Source: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
USDA AFRI REEU: SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS - ROLE OF INTERFACE AND NEW TECHNOLOGY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1021817
Grant No.
2020-68018-30656
Cumulative Award Amt.
$499,827.00
Proposal No.
2019-05060
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2020
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2025
Grant Year
2020
Program Code
[A7401]- Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
Ag & Biosystems Engineering
Non Technical Summary
This REEU project will establish a hands-on training program for undergraduates in an interdisciplinary environment in basic and applied research of significant interface processes and phenomenon of agricultural systems.This fellowship will focus on providing undergraduate students with a diverse range of experiences that will bolster their interest in ultimately pursuing graduate study and future careers in an area of Sustainable Agriculture, Water Resources, Food Safety, Animal Health and Production, Crops Health and Production, and the Environment. Priority will be given to Native American, veteran, and Africa American students, and economically disadvantaged students at Tribal colleges, small regional universities, and other universities.Every undergraduate fellow will work with one or two faculty mentors and graduate students in different research groups. The students will experience hands-on laboratory and field research projects related to: 1) Nutrient transportation in soil-water-crop interfaces, 2) Microbial - root interactions at the interface, 3) Interactions among target biomolecules and bio-ligands on biosensor surfaces, 4) Microbial transportation in fresh produce via adsorption/desorption on solid particle surfaces, 5) Biofilms in food processing, 6) Adsorption/desorption of chemicals on interfaces - storm water and drainage management in agricultural systems, and 7) Surface catalysis processes to produce biorenewable chemicals and biofuels.The students will also gain the following experience: 1) experimental design and statistical data analysis; 2) state-of-the-art analysis methods; and 3) data collection, analysis and critical thinking. All undergraduates and their mentors will be encouraged to publish and present their research results in peer reviewed journals and conferences respectively.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
70%
Applied
30%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011510302035%
5125010302035%
4020210302030%
Knowledge Area
201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms; 512 - Quality Maintenance in Storing and Marketing Non-Food Products; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
1510 - Corn; 0210 - Water resources; 5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
This REEU program will train 50 undergraduates (10/year, with at least 5/year from external institutions, for 5 years) in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. Students will participate either in the summer (10 weeks, e.g. 400 h) or academic year (total 400 h distributed in Spring and Fall semesters). This project will provide undergraduates with hands-on experience in multidisciplinary research and extension activities in sustainable agricultural systems, specifically the role of interfaces and new technologies. Students will obtain training in a broad range of areas that are necessary for career success in food and agricultural sciences: 1) professional skills and knowledge; 2) communication and data interpreting experience; 3) capability of delivering science-based knowledge to the general public; and 4) leadership skills, including communication, critical thinking, and problem solving. This fellowship will also encourage undergraduate students to continue their career in areas of animal health, production, and animal products; bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; food safety, nutrition, and health; and plant health, production, and plant products.
Project Methods
Every year 10 students will be admitted into the REEU program. Under-represented minorities and women undergraduate students will be actively recruited and encouraged to join this project. This recruitment will occur partially through our collaborations with minority universities such as Oglala Lakota College and Sisseton Wahpeton College (Tribal Colleges), and small regional universities such as Northern State University and Black Hills State University.All admitted students will join research teams that most closely match their research interests. Undergraduate fellows will have opportunities to join research activities including: 1) Nutrient transportation in soil-water-crop interfaces, 2) Microbial - root interactions at the interface, 3) Interactions among target biomolecules and bio-ligands on biosensor surfaces, 4) Microbial transportation in fresh produce via adsorption/desorption on solid particle surfaces, 5) Biofilms in food processing, 6) Adsorption/desorption of chemicals on interfaces - storm water and drainage management in agricultural systems, and 7) Surface catalysis processes to produce biorenewable chemicals and biofuels.Students will also be encouraged to continue their hands-on training in the same program up to twenty weeks. Furthermore, all students will also learn experimental design, state-of-the-art characterization methods in agriculture and food science, as well as data collection, analysis, and critical thinking. In addition, collaboration among students will be encouraged through seminars, workshops, poster competitions, social activities, and mentoring K12 students for 2 days (day 1: introductory sessions, and lab visits; day 2: lab experiments).Young faculty will be trained to improve their student advising and supervision skills.Sustainable mentoring will be achieved through monthly emails from PIs to mentors and students, plus annually newsletters of updated information about mentors and students accomplishments. A new USDA-REEU webpage will be developed, and each student and mentor will be required to updated progress and achievements. All mentors will also be required to report their continuous mentoring activities, such as offering reference letters, at least every six months.Workshops, including "Writing for Scientific Journals", "Professional Presentation of Scientific Work", "Research Compliance" and "Time and Stress Management" will be organized for undergraduate fellows. In addition, all students will take leadership roles in all aspects of their research and learning activities to facilitate development of their independent research and learning capability.We will undertake both annual formative and summative evaluations of the project and student experiences. Furthermore, we will invite USDA program managers, deans, department heads, and industrial representatives to join annual meetings and evaluate progress and success of the REEU projects. All fellowship students will be required to prepare both a final report and a poster at the end of the program. All fellows will also prepare an exit video (3 minutes) to describe the professional skills and specific knowledge of agriculture research areas obtained in the REEU program. Emphasis will be given to encourage fellows as co-authors in peer reviewed articles. In addition, on-time graduation and obtaining employment in relevant professional positions will be used to evaluate student success. For fellows who continue on to graduate programs, annually tracking will continue until their gradation with MS or PhD degrees.Knowledge gained through the proposed research will also be transferred to agricultural producers, policy makers, other stakeholders, and the general public through a variety of outlets, including websites, Extension publications, field days, water and soil related meetings, forums, workshops, and conferences, and press releases to agricultural and popular press outlets.

Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and processers of agricultural products in SD, such as the Oilseeds Council, Beef Council, and small vegetable producers have been contacted to collect information including, but not limited to, challenges of biofilms of animal pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and emerging diseases. New information obtained in this project has been introduced to undergraduate students through an undergraduate research program and hands-on laboratory exercises in this project. Funding agencies include USDA, NSF, NASA, EPSCOR, DOE, NAVY, DOD, and NIH. SD commodity groups include South Dakota Soybean Association, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, and South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for recruiting students, especially from other campus in and outside of South Dakota. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mr. Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) joined the REEU workshop, from 2020 Fall to 2022 Spring and was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Experience: adsorption and releasing of glucosinolate from biopolymer and hydrogel adsorbents, HPLC, GC-MS. Mr. Nolan Lee (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) joined the REEU workshop, from 2020 Fall to 2021 Summer and was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Experience: adsorption and releasing of glucosinolate from carbon absorbents, HPLC, GC-MS, 3D printer operation, fabrication of biosensor for detecting microbes in animal feed. Mr. Anthony Palmer Vargas Kunkel (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Spring 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu Experience: corn oil-based polymer synthesis, economic modeling and polymer characterization. Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Summer 2023 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Experience: culture and analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, PCR, recombinant protein (GFP/RFP) expression and analysis. Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer of 2022 through Summer by Dr. Zhengrong Gu and Dr. Kristine Lang. : water quality analysis, biopolymer adsorption/desorption, GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vi's spectrophotometer. Kendal Allan Schreier (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu Experience: Economic modeling of green fumigants. Nicole Marie Greyer (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu and Dr. Nicholas Butzin. Experience: fluorescent protein preparation and characterization, biosensor and its application in microbial activity analysis; data analysis. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the Summer 2021 through Spring of 2023 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Experience: photocatalyst preparation and characterization in ethylene degradation, plant hormone ethylene and its impact on fruit ripen; GC-MS analysis. Hansen, Brock Robert (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer - 2023 Summer). Experience: glucosinolate leaching technology, biomass characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability). Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the Spring of 2023 through Spring 2025 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling, APP on mobile platforms Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Fall - 2023 Summer). Experience: adsorption of high-value biomolecules, spectrophotometric analysis, recombinant protein, value-added processing, GC-MS analysis McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-2023 Summer). Experience: instrumentation, engineering properties of materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, data generation Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-2024 Fall). Experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling Charlie Ian Saulsbury (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Experience: thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption Wyatt Reid Seagren (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer-2023 Summer). Experience: microbiology, spectrophotometric analysis, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption. Caleb Isa Homer Garvis (Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring- Fall 2024). Experience: plant science, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption, value-added processing. Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Summer). Experience: Material science, ultrafiltration, ion exchange chromatography, SDS-PAGE, adsorption/desporption,value-added processing. Kinsey Ann Carr (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall-2025 Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Landon Nicholas Traub-Jensen (Human Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall- 2025 Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Tveit, Declan Jie (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall - 2025 Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Struble, Madelyn Fae (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025 Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Sannes, Gavin Thomas (Biology SDSU). Mr. Sannes was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), seeds coating and seed germination. Tran, Erin Leigh (Chemistry SDSU) Ms. Tran was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, water/oxygen permeation, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Johnson, Ruth Mahree (Biology SDSU). Mr. Johnson was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025 Spring). Experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), seeds coating and seed germination. Shoen, Shelby (Computer science). Mr. Shoen was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (REEU 2024 summer-2025 Spring). Experience: Image processing and data analysis. Cole, Kleespies D (Biology SDSU). Ms. Cole was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (REEU 2023 Fall - 2024 Spring). Experience: Greenhouse operation, crops management, and data analysis". All undergraduates also learned experimental design, data collection and analysis with Excel and SAS, how to prepare and make scientific presentations, as well as writing scientific essays. In this project, 8 PhD students (Matthew Hummel, Matthew Cole, Shun Lu, Yaohua Liang; Jiahui Yuan, Yizi Zhang, Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen, Caleb Isa Homer Garvis), 2 MS students (Kayla Christopherson and Wolf Logan) and 3 post doctor scholars (Hongxin Jia, Bin Yao and Yuanyuan Cai) obtained experience in mentoring, supervising undergraduates in research laboratory, teaching undergraduates how to operate analytical instruments, as well as working with undergraduates in multi-disciplinary research projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. (100% Accomplished) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only two undergraduates were recruited and joined the Fellowship program between Sept 2020 and March 2021. After that, every year, around 8~12 undergraduates were recruited and trained in the REEU program during summer or academic semesters. In this project, most students from SDSU joined the USDA REEU training program, as well as focusing on same/similar projects in multiple semesters continuously. This innovative practice significantly improved students' knowledge and offered hands-on experience of research activities. In addition, this multiple training opportunity attracted more than 12 students to join graduate school after graduation. In them, 4 students continued pursuing their MS and PhD degrees in Dr. Zhengrong Gu's group. Among 4 graduate students in Dr. Gu's group, Ms. Christopherson and Mr. Logan graduated with MS degree in 2025 Spring and 2024 Summer respectively, while Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen and Mr. Garvis are pursuing their PhD degrees. 