The NCERC at SIUE: Advancing Biofuels Research

Director's Notes - Archives

May, 2010

Hello All,
I hope this message finds each and every one of you doing well.

Here is a weekly glimpse of what May 2010 had in store:

May 3 – 7: John Caupert (Director) and Stephanie Regagnon (Assistant Director, Commercialization) traveled to Chicago, IL to attend and participate in Bio International. While in the Illinois pavilion, John updated Illinois Director of Agriculture (Tom Jennings) and Illinois Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (Warren Ribley) on activities of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. While attending Bio, John had the opportunity to visit with Congressman John Shimkus. At the NCERC, the week was highlighted with a visit by renowned poultry nutritionist Dr. Amy Batal.

May 10 – 14:

• Monday: NCERC was visited by Dave Loos of Illinois Corn Growers Association. Staff of the NCERC updated Dave on grant funded project activity at the NCERC.
• Tuesday: Stephanie Regagnon (Assistant Director, Commercialization) represented the NCERC / SIUE at the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences meeting. Dr. Yan Zhang (Assistant Director, Analytical Research) traveled to Indianapolis, IN to attend the Distiller’s Grains Technology Council symposium.
• Wednesday: Stephanie Regagnon (Assistant Director, Commercialization) traveled to Indianapolis, IN for private client meetings on site of the Distiller’s Grains Technology Council symposium. While in Indianapolis, Steph visited with and updated Emily Otto-Tice of Indiana Corn Growers on the current status of the Corn Co-Products Project.
• Thursday: Distiller’s Grains Technology Council symposium concludes.

May 17 – 21: The NCERC pilot plant begins an Advanced Biofuel project which will last for a two week time period. John Caupert (Director) tips his hat to the tireless dedication of the pilot plant and laboratory staff who are working this extremely challenging and difficult project.

May 24 – 28: The most challenging pilot plant trial in the history of the NCERC continues. The good news is that Advanced Biofuel work is being conducted at the NCERC. Dave Loos of Illinois Corn Growers Association and Norm Marek of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity visit the NCERC spending time being updated no all on-going grant funded projects of the NCERC. Thursday May 27, the NCERC, members of the SIUE Administration and SIUE Foundation hold a meeting on the solicitation of a gift donation of a corn fractionation system. PROMISING, PROMISING, PROMISING!

Until next time, have a good, productive and safe month!

Regards,
John Caupert
Director, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center
Phone: 618-659-6737 Ext 226
Email: jcaupert@ethanolresearch.com