KU Biofuels “Feedstock to Tailpipe” © Initiative
Many different sources for alternative fuels are being explored to potentially replace the Nation’s current dependence on foreign oil. While significant research is being conducted on these alternative fuels, large gaps in the technology still exist which must be overcome before they will account for a significant amount of our energy needs. The University of Kansas (KU) Biofuels “Feedstock to Tailpipe©” Initiative creates a multidisciplinary research team to explore the viability of alternative liquid fuels to power the country’s transportation system. Scientists from chemical, mechanical, and environmental engineering, as well as ecology, biology, and geography are collaborating on this research program to address the current knowledge gaps and allow for informed decisions to be made about the future of energy. The integration of the research from the feedstock production to fuel utilization is required to develop a sustainable alternative liquid fuel. However, this integration of Biofuels research at a single institution across the “Feedstock to Tailpipe©” spectrum is unique and revolutionary. The long term goals of the “Feedstock to Tailpipe©” Initiative are to: 1) apply a systems approach to the exploitation of alternative transportation fuel in all its main aspects; 2) develop alternative, renewable fuel options while concurrently assessing understudied ecosystem impacts of biofuel choices and developing novel engine technologies; and 3) educate and train students to be leaders in the long term application of alternative fuel technologies. The anticipated scientific and broader impacts of this program have the potential to make KU a pioneer in Biofuels research.
Algae growth experiments housed in Dr. Sturm’s laboratory.
PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
Susan Williams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
CO-PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
Sharon Billings, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Nathaniel Brunsell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Geography
Chris Depcik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Dennis Lane, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor
Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering
Edward Peltier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering
Val Smith, Ph.D.
Professor
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Belinda Sturm, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering
Ilya Tabakh
Graduate Researcher
Civil, Environmental, & Architectural Engineering
Transportation Research Institute
Laurence Weatherley, Ph.D.
Chairperson
Professor
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Frank (Jerry) deNoyelles, Ph.D.
Professor / Deputy Director
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / Kansas Biological Survey
Edward Martinko, Ph.D.
Director/ Professor KS Biological Survey
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology / Kansas Biological Survey / Geography
top