Fargo, N.D. – NDSU mechanical engineering students presented their research during a poster session at the “Renewable Materials Summit: Markets for Building the Biorefinery.” The summit highlighted and explored companies and markets that are driving the emerging bioeconomy.

The one-day event was held May 15 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. NDSU’s mechanical engineering department was a co-sponsor.

Chad Ulven, associate professor of mechanical engineering at NDSU, organized the poster session to help students share their work with industry leaders and spur networking opportunities. The summit brings together bioeconomy company leaders from the upper Midwest and Canada.

“It is important for students to participate in an event like this to interface with bio-based material industry leaders, so they can make a real impact on the technology moving forward with their own thoughts and ideas,” Ulven said. He also said it is key for students to recognize the major stakeholders in this area. “When they graduate, they will be able to approach those who are riding this bio-wave for employment opportunities.”

The summit was primarily organized by BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and LifeScience Alley Renewable Materials Summit. For more information on the event, visit http://lifesciencealley.org/programs_events/detail.aspx?id=711.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.