Industrially Relevant Research Education

 

A Model Course: ENVE 534 Environmental
Engineering Investigations

 
Garrison site, where CBE applied course work takes place
Conoco’s Mike Hansen supervising student investigation of gasoline spill site.

 

Our goal at the Center for Biofilm Engineering is to integrate CBE education and research through strategic partnerships with industry and government to implement new biofilm technology.

 

Recognizing the value of increased involvement to both industry and CBE students, the Testbed Concept has been formulated. This concept provides students with experiential learning "in the field," while reinforcing direct interaction between researchers and industry personnel in developing research strategies.

 

The testbed itself may be any industrially relevant setting: a contaminated soils area, a microbially soured oil formation, or a water treatment system, for example. Testbeds are the means to an end – our desired goal of establishing on-going strategic partnerships with our Industrial Associates.

 

Key strategic elements of a testbed include:

 

Brainstorming sessions conducted by CBE students and researchers

 

Research, education and technology integrated to address a critical R&D need

 

Research focused at the field scale, but linked to the bench and lab scale through fundamental research and Computer Analysis and Scale-up (CAS) group activities
 
An example of the CBE testbed concept is the interaction of Center students and researchers with Conoco’s bioremediation program. Avenues of cooperation between Conoco and the CBE have included:

 

Development of a testbed field site for the demonstration of remediation technologies.

 

Classroom and individual CBE research projects at the field testbed site.

 

Remediation workshops put on by the CBE and attended by Conoco staff and regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over Conoco sites

 

Mentorship of students and staff by Conoco staff appointed as adjunct faculty by MSU

 

Brainstorming sessions between CBE staff, students, and Conoco remediation experts

 
 

". . .the (CBE’s) student project work has provided valuable insight into the potential to remediate BTEX contamination at the Garrison (Montana) site. The students’ hard work and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated by Conoco. . ."

 

Mike Hansen, Manager, Remediation Technology, Conoco, Inc.

 
 
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