Fall 2010Center for Crops Utilization Research

B U L L E T I NINSIDEBioasphalt used on bike trailPage 2

Biorenewables Research Laboratory dedicationPage 2

Conference table was a team effort Page 3

CCUR technology on displayPage 4

BioCentury Research Farm updatePage 4

New food safety publicationPage 5

AGCO supports ISU programsPage 5

Cover crops researchPage 7

Martins return from GhanaPage 8

Hurburgh is flooded grain quality advisorPage 8

Kuo helps restore wooden remnants Page 9

Ukranian ag leaders visit BCRFPage 9

Avello Bioenergy founders present at Entrepreneur ForumPage 10

BCRF acquires bale wrapperPage 11

CCUR helps SafeSoy develop and introduce innovative oil extraction technology SafeSoy Technologies of Ellsworth, Iowa, is manufacturing soy protein isolate for a new line of certified organic and all natural soy protein isolates for natural and organic foods offered by Kerry Ingredients and Flavors. SafeSoy’s technology uses high-pressure injection of liquid carbon dioxide to extract oil from soybeans rather than the industry standard hexane that is flammable and a regulated pollutant. Carbon dioxide is all-natural and provides organic oil and meal. The process also uses lower temperatures than traditional screw press technology, reducing oil and meal degradation. Larry Johnson, director of the Center for Crops Utilization Research, and Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, provided processing knowledge and quality assurance testing to SafeSoy as the unique processing system was developed. According to Johnson, the SafeSoy process is unique in that it can produce soy products that can qualify as “all natural” or “organic” that no other soybean process can deliver and these markets are the fastest growing segment of the food industry. “This new technology opens up new high value markets for central Iowa producers and the food industry.” Kerry’s new soy protein isolate products are designed to work in specific food applications, including: dry blended beverages, beverages, health and nutrition bars, cereals, and snacks.

Keith Parle, Commercial Vice President of Cereals, Bars & Confectionary EUM, stated, “Being the first food ingredient company to commercialize an all natural and certified organic range of soy protein isolates supports our protein leadership position. These products are manufactured using new protein extraction and expeller technology that gives Kerry a line of unique soy protein isolates that fits well with today’s healthy consumer desires to be kind to the planet and to avoid any risk in what they consume.”

Avello Bioenergy awarded $2.5 million by Iowa Power Fund The Iowa Power Fund Board awarded Avello Bioenergy, Inc., of Boone, Iowa, $2.5 million. Avello Bioenergy is teaming with private industry and university partners to build a demonstration scale biomass plant that will use local biorenewable resources to produce sustainable petroleum replacements, renewable industrial fuels, and biobased products for full-scale pre-commercial test and market development. Avello Bioenergy is located at the BioCentury Research Farm business incubator. An educational program covering corn stover

harvest, transport, storage and conversion will be developed in partnership with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation that will benefit biomass producers. Iowa State University engineering and technology students will conduct research and receive training as part of the award. The Power Fund has invested more than $47 million directly in 37 competitive projects, leveraging more than $295 million in energy research and development, early stage commercialization and education.

Inside the SafeSoy production plant in Ellsworth, Iowa.

PAGE 2Bioasphalt® developed at Iowa State used, tested on Des Moines bike trailMike Krapfl, Iowa State University News Service

Iowa State University’s Christopher Williams was just trying to see if adding bio-oil to asphalt would improve the hot- and cold-weather performance of pavements. What he found was a possible green replacement for asphalt derived from petroleum. That finding moved the asphalt from Williams’s laboratory at the Institute for Transportation’s Asphalt Materials and Pavements Program at Iowa State to a demonstration project this fall. The project paved part of a Des Moines bicycle trail with an asphalt mixture containing what is now known as Bioasphalt. If the demonstration and other tests go well, “This would be great stuff for the state of Iowa,” said Williams, an associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering.

