Progress 07/01/06 to 06/30/11
Outputs
BioSUCCEED has accomplished a tremendous amount of work in the time that it has been in existence. There is not enough space in this box to list all of the work done, but the deliverables of the original funded proposal have been accomplished with a lot of more work done. We will list the deliverables of the original proposal and our accomplishments next to them: Development of classes: We have delivered six (6) stand alone teaching topical courses on a fully independent website (http://www.biosucceed.com) that are stand alone and fully available for public consumption (we will detail in the impacts on their quantitative access). ADDITIONALLY, we have developed three courses at NC State University from our work in BioSUCCEED including: BAE 528 Biomass to Renewable Energy Processes, WPS 723 Forest Biomaterials Chemistry, and WPS 595 BioSUCCEED. At NCA&T, a "Sustainable Bioproducts Concentration approved in Energy & Environmental Systems PhD Program" has been approved as a result of BioSUCCEED that includes all of the following course: EES 740 Fundamentals of Biomaterial Sciences & Bioprocess Systems, EES 741 Biomaterials Characterization, EES 742 Biomass Thermal Conversion Processes, and EES 743 Biomass Biological Conversion Processes; classes taught using BioSUCCEED materials: EES 740 Fundamentals of Biomaterial Sciences & Bioprocess Systems, EES 741 Biomaterials Characterization, EES 743 Biomass Biological Conversion Processes, EES 785 Biochemical Process Simulation, EES 785 Systems Perspectives on Industrial Ecology, EES 744 Environmental and Policy Studies of Biomass Use. In total, we have lectured or interacted with over five hundred (500) students since the inception of BioSUCCEED. About 25% of these students have went on to find jobs as a result of their education in our programs. Evaluation Plans: We have developed a freely accessible and open website (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZMNRQXL) to track the impact of the program on students and related stake holders. As of this writing, thirty four (34) respondents have been claimed. We will break down this stat in the "impact" section. Dissemination Plans: We have liberally shared the results of our work in a number of avenues, including conferences/symposia oral presentations, publications, and poster presentations. The entire list can be seen at http://www.ncsu.edu/biosucceed/why.html). We have also been experimenting with social networking media to get our message out to our stake holders. We have therefore developed an outstanding facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/396008630920/) that has sixty six (66) members with whom we have been sharing information on all aspects of biomass & bioenergy for several years. The information is pertinent to all aspects of their professional lives including job openings and advancement. We have a blog and twitter account that essentially feed such information in well digestible snippets. The blog is located at: http://biosucceed.blogspot.com/ and the twitter account is: WolfPackBark. Finally, a pedagogic textbook, will be published out of Wiley & Sons that will be a compilation of all of our work in this area. PRODUCTS: A web site was produced containing the mandatory deliverables for the completion of this project (http://www.biosucced.com). The site elucidated all of the pertinent course development, presentation, publications, social networks, and products of this particular project. In addition, we extrapolated beyond the previously documented deliverables by developing a program in this area at NCA&T, negotiating a deal with Wiley & Sons to publish a textbook, spinning off a high impact (ISI 1.42) journal ("BioResources"), and setting up a scholarship for students at NCSU in this arena. OUTCOMES: One of the most important outcomes is the availability and feedback of our coursework on the student participants. We have had a lot of timely feedback on how much they have gained from the course materials from the social networking media, the survey, and by e-mails. All participants derived benefit in one way or another from our project. Please see the social network sites and the results of our survey below: We had 34 participants in our project. Of the pool, 33 were helped professionally by the materials. 29 responded that they either were able to obtain a raise in salary, position advancement, new job, or competitive advantage as a result of our work. All felt that the concepts espoused in BioSUCCEED must be continued in post-secondary institutions. IMPACTS (I/III): NCA&T hired Lijun Wang, Associate Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Design/ Biological Engineering, School of Agriculture & Environmental Science/College of Engineering who has a research interest in Bioenergy processing technologies. A couple of NCA&T PhD students in the Sustainable Bioproducts Concentration have contributed to the development of the Catawba County EcoComplex (http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/u&e/ecocomplex.asp) - The EcoComplex has won numerous national governmental, environmental and industrial awards in the past five years as it represents one of the nation's most advanced approaches to landfill technology, an effort to transform the disposal of ever-controversial household and industrial wastes into something of communitywide value through energy crop planting and harvesting, biodiesel production, energy production from waste methane, etc. Recent news article on the effort can be found at the following site: http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/07/30/article/landfill_of_the _future_turning_trash_into_treasure We have received special support ($7,500) from ACS, a sponsoring organization for the work of BioSUCCEED, that will allow us to promote the overall educational value of our work for another broad audience in the Southeast. In addition, SERMACS will also give us $1,000 support for the seminar. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: We are able to present the fruits of our work at the following conferences: BioSUCCEED: Bio-Products Sustainability, A University Cooperative Center for Excellence in EDucation, Schimmel, K.; Lucia, L.; Lou, J.; Shahbazi, A.; Rials, T. