NDSU mechanical engineering students will present their research during a poster session at the “Renewable Materials Summit: Markets for Building the Biorefinery.” The summit will highlight and explore companies and markets that are driving the emerging bioeconomy.
The one-day event is scheduled for May 15 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. NDSU’s mechanical engineering department is a co-sponsor.
Chad Ulven, associate professor of mechanical engineering, 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.”
NDSU students also can attend workshops and panel discussions throughout the day. Some of the featured topics include:
- The State of the Renewable Materials Industry: Strategies for Growth
- The Market for Renewable Materials: Consumer Perspectives
- Market Demand, Emerging Technologies and Global Drivers
- Building the Biorefinery
- Biochemicals Industry Development
- Partnerships with Biofuels and Forest Products Industries
- Biofiber Supply Chain Development
- Developing Partnerships Across the Great Plains
The summit is 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.
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