He said that’s for a lot of reasons: Asphalt mixtures derived from plants and trees could replace petroleum-based mixes. That could create a new market for Iowa crop residues. It could be a business opportunity for Iowans. And it saves energy and money because Bioasphalt can be mixed and paved at lower temperatures than conventional asphalt. Bio-oil is created by a thermochemical process called fast pyrolysis. Corn stalks, wood wastes or other types of biomass are quickly heated without oxygen. The process produces a liquid bio-oil that can be used to manufacture fuels, chemicals and asphalt plus a solid product called biochar that can

Phase One of Iowa State University’s Biorenewables Complex dedicatedMike Krapfl, Iowa State University News Service

Dedication ceremonies for Iowa State University’s new Biorenewables Research Laboratory (BRL) building were held September 17. The new facility is a visible “front door” to the university’s many diverse and broad-reaching programs in biorenewables and is located on the west side of campus between the College of Design and Howe Hall. Construction was made possible through a $32 million appropriation from the State of Iowa. The BRL complements and replaces labs and offices previously located across the Iowa State campus and provides affiliated faculty and staff a physical environment that promotes interdisciplinary, systems-level research and collaboration. It houses the administrative offices and research labs of the Bioeconomy Institute, the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals and the Biobased Industry Center. The facility has achieved LEED-Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. The “green” aspects of the building include ample natural lighting, rain water recovery and reuse, a chilled

beam cooling system, doors and cabinetry made from bamboo, a partially vegetated roof, and landscaping that includes native plantings and biomass crops specimens such as switchgrass. The BRL building completes Phase I of the university’s two-phase, $107.1 million Biorenewables Complex. Phase II, which will be funded through a combination of state appropriations and private gifts, will add two buildings to the site and provide a new home for Iowa State’s top-ranked department of agricultural and biosystems engineering.

Iowa State’s new Biorenewables Research Laboratory.

BioasphaltSee page 6

PAGE 3Conference table in research building was a team effortAnne Krapfl, Iowa State University News Service

A one-of-a-kind-in-the-world table graces the first floor conference room in the new Biorenewables Research Laboratory (BRL). Student-designed and employee-created, in part with wood salvaged from campus trees, the table is sure to be a conversation starter in a building that’s all about sustainability. For the record, it’s a big table: 15 feet by 7.5 feet at the widest points of its oval shape and weighing about 850 pounds. It was built in seven pieces and fitted together on site. It seats 14-16 people, who have access to electrical outlets, computer ethernet and a control panel for cameras and LCD panels in the room from a center, stacked oval. “Hopefully, people appreciate the unique qualities of this table,” said Mark Chidister, associate professor of art and design and one of several key players who worked on the table. “Each step along the way found us puzzling through how to make it work.” A senior-level integrated studio arts class Chidister taught last fall took on the design as a class assignment. When BRL project manager Jon Harvey inquired about a collaborative project for the conference room, Chidister said initially he was reluctant because a table that large couldn’t be built in the College of Design’s wood shop. Eventually he landed on the idea of a student competition and Harvey approached Randy Fiscus in facilities planning and management’s carpenter shop about building the winning design. So, early in the semester, about 10 student designs were presented to a committee from the new building that included Darren Jarboe from the Center for Crops Utilization

Research. Senior Brian Dreesman’s proposal was selected. Dreesman graduated from Iowa State in May and was one of 24 emerging young artists to exhibit at the Des Moines Arts Festival in June. He and three colleagues have opened Carbon 6 Studio, specializing in wood furniture and metals work, on Kellogg Avenue in Ames. From the university’s inventory of wood from campus trees, Dreesman selected burr oak for the table base and center oval, and spalted (rotting) maple for the table surface. With practically no maple veneer to spare, Chidister and Fiscus painstakingly laid out the veneer strips to more vividly display the whites and grays of the spalting. Viewed from above, the array forms an open-winged butterfly. There is no stain in the table, just a couple of environmentally friendly tung oil products that Mark Mather sprayed, brushed or hand-rubbed in. Electrician Jeff Lamb and information technology services’ Matt Darbyshire worked together to run electricity to the table’s center oval and install LED light strips and the conference room media package. After the last four or five months, Fiscus readily admits he’s become a little possessive of the big oval. The projects that test you the most often turn into favorites, he said.