1. Mr. Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) joined the REEU workshop, from 2020 Fall to 2022 Spring and was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu . Mr. Wolf worked with Mr. Cole Matthew (PhD student) on the project "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents." 2. Mr. Nolan Lee (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) joined the REEU workshop, from 2020 Fall to 2021 Summer and was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Mr. Lee worked with Mr. Cole on the project "Sustainable releasing of glucosinolate from carbon adsorbents - interface hydrolysis and adsorption/desorption." and "3D printing device as biosensor for detecting microbes in animal feed". 3. Mr. Anthony Palmer Vargas Kunkel (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Spring 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Guworking on the project "Economic evaluation of biopolymers from soybean oil and canola oil." 4. Mr.Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen(Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Summer 2023 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Mr. Traub worked on the project "Glucosinolate as inhibitor of antibiotic-resistant microbes." 5. Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer of 2022 through Summer by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) and Dr. Lang, Kristine (Plant Science). Mr. Schuh worked on a project "Biorenewable adsorbents for water recycling in aquaculture systems." 6. Kendal Allan Schreier (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Schreier work on a project "Economic evaluation of glucosinolate as white mold control tool in soybean field." 7. Nicole Marie Greyer (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) and Dr. Nicholas Butzin (Microbiology). Ms. Greyer worked on a project "Fluorescent protein biomarkers for developing biofilm characterization tools." 8. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the Summer 2021 through Spring of 2023 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Ms. Franken worked on a project "Photocatalysis to remove ethylene from fruits in closed food/crops storage systems". 9. Hansen, Brock Robert (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer - 2023 Summer). Mr. Hansen worked on the project "Canola based high protein animal feed". 10. Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the Spring of 2023 through Spring 2025 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Mr. Zakaras worked on a project titled "Data management from novel image-based biosensors". 11. Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Fall - 2023 Summer). Ms. Christopherson worked on a project named "Isolation of valuable agricultural coproducts for sustained releasing". 12. McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-2023 Summer). Mr. Evink worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations". 13. Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Cain worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations." and worked closely with Mr. Evink on the project. 14. Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-2024 Fall). Mr. Dana worked on a project titled "Data management from novel biosensors". 15. Charlie Ian Saulsbury(Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Saulsbury worked on a project titled "Biotransformation of fermentation feedstocks". 16. Wyatt Reid Seagren(Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer-2023 Summer). Mr. Seagren worked on a project titled "Recovery and application of biotransformation fermentation projects". 17. Caleb Isa Homer Garvis(Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring- Fall 2024). Mr. Garvis worked on a project titled "Fermentation products for biostimulation of South Dakota ag crops". 18. Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Summer). Ms. Gillingham worked on a project titled "Development of a bilayered hydrogel with incorporated glucosinolates for preserving food products". 19. Kinsey Ann Carr (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall-2025 Spring). Ms. Carr worked with Mr. Traub-Jensen on the project titled "Development of Soybean Oil-Based Digestible Biopolymers". 20. Landon Nicholas Traub-Jensen (Human Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall- 2025 Spring). Mr. Traub-Jensen worked with Ms. Carr on the project titled "Development of Soybean Oil-Based Digestible Biopolymers". 21. Tveit, Declan Jie (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall - 2025 Spring). Mr. Jie worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Development of Seed Coating from soybean oil" 22. Struble, Madelyn Fae (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025 Spring). Ms. Struble worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Development of Biopolymer net wrap from soybean oil" 23 Sannes, Gavin Thomas (Biology SDSU). Mr. Sannes was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025Spring) Mr. Sannes worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Development of Seed Coating polymer from soybean oil" 24 Tran, Erin Leigh (Chemistry SDSU) Ms. Tran was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025Spring). Ms. Tran worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Development of Food packing film from corn oil" 25. Johnson, Ruth Mahree (Biology SDSU). Mr. Johnson was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Fall -2025 Spring). Mr. Johnson worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Development of Seed Coating polymer from soybean oil" 26. Shoen, Shelby (Computer science). Mr. Shoen was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (REEU 2024 summer-2025 Spring). Mr. Shoen worked with Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (PhD candidate) on the project "Data management from novel image-based biosensors" 27. Cole, Kleespies D (Biology SDSU). Ms. Cole was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (REEU 2023 Fall - 2024 Spring). Ms. Cole worked with Mr. Logan (MS. Student) on the project "Development of Roots growth biohormone from oilseeds extract".

Publications

  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Y Liang, W Ding, B Yao, F Zheng, A Smirnova, Z Gu, 2023, Mediating Lithium Plating/Stripping by Constructing 3D Au@ Cu Pentagonal Pyramid Array, Batteries 9 (5), 279 10.3390/batteries9050279
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Yaohua Liang, Teddrick Schaffer, Abdus Sobhan, Matthew Biesecker, Zhongjiu Yang, Chenyu Han, Jie Hu, Alevtina Smirnova, Zhengrong Gu, 2023, 3D Cu Pyramid Array Grown on Planar Cu Foil for Stable and DendriteFree Lithium Deposition, Materials Science 29 (4).
