Oct. 22, 2008
Biofuels researcher Singsaas to speak at
first-ever Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative
One of the Wisconsin’s top biofuels researchers will present his
ongoing research findings at the first-ever Wisconsin Bioenergy
Initiative on Friday, Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m., at the Ebling Symposium
Center in Madison.
Eric Singsaas, associate professor of biology and forestry at the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), will present "Enhanced
Lignocellulose Separation and Conversion Technologies for
Biorefineries."
Singsaas and fellow faculty member, Don Guay, assistant professor of
paper science and engineering in the College of Natural Resources,
are researching technologies that will allow conversion of wood and
grasses into bio-diesel and bio-ethanol.
"Our goal is to develop techniques that use the existing pulp and
paper infrastructure of Wisconsin to make these fuels and products
from our abundant agricultural and forest resources," said Singsaas.
According to Singsaas, this effort may help revive Wisconsin's pulp
mills, and is in line with Governor Doyle's goal of providing 25
percent of Wisconsin's transportation fuel by renewable sources by
2025.
"Liberating glucose is a major technological barrier we are seeking
to overcome," said Singsaas. "Once overcome, building biorefineries
throughout Wisconsin is no longer an idea but likely a reality."
Singsaas received his bachelor's degree in biology at Concordia
College in Moorhead, Minn., and his doctorate in plant physiology
and biochemistry at UW-Madison.
Eric
Singsaas