Mark Chidister (left) and Randy Fiscus begin the task of laying out the veneer strips.

Bob Elbert, University Relations

The completed table in the first-floor conference room of the Biorenewables Research Laboratory.

Bob Elbert, University Relations

PAGE 4CCUR technology on display at the Biorenewables Research Laboratory The new Biorenewables Research Laboratory (BRL) at Iowa State University has a Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) influence. The BRL conference room and Bioeconomy Institute Office have ceiling tiles and paintings that use technology developed at CCUR. The ceiling tiles in the BRL conference room were manufactured using soy adhesive. CCUR affiliates Monlin Kuo, associate professor of natural resource ecology and management and Deland Myers, formerly professor of food science and human nutrition, developed the adhesive that uses soy protein in its formulation. Barbara Walton, associate professor of art and design, has worked with Toni Wang, professor of food science and human nutrition and CCUR affiliate, to develop safer, more affordable and environmentally friendlier soy-based waxes for encaustic painting. Encaustic painting is a historical painting technique that has been in use since before 500 A.D. It involves adding colored pigments to heated wax and applying it to wood or canvas.

Wang along with scientists Linxing Yao, food science and human nutrition postdoctoral research associate, and Hui Wang, CCUR pilot plant manager, altered soybean oil to make wax suitable for painting. Walton tested the wax by heating and tinting the wax and applying it to the canvas and then created numerous paintings of soybeans for display in the Bioeconomy Institute office.

BioCentury Research Farm update New and expanded activities are changing the face of the BioCentury Research Farm. Harvest has brought stacks of corn stover bales to the BCRF. The BCRF completed its first wastewater land application. Robert Brown’s group started construction of a new gasifier in October that will be completed over the next few months. Installation of the pyrolizer’s moving bed granular filter is nearing completion. John Strohl has completed three fermentations in the new 500-liter vessel. The Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies has conducted 20 pyrolysis oil production runs since May using red oak and corn stover as feedstocks. Stuart Birrell processed roughly four tons of wood chips for the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium. Matt Darr and Birrell continue their work with single pass harvest systems and Darr continues his work on torrefaction, densification, and bale storage methods. The BCRF had the following visitors:• Chinese delegation from agricultural institutes

and universities

• Association of Private Farmers and Cooperatives of Russia delegation

• TCS2010: Symposium on Thermal and Catalytic Sciences for Biofuels and Biobased Products participants

• BioCycle Conference on Renewable Energy from Organics Recycling participants

• Wyffels Seeds Sales Team• Southeast Central Iowa AARP members

Stacks of baled corn stover at the BCRF.

Tong Wang (left) and Barbara Walton are working together to modify soy wax so it works in the centuries-old encaustic painting technique.

Bob Elbert, University Relations

PAGE 5New food safety publication available Center for Crops Utilization Research affiliate and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering Charles Hurburgh leads the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative team that developed the food safety publication Maintaining Food Safety through Quality (PM 3005). The publication gives an overview of food safety issues in the grain and livestock sectors. It also calls for future actions important to food safety. Hurburgh stated, “Food safety is an increasing concern for bulk grains and products, as it has been

for animal products. The same organized inventory management systems now used in manufacturing and consumer food production can be used in raw product marketing to protect food safety and increase efficiency at the same time.”

