Business Notes
(Issue 9, 2007)
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06-04-2007 --- BIOFUELS BECOMING A FOCAL
POINT OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Biofuel can be defined as the process of converting organic-based matter into burnable fuel as a replacement for fossil fuel. It is a renewable energy source, unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and nuclear fuels. The production of biofuels has been in active development for years, most recently spurred on by President George W. Bush, who said in his 2006 State of the Union speech that he wants the US to replace 75% of the oil it imports from the Middle East with biofuels by 2025.
One of the most common sources of biomass (used to create biofuels) is agricultural products. Those specifically grown for use as biofuels include corn and soybeans, primarily in the United States; flaxseed and rapeseed, primarily in Europe; sugar cane in Brazil; and palm oil in Southeast Asia. One unintended consequence of the rise in biofuel production is the escalation of food commodity prices; corn prices are rising as corn-based ethanol production grows, and there is concern that there is not enough agricultural production to support both the world’s food and fuel needs from the same resources.
Other biomass resources include straw, timber, rice husks, biodegradable waste, and food leftovers. Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, founder of SUN Microsystems and a major investor in both Brazilian biofuels and cellulosic ethanol says that the biofuels industry is poised for exponential growth and that biofuels made from cellulose appear to be the most promising alternative fuels over the long-term. Cellulose, one of the most abundant organic materials on earth, can be converted into liquid fuels either via a biochemical or a thermochemical conversion process. The quality of timber or grassy biomass does not have a direct impact on its value as an energy source, so waste products created in producing a commercial product can be used effectively (for example, rice husks from harvesting rice kernels, sawdust from manufacturing lumber, etc.).
For more information on recent developments in biofuels, visit www.biofuelsjournal.com; for renewable energy sources in general, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov, covers biofuel, wind, solar fuel cell and geothermal energy research.
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06-04-2007 --- FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM
FINISHES EXCITING SECOND SEASON
The Forsyth Alliance, a team of high school students sponsored by AutomationDirect that participates in the FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, accumulated more experience and awards in their sophomore 2006-2007 season. Teams compete in alliances of three in a game that changes every year. Robots are built in 6 weeks from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST and can weigh up to 120 lbs (excluding battery).
This season’s game, dubbed “Rack ‘n’ Roll”, focused on machine dexterity and accuracy. Students’ robots were designed to pick up and hang inflated colored tubes on pegs configured in rows and columns on a 10-foot high center “rack” structure. Extra points are scored by robots being in their home zone and lifted more than 4” or 12” off the floor by another robot before the end of the 2 minute and 15 second match.
The Forsyth Alliance’s robot, named “Otto”, participated in two Regionals this year; at the Peachtree Regional in Atlanta held March 15-17, the team’s alliances (which vary from match to match) won all of their 8 preliminary matches. This performance earned the Forsyth Alliance the number one seed for that Regional’s final matchups, but by then their opposing alliances’ strategies boiled down to “Block Otto!” Although not a winning finalist there, the team was awarded the Peachtree Regional’s Imagery Award for the second consecutive year.
Two weeks later, the Alliance put in another strong showing at the Palmetto Regional in Columbia, SC, placing 10th after all teams completed 10 matches. Again they competed in the final matches, but were beaten by the alliance that ultimately won that Regional. The team was awarded the General Motors Industrial Design Award for the Palmetto Regional, which “celebrates form and function in an efficiently designed machine that effectively achieves the game challenge”.
At the World Championships in April, the Forsyth Alliance performed well, winning three matches, losing two and ending two in a tie. They finished in the top half of their division, and were recognized by a competing team with a peer “Imagery” award.
More importantly, as viewed by the FIRST organization, the Forsyth Alliance continued to encourage younger students to become involved in the program to foster their enthusiasm for science and engineering careers. Among many community projects they spearheaded this season, the Alliance mentored or financially sponsored over 20 new FIRST Lego League teams in schools in Forsyth County, as well as hosted a local tournament for those teams to gain experience.
For more information, photos and video of the Forsyth Alliance, visit www.forsythalliance.com, or for information on the FIRST program, visit www.usfirst.org .
