DuPont Donates Soil Removal Equipment to BCRF

The BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) recently received soil removal equipment donated by DuPont. The equipment, valued at approximately $219,000, will expand the BCRF's current biomass preparation and conditioning capabilities. It will be used to remove soil from the biomass that is collected at the BCRF.

BCRF Continues to Provide Research Support

The BCRF continues to provide support, including access to BCRF facilities, field plots and equipment, for a number of research projects. In 2015 BCRF affiliates were awarded over $15,000,000 in research projects, which were partially or entirely carried out at the farm.

BCRF Prepares Feedstock for On- and Off-campus Projects

The BCRF prepared several tons of various biomass materials for several industry and university research projects. Several pieces of equipment were used including the stationary hammermill, the pilot-scale hammermill and the cutting mill.

New Crops Planted in the Plant Zoo

The BCRF's Plant Zoo was replanted with a new selection of crops: switchgrass, oats, corn and soybeans. Staff from the Agricultural Engineering/Agronomy Farm and Nic Boersma, a program coordinator in agronomy, assisted with the planting.

Student Employees Dismantle Pilot Plant and Upgrade Trailer

BCRF student employees dismantled the Center for Crops Utilization Research's Hazardous Solvents Pilot Plant. The 900-square-foot facility was originally designed for pilot-scale extractions of highly volatile and flammable solvents. The equipment was placed in storage for possible reassembly at the BCRF.

Student employees also upgraded the deck-over tilt trailer. The chain and binder storage area for the trailer did not protect items from the elements causing premature degradation and rusting. Undergraduate students Ryan Werner, Phil Skogmoand Austen Schoof designed, manufactured, purchased and installed a custom-made integrated storage system to work with the trailer. The design has proved to be successful and easy to use.

BCRF Employees and Staff Participate in One-day Safety Training Session

Safety training is an ongoing, important activity for all faculty, staff and students who work at the BCRF. Twenty-four students and staff completed safety training offered by Iowa State's Environmental Health and Safety. During the session trainees learned about electrical safety, forktruck and scissor lift safety, fall protection and safeguarding mechanical hazards.

Visitors Tour BCRF

The BCRF had the following visitors: AASHTO, Arvegenix, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Emerson Co-op, Enginity, GPC, Iowa Farm Bureau and Dr. Vilai Rungsardthoung.