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition 2010, AC 2010-1985, Louisville, KY, June 20-23, 2010. A Review of Biomass as the New Feedstock for the Material and Energy Needs of the 21st Century. ITALIC 4. The Science & Technology of Biomass: Advances and Challenges (Rome, Italy, May 8-10, 2007). Lucia, L.A.; Argyropoulos, D.S.; Adamopoulos, L.; Gaspar, A.R. 239th National American Chemical Society Conference: March 20-239th American Chemical Society Meeting26, 2010 in San Francisco, CA; the theme is Chemistry for a Sustainable World which perfectly aligns with the thrust of our BioSUCCEED program. This is a major venue attracting over 10,000 chemists from around the world. We are confident that our presentation in the Division of CHEMICAL EDUCATION will have a big impact/splash given the nature of the Conference. 2010 Annual American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) ASEE logo Conference & Exposition: June 20-23, 2010 in Louisville, KY; The ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition is the only conference dedicated to all disciplines of engineering education. It is committed to fostering the exchange of ideas, enhancing teaching methods and curriculum, and providing prime networking opportunities for engineering and technology education stakeholders such as deans, faculty members and industry and government representatives. 4th Annual ACS Green Chemistry Conference: June 21-23, 2010 in Washington, DC. 2010 AIChE Annual Meeting: November 7-12, 2010, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT. Development of an Integrated Bioenergy Education, Extension, and Internship Program for Professionals and Students from 1890 Universities Prof. G. Shahbazi (North Carolina A&T), NCA&T (Summer 2011). NACTA 2011 (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture), June 14-17, 2011. North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) is a professional society that focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning agriculture and related disciplines at the postsecondary level. Natural Products Science & Engineering in the Lucia Group, FORBIRC (Forest Biotechnology Industry Research Consortium), NCSU (June 26, 2007). SERMACS 2011 (Southeast Regional Meeting American Chemical Society), October 26-29, 2011. SERMACS 2011 will be held at the Omni Hotel in Richmond Virginia between Wednesday, October 26 and Saturday, October 29, 2011. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We anticipate the development of a comprehensive textbook that will be globally marketed by Wiley & Sons. We will continue to work with the sixty-six (66) and growing membership of our Facebook Group to inform them of new courses, job opportunities, and information in the real of biomass & bioenergy. We will also tweet on a regular basis of relevant literature, activities, and thought provoking concepts to all of our followers. IMPACTS (II/III): The availability of BioSucceed material was highlighted in the AFRI-CAP proposal and we expect to leverage the progress in program development at UT and Auburn, as well as NCSU. We are not allowed by USDA to discuss the new program just yet, although a broader partnership in the southeastern region has been formed, and the likelihood of building on the BioSucceed investment is anticipated. Availability of Scholarships to support students at the NCSU PSE Program that are up to $5000/year. Three new in house courses in biomass & bioenergy topics that have been taken by over three hundred students since the inception of our program. Student Competitions: The FOC-USS Bio-Fuels Business Idea Competition (Sp 2010, http://www.foc-uss.com/ideacompetition-northcarolinaat-adm2.html) Sponsors: Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) Wisconsin Supplier Development Council Department of Management NC A&T Department of Biological Engineering NC A&T Ms. Teresa Silva, a student at NCSU, has been working under this project and was just awarded an all expenses Summer internship in CO administered by the ACS Institute of Green Chemistry to study the twelve (12) Principles of Green Chemistry. NCUS Summer student, Mr. Jordan Hall (Garner HS, NC), was awarded a $500 cash prize for "Excellence in EnvironMental Health Research" at National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. (May 2010) for his understanding of renewable hydrogel-based biomedical materials. He has decided to matriculate to NCSU as a result of this experience. He will be in the NCSU Paper Science Engineering (PSE) program. NCSU Summer student Jordan Hall (Garner HS) was awarded Honorable Mention at the 4th Annual 2010 NCSU CNR EnvironMentors Poster Presentations, 2010. This program can provide the foundation for professionals that in order to be successful in the BioEnergy field will require not only their business skills but also a more in-depth understanding of the basic technologies involved. - Cesar Prieto, Sales Manager, Iogen Bio-Products
Impacts
IMPACTS (III/III): Leveraged Grants Funded: Plan Professional Science Master's Degree in Energy Systems, UNC General Administration, $7,500. An Integrated Process for Production of Ethanol and Bio-based Products from Lignocellulosic Biomass, USDA-CSREES-CBG, $ 499,272. Production of biodiesel and biopower from waste materials to improve energy security and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, US DOD, $ 788,663. Conversion of Aquatic Plants and animal wastes to fuels and chemicals, USDA-CSREES, Evans-Allen, $450,000. Agricultural Systems Engineering - Fellowship Program, USDA NNF, $118,000. Enhancing Earth System Science Education in Guilford County Schools Central Region Secondary Schools, NASA, $410,586. CERT S.T.A.R. Plus Industry (STAR+Industry) Program, NC State Energy Office, $164,913, 7/16/10-4/30/12. HBCU-RISE Center for Advanced Multi-scale Computational Algorithms (AMCA), NSF-RISE, $999,000. Food and agricultural byproduct-based biochars for enhanced soil fertility and long term carbon sequestration, USDA, $300,000. Graduate Pedagogy for Ethical Dimensions of Coupled Natural and Human Systems Research, NSF/Penn State University Subcontract, $25,000 for three years (2011). Leveraged Grants In Preparation: Harvesting Africa: Sustainable Biofuel Production in a Teleconnected World, NSF PIRE/Penn State University Subcontract (2011).
