Spring 2008Center for Crops Utilization Research

B U L L E T I NINSIDEWang researches ways to squeeze two fuels from one kernelPage 2

CCUR will participate in VEISHEAPage 2

Faculty Profile: David GrewellPage 3

Wisner retires from ISU ExtensionPage 3

Iowa State selected to participate in Solar DecathlonPage 4

Faculty Profile: Michael KesslerPage 5

Contracts and GrantsPage 5

Nikolau honoredPage 6

CCUR VisitorsPage 6

EthanolSee page 6

With the growing demand by consumers and government to reduce pollution and dependence on foreign oil, understanding the need of biopolymers and biocomposites is critical. These materials have the potential to use a wide range of feedstocks, from corn to coconut fibers, making this emerging technology challenging. This is why Iowa State University, Center for Crops Utilization Research, Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team, and Center for Industrial Research and Service will sponsor a workshop which allows researchers and industrial partners to network with Midwest companies to design, formulate and process biopolymer and biocomposite products. The workshop will focus on formulation topics such as protein-based polymers, vegetable oil polymers, adhesives, and composites polyesters (fermentation processes). In addition, injection molding, casting compression molding, extrusion, and pre-processing requirements for manufacturing will be covered. Other topics will include application studies, raw

material resources, post-production concerns and economic models. This workshop is aimed at providing technicians, engineers, designers and companies wanting to incorporate this technology with the tools required to use biopolymers and biocomposites for product design and manufacturing. Whether you already use biopolymers, biocomposites or bioadhesives, or are considering their use, this workshop will allow you to interact with experts in the field and gain critical knowledge about this growing industry. Register at www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop. Registration is $35 per person and the deadline for registering is April 15, 2008.

CCUR will host biocomposites and biopolymers workshop

WorkshopMidwestBiopolymers & Biocomposites

A research collaboration between CCUR affiliate Jay-lin Jane and POET Energy is hoping to find starches to further improve the efficiency of POET’s patent-pending BPX™ process. The BPX process uses raw starch hydrolysis that converts starch to sugar and then ferments to ethanol without the use of heat. It is used in 20 of POET’s 22 ethanol production facilities. The benefits of the process include reduced energy costs, increased ethanol yields, increased nutrient quality in feed co-products and decreased plant emissions. “Our collaboration with Jay-lin Jane is intended to extend the performance of our patent-pending BPX process to provide a greater yield of ethanol per bushel of corn without the need for cooking,” said Mark Stowers, vice president of research and development at POET. “By understanding the starch structure and methods of processing starch, we expect to be able to target further increases in ethanol yield per bushel,

reductions in energy required and improvements to the quality of distillers grains.” “There are differences between the starches in different lines of corn,” Jane said. “Starches are made different, and we are trying to identify which lines of corn starches are more easily hydrolyzed by the enzyme and the mechanism of enzyme hydrolysis of uncooked cornstarch.” Hydrolyzing the cornstarch is the process of breaking it down to glucose. The best starch needs to break down more easily. Jane has found that starches with certain molecular and granular structures work best. “Some starches are loosely packed in the granule and can be hydrolyzed easily,” said Jane. “While others, especially those with different crystalline structures, will be difficult for the enzyme to hydrolyze.”

Iowa State researcher seeks to improve efficiency of ethanol processDan Kuester, Iowa State University News Service

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Getting ethanol from a corn kernel has changed the way the country looks at a cornfield. Now, that view might change again. Iowa State University researcher and CCUR affiliate Tong Wang is researching new ways to maximize the amount of oil that can be recovered after a corn kernel is used for ethanol fermentation. “Potentially, a large volume of oil can be extracted from the co-products of fermentation to make biodiesel,” said Wang about the possibilities of the research. “Oil that we’re missing now.” The added oil for biodiesel is in addition to the ethanol that can be produced from the corn. In most current ethanol processes, about half of the oil in corn is partitioned in the fermentation liquid—stillage—and the other half becomes part of the solid. After the liquid dries to a syrup, it is combined with the solid. That co-product becomes distiller’s dry grain with solubles (DDGS)—and is often used as livestock feed. Wang says that getting the oil out of the liquid stillage before it becomes part of the dry grain co-product would be great for both biodiesel production and the DDGS. The advantage of removing the oil from DDGS is that high oil content in feed is bad for dairy cattle and, when fed to swine it produces a softer fatty tissue that is undesirable, says Wang. Additionally, Wang is experimenting with ways to change the beginning of the ethanol-making process in order to get more oil partitioned in the liquid so the oil can be easily removed. “We hope to get more oil from the corn,” said Wang. Wang is working with FEC Solutions of Des

Moines on the research. FEC Solutions is a new energy company that works with agricultural products and fuels. “We have high hopes for this project and hope to have technology come from the research that we can commercialize quickly,” said Joe Riley of FEC Solutions. “Ethanol plant margins are being squeezed and hopefully the research Tong is doing will lead to us creating higher values for ethanol co-products. This will in turn be a win for the ethanol, biodiesel and livestock producers concentrated in Iowa and the Midwest.” Wang’s research is made possible by a Grow Iowa Values Fund grant to create high quality jobs through business development and expansion.