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: J Yuan, Z Zhang, Y Feng, F Chen, W Ding, Y Zhang, H Jia, Z Gu, 2025, Introduction of sidewall C [triple bond, length as m-dash] N: a high-temperature-resistant COF for lithium-ion storage, Journal of Materials Chemistry C 13 (6), 2905-2911 DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TC04275A
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: S Sapkota, M Hummel, M Zahan, SP Karanam, J Bathi, N Shrestha, Z Gu, 2024 Graphene-Infused Hybrid BiobatterySupercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation Inorganics 12 (3), 84 https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12030084
  • Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: J Yuan, Y Zhang, F Chen, Z Gu, 2024, "An overview of Joule heating in energy storage materials and applications" Journal of Materials Chemistry C DOI: 10.1039/D4TC01736F


Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and processers of agricultural products in SD, such as the Oilseeds Council, Beef Council, and small vegetable producers have been contacted to collect information including, but not limited to, challenges of biofilms of animal pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and emerging diseases. New information obtained in this project have been introduced to undergraduate students through an undergraduate research program and hands-on laboratory exercises in this project. Funding agencies include USDA, NSF, NASA, EPSCOR, DOE, NAVY, DOD, and NIH. SD commodity groups include South Dakota Soybean Association, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, and South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for recruiting students, especially from other campus in and outside of South Dakota. We are continuous recruiting undergraduates from different universities and looking forward to have more students from other campus in the summer of 2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Hansen, Brock Robert (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: glucosinolate leaching technology, biomass characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability). Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling, APP on mobile platforms Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: culture and analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, PCR, recombinant protein (GFP/RFP) expression and analysis. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) experience: photocatalyst preparation and characterization in ethylene degradation, plant hormone ethylene and its impact on fruits ripen; GC-MS analysis. Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) experience: adsorption of high-value biomolecules, spectrophotometric analysis, recombinant protein, value-added processing, GC-MS analysis McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, engineering properties of materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, data generation Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling Charlie Ian Saulsbury (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption Wyatt Reid Seagren (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: microbiology, spectrophotometric analysis, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption Caleb Isa Homer Garvis (Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) experience: plant science, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption, value-added processing Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) experience: Material science, ultrafiltration, ion exchange chromatography, SDS-PAGE, adsorption/desporption, value-added processing. Kinsey Ann Carr (Biology, SDSU) experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. Landon Nicholas Traub-Jensen (Human Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry) experience: biopolymer synthesis with crosslinking reagents, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability), and step growth polymerization. All undergraduates also learned experimental design, data collection and analysis with Excel and SAS, how to prepare and make scientific presentations, as well as writing scientific essays. In this project, 6 PhD students (Matthew Hummel, Matthew Cole, Shun Lu, Yaohua Liang; Jiahui Yuan, Yizi Zhang) and 2 post doctor scholars (Hongxin Jia and Bin Yao) obtained experience in mentoring and supervising undergraduates in the research laboratory, teaching undergraduates how to operate analytical instruments, as well as working with undergraduates in multi-disciplinary research projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. We already announced the 2024 summer fellowship program in January 2024 and recruited 4 more students. More undergraduates from under-representative groups will be encouraged to apply. We will also organize a field trip to local farms and industrial partner facilities. For example, all students will have a chance to visit Raven's experimental farm for precision agriculture practice and POET's corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol facilities. Additionally, more trips will be planned to visit facilities such as SAB biotherapeutics. To accomplish these goals, we will continue to advertise for the fellowship to all demographics and especially encourage people from underrepresented communities and demographics to apply.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. (4% Accomplished) From April 2022- March 2023, Total 15 undergraduates from SDSU were recruited and joined the Fellowship program. Hansen, Brock Robert (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer - 2023 Summer). Mr. Hansen worked on the project "Canola based high protein animal feed." Canola meal was successfully detoxed through removal of glucosinolates with a patent pending leaching process. Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the spring of 2023 through summer 2024 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Mr. Zakaras worked on a project titled "Data management from novel image based biosensors." Mr. Zakaras worked with the instruments as previously described by S. Lu and M. Hummel to collect the large amount of data that the sensors can put out for accurate diagnosis and interpretation. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2021 summer -2023 summer). Mr. Traub worked on the project "Glucosinolate as inhibitor of antibiotic resistant microbes." Mr. Traub designed and conducted various experiments to determine the susceptibility of different microbes to glucosinolates extracted from canola meal. A novel purification process of glucosinolates was also developed to test the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer- 2023 Spring). Ms. Franken worked on a project "Photocatalysis to remove ethylene from fruits in closed food/crops storage systems." Ms. Franken worked on building a filter to convert ethylene to carbon dioxide and water. Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Fall - 2023 Summer). Ms. Christopherson worked on a project named "Isolation of valuable agricultural coproducts for sustained releasing." Ms. Christopherson made both fluidized beds and packed columns of various adsorbent materials to recover bioactive compounds from canola meal extract. McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-2023 Summer). Mr. Evink worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations." Mr. Evink separated slurries from fermentation processes and tested thermodynamic properties of the unit operations. Mr. Evink also calibrates instruments for testing in the laboratory. Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Cain worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations." and worked closely with Mr. Evink on the project. Mr. Cain worked with the instruments that Mr. Evink would calibrate to take measurements and record data from the various bioseparation trials. Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Fall). Mr. Dana worked on a project titled "Data management from novel biosensors." Some of the programs that utilize the data involve AI, to allow for a more rapid and accurate interpretation. Charlie Ian Saulsbury (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Saulsbury worked on a project titled "Biotransformation of fermentation feedstocks." Mr. Saulsbury evaluated the various value-added coproducts that were developed from the fermentation, such as harvest yield and percent recovery. He also worked with Mr. Evink on some of the engineering properties of the processes. Wyatt Reid Seagren (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU)) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer-2023 Summer). Mr. Seagren worked on a project titled "Recovery and application of biotransformation fermentation projects". Mr. Seagren worked with the coproducts in various applications, many in-vitro and reported the results of the bioactivity of the recovered coproducts. Caleb Isa Homer Garvis (Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-summer 2024). Mr. Garvis worked on a project titled "Fermentation products for biostimulation of South Dakota ag crops". Mr. Garvis worked with the recovered coproducts to test in-situ in the greenhouse on common South Dakota crops, such as soybean and sunflower. Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Summer). Ms. Gillingham worked on a project titled "Development of a bilayered hydrogel with incorporated glucosinolates for preserving food products". Kinsey Ann Carr (Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2024 Spring). Ms. Carr worked with Mr. Traub-Jensen on the project titled "Development of Soybean Oil-Based Digestible Biopolymers". Landon Nicholas Traub-Jensen (Human Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Fall- 2024 Spring). Mr. Traub-Jensen worked with Ms. Carr on the project titled "Development of Soybean Oil-Based Digestible Biopolymers".