Publications
- Cellulose nanocrystals-based nanocomposites: A Fruit of the BioSUCCEED Biomass Platform, Cao, X.; Lucia, L.A. Curr. Sci., Curr. Sci. 2011, 100, 1172-1176.
- The Influence of the Chemical and Structural Features of Xylan on the Physical Properties of its Derived Hydrogels. Teresa Cristina Fonseca Silva, Youssef Habibi, Jorge Luiz Colodette, and Lucian A. Lucia. Soft Matter, 2011, 7, 1090-1099.
- Cellulose Nanocrystals: Chemistry, Self-Assembly, and Applications, Habibi, Y.; Lucia, L.A.; Rojas, O.J. Special Invited Article. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 3479-3500.
- One-pot Polymerization, Surface Grafting, and Processing of Waterborne Polyurethane-Cellulose Nanocrystal Nanocomposites, Cao, X.; Habibi, Y.; Lucia, L.A. J. Mat. Chem. 2009, 19, 7137-7145.
- Cellulosic Nanocomposites: A Review, Hubbe, M.A.; Rojas, O.J.; Lucia, L.A.; Sain, M. BioRes. 2008, 3, 929-980.
- Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Potential Feedstock to Replace Petroleum, Lucia, L.A. BioRes. 2008, 3, 981-982.
- Forest Biomaterials: A Renewable Resources-Based Product and Energy Platform Proposed by NCSU for the Future Global Economy, Kelley, S.S.; Lucia, L.A. Southeast TAPPI Newsletter. July 2006.
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Progress 07/01/09 to 06/30/10
Outputs
During the last year, we have been able to significantly ramp up our efforts toward dissemination of our program. We have completed ALL modules in our proposed effort: Biomass/Materials Introduction: We learn the background to the discipline and concepts for the rest of the program. Characterization: The equipment we need to study biomass properly is covered in this section. Thermal Conversion: We learn the way biomass is converted to various byproducts under the influence of heating processes. Biological Processing: We learn the way biomass is converted to various byproducts under the influence of biological/enzymatic control. Solid State Composites: This course will give us insight into the properties and uses of new biomaterials created from biomass. Finally, this important course will provide students with the economics and life cycle path of the biomass products, with attention to policy and decision-making. Additionally, we were able to purchase the domain name, www.biosucceed.com, as a more simple and searchable URL versus www.ncsu.edu/biosucceed. Traffic has been directed toward this site at a very accelerated rate. We have been using Google Analytics to track the traffic and usage of the site. We demonstrate the following for the time period of 8/28/2009 - 9/27/2010: 713 Visits 3,431 Pageviews 4.81 Pages/Visit 37.73% Bounce Rate 00:04:04 Avg. Time on Site 29.31% % New Visits For the last month (Aug. 28 - Sept. 27, 2010), traffic has been up nearly 50%. A full breakdown of the statistics and facts of the site visit will be available at the final presentation of our program in Alberta, CANADA and in our final report. All modules are located at http://www.biosucceed.com/courses/index.html. All modules have been finalized and are furnished as part of our original agreement, free of charge to the general public. We have also asked all people who access our site to register with us so that we may communicate with them on the relevance of our course materials by way of a survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZMNRQXL) that examines the impact of the work that we have been developing. This survey will be used to provide the overall impact of the work that we have been doing with respect to the workforce. We have also begun a course (WPS 595-605, BioSUCCEED: Introduction to Biomass & Bioenergy) at NC State University on the topics we established in our funded proposal. As of this time, we have three students in the course who are each using the materials provided on the website and we are using our Moodle site to direct the educational experience (please see: http://moodle.wolfware.ncsu.edu/course/view.phpid=7555). PRODUCTS: Useful Links FACEBOOK GROUP: Please visit our facebook page to join our BioSUCCEED group in biomass & bioenergy: http://www.facebook.com/group.phpgid=396008630920 We would love to have you join the discussion, discourse, events, and promotion of the imporance of bioenergy & biomass teaching & research. BLOG: We also publish a blog on activities (papers, presentations, posters, classes, laboratories, and instruments) relevant to our BioSUCCEED program. Please follow or contribute to the threads that we initiate by going to: http://biosucceed.blogspot.com. Supplementary Resources INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS/GROUP MEMBERS: A book <Clickers in Action> by Margaret R. Asirvatham from the University of Colorado (Boulder) may be just what the <doctor> ordered to increase classroom and other group member participation when soliciting input. This book should be coming to our stacks soon. AWARDS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE : The following is a general award that comes to us from ACS and I expect to be awarded at least thru next year. Please seek more information at: information for ACS-CEI Teaching Award Please Support the Following that are supporting BioSUCCEEDs efforts: ACS Green Chemistry Institute ACS Cellulose & Renewable Materials Division OUTCOMES: AWARDS, PRIZES, & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Ms. Teresa Silva, a student here at our Department, has been working under this project and was just awarded an all expenses Summer internship in CO administered by the ACS Institute of Green Chemistry to study the twelve (12) Principles of Green Chemistry. Ms. Teresa Silva is also competing for a Eastman Kodak Graduate Student Award based on her work in our program. The results will be announced within the next three months. Summer student, Mr. Jordan Hall (Garner HS, NC), was awarded a $500 cash prize for <Excellence in EnvironMental Health Research> at National EnvironMentors Fair in Washington, D.C. (May 2010) for his understanding of renewable hydrogel-based biomedical materials. He has decided to matriculate to NCSU as a result of this experience. He has decided based on this experience to join us in the Paper Science Engineering (PSE) program. Mr. Jordan Hall is also competing now for an NCSU Undergraduate Student Research Award that will support his work in our labs. Summer student Jordan Hall (Garner HS) was awarded Honorable Mention at the 4th Annual 2010 NCSU CNR EnvironMentors Poster Presentations, 2010. BioSUCCEED: Introduction to Biomass & Bioenergy course (WPS 595-605) being offered at NC State University for Fall of 2010. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: CONFERENCES/PRESENTATIONS We have worked hard as part of our project scope to deliver the teaching & research content to a variety of national venues of high impact and caliber. In addition, we will solicit concurrent input from the audience of several conferences below via an on-line survey to gauge the value and importance of the materials that we will present. Below are the venues we are providing content. We encourage all visitors to our site to participate in these educational venues. 239th National American Chemical Society Conference: March 20-26, 2010 in San Francisco, CA; the theme is "Chemistry for a Sustainable World" which perfectly aligns with the thrust of our BioSUCCEED program. This is a major venue attracting over 10,000 chemists from around the world. We are confident that our presentation in the Division of CHEMICAL EDUCATION will have a big impact/splash given the nature of the Conference. 2010 Annual American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Conference & Exposition: June 20-23, 2010 in Louisville, KY; The ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition is the only conference dedicated to all disciplines of engineering education. It is committed to fostering the exchange of ideas, enhancing teaching methods and curriculum, and providing prime networking opportunities for engineering and technology education stakeholders such as deans, faculty members and industry and government representatives. BioSUCCEED: Bio-Products Sustainability, A University Cooperative Center for Excellence in EDucation, Schimmel, K.; Lucia, L.; Lou, J.; Shahbazi, A.; Rials, T. American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition 2010, AC 2010-1985, Louisville, KY, June 20-23, 2010. 4th Annual ACS Green Chemistry Conference: June 21-23, 2010 in Washington, DC. With the theme "Innovation and Application" and with one of the renowned founders of green chemistry, Dr. John Warner (President and CTO, Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry) as the chair, this conference is a another ideal forum to share the work that we have fostered in BioSUCCEED! Confirmed keynote speakers include the popular environmentalist, entrepreneur and author Paul Hawken, as well as US Congressman John Tierney (D-MA), co-sponsor of the "Green Jobs Act." This Conference is a great way to involve government, academe, and industry in a unique setting. Natural Products Science & Engineering in the Lucia Group, FORBIRC (Forest Biotechnology Industry Research Consortium), NCSU (June 26, 2007). FUTURE INITIATIVES: 2010 AIChE Annual Meeting: November 7-12, 2010, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT ; The AIChE Annual Meeting is the premier educational forum for chemical engineers interested in innovation and professional growth. A wide range of subjects relevant to latest research and newest technologies in emerging growth areas will be covered. Abstract ID# 179151 Submitted to SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING FORUM Title: BioSUCCEED: A Research & Teaching Approach to Augmenting Advances in Bioenergy Technologies Author(s): Steve Kelley1, Richard Phillips2, Hasan Jameel1, Lucian A. Lucia2 and Michael Jett2, (1)Department of Wood and Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, (2)Wood & Paper Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC PACIFI-CHEM 2010: December 15-20, 2010 in Honolulu, HA; Promoting scientific exchange in the Pacific Basin for a healthy and sustainable future. We will be providing an oral presentation on the fruits of our work. Information is provided below: Abstract Control ID: 820413 Presenting Author: Lucian Lucia Abstract Title: BioSUCCEED: A New Materials Approach to Sustainability by Utilizing Cellulose Nanocrystals ***** Session Information ***** Type: Oral - Eve Area: (9) Materials & Nanotechnology Session Title: Nanoparticles and Nanoparticle-based Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications (#13) [8E] Session Date and Time: December 17, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Location: 324 (Convention Center). Development of an Integrated Bioenergy Education, Extension, and Internship Program for Professionals and Students from 1890 Universities Prof. G. Shahbazi (North Carolina A&T), NCA&T (Summer 2011). The volume of biofuel production in the United States has doubled in the last five years. According to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the amount of biofuel production will quadruple within the next twelve years (36 billion gallons per year in 2022). In 2007, production and construction in the ethanol industry supported the creation of about 240,000 jobs in all sectors of economy (DOE, 2009). The workforce to be required to serve the growing biofuel industry will be several times higher than this within the next decade. However, most scientists in the 1890 universities lack sufficient resources to obtain skills and engage in advanced bioenergy projects and technologies. The lack of energy-related resources has been a major impediment to conducting energy research, teaching energy courses and providing Extension services in bioenergy technologies and products. The long term goal of the proposed project is to develop an integrated bioenergy education, research, and entrepreneurship program to serve 1890 universities. We intend to double the number of energy related courses to be offered in 1890 universities by training faculty members, Extension specialists and students through three annual experiential workshops. These workshops will teach advanced energy topics, and promote excellence in bioenergy research and exciting outreach activities. Potential textbook with Wiley (Sarah Hall) on BioSUCCEED topics that will involve all Universities (NCSU, UT, and NCA&T).