Iowa State scientist researches ways to squeeze two fuels from one kernel of cornDan Kuester, Iowa State University News Service

CCUR will participate in VEISHEA VillageCome visit CCUR’s exhibit (tent #43) at this year’s VEISHEA Village, April 12 from Noon–5PM on the central campus of Iowa State University. CCUR will feature the research projects of many affiliated faculty members.

Watch the process of turning soybeans into fuel•Learn about bioenergy crops•View an array of plastics made from corn and soybeans•Check out new healthy food ingredients developed at CCUR•

VEISHEA is an annual celebration held at Iowa State each spring. It serves to showcase the Iowa State community with a wide variety of educational and entertainment events.

Hui WangPost doc Research AssociateFood Science and Human Nutrition

Starch HydrolysisLiquefaction

Tong Wang (right), associate professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Hui Wang, post doctoral research associate, are working together to remove the oil from thin stillage.

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Worldwide environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable plastics is a growing concern. To help counteract this pollution, David Grewell is researching the process of developing biodegradable plastics. He is currently chair of CCUR’s Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team (BBRT). Before coming to Iowa State University, Grewell worked at Emerson Electric until he decided to pursue his Ph.D. in Industrial Systems Welding at The Ohio State University. Shortly thereafter, he decided to join Iowa State University’s Ag and Biosystems Engineering Department where he began work on many projects including biodegradable plastics. He said, “I am enjoying my work because I can see where it will help eliminate pollution.” The work that Grewell is doing with BBRT is to develop soy- and corn-based protein plastics as well as to develop and characterize processing techniques. The ultimate goal of this work is the adoption of these materials into a wide range of applications, such as

home and garden supplies, temporary signage, toys, building materials, and industrial packaging. Grewell said that he appreciates the interdisci-plinary collaboration within BBRT. Altogether, the group includes researchers from five different departments. He said, “The ability to work with other researchers helps the development process.” Grewell will have the opportunity to share his group’s work with others during the Midwest Biopolymers and Biocomposites Workshop on April 22. Overall, Grewell is looking forward to increasing the efficiency of this work and making biodegradable plastics available to the public.

David Grewell: Counteracting pollution through biodegradable plastics

It is with very mixed emotions that CCUR affiliate Bob Wisner closes out a nearly 41 year career as Extension grain marketing and outlook economist at Iowa State University. He said, “Most of my time has been exciting, challenging, and very fulfilling professionally.” Additionally Wisner commented that, “I will miss the close contacts with farmers, agribusiness managers, county and area Extension specialists, farm writers and

Wisner retiring from ISU Extension grain marketingbroadcasters, and others.” Wisner plans to continue working part-time in grain marketing after a short break, and hopes to place greater emphasis on biofuels. But, he will be less accessible to the public than in the past four decades. He will continue working in grain market analysis through a center affiliated with Colorado State University, and hopefully also part-time at Iowa State University with primary emphasis on biofuels.

Gowrishankar Srinivasan, graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, is using the extruder to make bioplastic parts.

Grewell is developing soy- and corn-based protein plastics as well as developing and characterizing processing techniques.

Photo by Bob Elbert

Grewell’s research group is molding plastics into different forms including flowerpots.

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The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Iowa State as one of 20 university-led teams to compete in the fourth Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. This year’s teams have been selected from universities in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In fall

2009, the National Mall will be transformed when the Solar Decathlon homes are displayed in a solar village. Iowa State faculty and students from five colleges have met weekly for more than a year to establish the first Solar Decathlon team from the state of Iowa. Ulrike Passe, assistant professor of

architecture, is heading the effort. “Iowa State will bring a new and distinctive perspective to the competition with our strengths in design, engineering and agricultural technologies,” Passe said. More than 100 Iowa State students are expected to participate – either as extracurricular activity through the Solar Decathlon Club, in specific for-credit courses in design and liberal arts and sciences, or through assignments and projects in various courses in business, design, engineering, and liberal arts and

