Cellulose Conference- Preliminary Program

Background

Conference Sponsors

Preliminary Program

Poster & Presentation Abstracts

Papers

Registration

2nd Annual Partnerships for Environmental Improvement and
Economic Development Conference

Wood and Cellulose: Building Blocks for Chemicals, Fuels and Advanced Materials

Preliminary Program

Sunday, April 9
2:00 pm	Registration- Sheraton University Hotel
3:00-5:00	Wood and Cellulose Tutorial William T. Winter, Director, Cellulose Research Institute, SUNY-ESF. This optional tutorial will discuss the basics of wood and cellulose science.
5:00-7:00	Reception
Monday, April 10
7:45 am	Registration
8:30	Welcome and Conference Opening Ross S. Whaley, President, SUNY-ESF
9:00	Plenary Session The Future of Biomass in the World Energy Balance R. James Woolsey, Director, United States Central Intelligence from 1993 to 1995.
10:20	Plenary Session: The Bio-Refinery Energy, Chemicals and Value-Added Products from Cellulosic Technology Helena Chum, Director, Chemistry for BioEnergy Systems Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
11:00	Plenary Session Reusable and Magnetic Paper: Pathfinders to Advanced Cellulosics Robert H. Marchessault, E.B. Eddy Professor, Pulp and Paper Research Centre, McGill University
Noon	Luncheon and Speaker Dan W. Reicher, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy.
1:30 pm	Plenary Session: Progress in the Biotechnology of Biomass Mechanisms in Cellulose Biosynthesis Inder M. Saxena, T. Dandekar, R. Malcolm Brown, Jr. Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Section, School of Biological Science, University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Saxena's research focuses on biosynthetic pathways of cellulose production. Enhancing Mechanical Pulping with Fungal Pretreatment in the Wood Yard Gary M. Scott, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Paper Science and Engineering, SUNY-ESF. Research support provided by Empire State Paper Research Institute (ESPRI).
3:00	Break
3:15	Concurrent Presentations Session A Advances in Cellulose Technology Wood and Cellulose: Recent Progress in Structure and Morphology Anatole Sarko, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Chemistry, SUNY-ESF. Improved Cellulases for Bioethanol Production Michael E. Himmel, Principal Scientist, Biotechnology Center for Fules and Chemicals, NREL. Cellulase systems combined with protein-engineering principles for improved utilization of lignocellulosic feedstocks in ethanol production. Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Cellulosics and Cellulose Composites Peter A. Zugenmaier, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Clausthal University of Technology, Germany. DSC, DMTA and SEM analysis of thermal, viscoelastic and morphological properties of cellulose/polypropylene (PP) and Xylan/PP. Session B Advances in Lignin Technology Innovative Uses of Papermaking Byproducts Kerry Thompson, Group Leader of Innovative Technologies, Arizona Chemical. Byproducts of the papermaking process contain naturally occurring fats and oils that can be utilized for value-added products. An Overview of the Modification of Lignin by Graft Copolymerization and the Uses of These Products John J. Meister, Center for Forest Products Research, Inc. Development of graft copolymerization chemistry to modify lignin into the process polymers, plastics and tire rubber filler needed by industry and consumers. Laccase Enhancements in Lignocellulosic Biotechnologies James P. Nakas, Faculty of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY-ESF. Production, characterization, purification and covalent chemical modification of hybrid laccase-xylanase enzyme constructs. These compounds have improved commercial attributes for the removal of toxic phenols from effluents, for selective benzylic or allylic oxidations and for the bio-bleaching of pulps.
5:30	Poster Session and Reception Promising Research Developments in Wood and Cellulose Technology.
Tuesday, April 11
8:45	Opening Remarks
9:00 am	Plenary Session The Market Place and BioTechnologies Chris Demeter, Antares Group of Washington, DC. The Antares Group is a consulting firm that helps industry and government introduce emerging energy technologies into the power, transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors.
10:00	Plenary Session Economics and Technology Stephen Fitzpatrick, CEO of Biofine. Biofine was awarded a 1999 Presidential Green Chemistry Award. Mr. Fitzpatrick is associated with the establishment of a levulinic acid plant in Glens Falls, New York.
10:50	Break
11:05	Plenary Session Accelerating the Commercialization of Biomass Energy Generation within New York State George Proakis, Consultant, Syracuse Research Corporation and New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation. Developing a strategy to establish biomass crops as a cost-effective energy fuel source within New York State.
Noon	Luncheon and Speaker Congressman James T. Walsh, [invited]New York 25th Legislative District.
1:05 pm	Case Studies Vermont Gasification Project John Irving, Plant Manager, McNeil Generating Station, Burlington, VT. Wood to electricity via gasification. Secondary Sludge, An Alternative to Fossil Fuel Scott Canonico, Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Office, Ticonderoga Mill, International Paper. Mill sludge drying techniques. Dried mill sludge as a boiler fuel displaces fuel oil with the added benefit of reduced landfill usage. Willow Biomass Crops for Bioenergy and Bioproducts E.H. White, SUNY-ESF; E. Neuhauser, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation; E. Gray, Antares Group, Inc. Efforts by SUNY-ESF and other Salix Consortium partners, to develop and expand research for quantifying environmental benefits associated with willow biomass crops, optimizing production systems and exploring both bioenergy and bioproducts markets.
3:00	Panel Discussion Interactive discussion of conference topics with six to eight panelists. Each panelist will represent aspects of the conference focus.
4:30 pm	Conference concludes