Impacts
We have already been able to make a difference in the quality of life for several people in our project as shown above and are collecting responses on the effect our program has on participants using our surveys and Google Analytics. We expect that each person who has taken our course and participated in our work will significantly increase their overall marketability in the growing eco-economy. We anticipate filling biomass & bioenergy research position vacancies with applicants better prepared to successfully address ways to increase the use of biomass resources. Our course work has been monitored by Google Analytics and appears to be accessed frequently by many new users. Our course offering here at State already has students as does the courses offered at NCA&T. The overall impacts will be elucidated in a much more detailed manner at the end of this program (next year) after we collect the surveys, monitor our hits, and poll our students.
Publications
- Cellulose nanocrystals-based nanocomposites: Fruits of a Novel Biomass Research & Teaching Platform. Cao, X.; Habibi, Y.; Magalhaes, W.; Lucia, L.A. Rojas, O.J., 2010, Current Sci., submitted.
- Cellulose Nanocrystals: Chemistry, Self-Assembly, and Applications Habibi, Y.; Lucia, L.A.; Rojas, O.J., 2010, Special Invited Article. Chem. Rev., DOI: 10.1021/cr900339w.
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Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/09
Outputs
In the past year, we were able to accomplish the following items: 1. Have a fully functional website up and running 2. Offer a new track in our Wood & Paper Science Department at NCSU 3. Offer course equivalent to our BioSUCCEED courses via distance education (at NCSU) 4. Complete at least one new course (Life Cycle Analysis) 5. Solicit student participation and surveys 6. Develop new course content for at the core course 7. The main progress that has been made at NCA&T has involved University approval for curriculum revisions that are effective for Fall 2009 that will utilize the materials developed through BIOSUCCEED. For the Energy & Environmental Systems PhD program, a Sustainable Bioproducts concentration was approved as one of three concentrations in the program. The courses approved will utilize all of the graduate-level materials that have been developed through BIOSUCCEED. At the undergraduate level, a general education course CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THE USE OF RENEWABLE BIOBASED PRODUCTS has been approved and is being offered for the first time during Fall 2009. Work over the course of 2009 at UT has focused on refining and freshening the content for the solid-state composites module. The content for conventional engineered wood composites is complete, as is a life-cycle analysis of component. Additional content related to cell wall structure and properties of wood and agricultural fibers has been collected. Preliminary organization for this section has been competed, and it should be finalized by early November. We anticipate the solid-state composites module will be complete and ready for student evaluation in early December. PRODUCTS: 1. We have developed a fully functional, interactive web site (http://www.ncsu.edu/biosucceed) that collocates all of our developed information and distributes it without charge. 2. We have been developing a series of six open access courses over the duration of the project that constitute the core of BioSUCCEED. 3. New degree programs will be offered at all of the participating Universities (NCSU, NCA&T, and UTK). 4. We are working to disseminate the fruits of our work to a broad array of members in the community by associated courses, workshops, and training sessions. 5. The fruits of this work have appeared in some part or form in a variety of internationally recognized publications. 6. Employment of a number of technicians, students, postdoctoral fellows, and post-masters in a variety of positions in our program. 7. We are beginning to submit the fruits of our work as conference abstracts. 7. Finally, we intend to increase our US educated workforce. 8. Effective for Fall 2009 the following Sustainable Bioproducts concentration has been added to the NCA&T Energy & Environmental Systems PhD Program: EES 740. Fundamentals of Biomaterial Sciences & Bioprocess Systems Credit 3(3-0) This course introduces the science and engineering of converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Topics covered include the core physical, chemical, and biological principles that underlie the synthesis and modification of biomaterials and associated biopolymers into novel materials. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor. EES 741. Biomaterials Characterization Credit 3(3-0) (see course catalogue for more information - too little space to include here) Prerequisites: EES 740. EES 742. Biomass Thermal Conversion Processes Credit 3(3-0) (see course catalogue for more information - too little space to include here) Prerequisites: EES 740. EES 743. Biomass Biologibal Conversion Processes Credit 3(3-0) (see course catalogue for more information - too little space to include here) Prerequisites: EES 740. EES 744. Environmental and Policy Studies of Biomass Use Credit 3(3-0) (see course catalogue for more information - too little space to include here) Prerequisites: EES 740 Also at NCA&T, developed and got university approval for new general education course CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THE USE OF RENEWABLE BIOBASED PRODUCTS (UNST-237). Offered Fall 2009. OUTCOMES: 1. We expect a broadened set of skills in all participants. 2. In addition, they will all acquire a fundamentally new knowledge base. 3. We fully expect an enhanced marketability of participants in this program. 4. After digesting the material, we are hoping to obtain input from participants so that we can improve and update course content. 5. The work outlined in our program shall lead to new degrees for participants. 6. We are optimistic and wildly hopeful that new policy enactment at local, state, and federal levels will be accelerated aimed at encouraging the use of biomaterials & bioenergy. 7 At NCA&T: - Sustainable Bioproducts concentration in Energy & Environmental PhD Program-CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THE USE OF RENEWABLE BIOBASED PRODUCTS" (UNST 237) is being offered as a general education course. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: 1. We have been writing a series of publications that highlight the fundamental correlation between teaching & research. 2. All of our activities are broadcast in some way via our website. 3. We have been regularly engaging in e-mail correspondence with many different correspondents who have expressed interest in one form or another of obtaining a degree or access to course modules. 4. We are in the process of submitting conference abstracts and broadcasting our mission by sponsoring international conferences and awards that are related to the mission of BioSUCCEED. 5. Abstract to be submitted by October 9 for a paper on BIOSUCCEED at the 2010 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Meeting, June 20-23, Louisville, KY. FUTURE INITIATIVES: 1. We fully intend to provide functional distance education delivery of all course modules. 2. We are working to develop another course: Biomass growth and harvesting, likely as a result of funding from NCBC (North Carolina Biotechnology Center). 3. We anticipate the development of more degree programs not only at the Universities participating in this project, but nationally. 4. NCA&T Courses included in proposed MS Energy Engineering Science Program are as follows: -Offer approved graduate-level courses on a two year cycle -Continue to offer undergraduate course annually -Gradually, develop online versions of the approved courses and get them certified
Impacts
1. The most important impact of our project is a better trained workforce. 2. We intend that our graduates will have better credentials in their respective workforces to accelerate promotions and encourage salary raises. 3. The participants in our program will be better informed decision-makers when they will face private and public environmental and energy choices. 4. The exposure of the fruits of this program to Congressional leaders will encourage them to make more eco-friendly policy choices. 5. The average consumer participant should be better informed to make better buying decisions, e.g., to buy eco-friendly, green products/energy sources. 6 At NCA&T: a) Funded Proposals based on Components of BIOSUCCEED Project Schimmel, K., Plan Professional Science Master's Degree in Energy Systems, UNC General Administration, $7,500, 3/15/09-6/15/09. Worku, M., Schimmel, K., et al., Agricultural Systems Engineering - Fellowship Program, USDA NNF, $110,500, 01/01/10-12/31/12. At UT: The pending availability of BioSUCCEED prompted the development of an undergraduate introductory course on bioenergy and biomass use in the Dept. of Plant Sciences (University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture). Anticipating the availability of BioSUCCEED to form the core of a bioenergy graduate curriculum, extensive planning with the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has explored mechanisms to effectively deploy the curriculum. A final decision is pending.
Publications
- Cao, X.; Habibi, Y.; Lucia, L.A. One-pot Polymerization, Surface Grafting, and Processing of Waterborne Polyurethane-Cellulose Nanocrystal Nanocomposites. J. Mat. Chem. 2009, in press
- Cao, X.; Tao, Y.; Lucia, L.A.; Zhang, L.; Preparation and Properties of Polyurethane/Benzyl Amylose Semi-Interpenetrating Networks, J. Poly. Sci. A-Poly. Chem. 2009, accepted
- Cao, X.; Dong, H.; Ming Li, C.; Lucia, L.A. The Enhanced Mechanical Properties of a Covalently Bonded Chitosan MultiWalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2009, 113, 466-472
- Washington Luiz Esteves Magalhaes, Xiadong Cao, Lucian A. Lucia; Cellulose Nanocrystals/Cellulose Core-in-Shell Nanocomposite Assemblies, Langmuir 2009, in press
- Lucia, Lucian A. Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Potential Feedstock to Replace Petroleum, BioRes. 2008, 3, 981-982.