Maintaining Food Safety through Quality (PM 3005)

AGCO expands support of Iowa State programsAgricultural and Biosystems Engineering News

AGCO Corporation recently expanded their support of the Iowa State University Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department (ABE) through the loan of an MT765C tracked tractor for use in classroom, research, and extension activities. This equipment support further strengthens the growing relationship between AGCO and Iowa State which currently includes research support for several graduate students within ABE. The MT765C tractor provided to Iowa State by AGCO is a prime example of how innovation can bring together diverse engineering systems and yield impressive results. The MT765C features a Tier III compatible engine producing 320 horsepower, a One-Touch management system for highly efficient operator functions, and an enhanced ISOBUS electronic system that allows the tractor to communicate with a variety of standardized implements. This machine is fully “fly by wire” including the steering, transmission control, throttle, hitch, and pto. The MT765C will help support the production scale cellulosic biomass feedstock collection work that Iowa State agricultural engineers conduct at the Iowa State BioCentury Research Farm.

According to Brian Steward, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, “Today’s agricultural vehicles are a blend of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems. Our graduate students perform research and learn how to interact with these highly integrated systems. Such research results in next generation technologies to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.”

AGCO Challenger MT765C shown at the BioCentury Research Farm.

Wilson appears on Food Network’s Outrageous FoodLester Wilson, food science and human nutrition, answered questions about hot peppers for an “Outrageous Food” episode that aired Nov. 7 on the Food Network. Wilson appeared at Cactus Bob’s BBQ Corral in Johnston, where host Tom Pizzica dared customers to try the Showdown Sauce, made with 17 ingredients including an Asian chili pepper.

PAGE 6

be used to enrich soils and remove greenhouses gases from the atmosphere. Robert C. Brown – an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor of Engineering, the Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering, the Iowa Farm Bureau director of Iowa State’s Bioeconomy Institute and Center for Crops Utilization Research affiliate – has led research and development of fast pyrolysis technologies at Iowa State. Three of his former graduate students – Jared Brown, Cody Ellens and Anthony Pollard, all December 2009 graduates – have established a startup company, Avello Bioenergy Inc., that specializes in pyrolysis technology that improves, collects and separates bio-oil into various liquid frctions. Avello Bioenergy is located in the BioCentury Research Farm business incubator. Williams used bio-oil fractions provided by Brown’s laboratory to study and develop Bioasphalt. That research was supported by the Iowa Energy Center and the Iowa Department of Transportation. Avello has licensed the Bioasphalt technology from the Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. and has produced oak-based bio-oil fractions for the bike trail project using funding from the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The bio-oil used was made by Avello using the fast pyrolysis unit at the BioCentury Research Farm. Williams said the project will include a mix of 5 percent Bioasphalt. Jeb Brewer, the city engineer for the City of Des Moines, said the Bioasphalt is part of phase two of the Waveland Trail on the city’s northwest side. The 10-foot-wide trail runs along the west side of Glendale Cemetery from University Avenue to Franklin Avenue.

Brewer said the demonstration project is a good fit for the city. “We have a fairly active program for finding ways to conserve energy and be more sustainable,” he said. “We’re interested in seeing how this works out and whether it can be part of our toolbox to create more sustainable projects.” Contractors involved in the Bioasphalt demonstration project are Elder Corp. of Des Moines, Bituminous Materials and Supplies of Des Moines, and Grimes Asphalt and Paving Corp. of Grimes with the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa supporting the project. Iowa State’s Williams said a successful demonstration would lead to more pavement tests containing higher and higher percentages of Bioasphalt. “This demonstration project is a great opportunity,” he said. “We’re introducing a green technology into a green environment in Des Moines. And it’s a technology that’s been developed here in Iowa.”

Crews cover part of a Des Moines bike path with a mix of Bioasphalt developed by Iowa State University’s Christopher Williams. Williams and his research team will monitor the path to see how it stands up to Iowa’s weather.

Mike Krapfl, Iowa State University News Service

Bioasphalt

From page 2

1,000-liter fermenter installed at BioCentury Research Farm A new 1,000-liter fermenter was purchased from Applikon and installed at the BioCentury Research Farm in September. The purchase was made possible by a special Congressional grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The top-drive unit will handle a wide range of material viscosities and suspended particles.

