Friday, July 2, 2010

July 2010 - ECSU biologist searches for alternative energy

ECSU biologist searches for alternative energy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- Dr. Margaret Young moves patiently from one plant to another in a quiet biology laboratory in the Jenkins Science Center. She lifts two of them, inspects them and nods with confidence that castor plants hold great promise to our future.

Young, an associate professor in the Biology Department, is one of many professors working around the world in search of alternative energy sources—those that do not require the burning of fossil fuels. Plants, and the oils from their seeds are promising sources of new energy sources. For years, scientists have studied the development of corn, sugarcane, canola, soybeans, and switch grass as alternative energy sources.

“Each year the pressure intensifies for alternative energy. For scientists this is a step by step process,” Young said. “There are scientists working on different segments of this research who publish their findings and gather at conferences to discuss their research. There are also farmers who are growing the plants under specific condition to yield the plants that are so critical to our research. You’d be surprised to learn how many people are involved in this process.”

Young became involved when fellow researchers at her alma mater Mississippi State University asked if she would be interested in joining a consortium of scientists searching for alternative fuels. Of interest to Young are castor plants. Castor produces an oil that can be more easily converted to biofuels. In addition, the oil is used extensively in industrial and cosmetic applications. Castor plants can be grown throughout the tropics and now in various locations. Of particular interest to researchers are plants, like castor, that are not grown for human consumption such as corn is.

“Over the last 40 years, scientists have seen some encouraging developments in this research. The growth of plants, the impact of fertilizers and spacing between rows of plants, the collection of seeds, separation of oil from the other components of the plant,” Young said. “Today’s undergraduate is becoming involved in research that will supply and expanding world population that continues to demand energy. We just hope they will be able to supply alternative sources for those demands.”

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Story by:
Kesha Williams
Director of Media Relations | University Relations and Marketing
Elizabeth City State University
1704 Weeksville Rd. | Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: 252.335.3686 | Fax: 252.335.3769
Email: kdwilliams@mail.ecsu.edu | www.ecsu.edu

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