sciences. The project also will involve the building trades program at Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny; and the Sustainable Energy Technology Program at Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge. The decathlon gets its name from the 10 specific areas of competition: architecture, engineering, mar-ket viability, communications, comfort, appliances, hot water, lighting, energy balance and transportation. Iowa State’s 800-square-foot “Interlock House” will use three primary system features: a photovoltaic array to produce electricity, the structure’s envelope and thermal mass to capture and store energy, and water-based radiant heat and cooling vents to balance overall energy flows. CCUR affiliates participating on the Solar Decathlon Team are David Grewell, Ag and Biosystems Engineering; Richard Larock, Chemistry; Michael Kessler, Materials Science and Engineering; Mikesch Muecke, Architecture; and Darren Jarboe, CCUR. They hope to integrate biocomposites into the construction of the Interlock House. In October 2007, an estimated 120,000 visitors turned out on the National Mall to witness the Solar Decathlon. After the competition, the house will be reconstructed on campus to serve as an educational facility and laboratory for green building technology and systems performance testing. Fundraising for the Interlock House has already begun, Passe said. Projects in past competitions have cost more than $500,000. Contact Passe, 515-294-7142, for more information.

Iowa State is one of 20 international teams selected for Solar Decathlon Teddi Barron, Iowa State University News Service

Ulrike Passe, assistant professor in architecture and Solar Decathlon project coordinator, and Clare Cardinal-Pett, associate professor in architecure, give the welcoming remarks at the Solar Decathlon reception held March 10.

Aaron Davis, a senior in architecture, explains his model house concept to a fellow student and to Keith Kutz (left) of the Iowa Energy Center, a Solar Decathlon sponsor.

This was one of six model houses on display at the Solar Decathlon reception held March 10. These models will help the team decide the final house design.

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Located on the campus of Iowa State University within Gilman Hall is the Thermal and Mechanical Analysis Laboratory. This lab is part of the Polymer Composites Research Group led by Michael Kessler. He is working on testing biorenewable plastics in affiliation with the CCUR’s Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team (BBRT). Kessler came to the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Iowa State in the summer of 2005. He completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign and then taught for three years at the University of Tulsa. His previous work did not include biocomposites, but it was his interaction with others involved with BBRT that led him to his current research interest. Kessler’s research with BBRT includes working on the processing and charac-terization of biorenewable polymers and composites in his lab. The goal of this work is to develop and analyze polymers and composites derived from vegetable oils and proteins by relying on a range of techniques spanning the fields of organic chemistry, applied mechanics, thermal analysis, and processing science. Kessler explained, “It is a complex process, but my grad students and postdoc really help a lot, as do my colleagues from the BBRT.” Kessler is optimistic about the potential of the biorenewable plastics that he is testing. He explains that the next step in the process is to make products using these materials available to potential suppliers. As he said, “Being able to get the message out to individuals in industry that this technology is available is important.”

Michael Kessler: Testing the potential of biorenewable plastics

Michael Kessler

Wonje Jeong, graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, and Kessler are using a dynamic mechanical analyzer to evaluate the thermal and mechanical properties of polymers they are developing in their lab.

Photo courtesy of Michael Kessler

Biological conversion of glycerol into oil, REG, Inc., $17,152, S. Beattie, E. Hammond, A. Pometto and K. Bentley.

Producer Machinery and Labor Sharing Arrange-ments Workshops, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, $30,954, R. Ginder, D. Jarboe, and F. Olson.

Post doctoral research associates and students travel funds to attend the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, $5,000, L. Johnson.

Studying doorskin and door warp, Jeld-Wen Fiber of Iowa, $8,864, M. Kuo and K. Bentley.

Contribution of modeling in a multi-disciplinary approach to manage coexistence between GM and

Contracts and Grantsnon-GM maize, Institut Nat’l De La Recherche Agronomique, $11,659, C. Langinier and P. Marcoul.

Development of an improved agricultural-based deicing product, Iowa Department of Transportation, $100,000, P. Taylor and J. Verkade.

CCUR staff additionMarcy Leasum, graduate student in English, joined CCUR in February. She will work on communications, grant development, and marketing projects for CCUR.

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BULLETINBulletin is the newsletter of the Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR). Bulletin is published quarterly by CCUR at Iowa State University, 1041 Food Sciences Building, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-0160

Director: Lawrence JohnsonEditor: Darren Jarboe Layout: Jeni Maiers Writer: Marcy Leasum Photography: Jordan Miller

To be added to our mailing list, e-mail ccur@iastate.edu.On the web at: www.ccur.info.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

President Geoffroy and Dean Wintersteen presided over a medallion ceremony to honor CCUR affiliate Basil Nikolau with the Frances M. Craig Professorship. Nikolau is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, and in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Nikolau’s research has focused on biochemical and genetic regulation of plant metabolism, and plant metabolic engineering. His work explores the future of metabolic biology to improve oils, starches and proteins from crops for bioenergy, food and feed uses. He also leads advances in improving production of biobased lubricants made from soybeans. He serves as the director of the Center for Metabolic Biology. The Frances M. Craig Professorship was established through the Craig Family Fund. The Craig Family Fund allows the president to place special emphasis on faculty support. It provides faculty with funds for research and honors outstanding individuals. The fund was established through a bequest from Frances M. Craig, combined with past gifts from other family members. Frances was a 1949 home economics graduate.

