Establishment of a Laboratory for Biofuels at the University of Kentucky

The principle objective of this project is the establishment of a laboratory dedicated to the development of improved processes for biomass utilization, with the goal of supporting the development of the biofuels industry in Kentucky. Kentucky is well positioned to become a leading player in biofuels production: Kentucky's abundance of natural resources, including forestry wastes and agricultural residues, in addition to crops such as com and soybeans, offers a huge resource of available biomass. The facility will be based at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER) and will be used by researchers from several UK departments, including the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE). Furthermore, it is intended that its equipment will be available to researchers in other Kentucky institutions working in the field of biofuels.