Biogas Lab Research: Renewable Energy from Organic Waste
Biogas technologies are a simple, accessible and affordable way to turn organic waste, like kitchen scraps or animal manure, into renewable fuel and biofertilizer.
In this project, you will have a chance to conduct laboratory research on optimizing biogas production and use in our bioregion. You will be working in teams of 2-3 undergraduate students on one of the following three study areas:
- Microbiology. Exploring the use of cold-adapted (psychrotrophic) microbes for enhancing biogas production in anaerobic digesters at temperatures below 60F.
- Physical Chemistry. Using sustainably-sourced alkaline solutions (e.g., wood ash in water) to trap the carbon dioxide present in biogas and increase its methane biofuel content.
- Plant Science & Agriculture. Using the carbon dioxide extracted from biogas for promoting plant growth in indoor farming via carbon dioxide supplementation.
It is deeply satisfying and empowering to work on projects that DO something about addressing the climate catastrophe. Biogas technology is simple enough that your skills as an undergraduate are enough to make a meaningful contribution to the field. At the same time, there are plenty of technical and human challenges to the broad implementation of this technology in our bioregion, so you will also be growing your academic and soft skills as you work on these projects.
You will also get practice in planning and conducting scientific research, analyzing your results and communicating about them to the broader STEM community.