stillage from the ethanol fermentation was processed through anaerobic digester with a biogas yield over 0.6 L/gVS (Zhang). " A new method was developed to concentrate and store the anaerobic digester sludge as seed culture for fast start-up of anaerobic digesters. The anaerobic sludge at about 70% moisture content could be stored for up to four months without significant loss of methanogenic activities (Zhang). " Treatment of anaerobic digester effluent for nutrient and water recovery was studied with membrane separation, including microfiltration and reverse osmosis. Nutrient contents could be increased by 4-6 fold, making the concentrate products desirable for use as fertilizer products. (Zhang). " An alternative two-step method for conversion of cellulose biomass was investigated. Cellulose is first converted to cellobionate by a genetically modified fungus without exiguous cellulase addition in an aerobic fermentation step. cellobionate is then converted to fuels and chemicals in a second anaerobic step. The engineered strain which is able to convert cellulose to cellobionate was constructed by genetic engineering (Fan). " The Escherichia coli KO 11 strain was engineered for ethanol production from gluconate. Knocking out genes coding for the competing pathways (L-lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate formate lyase A) in E. coli KO 11 eliminated lactate production, lowered the carbon flow toward acetate production, and improved the ethanol yield from 87.5% to 97.5% of the theoretical maximum (Fan) B2: Thermochemical conversion processes " Biochar production from pine was investigated for the purposes of soil carbon storage and for potential application as a catalyst in tar reduction from biomass gasification. A variable temperature fixed bed reactor was used in testing char samples for catalytic activity with tar surrogates (Jenkins). Mention individual objectives and tasks associated with your station Sustainable production and use of biofuels from non food based feedstock can increase energy independence, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and promote healthier land-use while providing additional jobs and income to rural communities. The overall goal of projects associated with the station is to develop and optimize selected non-food biomass (sweet sorghum, high yielding biomass sorghum) based advanced biofuels and biobased products systems. Objectives are 1) Improve feedstock (production potential and feedstock quality) using genomics and breeding tools. 2) Develop biocatalysts for production of advanced biofuels and co-products and optimize pretreatment and fermentation processes. 3) Develop products and applications from biorefinery waste streams that minimize environmental impact of biorefinery operations and maximize revenues. Objective A. Reduce the costs of harvesting, handling, and transporting biomass to increase the competitiveness of lignocellulosic feedstocks for biofuel, biomaterial, and biochemical production. Task 1: Quantify and characterize biological feedstocks (Ogoshi, Khanal, Hashimoto) Our research team has been conducting energy crops trials at three elevation (100, 1000 and 3000 ft), and three irrigation levels using of high yielding tropical crops (Energycane, Napier grass, sweet sorghum and sugarcane) in Maui to examine the yields, inputs and the composition. Energycane has the highest annual biomass yield over Napier and sweet sorghum. Irrigation has a significant effect of biomass yield. Irrigation at 50% of plantation practice significantly reduced yield of energycane and Napier, but not sweet sorghum. The biomass composition is currently being examined. In Napier grass trials at Waimanalo, HI, the lignocellulosic fiber was found to not change appreciably with respect to its cellulose and hemicellulose content. On average, Napier grass maintained a glucan content of 38.6 ± 1.0% and a xylan content of 21.4 ± 1.5% on a dry weight basis. Lignin and ash slightly increased and decreased, respectively, over maturation. The highest concentration of lignin was observed to be 17.0 ± 0.8% at crop maturity (8 months old). Ash was the highest when Napier was at around 2 months old (14.9 ± 1.2%). The composition of feedstock grown in the elevation trials on Maui is presently being investigated. Task 2: Develop and evaluate harvesting, processing, and handling No activities. Task 3: Model and analyze integrated feedstock supply and process systems (Yanagida) In biofuel feedstock production, the cost of producing each feedstock includes commonly used cost categories from land preparation to harvesting. The analysis assumed that feedstock production was on non-prime land under rain fed conditions. Financial analysis consisted of deriving net returns on an annual equivalent basis over a 25-year project period. Feedstock cost of biofuel, breakeven price of feedstock and the breakeven price of biofuel were calculated. Manuscript combining GIS Network Analysis with transportation and hauling costs that was submitted to a bioenergy journal is still under review. Objective B. Improve biofuel production processes. B.1. Biological conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods for biological conversion processes (Khanal, Hashimoto) The optimal pretreatment conditions of tropical grasses determined in our previous experiments were found to be not scalable to larger volumes; specifically, the sugars released in the dilute sulfuric acid liquor and enzyme hydrolyzate were much lower in concentration than reported in our laboratory-scale study. It was determined that biomass handling and pretreatment would need to be re-optimized on the basis of crop type, location, and age to properly reflect/represent values expected in commercial endeavors. A bench scale-up experiment was designed to optimize the pretreatment conditions for 4 month old, dewatered Napier grass. In this experiment, 50 g of biomass was pretreated with 300 mL of dilute sulfuric acid under various retention times (30-60 