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Interlaced stacked hollow Cu2O dendrite for stable lithium metal anode. Y Liang, W Ding, G Liu, J Traub, Z Gu Solid State Ionics 410, 116530
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 3D Cu Pyramid Array Grown on Planar Cu Foil for Stable and Dendrite-free Lithium Deposition Y LIANG, T SCHAFFER, A SOBHAN, M BIESECKER, Z Gu Materials Science 29 (4), 434-438


Progress 04/01/22 to 03/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and processers of agricultural products in SD, such as the Oilseeds Council, Beef Council, and small vegetable producers have been contacted to collect information including, but not limited to, challenges of biofilms of animal pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and emerging diseases. New information obtained in this project has been introduced to undergraduate students through an undergraduate research program and hands-on laboratory exercises in this project. A team of students including Matthew Cole (PhD candidate), Logan Wolf, Ian Marcus Schuh Jordan, and Kristofer Traub-Jensen (undergraduates funded in this REEU project), has registered a new company called "Pioneer BioTech" and rented a new laboratory in the Brookings Technology Park to commercialize a technology developed through this project. The team also received an invitation from the NSF ICorp program manager and participated in the ICorp program in 2022 April. Funding agencies include: USDA, NSF, NASA, EPSCOR, DOE, NAVY, DOD, and NIH. SD commodity groups include South Dakota Soybean Association, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, and South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for recruiting students, especially from other campus in and outside of South Dakota. We are continuous recruiting undergraduates from different universities and looking forward to have more students from other campus in the summer of 2024. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: biopolymer syhthesis with crosslinking reagents such as the polyphenolic acid, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability). Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling, APP on mobile platforms Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: culture and analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, PCR, recombinant protein (GFP/RFP) expression and analysis. Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) experience: bio mulch on various species gardening plants, adsorption/leaching of nutrients in bio mulch and soil. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) experience: photocatalyst preparation and characterization in ethylene degradation, plant hormone ethylene and its impact on fruits ripen; GC-MS analysis. Ashley Marie Christensen (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: culture and analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, spectrophotometric analysis Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) experience: adsorption of high-value biomolecules, spectrophotometric analysis, recombinant protein, value-added processing, GC-MS analysis McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, engineering properties of materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations Belshiba Bowah (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, PCR, recombinant protein (GFP/RFP) analysis, case studies. Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, data generation Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) experience: instrumentation, statistical analysis, data generation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, high-power computing, data modelling Charlie Ian Saulsbury (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: thermodynamics, heat transfer, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption Wyatt Reid Seagren (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: microbiology, spectrophotometric analysis, ultracentrifugation, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption Caleb Isa Homer Garvis (Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) experience: plant science, unit operations, ultrafiltration, adsorption/desorption, value-added processing Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) experience: Material science, ultrafiltration, ion exchange chromatography, SDS-PAGE, adsorption/desporption, value-added processing. All undergraduates also learned experimental design, data collection and analysis with Excel and SAS, how to prepare and make scientific presentations, as well as writing scientific essays. In this project, 6 PhD students (Matthew Hummel, Matthew Cole, Shun Lu, Yaohua Liang; Jiahui Yuan, Yizi Zhang) and 2 post doctor scholars (Hongxin Jia and Bin Yao) obtained experience in mentoring and supervising undergraduates in the research laboratory, teaching undergraduates how to operate analytical instruments, as well as working with undergraduates in multi-disciplinary research projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. We already announced the 2023 summer fellowship program in January 2023 and recruited 8 more students. More undergraduates from under-representative groups will be encouraged to apply and will be recruited in 2023 Fall and 2024 Spring. We will also organize a field trip to local farms and industrial partner facilities. For example, all students will have a chance to visit Raven's experimental farm for precision agriculture practice and POET's corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol facilities.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. (4% Accomplished) From April 2022- March 2023, Total 15 undergraduates from SDSU were recruited and joined the Fellowship program. Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2021 Summer - 2022 Summer). Mr. Wolf continuously worked on the project "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents." Multiple oleic acid-rich oil based polymers were successfully synthesized from canola oil, sunflower oil, and camelina oil. By using a crosslinking reagent, such as polyphenolic acid, the innovative biopolymer showed controllable slow breakdown after exposure to moisture. Zakaras, Spencer (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the spring of 2023 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu. Mr. Zakaras worked on a project titled "Data management from novel image based biosensors." Mr. Zakaras worked with the instruments as previously described by S. Lu and M. Hummel to collect the large amount of data that the sensors can put out for accurate diagnosis and interpretation. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2021 summer -2023 summer). Mr. Traub worked on the project "Glucosinolate as inhibitor of antibiotic resistant microbes." Mr. Traub designed and conducted various experiments to determine the susceptibility of different microbes to glucosinolates extracted from canola meal. A novel purification process of glucosinolates was also developed to test the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu and Dr. Lang, Kristine (Plant Science) (2022 Summer - 2022 Fall). Mr. Schuh worked on a project "Biorenewable adsorbents for water recycling in aquaculture systems." Mr. Schuh mainly worked with various organic filtering media to remove toxic agriculture byproducts from aquaculture facilities. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer- 2023 Spring). Ms. Franken worked on a project "Photocatalysis to remove ethylene from fruits in closed food/crops storage systems." Ms. Franken worked on building a filter to convert ethylene to carbon dioxide and water. Ashley Marie Christensen (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu and Dr. Nicholas Butzin (Microbiology) (2022 Summer-2022 Fall). Ms. Christensen worked on a project "Recovered agricultural coproducts to inhibit foodborne pathogens." Ms. Christensen used various bacteria genetically modified with plasmids to help track (with a fluorescent microscope) the growth and development of bacteria on various foodstuffs and in Petri dishes. Kayla M Christopherson (Biotechnology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Fall - 2023 Summer). Ms. Christopherson worked on a project named "Isolation of valuable agricultural coproducts for sustained releasing." Ms. Christopherson made both fluidized beds and packed columns of various adsorbent materials to recover bioactive compounds from canola meal extract. McCormick Michael Evink (Mechanical Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-2023 Summer). Mr. Evink worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations." Mr. Evink separated slurries from fermentation processes and tested thermodynamic properties of the unit operations. Mr. Evink also calibrates instruments for testing in the laboratory. Belshiba Bowah (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised during the summer of 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu and worked closely with Jordan Traub. Ms. Bowah extensively focused on the literature review that investigated uses for the glucosinolate molecule. Tucker Edward Cain (College of Engineering, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Cain worked on a project titled "Thermodynamic characterization of biomass separations." and worked closely with Mr. Evink on the project. Mr. Cain worked with the instruments that Mr. Evink would calibrate to take measurements and record data from the various bioseparation trials. Mason Robert Dana (Computer Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Dana worked on a project titled "Data management from novel biosensors." Some of the programs that utilize the data involve AI, to allow for a more rapid and accurate interpretation. Charlie Ian Saulsbury (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Spring-Summer). Mr. Saulsbury worked on a project titled "Biotransformation of fermentation feedstocks." Mr. Saulsbury evaluated the various value-added coproducts that were developed from the fermentation, such as harvest yield and percent recovery. He also worked with Mr. Evink on some of the engineering properties of the processes. Wyatt Reid Seagren (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU)) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Summer-2023 Summer). Mr. Seagren worked on a project titled "Recovery and application of biotransformation fermentation projects". Mr. Seagren worked with the coproducts in various applications, many in-vitro and reported the results of the bioactivity of the recovered coproducts. Caleb Isa Homer Garvis (Horticulture & Plant Science, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2022 Spring-Fall). Mr. Garvis worked on a project titled "Fermentation products for biostimulation of South Dakota ag crops". Mr. Garvis worked with the recovered coproducts to test in-situ in the greenhouse on common South Dakota crops, such as soybean and sunflower. Elizabeth Gillingham (Human Biology, SDSU) was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (2023 Summer). Ms. Gillingham worked on a project titled "Development of a bilayered hydrogel with incorporated glucosinolates for preserving food products".

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: H. Jia, S. Lu, SH Shin, ML Sushko, X. Tao, M. Hummel, P Thallapally, J. Liu, Z. Gu, 2022, In situ anodic electrodeposition of two-dimensional conductive metal-organic framework@nickel foam for high-performance flexible supercapacitor, J Power Sources 526, (2022), 231163


Progress 04/01/21 to 03/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and processers of agricultural products in SD, such as the Oilseeds Council, Beef Council, and small vegetable producers have been contacted to collect information including, but not limited to, challenges of biofilms of animal pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and emerging diseases. New information obtained in this project has been introduced to undergraduate students through an undergraduate research program and hands-on laboratory exercises in this project. A team of students including Matthew Cole (PhD candidate), Logan Wolf, Ian Marcus Schuh Jordan, and Kristofer Traub-Jensen (undergraduates funded in this REEU project), has registered a new company called "Pioneer BioTech" and rented a new laboratory in the Brookings Technology Park to commercialize a technology developed through this project. The team also received an invitation from the NSF ICorp program manager and participated in the ICorp program in 2022 April. Funding agencies include: USDA, NSF, NASA, EPSCOR, DOE, NAVY, DOD, and NIH. SD commodity groups include South Dakota Soybean Association, South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, South Dakota Oilseeds Council, and South Dakota Beef Industry Council. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for recruiting students, especially from other campus in and outside of South Dakota. We are continuous recruiting undergraduates from different universities and looking forward to have more students from other campus in the summer of 2022. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: biopolymer syhthesis with crosslinking reagents such as the polyphenolic acid, biopolymer characterization (water absorption, adsorption of biomolecules and mechanic stability). 2. Nolan Lee (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: 3D printing, designation of fluidic devices, the microfluidic flow channel fabrication with a 3D printer, protein quantification. 3. Anthony Palmer Vargas Kunkel (Ag Business, SDSU) experience: life cycle economic and environment impact of canola oil based biopolymers film for food packing and storage. 4. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: culture and analysis of S. enterica and E. coli, microbe inhibition quantification, PCR, recombinant protein (GFP/RFP) expression and analysis. 5. Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) experience: bio mulch on various species gardening plants, adsorption/leaching of nutrients in bio mulch and soil. 6. Kendal Allan Schreier (Ag Business, SDSU) experience: life cycle analysis (economic impact and environment debris) of fungicides (synthetic and biorenewable) in white mold controlling. 7. Nicole Marie Greyer (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) experience: PCR, plasmid based transgenic E coli establishment, GFP/RFP expression, quantify antibiotic resistance genes, fluorescent microscope analysis of biofilms. 8. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) experience: photocatalyst preparation and characterization in ethylene degradation, plant hormone ethylene and its impact on fruits ripen; GC-MS analysis. All undergraduates also learned experimental design, data collection and analysis with Excel and SAS, how to prepare and make scientific presentations, as well as writing scientific essays. In this project, 4 PhD students (Matthew Hummel, Matthew Cole, Shun Lu, Yaohua Liang) and 1 post doctor scholar (Hongxin Jia) obtained experience in mentoring and supervising undergraduates in the research laboratory, teaching undergraduates how to operate analytical instruments, as well as working with undergraduates in multi-disciplinary research projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A team of students including Matthew Cole (PhD candidate), Logan Wolf, Nolan Lee (undergraduates funded in this REEU project), Jordan Traub-Jensen, and Kendal Schreier developed the start-up company Pioneer BioTech. The mission of this company is to develop a bio-based product to preserve fresh produce. It is based on the research projects conducted in this program: "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents" and "Sustainable releasing of glucosinolate from carbon adsorbents - interface hydrolysis and adsorption/desorption." This team presented their business idea to and won the "Giant Vision 2022" program (South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry) in April 2022, and won second place in the business competition. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. We already announced the 2022 summer fellowship program in January 2022 and plan to recruit 6-8 more students. More undergraduates from under-representative groups will be encouraged to apply and will be recruited. We will also organize a field trip to local farms and industrial partner facilities. For example, all students will have a chance to visit Raven's experimental farm for precision agriculture practice and POET's corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol facilities.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. (4% Accomplished) From April 2021- March 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 8 undergraduates from SDSU were recruited and joined the Fellowship program. 1. Mr. Logan Wolf (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 to Spring 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Wolf continuously worked with Mr. Cole Matthew (PhD student) on the project "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents." Multiple oleic acid-rich oil based polymers were successfully synthesized from canola oil, sunflower oil, and camelina oil. By using a crosslinking reagent, such as polyphenolic acid, the innovative biopolymer showed controllable slow breakdown after exposure to moisture. The biopolymers also demonstrated adsorption and desorption of bioactive proteins, such as enzymes (lysozyme and amylase). 2. Mr. Nolan Lee (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow in Summer 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Lee worked with Mr. Cole on the project "3D printing device as biosensor for detecting microbes in animal feed." Mr. Lee designed a flow channel for protein extraction and isolation, as well as fabricated the microfluidic flow channel with a 3D printer. Mr. Lee also quantified extraction, adsorption/desorption of model proteins (such as bovine serum albumin) in the microfluidic flow channel. 3. Mr. Anthony Palmer Vargas Kunkel (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Spring 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) working on the project "Economic evaluation of biopolymers from soybean oil and canola oil." Mr. Vargus-Kunkle initially looked into the economic value and potential sources of profit loss from traditional polymers used in the American agriculture industry. Mr. Vargus-Kunkle then predicted potential interest of a biopolymer via customer interviews. This was then used to determine the demand and possible market impact for such a biopolymer. 4. Mr. Jordan Kristofer Traub-Jensen (Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as undergraduate fellow from Summer 2021 through Spring 2022 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Traub worked on the project "Glucosinolate as inhibitor of antibiotic resistant microbes." Mr. Traub designed and conducted various experiments to determine the susceptibility of different microbes to glucosinolates extracted from canola meal. A novel purification process of glucosinolates was also developed to test the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The MIC was successfully determined for S. enterica and E. coli proving there little resistance to glucosinolates. 5. Ian Marcus Schuh (Natural Resources, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) and Dr. Lang, Kristine (Plant Science). Mr. Schuh worked on a project "Biorenewable adsorbents for water recycling in aquaculture systems." Mr. Schuh mainly worked with various organic filtering media to remove toxic agriculture byproducts from aquaculture facilities. Mr. Schuh also experimented with various species of acorn and pecan shells as a bio mulch on various species of tomato plants. Mr. Schuh discovered that the nut mulch had a much more significant impact on the tomato growth rate, weed and pest suppression, and fruit production. 6. Kendal Allan Schreier (Ag Business, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Schreier work on a project "Economic evaluation of glucosinolate as white mold control tool in soybean field." Mr. Schreier initially looked into the economic value and impact of current pesticides that are commonly used to prevent white mold in soybean fields, along with calculating the average amount of money lost from white mold infections in the United States. Mr. Schreier then used this data to predict the theoretical amount of soybean crops preserved from white mold via glucosinolates as a white mold pesticide. These values were determined by using various experiments incorporating glucosinolates and determining their rate of success to factor it into national data. 7. Nicole Marie Greyer (Biology and Microbiology, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) and Dr. Nicholas Butzin (Microbiology). Ms. Greyer worked on a project "Fluorescent protein biomarkers for developing biofilm characterization tools." Ms. Greyer used various bacteria genetically modified with plasmids to help track the growth and development of bacteria and biofilm formation. These plasmids were induced and ensured that they were active in the bacteria by incorporating antibiotic resistance genes. When these traits were confirmed, a fluorescent microscope was used to take various pictures the bacteria to monitor the formation of the biofilm 8. Aubrie Kaye Franken (Biochemistry and Chemistry, SDSU) was supervised as an undergraduate fellow during the summer through fall of 2021 by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Ms. Franken worked on a project "Photocatalysis to remove ethylene from fruits in closed food/crops storage systems." Ms. Franken researched the plant hormone ethylene and its impact on how various fruits ripen. Ms. Franken worked on building a filter to convert ethylene to carbon dioxide and water. This filter was built for a part of a NASA competition. The goal was to produce a filter for the greenhouses in space that would convert the ethylene from plants to carbon dioxide and water so the carbon cycle could continue and prevent the buildup of ethylene causing fruit to ripen faster.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: S. Lu, M. Hummel, S. Kang, R. Pathak, W. He, X.Q. Qi, Z.R. Gu. 2021. Density functional theory investigation of the NiO-graphene composite as a urea oxidation catalyst in the alkaline electrolyte. Acs Omega. 6:14648-14654.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: S. Lu. 2021. Rational design of advanced functional materials for electrochemical devices. PhD. Dissertation. SD State University. (https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/5717/)
