Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences College of Engineering AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING THE NATION’S FIRST PROGRAM, AND CONTINUED WORLD LEADER, IN PROVIDING ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO BENEFIT AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University

Transcript of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Page 1: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

College of Agriculture and Life SciencesCollege of Engineering

AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERINGTHE NATION’S FIRST PROGRAM, AND CONTINUED WORLD LEADER, IN PROVIDING ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO BENEFIT AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

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Designed under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines, the Iowa State Biorenewables Complex is

a role model for sustainable features that benefit the environment. Contributing to the sustainable features of the complex include

repurposing storm water from green roofs for water quality research and building uses, a ventilation system that ensures human

thermal comfort for all occupants and chilled beam technology that provides low-energy cooling.

Since 1905, the Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE),

has been a leader in providing engineering and technical solutions for agriculture, government and

industry. The department has built an extraordinary record of education, research, extension and

outreach for Iowa, the United States and the world.

The nation’s first program in agricultural engineering has evolved to encompass a global and

interdisciplinary view of modern agricultural and biological systems. This includes environmental

stewardship, plant and animal production, biorenewable energy, biobased materials, farm safety,

occupational safety, manufacturing and advanced innovation in off-road equipment design.

Among its peer programs, Iowa State boasts one of the largest student enrollments and is consistently ranked

as one of the top ABE departments in the country. The program is jointly administered by the College of

Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, providing abundant resources and talent.

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Fourteen parallel laser-cut steel panels make up the hanging art created by Ralph Helmick. His “Floating World”

art represents the agricultural progression in Iowa through time while still paying homage to the department’s

history at Iowa State University. Seven circular terrazzo medallions in the floor of the Sukup Atrium act as

a map, guiding visitors through the main entrance to an ideal spot to view the hanging art. The medallions

themselves are unique pieces of art, scaling down from the solar system all the way to a carbon atom.

STATE-OF-THE-ART BIORENEWABLES COMPLEXThe Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program is housed in Elings Hall and Sukup Hall, which

are part of Iowa State’s new Biorenewables Complex that also includes the Biorenewables Research

Laboratory. Elings Hall and Sukup Hall provide more than 100,000 square feet of modern research labs,

classrooms, student spaces and offices offering a state-of-the-art learning and innovation environment.

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A VISION FOR SERVING AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY

Through innovative research, education and support, the Iowa State ABE program touches lives around

the world to provide biorenewable energy, clean air and water, wise management of natural resources

and high-tech agriculture and manufacturing. The department’s five main focus areas include:

• Advanced machinery engineering and manufacturing systems

• Animal production systems engineering

• Biological and process engineering and technology

• Land and water resources engineering

• Occupational safety engineering

In the spacious high bay, students and faculty work on large pieces of machinery and equipment. Multiple high bays accommodate hands-

on education with off-road equipment, grain bin replicas, planters or the next generation of automated agricultural robots. These spaces

include dust-capture units to keep the learning environment clean and dynamometers to measure motor output. Almost anything that is

drivable can enter the workspace.

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The classroom space in Sukup Hall is designed with flexibility in mind. What currently is utilized as a computer lab can easily

become a workplace for students and faculty or a research area for biological experiments. Centralized electrical, gas and other

utilities make it fast and easy to fit the purpose of the class or experiment. As programming in the Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering Department evolves, so can the facilities.

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ACHIEVE SUCCESS

Agriculture and biosciences are powerhouses for economic development and jobs, with industries that

depend on highly trained graduates. The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at Iowa

State was the first to grant such a degree, and it hasn’t stopped breaking new ground since.

The program fills a growing demand for skilled professionals in many technical fields – including some of the

world’s most highly visible and forward-looking companies in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.

Faculty in the ABE department are nationally and internationally known experts in many fields such as

advanced off-road machinery design, precision technologies for production agriculture, biosecurity,

air quality, environmental issues in crop and animal agriculture, water quality, agricultural drainage

systems, agricultural buildings and energy systems. They have won numerous awards for their

leadership in teaching, research, extension and services.

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A WORLDWIDE LEADER WITH INNOVATIVE RESEARCH

Current research efforts include agricultural water quality and

management, engineering for economically and environmentally

sound animal production systems, grain handling and food

processing, agricultural machine design and automated

controls, precision farming systems, agricultural safety, seed

conditioning and processing, advanced manufacturing and soil

tillage and management systems.

Research is directed increasingly toward biosystems

engineering through the use of biosensors, image analysis,

biological systems modeling, and the design and control of

biological systems and processes. Biorenewable products,

including biofuels, are an important focus of these research

efforts.

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Biorenewables and biofuels. Departmental research is a

linchpin to discover how science and technology link to

future sustainability in agriculture-based energy solutions and

future prosperity in the emerging bioeconomy. ABE provides

leadership and innovation on each link in the chain, from farm to

processing to new fuels and products.

Water and air quality. The department is a leader in studying

the environmental impacts of agricultural production. Faculty

explore new systems to improve water quality and provide

the science to inform decision-makers on water quality policy

options. The ABE department continues to break new ground on

emissions, odors and mitigation strategies for animal agriculture

industries. Faculty scientists also serve as national leaders on

air quality and environmental issues in the egg production and

processing industries.

Next generation of technologies. Faculty members are

developing advance sensing and control systems to optimize

machinery management. Improvements will promote the

agronomic and environmental gains from use of precision

technology in crop fields.

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Department of Agricultural andBiosystems Engineering

1340 Elings HallAmes, Iowa 50011-3270

To learn more about Iowa State University’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, contact:

Agricultural and Biosystems EngineeringIowa State University 1340 Elings HallAmes, Iowa 50011-3270515 [email protected]

Copyright © 2014, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Robinette Kelley, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, and Affirmative Action Officer, 3350 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515 294-7612, email [email protected].