The collective goal at BSEL is to move science to industrial processes in a manner that improves energy security, reduces petroleum imports and decreases the impact of fuels on the environment. PNNL currently has approximately 60 issued and pending patents in the area of biobased processing (30 issued US patents, 19 issued in the last six years). These have resulted in ten commercial licenses and license options. This work has also resulted in one R&D 100 Award Presidential Green Chemistry Award, and provided the basis for creation of a new company.
BSEL opened May 2008 and the $24 million, 57,000-square-foot research and teaching laboratory is a partnership between WSU and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) operated by Battelle. BSEL features the Biorefinery and the Combinatorial Catalysis Research Lab, plus a variety of laboratories and classrooms. The facility establishes the Tri-Cities as a center for world-class bio-based product research and development, creates a magnet for prominent scientists, and helps the Northwest agriculture industry be more competitive.
While PNNL and WSU retain their separate entity, PNNL’s goal is to work synergistically developing and deploying sustainable biomass-based technologies that reduce our dependence on petroleum imports and improve energy security while reducing green house gas emissions. PNNL’s John Holladay, Ph.D. works closely with Professor Birgitte Ahring of WSU and is responsible for developing the strategy that directs PNNL’s research on sustainable production of bioproducts and biofuels.
An important part of the PNNL-WSU relationship is the organizations bring complementary strengths, allowing a true established synergy. PNNL brings expertise in thermal processing, catalysis and fungal biotechnology. WSU notable expertise includes pretreatment, thermophilic bacteria biotechnology and integration of technologies for second generation ethanol production. In addition, PNNL has a relationship with the Prosser USDA station who bring expertise in biomass production.
Bioresources can be more sustainable than traditional alternatives (focus on lignocellulosic wastes rather than food-chain crops). They are domestically produced and support the State’s agriculture economy, help reduce dependency on foreign energy, and support farmers and rural communities.
Faculty work with biofuels (oils, biodiesel, ethanol and other alcohols, diesel, gasoline, “crude oil”, biogas, syngas,), biochemicals (specialty chemicals such as enzymes, catalysts, proteins, paints, inks, surfactants, polymers, lubricants, solvents, plant-made pharmaceuticals), biomaterials (fiber products, lumber, leather, processed foods, laminates, roofing, plastics, insulation) and bioprocesses (biological, chemical and thermal conversion methods, improved process engineering).
BSEL features lignocellulosic bioethanol laboratories, high-pressure catalytic reactor rooms for hydrogenation and other chemical processing. It also has bioprocessing laboratories for developing and engineering fungal fermentations and supporting wet chemical laboratories for synthesis and preparation of catalysts and feedstocks. The Combinatorial Catalysis Research Laboratory, houses PNNL’s state-of-the-art, rapid-throughput catalyst discovery instrumentation, and the 2,500 square-foot high-bay facility for integration and scale-up of the various processing steps in bioproducts manufacture.
Last Friday, Governor Jay Inslee made visited WSU Tri-Cities to learn more about the Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL), our collaborations with Pacific Northwest National Lab and the current state of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research and commercialization. The Governor received a tour of the lab and Harrison Yang, research assistant, conducted a demonstration showing how much cleaner SAF burns compared to traditional aviation fuels.
The Washington State Conservation Commission has awarded researchers from Washington State University Tri-Cities $200,000 to test a new process for managing manure. It has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, while also making the process more economical for dairy farmers and improving cow health.
Creating plant-based fuels that are easier on the environment and the pocketbook, Washington State University Professor Bin Yang makes a positive impact through chemical engineering.
A technology that converts hazardous wood products manufacturing chemicals into valuable components to produce biofuels, food flavoring, and fragrances has earned a WSU researcher a 2023 EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Award.
Washington’s clean energy future became a little brighter when members of the Washington State House and Senate approved Gov. Jay Inslee’s funding proposal for the Washington State University Tri-Cities' Institute for Northwest Energy Futures.
Washington State University Tri-Cities and Snohomish County will partner to bring a proposed research and development center for sustainable aviation fuels to life. Snohomish County officials announced Tuesday plans for a $6.5 million Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Applied Research and Development Center located at Paine Field in Snohomish County. The first-of-its-kind center will offer fuel testing, fuel finishing and the world’s first fuel repository.
Washington State University Tri-Cities, the MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion and the WSU Tri-Cities Career Center will be hosting a Women in STEM event on Thursday, March 23 from 5:30-7 p.m. on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in the East Auditorium and via Zoom.
Washington State University Tri-Cities engineering professor Xiao Zhang has been honored as a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors. The Academy recognizes senior members for their success in patents, licensing, and commercialization as well as for having produced technology that has, or will have, a significant impact on society. Zhang will be inducted formally at the Academy’s annual meeting in June in Washington, D.C.
A new method to treat sewage can efficiently convert leftover sludge to biogas, an advance that could help communities lower their waste treatment costs while helping the environment.
Washington River Protection Solution’s (WRPS) and Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities have partnered to build a diverse workforce by establishing a robust cooperative work experience program (Co-Op Program) that will prepare students to be the next generation employees for WRPS. The collaboration provides both academic and professional opportunities for growth and development while helping selected students build the skills necessary for full-time employment with WRPS post-graduation. As part of the partnership, WRPS donated $250,000 to WSU Tri-Cities to fund program costs.
Longtime Tri-Citian Bob Ferguson, who served as the first deputy assistant secretary of nuclear programs for the U.S. Department of Energy, made a $500,000 gift to support Washington State University Tri-Cities’ first endowed faculty position in energy and environment.
