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Is wood the new coal? Researchers at North Carolina State University think so, and they are part of a team working to turn woodchips into a substitute for coal by using a process called torrefaction that is greener, cleaner and more efficient than traditional coal burning.

Environmental organizations have raised concerns for decades about the environmental impact of the burning of fossil fuels – particularly coal – for energy. The combustion of coal contributes to acid rain and air pollution, and has been connected with global warming.

During torrefaction, woodchips go through a machine – almost like an industrial-sized oven – to remove the moisture and toast the biomass. The machine, called a torrefier, changes more than just the appearance of the woody biomass. The chips become physically and chemically altered – through heat in a low-oxygen environment – to make them drier and easier to crush.

The torrefied wood is lighter than the original woodchips but retains 80 percent of the original energy content in one-third the weight. That makes them an ideal feedstock for electric power plants that traditionally use coal to generate energy for businesses and residential neighborhoods.

While the process of torrefaction is nothing new, NC State’s particular torrefier machine, called the Autothermic Transportable Torrefaction Machine (ATTM), is field portable and self-heated. Traditional torrefier machines are bulky and immobile, but the ATTM lends itself to field-based operations, which reduces the cost of transporting tons of woody biomass to and from the combustion facilities. The ATTM is also largely self-powered, producing a large energy return while also removing carbon from the atmosphere.

“This process could help us build a bridge to more energy independence,” says Chris Hopkins, a doctoral student in forestry at NC State and developer of the torrefier machine.

Woodchips are abundant in North Carolina while coal is all imported from other states. More importantly, woodchips are a carbon neutral source of energy. For a state that spends more than $4 billion a year importing coal, use of torrefied wood could result in an economic windfall.

Hopkins explains that nearly half of the state’s forests are not adequately thinned because landowners lack a market for small diameter trees, rotten or unusable trees and logging residue. That land could be producing more valuable wood products if it was managed more effectively, he says.

If woodchips were collected and sold to help fire North Carolina’s energy generating plants, the state’s tax base could be increased by nearly $400 million a year, Hopkins estimates. Since the torrefier machine is small enough to transport, it could be set up close to forest-clearing operations, making the process even more efficient.

NC State’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) announced an exclusive license agreement with AgriTech Producers, LLC of Columbia, S.C. to commercialize this technology, called “Carolina Coal.” Billy B. Houghteling, director of OTT, says, “This partnership is an example of how NC State contributes to the strengthening of our state and national economy. By partnering with organizations like AgriTech, the university’s scientific discoveries move beyond the Belltower and into the marketplace where they can really make a difference.”

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What:
North Carolina State University will offer a pet nutrition seminar for dog and cat owners who are concerned with offering their companions a healthy diet.

Dr. Korinn Saker, nutrition research scientist and director of the Nutrition Service within NC State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, will lead the seminar. Topics and question and answer sessions will include obesity in dogs and cats, home prepared diets, selecting commercial pet food, proper nutrition for puppies and kittens, appropriate food for senior pets, and nutrition for animals with diagnosed illnesses.

Who:
Sponsored by NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine

When:
Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:
NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, located at 4700 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.

Cost:
Seminar registration is $59 by March 13 and $79 after that date. The fee includes a take-home proceedings manual on a CD-ROM and lunch.
Contact:
For more information, call the CVM Office of Continuing Education and Outreach at 919.513.6259 or visit www.cvm.ncsu.edu/conted/nutrition.com

North Carolina State University Chancellor James Oblinger said the university will not pull back from its historic mission to drive economic development in the state, even in a bad budget year. Oblinger reminded an audience of faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests that “People are counting on NC State” in his State of NC State address today.

Oblinger cited several recent examples of NC State’s economic development-related work, including a partnership with the state to bring Spirit Aerosystems – and 1,000 jobs – to Kinston and a new entrepreneurial education initiative.

“These examples are only a few of the proof points of our willingness and ability to connect people, deliver knowledge and produce relevant solutions with benefits beyond our campus, beyond Raleigh and Wake County, beyond North Carolina and, yes, even beyond our nation,” he said.

“Especially in this time of a challenging economy, what we do and the way we do it is incredibly important. It is up to us as individuals to continually seek opportunities to collaborate, and to push the boundaries of our ability to push the boundaries.”

The chancellor also acknowledged “very serious” budget issues for 2009.

