What in the World are we Researching?
The Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering collaborates
and partners with researchers from other colleges as well as universities
and industries across the country and around the globe. Below are a few
of our research projects….. in layman’s terms.
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Assistant Professor Evangelyn C. Alocilja
Development of Biosensor and Bioelectronic Devices
We develop biosensors to quickly detect harmful bacteria and viruses that
could show up in food, water, air, animals, and plants.
Biosensor research is important because early detection of these disease-causing microorganisms in food, water, and air may help save precious lives among the susceptible groups – very young, elderly, and immune-compromised individuals. Early detection in agriculture reduces collateral damage, improves management, and thus increases economic returns to impacted industries. Dr
Alocilja's
newsletter articles >>>
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Distinguished Professor Kris A. Berglund
Distillery Program
We are expanding our artisan distillery program at MSU to include other distilled beverages beyond brandies. Our industrial partner of Christian Carl Ing. GmbH in Göppingen, Germany has donated a new distillation column to our facility that will allow us to produce highly purified products like vodka. We have several prototype development projects underway with clients from Maine to Hawaii.
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Professor and Extension Leader William Bickert
Agriculture and the Environment
Sustainability (economic, social and environmental) requires a systems
approach. For example, anaerobic digestion (the breakdown of manure biosolids
and production of biogas in the absence of oxygen) may be the cornerstone
of an integrated manure management system. But adding improvements to
a digester and coupling the digester with other innovative treatment technologies
can improve the economics of the system and enhance relations between
animal agriculture and society. Dr. Bickert and his graduate students
share this broad view based on utilization of biomass and residuals in
agriculture.
Dr Bickert's newsletter articles >>>
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Assistant Professor Kirk Dolan
Dr. Kirk Dolan and his research team is studying grape skins and cull blueberries which are known to be healthy food additives.
Scientists are adding the grape skins and cull blueberries, which are waste materials, to many products like breakfast cereals, snacks, pastries, ice cream and cosmetics. The color pigments have been shown to improve memory and reduce effects of aging.
Celiac patients (those that can not digest wheat flour) require
substitutes. An alternative is kidney bean flour. The high protein
bean flour can be digested by celiac patients and does not have the side
effects of wheat flour. Dr. Dolan and the other scientists are also working
on deceasing the gaseous effects of dry beans.
Dry beans (legumes) are also shown to have cancer preventive properties.
With studies showing females preferring hard cider to beer, Dr. Dolan is studying hard apple cider and its antioxidant effects.
Dr Dolan's newsletter articles >>>
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The Crossroads of Biology and Technology
Can electronic cameras and light energy be utilized during sorting to assure insect-free products as economics and societal environmental and health concerns lead to reductions in chemical inputs into fruit production? Might a sensor be developed to predict the bruise susceptibility of potatoes at harvest time to avoid major financial losses resulting from bruising? Will chestnuts forever be roasted on an open fire or can a new commodity industry be developed around value-added processing of chestnuts and in turn yield a diversified and profitable opportunity for many agricultural producers? Can electronic non-destructive technology help provide a consistent and desirable fruit by measuring apple quality characteristics that human sorters can not see? As we look to the future can concepts and technology be implemented in the fruit industry to better manage our water resources while at the same time improve profitability for producers? Solutions to these questions and issues involve a marriage of biological understanding and applications of technology….and are challenges being addressed by Dr. Dan Guyer and fellow colleagues.
Dr. Guyer's newsletter articles >>>
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Assistant Professor Tim Harrigan
The Root Zone as a Bio-Filter: Making Soil a More Effective Treatment Media for the Remediation of Enteric Pathogens
Livestock manure has long been applied to crop land as a fertilizer. Runoff from manured ground can pollute surface waters and causes an immediate health threat. There is a need to develop a range of manure application options and guidelines for environmentally responsible manure management to stabilize nutrient-rich farm land and prevent pollution to surface and ground waters.
Dr. Tim Harrigan and graduate students are evaluating manured grassland to ensure environmentally responsible manure use.
Dr. Harrigan's newsletter articles >>>
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Improving Onsite and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
This project is providing information so designers and regulators can design and/or choose systems appropriate to site conditions. Proper choice of systems that provide enhanced treatment will not only protect public health and the environment, but can reduce the area required for the wastewater system, reduce lot size, and fit land use planning constraints.
Dr. Loudon's newsletter articles >>>
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Adjunct Associate Professor Renfu Lu
Our research is focused on developing new and/or improved engineering methods and techniques to assess, sort, and grade postharvest quality and condition of tree fruits (apples and cherries) and vegetables (cucumbers). We are currently using light-based methods, including imaging and spectroscopy, to develop new sensors and sensing systems for rapid, nondestructive measurement of fruit firmness, sugar, acid and other quality attributes.
The research will lead to new technologies and systems that can assure the quality and consistency of fresh products delivered to the marketplace, thus enhancing consumer satisfaction and acceptance and improving industry's profitability and competitiveness.
Dr. Lu's newsletter articles >>>
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Associate Professor Bradley P. Marks
Dr. Bradley Marks' research team is developing information and tools to help ensure the safety of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Federal regulations require manufacturers of meat and poultry products to prove that their processes are eliminating pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella. However, many factors influence the resistance of the bacteria to processing, such as the composition of the food product or the cooking environment.
Dr. Marks' team is investigating these various factors and using this information to develop computer tools that will help the industry both ensure the microbial safety of the products and maximize the value of the product.
Dr. Marks newsletter articles >>>
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Application of Fungicide to Control Fusarim Head Blight
Wheat and barely are susceptible to Fusarim Head Blight (FHB), which is a disease. Sometimes this results in the formation of vomitoxin, which is residue left over by the disease. Vomitoxin makes the grain unusable and toxic to both humans and animals.
Dr. Van Ee's newsletter articles >>>
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
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East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
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December 3, 2004
