Biofuel Students
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Chuck Denney
It’s the old college try with a new twist. These brainy types are UT Biosystems Engineering students. Here they’re measuring the density of switchgrass – a crop that could someday supply some of our fuel and energy.
Nat Sound
“Once we compressed the switchgrass, it has a rebound effect. It rebounded about three-and-a-half inches from its initial compression.”
Chuck Denney
If the students can figure out a way to mash the grass down, it takes up less space when transported, making biofuel production more affordable. These students will graduate with engineering degrees, but soon UT could offer a major in what they’re doing here – working with biofuels.
Erin Byers
“It would be very exciting to see students coming out of UT with a biofuel major.”
Chuck Denney
Erin Byers is proud of her soon-to-be alma mater for thinking this way. She could very well work in this field, and believes there are lots of potential jobs in this area.
Erin Byers
“You could do a lot after doing a project like this. You could work with the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative. You could work with government or in research institutions. You could work on the commercial end in a plant.”
Chuck Denney
This program is called BioSUCCEED. It’s grant-funded, and also includes classes at universities in North Carolina. Here Masters and Ph.D. students research and study the technical side of biomass production.
Dr. Caula Beyl
“Our graduates are about providing solutions to real world problems. The lack of energy or energy resources is a real world problem. The University of Tennessee takes the lead in providing students that are ready to assume professional careers and provide those solutions.”
Chuck Denney
Clint Sattler will soon earn his Masters in Chemical Engineering. He’s done quite a bit of work with switchgrass and wood biomass in his time at UT.
Nat Sound
“This is raw wood before any extractions are done. This is right off the tree. This is after we give it our pre-treatment.”
Chuck Denney
Here he’s breaking down the wood structure to separate and expose cellulosic materials - so it can be converted to ethanol. Sattler says biofuel production isn’t George Jetson stuff - way off in the future. It’s coming soon, and students need to learn about it.
Clint Sattler
“This is something that is applicable today. It’s not something that years down the road I’ll have to wait to see the results of my research. This is something that I can see immediately.”
Chuck Denney
If a number of Tennessee farmers will soon be growing crops for biofuels, it just makes sense that we’ll need experts in how to make the stuff. And when you combine talent and youthful enthusiasm with knowledge – look out world.
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NOTE: Some of the biofuel classes will be taught online, and could start as early as 2009.
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