Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Undergraduate and graduate students who gain research experience in the WIST labs; community members and professional associates who gain an understanding of WIST research through presentations made by WIST staff at conferences; businesses interested in collaborations/partnerships in WIST activities; businesses utilizing WIST services. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The institute provided courses to professionals in the paper industry including "Hands-on Papermaking," a two-day course at UW-Stevens Point; "Hands-on Pulping and Bleaching," a two-day course at UW-Stevens Point.Courses offered in sustainability include"Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment." WIST provides new opportunities for students. In the 2011–2012 academic year, 14 students were employed on WIST research projects or by WIST laboratory services, gaining valuable experience that will aid them in securing graduate school admission or employment when they graduate from UWSP. In 2012-2013 15 students were so employed. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Annual reports were published in hard copy and online in October 2011 and October 2012. Hard copies were distributed to attendees at WIST annual conferences and to other stakeholders including economic development agencies and university administrators. An e-newsletter was established in January 2011 and is delivered monthly to stakeholders and others with an interest in WIST activities; the e-newsletter currently reaches 1,065 subscribers. WIST staff participated in numerous outreach activities including presentations to conferences and special events such as Earth Day. News releases disseminated through university channels and via the public relations network 3BL Media communicated institute successes and activities and resulted in article placements in local and statewide media and in online outlets that have worldwide reach. For example, an article produced by WIST on its compostability testing service in August 2013 and distributed on 3BL Media generated 79,916 views on 3BLMedia.com and was picked up by 182 news outlets including this online publication: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/08/13/wist-offers-packaging-compostability-testing/. Examples of mainstream media results include: WAOW Television in Wausau, WI, aired a piece about a specialty art paper developed by WIST in collaboration with the Department of Paper Science & Engineering and the Department of Art & Design at UW-Stevens Point: http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/UWSP-Archival-Art-Paper-Available-for-Order-211725821.html WSAW also aired news about a patent granted to WIST researchers: http://www.wsaw.com/news/agriculture/headlines/Researchers-Hope-to-Bring-Jobs-and-an-Economic-Boost-by-way-of-a-Patent-163235716.html Numerous other news outlets picked up the story about the patent. Energy writer Thomas Content, with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote about WIST biofuel research “C5-6, UW-Stevens Point get grant for biofuels initiative,” July 8, 2013. An article in The Business Journal in Milwaukee highlighted WIST grant success: Wendy Strong: Research grant to help spur production of jet fuel from plants” July 5, 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact statement: This grant helped establish the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In the four years since its inception, WIST has earned an excellent reputation as a leader in creating sustainability solutions and economic opportunities for business. Under this grant, the infrastructure for WIST was created, including emplacing an executive and administrative team, and an advisory board comprising respected leaders from industry, research organizations and business development groups. The team created a strategic plan to sustain the institute economically, including development of laboratory services provided to businesses, the volume of which has essentially doubled year-on-year each year of the grant; development of educational courses, to a portfolio that has grown to nearly a dozen short courses; and collaborative research funded, which has included projects such as work to develop American hazelnut as a crop and biofuels and renewable chemicals research. WIST researchers were granted a patent that protects the invention of an economically viable method to separate biomass into its constituent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Commercialization of this technology could include licensing the WIST process to paper mills which would allow them to capture a new revenue source in their operations. With the solid underpinnings created with the help of this grant funding, WIST is poised to serve as an important resource to continue to enhance the development of sustainable technologies, products, and services, and stimulate the state and regional economies. Organization and Administration: Objective 1. An administration team consisting of an executive director and three divisional directors will be formed. Results: An executive director, Dr. Paul Fowler, was hired. Division directors were emplaced: Director of Education Director Dr. Gerry Ring, chair of the UW-Stevens Point Department of Paper Science & Engineering; Director of Research: Dr. Eric Singsaas, associate professor of biology at UW-Stevens Point; Director of Laboratory Services Dr. Don Guay, associate professor of paper science and engineering at UW-Stevens