Nikolau honored as Frances M. Craig Professor Iowa State University News Service

Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy congratulates Nikolau at the medallion ceremony held February 15, 2008

Iowa State University Foundation

Cellencor, LLC, Ames, Iowa, November 19.MedcoEnergi, Jakarta, Indonesia, November 30.USDA Rural Development, Humboldt, Iowa, December 10.BBC Washington Bureau, Washington, DC, December 12.Biogenkoji Research Institute, Kagoshima, Mizobe, Japan, January 18.Toyota Motor Corp., Japan and Northbrook, Illinois, January 18.Novozymes, Ames, Iowa, January 28.Andy McPherson, Kraft Foods, Northfield, Illinois, January 30.Minsa, Red Oak, Iowa, February 20.Genencor, Rochester, New York, February 25-28.Asoyia, Iowa City, Iowa, February 26.East Fork Biodiesel, Algona, Iowa, February 29.Chris Stevens, University of Ghent, Ghent Belgium, March 11-13.West Central Cooperative, Ralston, Iowa, March 14.

CCUR Visitors

EthanolFrom page 1

Once the right starches are found, POET will use that knowledge to further optimize its BPX process. The research collaboration received additional support through a grant from the state’s Grow Iowa Values Fund, which seeks to create high quality jobs through business development and expansion. South Dakota-based POET Energy has biorefining plants in Coon Rapids, Corning, Emmetsburg, Gowrie, Hanlontown and Jewell, Iowa.

WorkshopMidwestBiopolymers & Biocomposites

With the growing demand by consumers, government regulations to decrease pollution and the necessity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the need to understand biopolymers and biocomposites is critical. These materials have the potential to use a wide range of feedstocks, from corn to coconut fibers, making this emerging technology challenging. This workshop will allow researchers and industrial partners to network with Midwest companies to design, formulate and process biopolymer and biocomposite products. The workshop will focus on:

FoRMULATING PRoCESSINGProtein-based polymers• Injection molding•

Vegetable oil polymers• Casting•

Adhesives• Compression Molding•

Composites• Extrusion•

Polyesters (fermentation processes)• Pre-processing requirements•

Other topics will include: application studies, raw material resources, post-production concerns and economic models.

WHo SHoULD ATTEND? This workshop is aimed at providing technicians, engineers, designers and companies wanting to incorporate this technology with the tools required to use biopolymers and biocomposites for product design and manufacturing. Whether you already use biopolymers, biocomposites or bioadhesives, or are considering their use, this workshop will allow you to interact with experts in the field and gain critical knowledge about this growing industry.

REGISTRATIoN To register go to www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop Registration is $35 per person. Deadline for registering is April 15, 2008.

HoTEL INFoRMATIoN Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate of $89 per night (plus tax). Please call Holiday Inn Ames Conference Center by March 21 to reserve your room: (515) 268-8808. Be sure to mention you are with the Midwest Biopolymers & Biocomposites Workshop.

QUESTIoNS? Call (515) 294-6222 or visit www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop

SPoNSoRS Iowa State University, Center for Crops Utilization Research, Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team, and Center for Industrial Research and Service

SCHEDULE oF EVENTS

8:30 Registration

9:00 Bioplastics and the FutureKeynote Speaker Ramani NarayanMichigan State University

9:30 CIRAS Connects ManufacturersDerek Thompson, CIRAS

SESSIoN 1: MATERIALS ADVANCEMENTS

9:40 Vegetable oil PolymersRichard Larock, Iowa State University

10:00 Protein PolymersDavid Grewell, Iowa State University

10:20 Soy Protein AdhesivesYilin Bian, Iowa State University

10:40 Break (poster session)

11:15 Panel discussion

Noon Lunch

SESSIoN 2: PRoCESSING & APPLICATIoNS

1:00 Micro and Nanoscale Therapeutics for Drug and Vaccine DeliveryBalaji NarasimhanIowa State University

1:20 Soy Protein and Their Plastic ApplicationsRoy Taylor, Soy Works Corporation

1:40 Beans to Machines: Biopolymers Application at John DeereJay Olson, John Deere

2:00 Biobased FoamsJoe Mooney, Earthfoam, Inc.

2:20 Break (poster session)

2:50 Panel discussion

SESSIoN 3: ToURS AND CoNSULTATIoNS

3:30 Tours (see web site for descriptions)Thermal and Mechanical Analysis Laboratory

Technology Transfer Pilot Plant

3:30 Private consultations between panelists and attendees

5:30 Workshop adjourned

Tuesday, April 22, 8:30am - 5:30pm

Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa

www.biocom.iastate.edu/workshop