Lowering costs of microbial cellulose

We have been conducting research with Acetobacter xylinium for microbial conversion of sugars to cellulose. A rotating disk biological contactor should lower costs considerably because its production rates are greater than for the usual method of surface culture. Another major cost saving comes from replacing expensive sugars in the medium with sugars derived from wastes. Extracts of spent grapes from wastes of Portuguese wine factories supply suitable sugars for good production of microbial cellulose

Literary studies and the academy

In 1885 the University of Oxford invited applications for the newly created Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature. The holder of the chair was, according to the statutes, to ‘lecture and give instruction on the broad history and criticism of English Language and Literature, and on the works of approved English authors’. This was not in itself a particularly innovatory move, as the study of English vernacular literature had played some part in higher education in Britain for over a century. Oxford University had put English as a subject into its pass degree in 1873, had been participating since 1878 in extension teaching, of which literary study formed a significant part, and had since 1881 been setting special examinations in the subject for its non-graduating women students. What was new was the fact that this ancient university appeared to be on the verge of granting the solid academic legitimacy of an established chair to an institutionally marginal and often contentious intellectual pursuit, acknowledging the study of literary texts in English to be a fit subject not just for women and the educationally disadvantaged but also for university men

Biomass energy priority for developing nations

928-930All countries have unused biomass resources. Some are wastes with costs for disposal, but others are cultivated and collected. Because arable lands are not abundant and vary greatly in fertility, access to water, harvesting cost, and transportation costs, the decisions about what biomass to collect and how to use it must be wise. It is naive to view biomass as the panacea for the coming energy crisis because there is not enough in practical locations and the costs involved in retrieving and refining it will be relatively high. Major thrusts for commercialization of biomass refining are imminent, and fuel ethanol, despite its enormous potential, market may not be the most profitable product. Comparison of some developing countries shows wide differences in their problems and potential solutions

Advanced biochemical engineering

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Priorities in biotechnology research for international development

Harem barangkali memang sebuah kukungan, dan akan selalu dipersepsi seperti itu. Namun di haremnya, Fatima bergaul dengan perempuan-perempuan luar biasa mereka yang kearifannya menjadi jendela bagi Fatima kecil untuk melihat dunia331 hlm.; ilus.; 20 c

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN THE INTERNET AGE

Environmental engineering education is enhanced by the internet with web pages full of information, instructions, photos, and videos of installations and equipment, and with means of communication that facilitate alerts to new developments. Students who have grown up with years of using the internet have different expectations and computer sophistication that have yet to be exploited fully at our colleges and universities. Some reasonable modifications of the undergraduate curriculum can improve matters. ---------------DEDICATION: I treasure my warm friendship with Donald B. Aulenbach that started in 1976 and lasted until his recent death. We were together when the university administration at RPI experimented with merging environmental engineering and chemical engineering. I continued to teach environmental engineering courses for almost two decades after Don and the other environmental professors went to civil engineering as I opted for chemical engineering. His unique perspectives were inspirational, and he was outstanding for research in the field while training students at Lake George and Dyken’s Pond. After retirement we often sat together at events such as monthly luncheon gatherings. I pray for his soul