MRI: Acquisition of Polarized Light Microscope and Cold Filter Plugging Point Analyzer for MSU-Northern Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center

CBET-0821682 Soriano智能优点：尽管使用生物柴油的环境、经济和运营效益已经得到很好的证明和认可，但其糟糕的冷流变性仍然是消费者的主要担忧。较差的冷流性能导致过滤器堵塞，这是使用生物柴油时最常见的可操作性问题，特别是在蒙大拿州等寒冷地区。该项目寻求帮助，为密歇根州立大学北方分校的生物能源创新和测试中心(该中心)购买一台配有温度控制系统和冷滤器堵点(CFPP)分析仪的偏光显微镜(PLM)，以扩大该中心对生物柴油冷流特性的研究能力。所要求的仪器是了解生物柴油结晶行为的有力工具，有助于改善生物柴油和生物柴油混合物的冷流变性和过滤性能。这些工具还将用于培训和教学目的，因为中心正在积极将应用化学副学位制度化，重点放在生物柴油生产技术和生物柴油质量保证上。北密歇根州立大学的生物和水质部门也将利用这些仪器进行教学和研究。这些仪器将提供给来自密歇根州立大学其他校区和附近部落学院的学生，他们对在密歇根州立大学北方分校进行本科生和研究生研究感兴趣。更广泛的影响：为该中心收购PLM和CFPP Analyzer将有助于建设大学的能力，使其成为一所以研究为导向的机构，作为吸引更多学生参加科学和技术项目的战略。该中心的研究工作与蒙大拿州的农业能源计划相结合，该计划旨在通过生物产品和可再生能源的发展来振兴该州的32个县和6个印第安人保留地。为该中心收购PLM和CFPP分析仪将扩大该中心的能力，以进行生物柴油结晶和过滤能力的基础和应用研究，这是生物柴油商业化的主要障碍之一。这些仪器是开发改善生物柴油低温流动性能的技术的有力工具，这必将对生物柴油的推广、接受和利用产生重大影响，特别是在蒙大拿州气候寒冷的情况下。重要的研究成果将发表在同行评议的科学出版物上，并将在国家和国际科学会议上发表。此外，未来参加农业贸易展会以及与蒙大拿州农业部的积极合作将加强整个地区的信息传播和生物柴油推广。该中心还积极与蒙大拿州几个现有的和新兴的生物产业合作，向这些产业提供仪器。

CBET-0821682SorianoIntellectual Merit: While the environmental, economic and operational benefits of utilizing biodiesel have been well proven and recognized, its poor cold-flow properties still remain a major concern for consumers. Poor cold-flow properties leads to clogging of filter which is the most common operability problems encountered in using biodiesel, especially in cold regions such as Montana. This project seeks assistance in acquiring a Polarized Light Microscope (PLM) coupled with temperature control system and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) Analyzer for MSU-Northern's Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center (the Center) to expand the Center's capabilities in conducting research on cold-flow properties of biodiesel. The requested instruments are powerful tools in understanding the crystallization behavior of biodiesel leading to the improvement of biodiesel and biodiesel blends cold-flow properties and filterability. These instruments will also be utilized for training and instruction purposes as the Center is actively institutionalizing an Associate Degree in Applied Chemistry with emphasis on biodiesel production technology and biodiesel quality assurance. The instruments will also be utilized by Biology and Water Quality Departments at MSU-Northern for instructional and research purposes. The instruments will be made available to students from other MSU campuses and nearby tribal colleges interested in conducting undergraduate and graduate research at MSU-Northern. Broader Impact: The acquisition of PLM and CFPP Analyzer for the Center will contribute in building the University's capability to become a research oriented institution as a strategy to attract more students in the science and technology programs. The Center's research endeavors are in conjunction with Montana's Agro Energy Plan that aims to revitalize 32 counties and 6 Indian Reservations in the state through bioproduct and renewable energy development. Acquisition of the PLM and CFPP analyzer for the Center will expand the Center's capabilities to do basic and applied research on biodiesel crystallization and filterability, which is one of the major hurdles in biodiesel commercialization. These instruments are powerful tools in developing technologies to improve the cold flow properties of biodiesel that will definitely pose a great impact in biodiesel promotion, acceptance and utilization, especially in Montana considering its cold climate. Important research findings will be published in peer-reviewed scientific publications and will be presented in national and international scientific meetings. Moreover, future participation in Agricultural Trade Shows and active collaboration with Montana's Department of Agriculture will enhance information dissemination and biodiesel promotion throughout the region. The Center is also actively collaborating with several existing and emerging bio-based industries in Montana to whom the instruments will be made available.