min), temperatures (105-130°C), and acid concentrations (1-5% (w/w)). Optimal conditions were determined by the concentration of sugar released in the acid hydrolysate as quantified by the colorimetric dinitrosalicylic (DNS) acid method. Statistical analyses of the data indicated that pretreatment at 2.5% (w/w) acid, 130 ºC, and 45 minutes released significantly more structural sugars than the other pretreatment conditions (a = 0.05). Sugar released from the remaining cellulose component (via saccharification) is ongoing. Task 2: Develop conversion processes (Khanal, Hashimoto) Anaerobic digestion of green grass for biomethane production was examined. Biological ensilage additives, Agmaster XV, resulted in higher biomethane yields (280 mL biomethane per gram volatile solids added) compared to yields of 265 and 220 mL biomethane per gram of volatile solids added for samples (A) with ensiling and no biological ensilage additives, and (B) without ensilage, respectively. The conversion of five and six carbon sugar hydrolysates (from hemicellulose and cellulose, respectively) are under investigation with Clostridia strains at Ohio State University. Size reduction as a pretreatment strategy for the anaerobic digestion of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum L.) and enhanced biomethane production is under ongoing investigations. In this approach, Napier grass has been passed through a shedder for preliminary size reduction. Following the aforesaid unit operation, the grass sample has been further ground through a cutting mill with various screen sizes of 6mm, 10mm and 20mm. Preliminary results indicated that Napier grass passed through a 6mm sieve resulted in a higher biomethane yield of 293.44 mL CH4/g VS of biomass added compared to 274.84 and 273.07 mL CH4/g VS added of biomass from the 10mm and 20mm sieves, respectively. Task 3: Develop value-added products from hemicellulose and lignin (Khanal, Hashimoto): Our research group has also been working on fungal protein production from hemicellulose-derived sugar supplemented with front-end derived Napier grass juice. Our study demonstrated prolific fungal growth on sugar hydrolysates, particularly with pentoses, which are not easily converted to biofuels by conventional microbial species. The fungal biomass yields were as high as 7 g biomass/g biomass added. The fungal protein can be processed into animal feeds. B.2. Thermochemical conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods Task 2: Develop conversion processes (Khanal) Our research activity focuses on the mass transfer of syngas components into the aqueous phase using composite hollow fiber membranes. The use of membranes improved CO solubility by nearly 5-10 folds compared to stirred-tank reactors. The highest volumetric mass transfer coefficient (Ka) of 946.6 1/h was observed at a recirculation rate of 1500 mL/min and at an inlet CO gas pressure of 30 psig. B.3. Biodiesel production processes Task 1: Characterize new feedstocks (Ogoshi, Hashimoto) The University of Hawaii group is working on a non-edible oil crop, Jatropha curcas L. for biodiesel production. The team is conducting several field trials on different Hawaiian islands to examine the yields under various environmental conditions. Task 4: Utilize co-products (Khanal, Hashimoto) Protein-rich Jatropha seedcake contains toxic compounds, including phorbol esters and curcin, which make it unsuitable for aquatic feed applications. Our research team is investigating innovative technology for detoxifying Jatropha seedcake. Preliminary studies have indicated that both chemical and enzymatic treatments were effective in detoxifying phorbol esters from Jatropha seedcake. In addition, there were no drastic post treatment effects on crude protein (50%), amino acid composition or in vitro digestibility (>91%) of detoxified seed cake, suggesting the potential to replace fish meal protein (at least 60%) in aquatic feed formulations. Objective C. Identify, develop, and evaluate sustainable processes to convert biomass resources into biochemicals, biocatalysts, and biomaterials (non-fuel uses) No activities Objective D. Identify and develop needed educational resources, develop distance based delivery methods, and develop a trained work force for the biobased economy. Task 3: Develop and disseminate educational materials in high-priority topic areas (Khanal, Hashimoto). Dr. Khanal and his graduate student, Devin Takara, have developed a bioenergy laboratory manual for middle/high school teachers to share with their students in a public school setting. To date the duo have trained 10 middle school teachers who now presently incorporate basic concepts of physics, chemistry, math and biology in their classroom to teach the youth about bioenergy production. Present and future efforts seek to disseminate complex ideas in an easy to understand manner through workshops, presentations, and demonstrations. We have also contributed course materials for the BEEMS project led by Dr. Yebo Li of Ohio State University. Dr. Khanal and Dr. Yebo Li are working on Bioenergy Textbook. Nearly all chapters have been collected and is going through the review process. Objective B. Improve biofuel production processes B.1. Biological conversion processes Task 1: Develop pretreatment methods for biological conversion processes (Rausch, Singh) Miscanthus x giganteus (MG), a perennial grass, has potential as a bioenergy crop due to its cellulose and hemicellulose content. MG has been tested in central Illinois; mean yields of 36 MT/ha/year have been reported. Converting MG to ethanol only is not cost effective and not ready for commercialization; there is a need to make this process more economical by recovering high value coproducts in addition to ethanol. