CBiRC Overview Video. ISU Biorenewables Research Laboratory Video.
Chemical engineering professor featured in The Catalyst Review
Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, assistant professor and Carol & Jack Johnson Faculty Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was the featured “Mover & Shaker” in The Catalyst Review‘s November 2012 edition. In the article, Tessonnier discusses the interdisciplinary approach his group uses to develop defect-engineering strategies that will enable the design of a new class of nanocarbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. (11-30-12)
Symbi program allows high school and graduate students to teach each other lessons in science
Symbi is known as “Iowa’s GK-12 Program” and it’s the only program of its kind in the state. It’s part of a National Science Foundation’s effort to put graduate students studying science, technology, engineering and math into K-12 classrooms. And it’s a chance for Iowa State students to inspire school students and their teachers with the excitement and importance of science, engineering and university research. (11-01-12)
Professor Brent Shanks earns top university, college research awards
Shanks, professor from Iowa State University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) and director of CBIRC, recently garnered two top Iowa State awards: the Iowa State University Foundation Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Research and the College of Engineering’s D. R. Boylan Eminent Faculty Award for Research. (6-28-12)
CBiRC featured in recent issue of Chemical & Engineering News
Mike and Jean Steffenson Professor Brent Shanks and NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) were featured in the August 6 issue of Chemical & Engineering News. In the article, “Teaming up for biobased chemicals,” Shanks describes the challenges faced with developing commercially viable biobased substitutes for petrochemicals. (8-28-12)
CBiRC researchers make plant protein discovery that could boost bioeconomy
Research groups from Iowa State University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have found three proteins involved in the accumulation of fatty acids in plants. The discovery could help plant scientists boost seed oil production in crops. And that could boost the production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals. (5/13/12)
CBiRC Industrial Members grow to 27
CBiRC’s membership numbers grow to 21 member companies with the addition of Group IV Biosystems, Endicott Biofuels, Focus First, Frontline Bioenergy, International Flavors and Fragrances, Pine Creek Systems and Toray Industries. (7-21-12).
Jim Dumesic to receive NACS award in 2012
Professor Dumesic has been named winner of the 2012 George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petroleum Chemistry sponsored by the George A. Olah Award Endowment. (10-19-11).
CBiRC Industrial Members grow to 21
CBiRC’s membership numbers grow to 21 member companies with the addition of BASF Catalysts Division, Evonik, OPX Biotechnologies and MBI. (10-1-11).
CBiRC Industrial Members grow to 17
CBiRC’s membership numbers grow to 17 member companies with the addition of Glucan Biorenewables, Lesaffre, Michelin and NCAUR. (5-1-11).
Winners announced for second annual CBiRC poster competition
The results for the poster competition conducted by SLC at the second annual CBiRC meeting, October 2010, have been announced. (12-20-10)
Rollins to receive Eminent Engineers award
Professor Derrick Rollins has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 Minority Action Committee (MAC) Eminent Engineers Award presented by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (10-18-10)
CBiRC Industrial Members grow to 13
CBiRC’s membership numbers grow to 13 member companies with the addition of Allylix, Ashland, Cibus, Danisco, and Glycos Biotechnologies. (11-1-10).
NSF welcomes 14th member to Center for Biorenewable Chemicals
Texas-based Glycos Biotechnologies Inc. became the 14th member of the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC). The company followed the likes of other biochemical and advanced biofuel developers who signed on with the CBiRC such as Danisco, Royal DSM N.V., Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc., Genomatica Inc., Novozymes, POET and Solazyme Inc. (10-14-10)
College of Engineering Beneficiary of Steffenson Family Gift
Brent Shanks, director of CBiRC and professor of chemical and biological engineering, will be the inaugural recipient of the Steffenson Professorship, one component of a recent $700,000 gift from Mike and Jean Steffenson of Davenport, Iowa. (8-31-10)
Iowa State researchers part of $78 million national effort to develop advanced biofuels
Two teams of Iowa State University researchers will receive a total of $8 million over three years from a $78 million U.S. Department of Energy program to research and develop advanced biofuels. (1-15-10)
Building on Nature: Biology inspires the pursuit of new capabilities in sensing and hydrocarbon production
Natural systems are the focus of two intriguing and imperative research areas: creating revolutionary capabilities for sensing and response; and obtaining hydrocarbons from plants and microorganisms. (9-28-09)
First year of Center for Biorenewable Chemicals builds bridges to science, industry
Brent Shanks studies chemical catalysts in Iowa State University’s Sweeney Hall. Just a few buildings to the north, Basil Nikolau studies biological catalysts. (9-18-09)
Identical twins come from inner city to Iowa State on Gates Millennium Scholarships
CBiRC Diversity Director Derrick Rollins runs new program at ISU to enhance the diversity of incoming freshmen. (9-10-09)
Iowa State faculty attract $7.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants
Iowa State University researchers have so far won 19 grants worth a total of $7.7 million from federal agencies awarding money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (8-20-09)
Biopolymers Researchers Exhibit at International Plastics Show
Iowa State University researchers who believe there is a future in making plastics from crops or byproducts of crop processing are taking their show on the road. Members of the Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team had an exhibit at an international plastics showcase June 22-26 in Chicago. (7-15-09)
Shanks Named Hoppe Professor in College of Engineering
Jacqueline Vanni Shanks, professor of chemical and biological engineering at Iowa State University, has been named the first holder of the Manley R. Hoppe Professorship in Chemical Engineering. (5-6-09)
NSF Launches an ERC for Biorenewable Chemicals
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces an award to Iowa State University and its partners to establish a new NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC). The ERC will develop interdisciplinary research and education programs that address an important societal issue and provide the foundation for new industries through innovation. NSF will invest $18.5 million in the Center over the next five years. (9-8-09)
