MULTI VESSEL FERMENTATION SYSTEM FOR SCREENING, OPTIMIZATION AND SCALE-UP OF BIOFUELS RESEARCH

The requested equipment is not available on the SDSMT campus. The multi-vessel fermentation system for parallel fermentation of microorganisms will be a critical component in addressing both basic and applied research questions in the bioprocessing and bioenergy related research projects on the SDSMT campus. The CBRD research program aligns with the SDSMT Research Plan for infrastructure and capacity building. The CBRD infrastructure development is in agreement with the proposed School's strategic plan for research development. It will contribute to the development of the Black Hills region and assist local Black Hills entrepreneurs and small business start-up and spin-off companies interested in Bioprocessing R&D. Bioenergy and renewable energy is one of the State's priorities for future economic development and the Center at SDSMT in partnership with SDSU, SD government and private sector provides the leadership in biofuels research, technology development and transfer. South Dakota is among the nation's largest agricultural states, positioned to serve as a natural laboratory providing the opportunity to produce biofuels from a variety of available feedstock - grasses, forestry and agri-waste. South Dakota is home to the largest corn ethanol producer in US and the world - Poet and the fifth largest ethanol economy in US. The main objectives of our research program at CBRD are in alignment with the national and international strategies for environmental, social and economic development. One of the nation's top priorities is the reduction of the dependence on imported fuels as a means to boost the national economy and its international competitiveness, resilience and flexibility, diversify market products utilizing carbon-neutral waste-free technologies, reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions thereby combating climate change and global warming. The realization of our biofuels research program will bring about a number of economic, environmental and social benefits to our global society. Collaboration with local industry and Federal Laboratories Contribution to the CBRD infrastructure development will also strengthen our collaborative contacts with local industry and with Federal Laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and National Center for Agriculture Utilization Research (NCAUR). CBRD is an active member and a partner in the recently formed Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) for Bioenergy Research and Development (CBERD), created and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is the only NSF BioEnergy Center for the country. The I/UCRC, headquartered at SDSMT as the lead institution, brings together the Kansas State University, North Carolina State University, State University of New York at Stonybrook, the University of Hawai'and over 30 industrial and Federal laboratory partners to conduct industry relevant bioenergy and biofuels research and development.