2010 Research Center Announced -- Released July 14, 2006

Article Body: The Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD) will be created on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus, in conjunction with South Dakota State University.

The center, which will be created with $500,000 in first-year funding from the state, joins four other highly-specialized research centers already in operation, one of which, the Center for Accelerated Applications at the Nanoscale, is also located at the School of Mines.

The new bioprocessing research center will be headquartered on the School of Mines campus. Research activities will be jointly conducted and co-located on the School of Mines and SDSU campuses. The center will focus on research that leads to new technologies for processing plant-derived materials into biomaterials such as ethanol and key building block chemicals. It is anticipated that these efforts will to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum and lower the production of greenhouse gases.

Because of the unique geographical location of the center, local industry by-products, such as agriwaste and debris left over from logging, will play a significant part in alternative chemical and fuel research, which has the potential for a far-reaching impact on the economy of the Black Hills, agribusiness and the state as a whole.

The center’s principal investigator is Dr. Robb Winter, professor of chemical engineering, is joined by 10 other leading engineering and science collaborators from the fields of agricultural engineering, biochemical engineering, biochemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and microbiology,. A primary focus of the state support will be to augment current expertise by hiring new research faculty and support staff.

Another key to the long term success of the CBRD is the School of Mines’ proposed Ph.D. in chemical and biological engineering. The center would provide cutting-edge equipment and support for research done by the doctoral students enrolled in this program.

The research centers are an integral part of the governor’s 2010 economic development initiative. Gov. Michael Rounds noted that after only 24 months in operation, the four original research centers now report a $40 million economic impact from a state investment of $5.4 million.

“Already in the short life of these research centers, they have made a significant impact in helping South Dakota become a recognized leader in research and technology development,” Rounds said. “I am confident this new operation will have similar success.”

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Posted by Vickie Bender on 7/14/2006 4:25:00 PM

2010 Research Center Announced -- Released July 14, 2006

2010 Research Center Announced -- Released July 14, 2006

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