At the Oakdale Powerplant in Coralville, Iowa, University of Iowa Technology Institute student research assistants are working on a project to convert woodchipped railroad ties, telephone poles, and other biomass into environmentally friendly sustainable energy.

Access to lab space and equipment, freedom to research diverse topics, and faculty mentorship gave former University of Iowa student scientists from the Ratner Research Group a leg up as they’ve taken opportunities across the country. At Iowa, research students find a “sweet spot" of opportunities between large and small programs.

Gurjap Singh, a PhD candidate in the College of Engineering's Department of Mechanical Engineering, has received a 2018 Student Innovator Award from the UI's Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED).

Al Ratner, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, presented his team's research on biomass gasification at a February 1 legislative reception at the State Capitol in Des Moines, IA. The reception was held in recognition of the completion of a state-wide grant from Iowa NSF EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research).