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are sugar oligomers and can be produced during the hydrolysis of xylan, a hemicellulose component. Increased commercial importance of these nondigestive sugar oligomers is based on their prebiotic effects on human health. We recovered XOS through an autohydrolysis process using MG. Miscanthus from the University of Illinois research farm was oven dried to 2.6% moisture and milled to pass through a 0.25 mm screen. Hot water pretreatment was performed in a 25 mL tubular reactor with a solid:liquid ratio of 1:9; temperatures varied from 140 to 200°C. XOS could be produced at 160, 180 and 200°C. Depending upon reaction conditions, an XOS yields up to 13.9% (w/w) of initial dry biomass were observed. In gel permeation chromatography (GPC), molecular weight distribution migration at different reaction times and temperatures was observed. Further purification trials showed that using water/ethanol solution at ratios of 50/50 and 30/70 could recover XOS from carbon adsorption. Task 2: Develop conversion processes (Rausch, Singh) Low ethanol yields and poor yeast viability were investigated at a continuous ethanol production corn wet milling facility. Using starch slurries and recycle streams from a commercial facility, laboratory hydrolyzates were prepared by reproducing starch liquefaction and saccharification steps in the laboratory. Fermentations with hydrolyzates prepared in the laboratory were compared with plant hydrolyzates for final ethanol concentrations and total yeast counts. Fermentation controls were prepared using hydrolyzates (plant and laboratory) that were not inoculated with yeast. Hydrolyzates prepared in the laboratory resulted in higher final ethanol concentrations (15.8% v/v) than plant hydrolyzate (13.4% v/v). Uninoculated controls resulted in ethanol production from both laboratory (12.2% v/v) and plant hydrolyzates (13.7% v/v), indicating the presence of a contaminating microorganism. Yeast colony counts on cycloheximide and virginiamycin plates confirmed the presence of a contaminant. DNA sequencing and fingerprinting studies also indicated a number of dissimilar communities in samples obtained from fermenters, coolers, saccharification tanks and thin stillage. Both commercial processes used to produce fuel ethanol from corn, wet milling and dry grind, use evaporators to remove water from process streams. Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, ash and fiber in thin stillage and steepwater are involved in causing deposition of materials onto evaporator surfaces, a process called fouling. It is not understood which components increase fouling rates. Since there are more than 200 biofuel facilities that use evaporators, fouling is a major concern. Costs associated with fouling include labor and equipment needed to clean fouled heat transfer surfaces, increased capital, antifoulant chemicals and production losses. Using model systems to simulate thin stillage, it was found that a simple sugar solution had lower tendencies to foul heated surfaces than a mixture that contained granular starch. When starch and simple sugar were added to commercial thin stillage (at equal total solids concentrations), starch had a strong effect on fouling characteristics, whereas sugar had limited effects. An experimental apparatus is being constructed that will allow using smaller batches (5 L) to study fouling characteristics of process streams from biofuel production. Tropical maize is an alternative energy crop being considered as a feedstock for bioethanol production in the North Central and Midwest United States. Tropical maize is advantageous because it produces large amounts of soluble sugars in its stalks, creates a large amount of biomass, and requires lower inputs (e.g. nitrogen) than grain corn. Soluble sugars, including sucrose, glucose and fructose were extracted by pressing the stalks at dough stage (R4). The initial extracted syrup fermented faster than the control culture grown on a yeast extract/phosphate/sucrose medium. The syrup was subsequently concentrated up to 2.25 times, supplemented with urea, and fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for up to 96 hr. Final ethanol concentrations were 8.1 to 15.6% (v/v), or 90 to 92% of theoretical yields. However, fermentation productivity decreased with sugar concentration, indicative that yeast were stressed osmotically at increased sugar concentrations. These results provide information for using tropical maize syrup for bioethanol production that will help in tropical maize breeding and development for use as a feedstock for the biofuel industry. Objective D. Identify and develop needed educational resources, develop distance based delivery methods, and develop a trained work force for the biobased economy (Rausch, Singh) In January 2013, a corn wet milling short course was held that focused on the fundamentals of wet milling. The course was taught by eight experts: four faculty, two USDA-ARS scientists and two speakers from industry. Attendees from wet milling and allied industries participated in the course. A similar short course was held on December 6, 2012 for 10 staff members of the Corn Refiners Association, Washington, DC. In May 2013, a short course on ethanol production technologies was held. The course was taught by 12 experts from academia, industry and USDA-ARS research facilities. Approximately 15 participants attended the course, mostly from the biofuels industry. The Eighth International Starch Technology Conference was held June 2-5, 2013 which attracted participants from industry, federal research agencies and academia. Approximately 15 speakers from government research agencies and industry presented papers which were published in a printed proceedings and will be made available online at www.starchconference.org. The conference agenda focused on separations related to various starch and biomass processes. In 2014, short courses are planned that will continue to focus on corn wet milling and on ethanol production technologies. These unique short courses will be taught by speakers from academia, industry and federal research agencies and be designed as an outreach activity to members of the starch and biofuels industries.