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: M. Hummel. 2021. Bioinspired materials for electrochemical sensors. PhD. Dissertation. SD State University. (Dissertation Just submitted 2021 Oct)


Progress 04/01/20 to 03/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and processers of agricultural products in SD, such as the Oilseeds Council, Beef Council, and small vegetable producers have been contacted to collect information including, but not limited to, challenges of biofilms of animal pathogens, foodborne pathogens, and emerging diseases. New information obtained in this project has been introduced to undergraduate students through an undergraduate research program and hands-on laboratory exercises in this project. A team of students including Matthew Cole (PhD candidate), Logan Wolf, Nolan Lee (undergraduates funded in this REEU project), Jordan Traub-Jensen, and Kendal Schreier developed a business idea "renewable fresh product preservatives" from research projects "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents" and "Sustainable releasing of glucosinolate from carbon adsorbents - interface hydrolysis and adsorption/desorption. This team developed a business plan for a new company called "Prairie BioTech" and presented their business idea at the "Brookings Student Business Plan Competition" (2021 Feb 25) held at the Research Park at SDSU. The team won this competition, and subsequently entered the "Giant Vision Competition 2021" (South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry) and won second place in the student competition. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for recruiting students, especially from other campus in and outside of South Dakota. We are continuous recruiting undergraduates from different universities and looking forward to have more students from other campus in the summer of 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Mr. Logan Wolf, SDSU Biotechnology undergraduate: Supervisor: Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Experience: tannic acid-vegetable oil biopolymer preparation, biopolymer adsorbent designation and fabrication, biopolymer characterization (stability/breakdown, elasticity, stiffness, ultimate strength), enzymatic activity quantification, data processing, and statistical analysis. Mr. Nolan Lee, SDSU Biomedical Science undergraduate: Supervisor: Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Experience: glucosinolate extraction, quantification, and hydrolysis; adsorption/desorption on carbon adsorbents; GC-MS; enzymatic activity quantification; data processing; and statistical analysis. PhD students (Matthew Hummel, Matthew Cole, Shun Lu) and post doctor scholar (Hongxin Jia) learned how to supervise undergraduates in the research laboratory, teach undergraduates how to operate analytical instruments, and to work with undergraduates in multi-principal research projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The team of students "Prairie BioTech" including Matthew Cole (PhD candidate), Logan Wolf, Nolan Lee (undergraduates funded in this REEU project), Jordan Traub-Jensen and Kendal Schreier developed a business idea "renewable fresh product preservatives" from research projects "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents" and "Sustainable releasing of glucosinolate from carbon adsorbents - interface hydrolysis and adsorption/desorption." This team presented their business idea to and won the "Brookings Student Business Plan Competition" (2021 Feb 25) held at the Research Park at SDSU. The students team also competed for the "Giant Vision 2021 program (South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry) (April 28 2021)" and won second place in the student competition. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We already announced the 2021 summer fellowship program in January 2021 and plan to recruit 4-6 more students. More undergraduates from under-representative groups will be encouraged to apply and will be recruited. We will also organize a field trip to local farms and industrial partners facilities. For example, all students will have a chance to visit Raven's experimental farm for precision agriculture practice, POET's corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol facilities, as well as to learn how agricultural science and technology experimental change our agricultural practice.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal 1. To train 50 undergraduates in basic and applied multi-disciplinary research. (4% Accomplished) In 2020-2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only two undergraduates, Logan Wolf (SDSU Biotechnology) and Nolan Lee (SDSU, Biomedical Science), were recruited and joined the Fellowship program between Sept 2020 and March 2021. Mr. Logan Wolf was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Wolf worked with Mr. Cole Matthew (PhD student) on the project "Vegetable based biopolymers adsorbents." Multiple oleic acid-rich oil based polymers were successfully synthesized from canola oil, sunflower oil, and camelina oil. By using a crosslink reagent such as polyphenolic acid, the innovative biopolymer showed controllable slow breakdown after exposure to moisture. These biopolymers also demonstrated adsorption and desorption of bioactive proteins, such as the enzymes lysozyme and amylase. Mr. Nolan Lee was supervised by Dr. Zhengrong Gu (Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). Mr. Lee worked with Mr. Cole on the project "Sustainable releasing of glucosinolate from carbon adsorbents - interface hydrolysis and adsorption/desorption." Mr. Lee optimized extraction of glucosinolates from canola meal by using different solvents, including ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and butanol. Mr. Lee also quantified adsorption/desorption of glucosinolates on activated carbon adsorbents, and quantified myrosinase catalytic hydrolysis of glucosinolate and release of isothiocyanates using GC-MS methods.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Hummel, M., Lu, S., Nelson, Z., Jia, H., Pathak, R., Zhou, Y., Gu, Z. 2020. Kappa-carrageenan/graphene oxide carbon composite film for electrochemical sensing of dopamine. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167 (11), 116506.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Lu, S., Gu, Z., Hummel, M., Zhou, Y., Wang, K., Xu, B.B., Wang, Y., Li, Y., Qi, X., Gu, Z. 2020. Nickel oxide immobilized on the carbonized eggshell membrane for electrochemical detection of urea. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167 106509.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Lu, S., Hummel, M., Wang, X., He, W., Pathak, R., Dong, X., Jia, H., Gu, Z. 2020. In situ electrodeposition of nickel phosphide on Ni foam for non-enzymatic detection of nitrite. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 167 (14), 146517.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Lu, S., Hummel, M., Gu, Z., Wang, Y., Wang, K., Pathak, R., Zhou, Y., Jia, H., Qi, X., Zhao, X., Xu, B., Liu, X. 2021. Highly efficient urea oxidation via nesting nano nickel oxide in eggshell membrane-derived carbon. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. (https://pubs.acs.org/articlesonrequest/AOR-R4KAZIXXVMCJQPYCAFGT)
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