Point. Objective 2. A 5-member advisory board will be formed. Resulst: An advisory board was formed in early 2011 comprising 12 leaders from business and industry, research organizations and business development agencies. Research Division: Objective 1. Work to acquire federal contracts to develop biofuels research efforts. A biofuels research lab will be established. A research specialist will be hired. A technician will be hired. A state-wide biofuels scientific and economic conference will be offered to the citizens of Wisconsin interested in this important new technology. Results: The research division worked during the grant period to develop and submit applications for funding to appropriate/relevant federal agencies including USDA; US Department of Defense; US Department of Energy; and the National Science Foundation. WIST worked collaboratively with other academic institutions and with private businesses to develop relevant projects. Examples of successful funding acquisition within the final year of the grant include: NSF SBIR Phase II grant: Expanding the Sustainability of Bio-plastics and PLA by Postponing End-of-Life through the use of Reactive Extrusion Chemistries; $26,000 Subaward to Interfacial Solutions. NSF STTR Phase I grant: Anaerobic fermentation system for isoprene production from lignocellulose, $111,588; Subaward to C5-6 Technologies. Importantly, with the WIST infrastructure established, WIST research is attracting investment from private industry as well, including $109,824 in contracted research funding in 2013. A biofuels lab was established at UW-Stevens Point, and in addition to its use by WIST researchers in biofuels technology, the biofuels lab is also currently used in the new biofuels minor established at UW-Stevens Point. This is providing new training opportunities for UW-Stevens Point students. WIST has employed a full-time research specialist to pursue biofuels development during the entire grant period. A statewide biofuels conference was held at UW-Stevens point in fall 2009. Two more conferences were held at UW-Stevens Point during this grant period: Focal Point 2011: Celebrating a Year of Successful Collaborations on October 4, 2011, and Focal Point 2012: Capitalizing on Sustainable Technology on October 10, 2012. Education Division: Objective 1. The Education Division will provide the expertise and infrastructure to support scholarship in sustainable technologies. A biofuels minor will be created. A unit operations laboratory will be built to support and develop all engineering courses. A technician will be hired to support and develop the academic laboratories. Sustainability knowledge will be disseminated to the academic, industry and business communities.Results: Dr. Gerry Ring, WIST director of education, provided expertise in support of scholarship in sustainable technologies. The institute created the “WIST Scholars” program to promote collaborative research by university faculty and staff, resulting in collaborations with 19 faculty and staff. An interdisciplinary biofuels minor at UW-Stevens Point was developed. WIST employed several technicians to develop and support the academic laboratories.Sustainability knowledge was disseminated to the academic, industry and business communities through a portfolio of short courses, as well as through annual Focal Point conferences hosted by WIST. WIST participated in outreach events to disseminate sustainability knowledge including creating and hosting, in collaboration with others, an event called “Rethinking Recycling” in conjunction with Earth Day 2012. The event apprised hundreds of attendees with knowledge of end-use and recycling opportunities for products ranging from e-waste to plastics to cardboard. Objective 2. The UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Department will support WIST efforts through expansion of its engineering programs. ABET engineering accreditation will be obtained for the Paper Science and Engineering program. Two new engineering faculty members will be hired to support and develop the engineering program. Additional library acquisitions will be obtained to support the engineering program. Results: ABET Accreditation has been obtained. Additional faculty members were hired to support and develop the engineering program. Information on additional library acquisitions is not available. Laboratory Services Division: Objective 1. Acquire new analytic instruments to expand the present capabilities of the Paper Science and Engineering Department's testing laboratory to meet the needs of emerging technologies. Results: During the period of this grant new equipment added included a centrifuge and equipment to facilitate compostability testing, a new service offered by WIST. Objective 2. The Paper Science laboratory manager will coordinate and expand the number of analytical services offered by WIST. Results: Laboratory services volume has essentially doubled year-on-year each year of the grant. A joint marketing agreement was reached with IPS Testing of Appleton, WI, in 2011 to cooperate in marketing laboratory services, which has expanded capabilities for both IPS and WIST. A new compostability testing service was developed by WIST to test bioplastics and coated paper for compostability under ASTM D6400 and D6868 standards. Objective 3. An instrumentation specialist will be hired to support the academic staff members performing analytical work. Results: An instrumentation specialist was hired.