Auburn Professor Researching Pond Scum as an Energy Source
Auburn University is well known for the great deal of research that is conducted on its campus. Every college has in the past or is working on ground breaking research in their field. From the College of Veterinarian Medicine to the College of Education there is an abundance of faculty and staff working to enhance their area of expertise.
Last week The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center hosted the 4th Annual Alabama Agricultural Energy Conference. People from all over the state attended as well as professors from numerous departments here at Auburn. Many of the other colleges and universities from around the state were also in attendance. The event was sponsored by Auburn Universities Natural Resources Management Development Institute and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
Many topics were addressed at the conference including the emerging bio energy industry, the link between water and energy and energy innovations on the farm. One Auburn professor in particular was given much attention and acclaim. Associate research professor of chemical engineering, Dr. Ron Putt, explained his interest in pond scum as a renewable energy source.
Putt believes that algae is a possible energy source that could create 100 percent of Alabama’s fuel if there was a million acres of algae in ponds. No other state is looking at this renewable energy source, and if Alabama is able to pull it off they will be the first state to do so.
Among the other colleges that presented at the conference many spoke about their research in renewable energy sources. It is important to look at many options in the quest for alternative energy sources and while corn is most likely the best known source there are many other possibilities here in the state of Alabama. Also, if only a select few products are used there could be damage to the food supply. Alabama alone uses three billion gallons of fuel a year and one renewable energy source would most likely only account for one percent of the solution. This is why research that is taking place here at Auburn is so vital in the search for alternative energy sources.
Recently much attention has been placed on going green through out the nation. The research being conducted here at Auburn may make a difference for many people and help save our environment.
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November 13th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I love it! Happy to see this article. This is the kind of research that likely won’t see much light of day in media. So, it is wonderful to see it covered here. Thanks.