- Lucia, L.A.; Rojas, O.J. Fiber Nanotechnology: A New Platform for Green Research and Technological Innovations. Cellulose 2007, 14, 539-542.
- Schimmel, K., Ilias, S., Future Trends in Chemical Engineering Education, BUET Second International Conference on Chemical Engineering, Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 31, 2008 to January 1, 2009.
- Graves, J., Bailey, G., Foresman, G., Schimmel, K., Integrating General and Major Interdisciplinary Science Education, 2009 Keck/PKAL Summer Institute: Facilitating Interdisciplinary Learning in STEM Fields, Washington College, Chestertown, MD, July 29-31, 2009 (Poster). Includes CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN THE USE OF RENEWABLE BIOBASED PRODUCTS as an example of one of the University Studies interdisciplinary courses.
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Progress 07/01/07 to 06/30/08
Outputs
The purpose of our project is to develop biomass course content that can be disseminated via an on-line web format. However, the greatest driver in our overall thrust is to assess how the goal of our project influences the client ("students") who choose to access the content. Therefore, we have spent a great deal of time understanding how to assess course materials. We have worked with personnel at the NCSU College of Education, with in-house surveys, and determining the nature of post-intervention assessment tools. We have been able to decide that each course would have the same survey (a pre- & post-) that woudl be administered to each client accessing the course content. Currently, we have one fully functional survey that is available. 2. Given the nature of dissemination, we have been able to develop a fully functional and practical web site (www.ncsu.edu/biosucceed) that contains the important information necessary to realize the basic mission of the project. We also have an e-mail link on the site that allows the main PI to collect responses (directed to: biosucceed@NCSU.edu). 3. We have finalized the first course (Biomass Fundamentals) and are currently in the process of completing Life Cycle Analysis and Solid State Composites. 4. We have collected several survey responses as of this writing. 5. We have two students interested in a more fully functional degree-granting course curriculum as a result of this program. 6. The Department of Wood & Paper Science has enacted a degree track that has been directly influenced by the opportunity presented by BioSUCCEED. The Department has just initiated a "BIOMATERIALS" track in addition to its traditional wood and paper tracks. 7. The main PI has developed a core course in the "BIOMATERIALS" curriculum at the Departmen of Wood & Paper Science that is based on the BioSUCCEED "Biomass Fundamentals" course. 8. UT has testified before Congress on behalf of related aspects of our course material. 9. The course sequence is amendable to DE credit among the participating Universities through arrangements that we will work out at a future time. PRODUCTS: The original product of the project is a 6 course sequence housed at www.ncsu.edu/biosucceed. A wide dissemination and enhanced PR for the course content & materials through, for example, a symposium or local conference where we describe the course development. A degree program in biomass/bioenergy at each of the participating Universities. The main product of the project will be an impact assessment of the meaning of this course development on the client base who has accessed it. OUTCOMES: New, web-based delivery modules in biomass & bioenergy are being currently developed to efficiently deliver key skills to traditional high school, community college and/or university students, government employees, non-traditional students, and industry personnel throughout the country. As a result of their participation in this course, they will be better able to tackle the technical and economic aspects of the new developing biomass & bioenergy global economy and therefore benefit from it in both intellectual and financial perspectives. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The dissemination activities have included: 1. The active involvement of our College of Natural Resources Liaison, Tilla Fearn, to broadly disseminate the news of our work via the NCSU main URL, University news wire services, and local affiliates. 2. Active discussion groups in classes at Wood & Paper Science, relaying of our work at conferences around the nation and world, and delivery of all materials via the web (trackable by various search engines. 3. A convention/conference highlighting the achievements of our program. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We will accomplish the following beyond the funding period of the project: 1. A fully functional degree program based on the course content of BioSUCCEED. 2. Distance Education course availability of some or all of the courses (with specific instructors) in BioSUCCEED. 3. Development of future proposals for more efforts in this area.