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Fowler, Paul. Truly Sustainable Technology, Chemistry & Industry, January 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Fowler, Paul; Kratz, Waneta; Tschida, Ron. Chemically recycling post-consumer PLA, Bioplastics Magazine, July/August, 2013.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology hosted a statewide scientific and economic conference, "Focal Point 2011: Celebrating a Year of Successful Collaboration", at UWSP on Oct. 4, 2011. WIST Scholar researchers from UWSP presented information on the following nine sustainability research projects and initiatives: Residual biomass equations, including stand history effects, for plantation and grown red pine in Wisconsin; Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development: Problems and Prospects; UWSP Student and Employee Sustainable Transportation Cost Assessment, Awareness and Decision Support; Developing American Hazelnut as a Crop for the Midwest; Developing a Nature-Based Business and Marketing Approach for Treehaven; The Use of Hydroxy Acids From Black Liquor as Additives During Oxygen Delignification; Development of an "Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment" course; Developing an Economical Analytical Technique for Identifying Manure Contamination; Collaborative effort to establish the Environmental Microbial Analysis and Research Laboratory. The conference was attended by representatives of state and local government and economic development groups, and Ben Brancel, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection was the keynote speaker. WIST partnered with the UWSP Chemistry Department and UWSP student government to host a campus-and-community Earth Day event on April 18, 2012; "Rethinking Recycling" featured presentations by businesses that recycle waste from the university, focusing on the methods, technology and end-uses. Veolia Environmental Systems, Rock Oil, Styrene Products, 5R Processing, Corenso North America, the UWSP Chemistry Department, and WIST explained recycling of e-waste, oil, plastics and more. WIST conducted courses for paper industry professionals, with a total attendance of 51 people: Paper and Board Coating Rheology; Hands-on Papermaking; Hands-on Pulping and Bleaching. WIST conducted a course Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declarations attended by five people. Disseminations was accomplished through the WIST website, http://www.uwsp.edu/wist; targeted communications including the institute's e-newsletter (archived at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs007/1104263747697/archive/110602 6714076.html); social media (Twitter name wistuwsp; Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinInstituteforSustainableTechnology; LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/2289024trk=tyah); public speaking engagements; conference presentations; and news media. A sampling of media coverage includes: "Integrated Paper, UW-Stevens Point partnership seen as door opener," Appleton Post Crescent, Oct. 27, 2011; "Firms report progress in PLA recycling," plasticsnews.com. March 23, 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Christine L. Thomas, Principal Investigator; Paul Fowler, Executive Director, managed overall operations; Gerry Ring, Education Director, created work plan for education initiatives; Don Guay, Laboratory Services Director, developed and managed laboratory services offered by WIST; Eric Singsaas, Research Director, developed and managed WIST research efforts; Rebecca Vagts, business manager, handled grant accounting and business matters; Ron Tschida, communications manager, developed website and other communications; Angie Hauer, development coordinator, general office and development work; Justin Hall, instrumentation specialist, performed lab work; Kelly Klaas, lab manager, assisted with Lab Services; Casey Konopacky, interim laboratory services specialist, performed lab work; Amit Arora, biofuels project work; Jim Carr, lab services specialist, assisted with Lab Services. Collaborators: UWSP Chemistry Department; American Chemical Society Central Section; UWSP Office of Sustainability; UWSP Paper Science and Engineering Department. TARGET AUDIENCES: Undergraduate and graduate students who gain research experience in the WIST labs; community members and professional associates who gain an understanding of WIST research through presentations made by WIST staff at conferences; businesses interested in collaborations/partnerships in WIST activities; businesses utilizing WIST services. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A no-cost extension was granted, extending the project period by one year to Aug. 31, 2013.
Impacts
The institute continued to advance objectives in Phase II of this grant: Industry-sponsored research and development work included analysis of pulp properties of certain agricultural residues. Biomass R&D investigations focused on methods to capture isoprene from fermentations processes. WIST obtained additional funding of $440,000 from the State of Wisconsin for salaries of WIST executive director and WIST staff and faculty; and secured an NSF SBIR grant in partnership with private company Interfacial Solutions in the amount of $12,000.Paper industry professionals gained additional knowledge and improved skills through WIST courses; Campus and community members gained knowledge in sustainable economic development through WIST Focal Point conference; campus and community members gained knowledge in recycling through "Rethinking Recycling" event.
