Providing Experiences in Research for Undergraduate Students in Engineering (PERUSE)

Project Title:
Thermochemical Biofuels and Bioenergy

Brief description of project:
We have several projects that explore the conversion of woody and herbaceous biomass into heat, power, and transportation fuels by thermochemical processes, including gasification and fast pyrolysis.  We are producing hydrogen, ethanol, Fischer-Trospsch diesel, and biopolymers from biomass.  We are producing biochars to recylce nutrients and sequester carbon in agricultural lands.  

These are experimental activities that require preparation of feedstocks, operating and maintaining thermal equipment, collecting and analyzing data using thermocouples, mass flow meters, gas chromatographs, and other instruments. and helping design and fabricate new equipment for the laboratory.

Appropriate Student Majors or Programs:
Agricultural & Biosystems; Chemical & Biological; Materials; Mechanical    

What are anticipated student tasks and responsibilities?
Duties commiserate with the skills and experience you bring to our team.  We are looking for students who can help us design, fabricate, and/or install bench-top or lab-scale gasifiers, pyrolyzers and support research projects through operation of laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation. 

Examples of previous experiences that are valuable to our team include jobs or hobbies that involve working with: metal or woodworking tools and equipment; repairing or maintaining automobiles, engines, or other mechanical equipment; designing and building mechanical devices; and exploring chemical and mechanical phenomena.

Hours of work offered per week: 11-15 

Undergraduate Research Assistant Position for: Year around 

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