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Saving the soil and maintaining corn yields: Iowa State early research says yes to bothDan Kuester, News Service

Two years into a study looking at methods of combining a living cover crop between corn rows shows that yield can be maintained at high levels using environmentally friendly practices. Researchers are testing between-row cover grasses as part of research looking at ways to reduce soil runoff and keep vital nutrients in the soils while crop residue, called stover, is removed from farm fields to produce biofuels. With U.S. government targets requiring a 30 percent displacement of petroleum consumption with fuels made from biomass by the year 2030, agronomy researchers are studying methods of harvesting more and more stover, which previously was left on the field. Targets will require removing 75 percent of stover to use as biomass in the production of biofuels. Removing stover can cause more water runoff and deplete soil of the organic material needed to remain productive. One method of keeping the soil in place and replenished with organic matter is to plant grasses between the corn rows that would stay on the field year round. “We are looking at trying to grow corn in a perennial sod, so that we can protect the soil and provide these other environmental services at the

same time,” said Ken Moore, professor of agronomy, and BioCentury Research Farm affiliate. Developing a cover crop system that allows nutrients, organic matter, water and carbon to remain in the soil is a great idea. But farmers won’t do it if it reduces yields, said Moore. The results so far have been very encouraging. After the first two years of the study, researchers have already discovered a system that allows for removal of up to 95 percent of the corn stover, increases the amount of carbon kept in the soil, increases water use efficiency in corn and also maintains corn yield. One cropping system the team examined in 2009, for example, increased harvest from 11,867 kilograms of corn grain per hectare using traditional production methods, to 12,768 kg/ha with the new system. All while improving the soil and harvesting almost all the stover. The researchers are quick to point out they are not ready to proclaim that they have uncovered the perfect system, but they are encouraged. “It’s remarkable,” said Jeremy Singer, assistant professor of agronomy and researcher at the USDA’s

The research plot on the Iowa State University Agronomy Farm shows how different combinations of cover crop and corn net different results. Early research has shown that with some combinations, almost all corn stover can be removed for biofuels while yields remain high and soil improves.

Cover CropsSee page 10

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Hurburgh serves as flooded grain quality advisor Charles Hurburgh served as an advisor to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) on how to handle this year’s flooded grain. Hurburgh is a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and leader of the Grain Quality Research Laboratory and the Center for Crops Utilization Research’s Iowa Grain Quality Initiative. IDALS issued a statement saying that grain submerged (water over the grain) in flood waters was to be considered contaminated and therefore not eligible for entry into food-feed markets. The IDALS statement allows adjusters to consider the grain of no value in the crop insurance process. Ethanol is a feed market because of the dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). This is the same policy that was used for grain in storage that was submerged in 2008 by the eastern Iowa floods. The logic is that, in addition to in-field mold issues (see example at right), flood waters can contain many

contaminants from a wide variety of sources. The release and accompanying public health fact sheet are posted on the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative website.

Flood damaged ear of corn.

Dean Lane

Martins return from Peace Corps experience in Ghana Tammi and Chris Martin returned from their Ghana Peace Corps experience in August. Tammi worked for the Center for Crops Utilization Research for two years before heading to Ghana. Tammi and Chris taught computer applications and art, respectively, for two years at Donkorkrom Agriculture Senior High School (DASHS) in Donkorkrom. Chris has returned to his position as associate professor of art and design at Iowa State University. The Martins shared their experiences in two presentations of Our Peace Corps Odyssey. In addition to their DASHS teaching duties, the Martins led projects to remodel the school library, take students to the STARS Leadership Conference, convert water sachets into zippered pouches and wallets to sell, and plan an art show for next year. Their efforts included planning, managing, mentoring, and fundraising for the projects.