Publications
- WIST Annual Report October 2011. Published online. http://www.uwsp.edu/wist/Documents/PDFs/AnnualReportFEC10-3-11.pdf WIST newsletters, published and distributed digitally and archived online at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs007/1104263747697/archive/110602 6714076.html
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Content on the WIST website, http://www.uwsp.edu/wist, was greatly expanded and now includes details on lab services offered, education courses offered, and research initiatives underway. Several short videos were produced to highlight specific WIST activities and these videos are on the website. Dissemination of results/activities occurred through additional methods, including through articles in news media, presentations at conferences by WIST-supported researchers, and presentations at special events by WIST staff. A sampling of this dissemination: In the news media, stories with coverage of WIST include: "State grants given to help technology research," Nick Paulson, Stevens Point Journal, Oct. 10, 2010; "Openings likely for trades, as well as scientist, engineers, planners, executives, in new sustainable industry jobs," Stevens Point Journal, Feb. 19, 2011; "The Silicon Valley of Bioproducts," in the Wausau, WI City Pages, Pat Peckham, July 21-28, 2011; "WIST Director Joins Centergy Board," June 30, 2011, Stevens Point Journal; "WIST patents bio-isoprene organism, process," European Rubber Journal, March 30, 2011; "WISTful Ideas," Lee Reinsch, Marketplace Magazine, April 7, 2011; "Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology at UW-Stevens Point to Use Scarab Genomics Clean Genome E. coli to Produce Isoprene, Jan. 19, 2011, Reuters; "Plastic made from plants competing for shelf space," 7/12/11, NET radio. WIST Director of Research Eric Singsaas participated in a conference on biobased chemicals in Europe in March 2011 and met with officials at Lanxess, a major European specialty chemical company, to discuss WIST isoprene research and its potential for the rubber industry. Singsaas presented "Liquid Fuels from Biomass" at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, April 19, 2011; and "Energy-dense fuel from Cellulose" at the Defense Energy Challenge. Honolulu, HI, September 14, 2011. Singsaas and WIST Laboratory Services Director Don Guay presented "UWSP Biofuels Research Program Update," at the Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, Whitewater, WI, July 29, 2011. Singsaas, Guay and two UWSP students presented "Conversion of Paper Mill Residuals to Fermentable Sugars," at the Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, Whitewater, WI. July 29, 2011. WIST Director Paul Fowler was a featured speaker at a number of events including the Phi Kappa Phi Spring Collquium at UWSP in March 9, 2011. Fowler presented "The Research and Development Priorities of WIST" at the Northwoods Research Summit at Treehaven March 3, 2011; and "Sustainability Solutions: Economic Opportunities, Environmental Gains," at the NCASI (National Council for Air and Stream Improvement) Northern Regional Conference in Wausau, May 19, 2011. WIST researchers presented posters at the installation event for new UWSP Chancellor Bernie Patterson. WIST-supported research was featured at "Posters in the Rotunda," a showcase event in the Wisconsin state capitol that displays the work of top student-researchers from around the state. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals on this project include Christine L. Thomas, Principal Investigator; Paul Fowler, Executive Director, managed overall operations; Gerry Ring, Education Director, created work plan for education initiatives; Don Guay, Laboratory Services Director, developed and managed laboratory services offered by WIST; Eric Singsaas, Research Director, developed and managed WIST research efforts; Rebecca Vagts, business manager, handled grant accounting and business matters; Ron Tschida, communications manager, developed website and other communications; Angie Hauer, program associate, general office work; Craig French, instrumentation specialist, performed lab work; Kelly Klaas, lab manager, assisted with Lab Services. Collaborators include WIST Scholars - UWSP faculty and staff who developed research projects to further the WIST mission: Karyn Biasca, Professor of Paper Science and Engineering, Development of an "Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment" course; Professor Robin S. Tanke, "Three Educational Activities in Sustainable 'Green' Chemistry"; Robert P. Wolensky, Professor of Sociology, "Environmental Sustainability and Economic Growth: Two Educational Outreach Forums"; Paul F. Doruska, Assoc. Professor Forestry, "Residual Biomass Equations, Including Stand History Effects, for Plantation Grown Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) in Wisconsin"; William M. DeVita, Laboratory Manager, "Developing an Economical Analytic Technique for Identifying Manure Contamination"; Kevin M. Czerwinski, Professor of Chemistry, "Development of Cellulose - Highly Reactive Cellulose"; Les Werner, Assoc. Professor of Forestry/Rob Michitsch, Asst. Professor of Soils, "Environmental Microbial Analysis and Research Laboratory"; Gene Martin, Doug Miskowiak and Dr. Keith Rice, "UWSP Student and Employee Sustainable Transportation Costs: Assessment, Awareness and Decision Support"; Dr. Mike Demchik, Associate Professor of Forestry, "Developing American Hazelnut as a Crop for the Midwest"; Dr. Amit Arora, Assistant Professor of Paper Science and Engineering (with Dr. Don Guay) The Use of Hydroxy Acids From Black Liquor as Additives During Oxygen Delignification" Dr. John Leschke, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Corky McReynolds, Director of Treehaven, "Developing a nature-based business and marketing approach for Treehaven". TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences this reporting period include undergraduates at UWSP, who will be served by the biofuels minor developed by WIST to be implemented in the 2011-2012 academic year; undergraduate and graduate students who have gained research experience in the WIST labs; community members and professional associates who gained an understanding of WIST research through presentations made by WIST staff at conferences; businesses and organizations that may wish to partner with WIST in its research or education endeavors or be customers for its lab services, education offerings or research products. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