“We are looking at a cut of seven percent or more,” he said. “In real terms, seven percent translates to $36 million dollars. As you heard Governor Perdue say (in her State of the State address) last night, there are still many uncertainties about the state’s budget. That means we do not yet have a clear view of how our budget will be affected. One thing that is clear is that difficult decisions will have to be made.

“But there is work to be done in the meantime. We have dedicated and committed, well-educated, well-trained, experienced faculty and staff. Our students are motivated, capable and talented – they’re eager to learn. Our history supports us; opportunities await us.”

The chancellor reminded the audience that “Red Means Go” is more than a marketing slogan for the university.

“When history reflects on NC State’s response to these tough budget times, let us make sure it doesn’t say we sat waiting for a red light to change,” Oblinger said. “Let’s be remembered as an institution, an organization, a team, a family, where ‘Red Means Go.’”

The chancellor reported on NC State’s accomplishments within the five areas of its strategic plan:

• Producing leaders for the state, nation and world
• Driving innovation in energy and the environment
• Improving health and well being
• Creating educational innovation across our disciplines
• Fueling economic development for the state and the nation

Excerpts from the State of NC State speech:

• “‘Red Means Go’ describes the way we go create collaborations that produce innovations, which in turn have real impact well beyond our campus borders… collaboration, innovation and impact.”

• “NC State does things that make North Carolina and the world a better place. Each thing we do – each job we create, each program we develop, each student we graduate, each community we help, each example of groundbreaking research, and certainly in this day — each dollar we spend – builds on the history, the accomplishment, the success and the importance of North Carolina State University.”

• “We owe a debt of thanks to those who came before us and we pay that debt with our contributions to the future – because people count on (NC State).”

• “Our economists tell us that we should not expect economic recovery for at least a year, probably longer. We’ve engaged a wide range of people and groups across campus to help us prepare our approach to the budget shortfalls. We are planning our budget reductions strategically, with a goal of giving ourselves the best chance of a quick recovery.”

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A new study from North Carolina State University shows that painted road markings, such as the lines separating traffic lanes, are significantly better at reflecting headlights in the direction that the paint was applied. This finding will help determine how states comply with new federal safety regulations and save money on painting their roadways. Continue Reading »

North Carolina State University Chancellor James Oblinger will discuss the university’s accomplishments and role in supporting the state’s economic growth in his State of the University presentation at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, in Stewart Theatre on the NC State campus. Continue Reading »

North Carolina State University has named 55 students as Park Scholars for the Class of 2013. These prestigious awards are valued at nearly $75,000 for North Carolina residents and $130,000 for out-of-state students. More than 1,200 applications were received for this year’s class, and 200 NC State faculty and alumni reviewed the candidates in a three-stage selection process. More than 100 finalists were invited to participate in final selection activities. Continue Reading »

Dennis Gartman, publisher of The Gartman Letter, a daily commentary on the global capital markets, will speak at North Carolina State University’s Millennium Seminar Series with a presentation to students, faculty, staff and the general public at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Stewart Theatre on campus. His remarks will focus on the global financial meltdown, its effect on global and foreign markets, and what investors can and should do during this difficult economic time. Continue Reading »

North Carolina State University has received a two-year, $987,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to encourage underrepresented minority students to enter graduate school in engineering, science and related fields.

The grant establishes the Bridge to the Doctorate Program at NC State and provides graduate-school fellowships for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. The grant will fund fellowships for 12 students for two years. Each student will receive a $30,000 annual stipend, payment of tuition and fees, medical insurance and travel funds for professional development activities.

Minorities traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields include African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.

“This grant helps us attract top graduate students and boosts the presence of underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines,” said Dr. Tony Mitchell, the program’s director who leads NC State’s Minority Engineering Programs and is assistant dean for student services in the College of Engineering.

The program is designed to help students make a smooth transition from master’s degree programs to doctoral programs. During their fellowships, students will have access to faculty mentoring, a six-week introduction to research techniques, transitional issues workshops, an online collaboration forum and summer research programs.

Fellows began receiving funding during the spring 2009 semester. The fellowships are not limited to minority students, but all recipients must be former participants in an undergraduate program connected to the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, an NSF program that seeks to boost the presence of underrepresented minorities in STEM fields.

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People are always looking for ways to make something less expensive and more environmentally friendly – and a team of researchers from North Carolina State University has figured out how to do both of those things at once when building the parking garages of the future. Continue Reading »