Brown included in “Top 100 People in Bioenergy” list Biofuels Digest has released its “Top 100 People in Bioenergy” list, which includes Iowa Farm Bureau Director of the Bioeconomy Institute Robert C. Brown making the list at #61. Brown is an affiliate of the BioCentury Research Farm and the Center for Crops Utilization Research.

Chris and Tammi Martin with DASHS students at the STARS Leadership Conference.

Courtesy photo

PAGE 9A faculty member who knows a house of sticks can last as long as a house of bricksDan Kuester, Iowa State University News Service

Remnants of a 5,000-year-old civilization were recently discovered in southwest China. As the country tries to restore it, study it, learn from it and exhibit it, there is a problem. It’s underwater. Thousands of years ago, the site was somehow suddenly flooded. Iowa State associate professor of natural resource and ecology management and Center for Crops Utilization Research affiliate Monlin Kuo is researching a way to recover and display the waterlogged wood. “We think there will be two opportunities to display these items,” said Kuo. “The wet display to show the wood in a glass case, or a dry display in a museum.” Kuo was teaching at Southwest Forestry University in China in 2008 when the site was discovered. The Chinese government started looking for anyone who knew how to preserve the wood. Kuo volunteered and has spent much of the past two years working on a solution. Thousands of wood pilings at the site vary in size and are believed to be remnants of wood structures for the ancient town. Wood this old cannot be simply dried out and put on display, according to Kuo. As soon as it dries, it will crumble. Kuo is working on injecting the wood with resin to strengthen and preserve it. But with wood this old, there is much to learn.

The ancient underwater town may eventually spark the same kind of interest as the Chinese Terracotta Army discovery in the 1970s, says Kuo. Either way, “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to work on the project.”

Monlin Kuo hopes to help to bring up the submerged wooden remnants of a 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization.

Ukrainian agricultural leaders visit BCRF A delegation of Ukraine Agricultural leaders visited the BioCentury Research Farm on September 24. The delegation explored U.S. bioenergy, biobased products, and outreach programs. Members of the delegation were Prof. Dmytro Melnychuk, Rector of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine; Prof. Maksym Melnychuk, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine; and Mr. Grygorij Kaletny, Member of Parliament of Ukraine, Head of the Verhovna Rada Committee of Agrarian Policy and Land Relations. Dr. Stan Johnson and Ms. Tamara Zykova from the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy hosted the delegation.

Andy Suby, BCRF facility manager (left), discusses fast pyrolysis with Dmytro Melnychuk, Rector of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and Natalia Rogovska, Iowa State postdoctoral research associate.

Bob Elbert, University Relations

PAGE 10Avello Bioenergy founders present at Entrepreneur Forum The student founders of Avello® Bioenergy presented at the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Entrepreneur Forum on September 17 in Ames. Avello Bioenergy is an Iowa-based company located at the BioCentury Research Farm formed to commercialize proprietary pyrolysis technologies developed at Iowa State. Anthony Pollard, Jared Brown, and Cody Ellens founded Avello Bioenergy in 2009 with Dr. Robert C. Brown, Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering, Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and Iowa Farm Bureau director of Iowa State’s Bioeconomy Institute. The Avello co-founders have specialized,

graduate level engineering experience in biomass fast pyrolysis R&D, reactor design, reactor systems operation and analytical characterization of pyrolysis products. Avello Bioenergy is commercializing feedstocks for asphalt, fuels, chemicals and soil amendment markets through low-cost thermal conversion of biomass. The Entrepreneur Forum is held every other month during the school year, consisting of a presentation by a guest speaker followed by a roundtable discussion. The Entrepreneur Forums inform students, faculty, and staff about the risks, challenges, and successes of entrepreneurial ventures.

