News 2020 | Biological Systems Engineering | Washington State University

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IEEE MetroAgriFor 2020 – Conference Award for Best Paper Presented by a Young Researcher

November 9, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

November 09, 2020 | IEEE MetroAgriFor 2020

Best Paper Presented by a Young Researcher – The IEEE MetroAgriFor 2020 announces the Conference Award to the research group, Rakesh Ranjan, Rajeev Sinha, Lav R. Khot, R. Troy Peters, Melba R. Salazar-Gutierrez, all from Washington State University, USA. This was awarded to the group for the paper titled “Internet of Things enabled crop physiology sensing system for abiotic crop stress management in apple and sweet cherry”.

The selection of this paper was based on technical merit, originality, potential impact on the field, clarity of the written paper, and quality of the presentation.

Visit the conference website: IEEE MetroAgriFor 2020.

Pilot project turns corn waste into jet fuel

October 22, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

Ocober 22, 2020 | WSU Insider

Richland, WA

Researchers at Washington State University are part of a national effort to find a higher-value use for such leftovers. The waste, also known as corn stover, is a plentiful source of lignin, a structural molecule used to make advanced jet fuels.

Bin Yang, professor in WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, is helping to launch a new $3.7 million, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded project, led by researchers at the University of North Dakota. The team will design, build, and test a lignin-based pilot reactor, for the first time studying the commercial viability of the process.

Read the full article: Pilot project turns corn waste into jet fuel

New chair encourages discoveries in Biological Systems Engineering

July 23, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

July 23, 2020 | WSU Insider

Manuel Garcia-Pérez, Professor, New Chair of Biological Systems Engineering, Encourages Discoveries.

Manuel Garcia-Pérez is excited to lead faculty and students as they make discoveries for a healthy environment, renewable energy, productive and sustainable agriculture, and safe and nutritious foods. “I am a big believer in the magic of committed individuals and teams,” said Garcia Pérez, a BSE professor since 2013. Garcia-Pérez takes over as chair of BSE from Juming Tang, who has been chair for four years, on Nov. 1.

The native of Cuba came to WSU after earning degrees in Cuba and Canada, then completing post-doctoral fellowships in the state of Georgia, and in Australia. “WSU is my first job,..

Source: Press Release: WSU Insider

Qin Zhang elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences

July 15, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

July 15, 2020 | Washington State Academy of Sciences

Qin Zhang, Professor, Director of Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, has been elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences for contributions leading to the adoption of automation technologies to agricultural production, a recognizable contribution to core technology development for intelligent farming machinery and smart agriculture and pioneering the emerging science frontier by the proposed study of agricultural cybernetics.

The Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) announced 21 new members in recognition of their outstanding record of scientific and technical achievement and willingness to work on behalf of the Academy to bring the best available science to bear on issues within the state of Washington. New members will be inducted into WSAS following the 13th Annual Members’ Meeting on September 10, 2020.

Source: Press Release: New Members Elected to WSAS

New biojet fuel could be a viable alternative to fossil fuel

July 8, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

July 08, 2020 | WSU Insider

Richland, WA

A Washington State University Tri-Cities researcher is producing and testing a group of hydrocarbon molecules made from lignin, a waste material from biofuel production, as a new biojet fuel that could replace petroleum-based fuels and lead to greater performance and reduced emissions.

Bin Yang, professor of biological systems engineering with the Tri-Cities-based Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Laboratory, is working with colleagues from the University of Dayton, Phonon Energy, Inc., Polykala Technologies LLC, and Mercurious Biorefining, Inc, on the project. The team recently received a $100,000 grant from the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI) to conduct…

Read the full article: New biojet fuel could be a viable alternative to fossil fuel

WSU researchers join $9.8M project to study low-moisture food safety

July 2, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

July 2, 2020 | WSU Insider
Pullman, WA

Low-moisture foods, like cereals and flour, dried fruit and nuts, have been recalled repeatedly in the last few years, posing health risks to consumers and economic threats to businesses.

Juming Tang, Regents Professor in WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and Meijun Zhu, Associate Professor in the School of Food Science, are collaborating in a Michigan State University-led, USDA-funded investigation of pathogens in these foods.

Bradley Marks, chair of the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, leads a team of economists, engineers, microbiologists, consumer educators and risk modelers in the five-year, $9.8 million grant…

Read the full article from WSU Insider: WSU Researchers join 9.8 Million Program

Robotic crop pollination awarded $1 million grant

June 19, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

June 19, 2020 | WSU Insider

Developing robotic technology for crop pollination is the goal of a new project for Washington State University scientists.
Funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the team is led by Manoj Karkee, an associate professor in WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS).

The three-year grant…

Read the article : Robotic crop pollination awarded $1 million grant, 2020, WSU Insider.

India partnership spurs development of new WSU microwave technology for safer meals

April 2, 2020 Stewart Bohnet

March 31, 2020 | WSU Insider

Pullman, WA

In a breakthrough that can potentially help millions of consumers around the globe enjoy safer, tastier pre-packaged foods, a Washington State University scientist’s innovative microwave food safety technologies are being put into action by an Indian company, Tata SmartFoodz Ltd.

For more than two decades, Juming Tang, Regents Professor in WSU’s Department of Biological Systems Engineering, has led research into better ways to protect food from pathogens and spoilage using microwaves—pulses of electromagnetic energy, the familiar namesake of microwave ovens.
The technology could help eliminate the persistent safety recalls of frozen and chilled foods that happen globally every year.
“We’re working to spread new knowledge and technologies,” said Tang, “so that food companies of all sizes can produce high-quality, healthy prepackaged meals with longer shelf lives, free from pathogens and chemical preservatives.”

Read the full article from WSU Insider: India partnership spurs development of new WSU microwave technology for safer meals.