BCRF Update: July-August 2016

October 20, 2016
Martin Gross, a postdoctoral research associate for the Center for Crops Utilization Research, gives an overview of algae research to U.S. congressional aides during the Biofuels Science and Sustainability Tour.
Martin Gross, a postdoctoral research associate for the Center for Crops Utilization Research, gives an overview of algae research to U.S. congressional aides during the Biofuels Science and Sustainability Tour.

Biochar Added to Sorghum-Sudangrass Plot

BCRF student employees Ryan Werner, a junior in industrial technology, (right) and Phil Skogmo, a senior in industrial technology, apply biochar to a sorghum plot in the Plant Demonstration Plots.
BCRF student employees Ryan Werner, a junior in industrial technology, (right) and Phil Skogmo, a senior in industrial technology, apply biochar to a sorghum plot in the Plant Demonstration Plots.

Two types of biochar were applied to a sorghum-sudangrass plot in the BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) Plant Demonstration Plots. BCRF student employees first added poor soil to the plot and then set out a grid of one foot by one foot squares. Each type of biochar was applied by hand using the same application protocol. A control section was left untreated. Lastly, the sorghum was planted. The goal of this project is to test how well the sorghum will grow with the two types of biochar compared to the control. Bernardo del Campo, president of Advanced Renewable Technology International, Inc. and former Iowa State University graduate student, was instrumental in the project's execution by providing expertise and interacting with the student employees. The project is expected to last into the fall semester when the sorghum-sudangrass will be harvested to determine if there is increased productivity due to the application of the biochar.

Biofuels Tour Makes a Stop at BCRF

The eighth annual Biofuels Science and Sustainability Tour was held Aug. 15–18. The tour was designed to provide information to 50 U.S. congressional aides on the state of emerging biofuels markets. The tour included a stop at the BCRF where participants learned about various research projects including algae, pyrolysis and biomass harvest.

New QR Code System Tracks Biomass Feedstocks

BCRF student employees developed a new QR code system to track the BCRF's biomass feedstock supply. A QR code is a readable barcode that contains information about the item it is attached to and can be read by a mobile device. The students printed a QR code label for each type of feedstock and attached them to the containers stored in the Biomass Storage and Pretreatment Building. The system will keep track in real time the many different types, sizes and amounts of biomass feedstocks.

A QR code system was implemented to track in real time the many different types, sizes and amounts of biomass feedstocks at the BCRF. Student employee Dalton Michalski, junior, scans the QR code located on a bag of 1/8 inch ground red oak.
A QR code system was implemented to track in real time the many different types, sizes and amounts of biomass feedstocks at the BCRF. Student employee Dalton Michalski, junior, scans the QR code located on a bag of 1/8 inch ground red oak.

BCRF One Reason Iowa State University Named Innovation and Economic Prosperity University

From Agriculture and Life Sciences ONLINE Newsletter

Iowa State University has been designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities for its commitment to economic engagement. Among the achievements cited are research centers that involve collaboration with industry, including the BCRF, the first facility of its kind in the nation that integrates research and demonstration in biomass production and processing. Read the news release.

Visitors Tour BCRF

The BCRF had the following visitors: Bayer Crop Science management, CBiRC Summer Academy; Context; Costa Rican students; Department of Animal Science; DuPont; Feedstock Logistics Work; Harima; Geoprospectors; Iowa Economic Development Authority; Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Kemin Industries; Korean students; Kyrgyz Republic (Iowa International Center); Starr Strategic Partners; Total Work Place Solutions Group, LLC; University of Campinas, Brazil; and Valent BioSciences.