National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment in Ames. “Even in two bizarre years - 2008 was the year of the floods and 2009 had the coolest July on record -- we harvested close to 100 percent of the corn stover and we’re obtaining similar yields as the no-ground cover control, while increasing carbon additions to the soil.” The team tested more than 36 different ground covers, mostly grasses; different tillage systems such as no-till and strip-till; 50 different corn hybrids; and several chemical treatments. One of the keys, according to the researchers, is finding a ground cover grass that is less active during the spring. This allows the corn to absorb needed water and sunlight at the beginning of the growing season without competing with the ground cover grass. Later in the spring, as the corn creates a canopy over the shorter grasses, there is less competition for sunlight and nutrients as the corn becomes dominant. Having more than one species thrive on the same piece of ground is not a new idea, says Moore. Traditional prairies contained many different species of grasses and plants that complemented each other as they competed for water, sun and other inputs. “From an ecological perspective, it seems intuitive that we can do this,” said Moore. “Nature does it all the time. The prairies that existed before farmers got here were complex plant communities that change with the season. And we have a succession of species

which we are trying to set up here.” Moore says one of the best features of the new systems is they are not that different from the way producers are currently farming. “We are not talking about changing the whole system,” said Moore. “We are talking about changing the way we use what we already have. It’s just how you do it to make it work better.”

Cover Crops

From page 7

Jeremy Singer, assistant professor of agronomy and researcher at the USDA’s National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, (left) and Ken Moore, professor of agronomy, take a look at test plots where they are studying how to keep yields high while introducing a cover-crop to improve soil.

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Iowa State food product development team fourth at AACC The Iowa State University food product development team placed fourth in the 2010 American Association of Cereal Chemists product development competition held at Savannah, Georgia. The five finalist teams gave an oral presentation, poster and tasting session. The team from Iowa State developed a sugar free, environment friendly, zein-based probiotic chewing gum called Prozea. The ISU team was represented by Pradeep Suriya Narayanan (team leader), Krista McCarty, Joshua Carter and Babu Chinnasamy. The other team members included Gowrishankar Srinivasan, Darrin Rahn and Benjamin Aldritt. The team advisor was Stephanie Clark, associate professor of food science and human nutrition and affiliate of the Center for Crops Utilization Research. Kansas State University won the competition with their grain-based tea. The rest of the finalists

were the University of Manitoba in second place, the University of Arkansas in third place, and Cornell University in fifth place.

Prozea Team (from left to right): Gowrishankar Srinivasan, Krista McCarty, Ben Aldritt, Pradeep Suriya Narayanan, Joshua Carter, Darrin Rahn, Babu Chinnasamy. Not pictured: Stephanie Clark, coach.

The Stinger 4000 Cube-Line bale wrapper is designed to provide inexpensive storage for dry hay, straw, and balage.

BioCentury Research Farm acquires bale wrapper The BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) has acquired a Stinger 4000 Cube-Line Bale Wrapper from Stinger, Inc. It is designed to provide inexpensive storage for dry hay, straw, and balage. Matt Darr, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, will use the bale wrapper to conduct biomass storage research at the BCRF. The bale wrapper has a 112" x 104" wrap chamber and can handle bales up to 8 feet long (two four-foot

long bales) and 9 feet high (3-foot high bales stacked three high). It will wrap square and round bales, grouped or individually. Two or four rolls of plastic can be used to continually wrap bales as they are fed into the machine, applying two to 10 layers of plastic to bales. The bale wrapper has remote controls for easy operation. The bale wrapper purchase was funded by a special Congressional grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

PAGE 12CCUR affiliates receive awards and recognitions Debjani Mitra’s research accomplishments are being honored with a $500 award from the Bioeconomy Institute that recognizes her as a George Washington Carver Student Scholar. Mitra is mentored by Dr. Hans van Leeuwen, professor of civil, construction, and environmental engineering (CCEE) and Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) affiliate. The American Dairy Science Association awarded the 2010 Kraft Foods Teaching Award in Dairy Science to Stephanie Clark, associate professor of food science and human nutrition and CCUR affiliate, at the annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. Hongxin Jiang has been named a recipient of an Iowa State University Research Excellence Award. This award honors students whose research accomplishments are among the top 10% at ISU in overall quality. Jiang is a student with Jay-lin Jane, professor of food science and human nutrition and CCUR affiliate. The College of Engineering presented awards, promotions, and named appointments at the college’s Fall Convocation. CCUR affiliates named were: Amy Kaleita, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Superior Engineering Teacher Award for her successfully securing more than $350,000 in funding related to student learning and mentoring projects for independent study and pre-collegiate students, enabling them the opportunity to learn more about what interests them under her helpful guidance.

