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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology chemistry and applied biology professors
are studying whether algae could be a potential source for biodiesel, under an
agreement between Rose-Hulman Ventures and Quantum Development Corp., a new
venture being led by Rose-Hulman alumnus Chester Crow.
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Examining Bio-Fuels: Michael Mueller (right), head of Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology's Department of Chemistry, helps students
examine the impact of bio-fuels on power production and exhaust
emissions in automobile engines.
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The project involves growing and optimizing conditions for a number of algae
strains that are particularly well suited for Indiana. Professors and students
will examine whether bio-fuels can be produced from a variety of sources, along
with investigating the effects of these bio-fuel sources in power production and
exhaust emissions in an automobile engine.
The research project will involve as many as six undergraduate students and
could lead to other future research initiatives, according to Michael Mueller,
head of Rose-Hulman’s Department of Chemistry.
Rose-Hulman President Gerald S. Jakubowski has commended the students and
Mueller on these projects, stating: "These research projects provide great
experience for our students and helps reinforce Rose-Hulman's place as a leader
in the hands-on application of science and engineering education."
Other faculty members participating in the research project are Richard Anthony,
associate professor of applied biology and biomedical engineering; Peter
Coppinger and Jennifer O’Connor, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.
The group recently attended a two-day workshop on algae production at the
University of Texas-Austin.
Crow, a 1983 electrical engineering alumnus, is enhancing the research project
by donating $40,000 to support the purchase of equipment necessary to study
algae for biodiesel production. Besides starting Quantum Development Corp, Crow
is also president of PowerSource, an Addison, Ill., company.
Multi-disciplinary research teams at Rose-Hulman have already developed several
different types of bio-based two-cycle engine oils. These bio-based lubricants
have been shown to have superior lubricating properties to the synthetic oils
that are currently commercially available.
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