The biological systems engineering (BSE) program at Iowa State University teaches students how to use life sciences and engineering principles together to solve complex problems, such as those related to food security and next generation biofuels. It’s a diverse program that lets students tailor their educational experiences to their interests through an option structure that …Continue reading “BSE combines engineering and life sciences to create a new generation of professionals”
Members of the Order of the Knoll got to talk with students and check out Team PrISUm’s solar car on Friday, October 4, during an ISU Foundation event. The team talked about the potential of solar power as an alternative to non-renewable fuel sources and showed guests the ins and outs of the car.
Photobioreactors, the production systems used to grow algae, seem to operate on a simple concept: place photosynthetic microorganisms in a liquid growth medium and add light. But Dennis Vigil, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at Iowa State, and his research partner, Michael Olsen, professor of mechanical engineering, know that photobioreactors are much more …Continue reading “Iowa State photobioreactor research could speed biofuels development”
Iowa’s three Regents universities are making faculty hires, launching studies, partnering with community colleges and building industry partnerships – all in a $22 million effort to boost the state’s research capacity in renewable energy and energy utilization. The benefits to Iowa could be many: research grants, new technologies, startup companies, educational opportunities and workforce improvements …Continue reading “Iowa EPSCoR builds state’s research capacity in renewable energy and energy use”
Inter-disciplinary approach trains students for wind energy careers As part of the Wind Energy Initiative, Iowa State University has launched an inter-disciplinary minor designed to prepare its students for a career in one of the most rapidly growing technology sectors, wind energy. A collaboration among of the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College …Continue reading “Iowa State launches wind energy minor”
Vikram Dalal’s solar cell research continues to turn heads. Dalal, Thomas M. Whitney Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, was awarded the 2012 IBM Faculty Award, his second in as many years. Much of the $38,000 award will go toward building a new deposition system for the solar research teams. “This award will go a …Continue reading “ECpE’s Dalal Receives IBM Faculty Award”
Three Iowa State University researchers are working to reduce costs and maintain reliability as more renewable energy is added to the nation’s energy grid. Sarah Ryan, professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering; Dionysios Aliprantis, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Leigh Tesfatsion, professor of economics, mathematics, and electrical and computer engineering, are …Continue reading “Iowa State researchers receive $1.7 million award to improve electricity markets”
When Robert Brown was perusing the early October publication of the National Academies of Sciences’ report on U.S. biofuels policy, his attention was drawn to its economic analysis. As he read on, Brown realized that this part of the report was heavily influenced by studies performed at Iowa State. “I was surprised to discover that …Continue reading “Brown discovers NAS report is based off Iowa State research”
A national panel led by Iowa State University engineers is launching an effort to research and develop technologies that capture, use and sequester carbon while enhancing food production, ecosystems, economic development and national security. The 33-member National Panel for a Carbon Negative Economy recently met for the first time in Chicago. Participants represented universities, companies, federal agencies …Continue reading “Iowa State engineers establish national panel to advance a carbon negative economy”
A mechanical engineering graduate student is bringing the Latin word renovo to life on Iowa State’s campus. Translated to English, renovo means to repair or restore, and it’s the underlying concept of Andrew Friend’s company Renovo Fuel Technologies. The company is based on Friend’s thesis research in renewable fuel. “We are hoping to market an …Continue reading “ME graduate student launches new company”
As wind energy becomes an increasingly promising renewable energy source, research in the area continues to pick up at Iowa State. Undergraduate students interested in the growing field now have a way to get more involved through the newly established Wind Energy Science, Engineering, and Policy (WESEP) program. WESEP is a National Science Foundation (NSF) …Continue reading “New wind energy research opportunity for undergraduates”
Don Erbach (PhDAgE’74) has joined the board of directors of Advanced Biofuels USA. He has clocked 40 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service with a focus on technologies related to improving soil management and crop production. Read the full story.
Ames, Iowa – Vikram Dalal, Thomas M. Whitney Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) for his pioneering applied research in physics of thin-film photovoltaic materials and devices and for inventing industrially important photovoltaic devices. Being elected a fellow is a distinguished honor signifying recognition …Continue reading “Dalal elected American Physical Society fellow”
At the Biorenewable Research Farm, many projects are underway that deal with conversion or transportation of biofuels. One project deals with using corn stover transported from fields and harvesting, and converting it into types of bioproducts. The project is led by Matthew Darr, assistant professor of agriculture and biosystems engineering, and Stuart Birrel, associate professor …Continue reading “Corn stover converted into bioproducts at research farm”
