Achievement

AU-IGERT trainees and associates have been working hard in a brand new shared laboratory dedicated to IGERT research in biorefining. This new laboratory space (~1800 sq ft) is housed in the Shelby Center Advanced Engineering Research Laboratory Building and was designed to include all necessary utilities and safety equipment for analytical work in the IGERT. Extensive characterization and catalyst synthesis equipment was relocated to this central location available to all IGERT trainees and faculty. During Spring and Summer 2012, additional analytical capabilities were added using both NSF funds and institutional support funds. Several new catalysts for use in the production of alternative fuels have been synthesized and characterized in this lab and the work has been presented in several conference presentations. Several trainees and associates have also been heavily involved in the completion of our major gasification facility, which will be a key facility in our project.