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Engineered Biological Systems

Bioenvironmental Systems

Sustainable Methods for Land Reclamation
Dr. Ronald L. Sims   
This study utilizes the root system of common plants to distribute special beneficial microorganisms (bacteria) that can destroy chemical carcinogens that enter the soil accidentally through spills or improper waste disposal.  This study will provide a new technology utilizing an engineered biological system of plants and microorganisms to decontaminate and restore damaged lands, to prevent contamination of ground water, and to ensure safe societal use of previously impacted lands in Utah.

Microbes Discovered at USU Destroy Carcinogens
Dr. Ronald L. Sims  
Utah State University engineers and scientists have recently discovered and identified three microorganisms (bacteria) that have the capability to destroy carcinogens and other toxic chemicals.  The Biological Engineering and Biology programs at USU are discovering how these bacteria transform chemicals by employing high technology microscopic processes including synchotron radiation at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory in California.  Article...

Bioprocess Systems

Center for Profitable Uses of Agricultural Byproducts (CPUAB)
Dr. Conly Hansen

The research being conducted at the CPUAB involves finding profitable uses for food production and processing byproducts and also to further increase value of salable food products.  The CPUAB invented an anaerobic digester system based on the induced blanket reactor or IBR that can produce electricity, heat, and soil amendment from manure and food processing waste.  Article...

Verification of Field Crop Evapotranspiration in an Irrigated Arid Environment
Dr. Robert Hill

The effect of irrigation water management, weather, and irrigation water salinity on field crop water use under farm field conditions is being studied in Utah farm fields.  The initial focus is on alfalfa, the predominate irrigated crop in Utah and a high water use crop.  Crop water use measured with Bowen Ratio and Eddy Covariance systems will be compared with field water balance estimates.  Data collection began in 2005 and is continuing through the 2008 growing season on center pivot irrigated alfalfa in Curlew Valley, west of Snowville, where pumped ground water is a principal irrigation water source.  The results will help verify the reasonableness of using the ASCE Standarized Penman-Monteith equation for estimating farm crop water use in areas with windy days during the growing season.