WIST achieved significant progress toward Phase II goals and objectives. The institute established a 12-member WIST Advisory Board comprising external, experienced industry, business, and scientific experts to provide organizational review and guidance to WIST administration; the Advisory Board held its first meeting May 23, 2011. WIST obtained additional funding: $440,000 from the State of Wisconsin for salaries of WIST executive director and faculty; $50,000 in a Navy STTR grant; $21,000 in a Wisconsin State Energy Office grant; $89,119 in a WiSys WiSCAP grant; $33,735 in a WiSys WiSCAP grant; and expanded revenue-generating services by conducting courses in Hands-on Papermaking and booking additional lab services work.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the reporting period WIST worked to disseminate information about the organization in order to build a base for future partnerships. WIST established a website: http://www.uwsp.edu/wist WIST received press coverage in the Stevens Point Journal, Nov.27, 2009, "Research offers students real-world experience." WIST Director of Laboratory Services Don Guay presented "Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology" at Lake States TAPPI meeting, Feb. 23, 2010. WIST Director of Education Gerry Ring presented an overview of WIST at several venues including at a research symposium held at the UWSP Treehaven facility and as a featured presenter in the 2010 UWSP College of Natural Resources Colloquium. Posters were presented at the Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, July 22-23, 2010, including: "A novel biorefinery concept based on organosolv pulping and membrane separation," by WIST researchers Amit Arora, Eric Singsaas and Don Guay; "Metabolic engineering of isoprene production in a high-light and halotolerant cyanobacterium," was presented by Eric Singsaas, et al.; "Overexpression of the MEP pathway genes in E. Coli: A biocatalyst for a sugar-platform biorefinery," by Singsaas, Guay, et al. WIST division directors developed a biofuels minor that is being forwarded through UWSP governance; the first offering of the minor is tentatively scheduled for courses in fall semester 2011. Singsaas presented the talk "Technologies for the lignocellulosic biorefinery" at the Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, July 21, 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals on this project include Christine L. Thomas, Principal Investigator; Paul Fowler, Executive Director, managed overall operations; Gerry Ring, Education Director, created work plan for education initiatives; Don Guay, Laboratory Services Director, developed and managed laboratory services offered by WIST; Eric Singsaas, Research Director, developed and managed WIST research efforts; Rebecca Vagts, business manager, handled grant accounting and business matters; Ron Tschida, communications manager, developed website and other communications; Danielle Mortag, program associate, general office work; James Servi, Jr. and Craig French, instrumentation specialists, performed lab work; Kelly Klaas, lab manager, assisted with Lab Services. Collaborators include WIST Scholars - UWSP faculty and staff who developed research projects to further the WIST mission: Karyn Biasca, Professor of Paper Science and Engineering, Development of an "Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment" course; Professor Robin S. Tanke, "Three Educational Activities in Sustainable 'Green' Chemistry"; Robert P. Wolensky,Professor of Sociology, "Environmental Sustainability and Economic Growth: Two Educational Outreach Forums"; Paul F. Doruska, Assoc. Professor Forestry, "Residual Biomass Equations, Including Stand History Effects, for Plantation Grown Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) in Wisconsin"; William M. DeVita, Laboratory Manager, "Developing an Economical Analytic Technique for Identifying Manure Contamination"; Kevin M. Czerwinski,Professor of Chemistry, "Development of Cellulose - Highly Reactive Cellulose"; Les Werner, Assoc. Professor of Forestry/Rob Michitsch, Asst. Professor of Soils, "Environmental Microbial Analysis and Research Laboratory". TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences this reporting period include undergraduates at UWSP, who will be served by the biofuels minor developed by WIST to be implemented in the 2011-2012 academic year; undergraduate and graduate students who have gained research experience in the WIST labs; community members and professional associates who gained an understanding of WIST research through presentations made by WIST staff at conferences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
WIST met Phase I goals and objectives during the reporting period. WIST hired an executive director, division directors, and support staff. WIST's three divisions - Education, Research, and Laboratory Services - developed preliminary agendas and work plans. WIST awarded research fellowships, designated "WIST Scholars," to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point faculty and staff for seven projects in sustainability for a total of $119,024. This funding advanced research, for example, to develop a cost-effective test for manure contamination in ground- and surface water; residual biomass evaluation after harvest or thinning operations; and development of a course on life cycle assessment. Strategic planning was conducted to develop the WIST mission and vision; further strategic planning is contemplated for the coming year. Preliminary work has been done to establish a WIST advisory board. WIST obtained additional funding during the reporting period, including $1.7 million from the Department of Defense for biofuels research and $440,000 from the state of Wisconsin for salaries for the WIST executive director and for faculty. A research lab for biofuels was established on the UWSP campus in the Science Building. An instrumentation specialist was hired to assist with laboratory services and research.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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