David Grewell and Lie Tang from agricultural and biosystems engineering were promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Hans van Leeuwen, professor of CCEE, was named Vlasta Klima Balloun Professor.

Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and professor-in-charge of the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative, received the Superior Engineering Extension Award for his work in grain quality, grain storage and handling, and quality management systems, including ISO standards.

Ruth MacDonald, professor and chair of food science and human nutrition, was awarded the Iowa State University Award for Departmental Leadership in recognition of her outstanding departmental leadership that helps faculty members meet their complex obligations to undergraduate teaching, graduate mentoring, research and service. Under MacDonald’s direction, the food science and human nutrition department advanced its staffing and academic programs despite financial challenges. She also enhanced the department’s international standing in its four areas of strength – nutrition, food science, culinary science and dietetics. A $1,500 award is granted. Antonio P. Mallarino, soil fertility professor and extension specialist in the agronomy department was named one of the first recipients of the Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research in the College of Agriculture. Mallarino has implemented a strong applied research program that focuses on soil fertility, nutrient management and related soil management for efficient crop production and environmental stewardship. His research has resulted in significant improvement in Iowa of nutrient management practices for conservation tillage, soil testing and environmental phosphorus assessment. The award, made possible by a gift from former Dean of Agriculture Lee Kolmer and his wife Jean, recognizes faculty and staff within the college who have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of the people of Iowa through applied research.

Charles Hurburgh with Dean Jonathan Wickert.

Amy Kaleita with Dean Jonathan Wickert.

Bill Beach, Engineering College Relations

Bill Beach, Engineering College Relations

PAGE 13

Charles Hurburgh with Dean Jonathan Wickert.

Contracts and Grants Algae Cultivation and Pyroltic Research, Iowa Energy Center, $95,428, R. Brown.

Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, Midwest Dairy Association, $169,625, S. Clark, A. Mendonca, B. Brehm-Stecher, L. Baumgard, and T. Boylston.

Application of a Continuous Ultrasonic Welding Using a Radial Tool for Sealing of PLA Plastic Films, USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, $63,306, D. Grewell.

Using Water-stable, High-strength Soy-based Plastic for Horticulture Crop Containers, United Soybean Board, $60,023, D. Grewell, W. Graves, and J. Schrader.

Iowa Grain Quality Initiative FY11, Extension 21 Grant, $153,430, C. Hurburgh.

Uniformity in Near Infrared Measurements of Soybean Quality Traits, FY2011, United Soybean Board, $61,829, C. Hurburgh.

Integration of Soybean Analytics with Modern Animal Nutrition, United Soybean Board, $59,805, C. Hurburgh.

Protein Utilization, IA: Advanced Soybean Refineries, Year 3, USDA- National Institute of Food and Agriculture, $558,401, L. Johnson, P. Murphy, M. Persia, T. Wang, S. Jung, and C. Glatz.

Integral Valorisation of Bio-production, University of Arkansas, $14,120, L. Johnson and R. Raman.

Iowa Alliance for Cooperative Business Development, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, $225,000, G. Moschini, R. Ginder, D. Jarboe, G. Artz, K. Kimle, and B. Martens.

SBIR Phase 1: Commercial Scale-up of Algal Fermentation Processes to Manufacture Eicosapentaenoic Acid, ALGISYS, LLC , $49,999, Z. Wen.

European Union - United States Atlantis Program 2010, U.S. Department of Education, $66,473, L. Wilson.

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

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