Impacts
The content of the BioSUCCEED courses on the biomass & bioenergy community will be updated on a biannual basis which will result in an improvement in the applicability of the 6 course topics mainly because of dynamic interaction between those who access the course (whose data will be permanently stored in our BioSUCCEED database). This course is expected to ultimately increase the awareness and knowledge of biomass & bioenergy information for those in the workforce and equip future workers in biomass & bioenergy with the necessary tools to succeed and advance.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/06 to 06/30/07
Outputs
1. A comparison of actual project accomplishments (objectives, products, etc.) with the ones established for the reporting period (via the project's original timeline) THE PROJECT OFFICIALLY BEGAN ON 07/01/2006, BUT GIVEN THAT WE WERE UNOFFICIALLY INFORMED OF THE FUNDING DECISION BY GREGORY SMITH ON 1 MAY 2006, WE PROCEEDED TO HAVE OUR FIRST BIOSUCCEED MEETING ON 12 JUNE 2006 TO DISCUSS OUR PROJECT STRATEGY. ACCORDING TO OUR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WERE PLANNED FOR YEAR 1: 1. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 2. DEVELOPMENT OF COURSE CONTENT, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY FOR THE COURSES, APPEARANCE AND DELIVERY LOGISTICS 3. DEVELOPMENT OF COURSE MODULES 4. COORDINATION OF DELIVERY AND EVALUATION OF APPEARANCE, CONTENT, AND UNIFORMITY 5. STUDENT AND FACULTY ASSESSMENT OF SUCCESSES & FAILURES OF COURSES WE INDICATED IN OUR PROPOSAL THAT OUR SCHEDULE WAS AMBITIOUS, BUT NEVERTHELESS, WE WERE ABLE TO CLEARLY ACCOMPLISH GOAL 1. DURING THE COURSE OF
THE NEXT 6 MONTHS, WE WERE ABLE TO DEVELOP LEARNING OUTCOMES, ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY FOR THE COURSES, APPEARANCE, AND DELIVERY LOGISTICS. ALL COURSES ARE BASED ON COURSE 1 (FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE) WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED NOW. 2. The reason(s) for any slippage if established accomplishments were not met, and GOALS 4 & 5 HAVE NOT BEEN MET BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO PUT IN PLACE THE PERSONNEL TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT (STAFF), DEVELOP A PRE- & POST-ASSESSMENT SURVEY TO PROVIDE STATISTICS FOR USDA EVALUATION PURPOSES, SETTING UP A WEBSITE WHICH WILL BE OUR PRIMARY MODE OF DELIVERING COURSE CONTENT, AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS ON THIS PROJECT DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST OVERLAP. 3. Additional pertinent information especially dealing with cost overruns or objectives not completed on time. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS PROJECT, WE EXPECT THAT WE WILL REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TO MORE FULLY & COMPLETELY ASSESS THE OUTCOMES OF OUR WORK BECAUSE THE IMPACT OF THIS COURSE
AFTER ITS DELIVERY WILL NEED ABOUT 1 YEAR AND WE INTEND TO DELIVER FULL, COORDINATED COURSE CONTENT (6) BY FALL OF 2008.
PRODUCTS: WE WILL HAVE DEVELOPED 6 FULLY FUNCTIONAL COURSES ON-LINE AND/OR VIA DVD THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANY & ALL INTERESTED PARTIES (STUDENTS, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS). WE WILL HAVE A WEBSITE (WWW.NCSU.EDU/BIOSUCCEED) AND E-MAIL ADDRESS (BIOSUCCEED@NCSU.EDU) FOR ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO OUR PROGRAM. WE WILL HAVE DEVELOPED A PRE- & POST ASSESSMENT SURVEY THAT WILL HIGHLIGHT THE OUTCOMES OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN OUR MODULES.
OUTCOMES: AS A RESULT OF THE SURVEY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF THIS COURSE ON THE LIVES OF THE PARTICIPANTS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO ASCERTAIN HOW IT INFLUENCED THEIR CAREER ADVANCEMENT, JOB PLACEMENT, SALARY INCREASE, TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES, NEW PRODUCT/PROCESS LINES, ETC. WE WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ECONOMIES BY PROVIDING INDIVIDUALS & CORPORATIONS INFORMATION & DATA ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOMASS & BIOENERGY IN OUR LIVES.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: WE INTEND TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS OF OUR WORK IN CHEMICAL & ENGINEERING EDUCATION JOURNALS, PROVIDE & UPDATE ON A CONTINUAL BASIS LEARNING CONTENT ON OUR WEBSITE, DEVELOP VARIOUS TYPES OF DEGREE PROGRAMS AND/OR BRICK & MORTAR COURSES FROM BIOSUCCEED COURSE CONTENT AT EACH OF THE RESEPECTIVE PARTNERING INSTITUTIONS, AND HOST A FINAL ACADEMIC MEETING AT NCSU TO HIGHLIGHT OUR ACTIVITIES AND OUR PROGRESS.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSES DURING THE NEXT YEAR AS WELL AS DEVELOP THE WEBSITE AND THE SURVEY. WE ARE CONSIDERING PURSUIT OF A DEGREE PROGRAM AT NCSU BOTH AT THE DISTANCE EDUCATION AND IN-HOUSE LEVEL.
Impacts
1. IMPROVE CHANCES OF PARTICIPANTS TO OBTAIN JOBS IN THE GROWING BIOMASS & BIOENERGY SECTOR. 2. IMPROVE JOB SKILLS OF PARTICIPANTS LEADING TO BETTER JOB PLACEMENT & SALARY. 3. INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BIOMASS & BIOENERGY SECTOR AMONG THE USA PUBLIC & THE WORLD LEADING TO MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASED FUNDING, & MANUFACTURING FOCUS ON BIOPRODUCTS & BIOFUELS. 4. THE CREATION OF NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS AT STATE UNIVERSITIES TO ADDRESS THE NEED.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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