Emerging Research Areas and Opportunities for Collaborations Dorota Z. Haman Professor and Chair University of Florida September 20, 2012

Increasing importance of biological and agricultural sciences “I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology. A new era is beginning.” -- Steve Jobs UN predicts that population will reach 10.1 billion by the end of 2100 and 9 billion by 2050. By 2050, we're going to need 30 percent more food and 40 percent more water than is currently available.

Food for the 21 century Biotech and GM? Increased farm land and fisheries? Waste control – postharvest, transportation, storage, packaging - 30 % of food never makes it into a human stomach (farm wastage and storage) Rising energy prices influence food security Rethinking agriculture as a complete system Future volatility in the food system driven by climate change amplified by political and economic factors.

Agriculture as a complete system Better use of the plant nutrients and animal nutrients. Crop selection - currently grown major crops are very water-inefficient Water management in food production and environment Water-efficient agriculture Desalinization Water recycling Efficiency of irrigation Small farms /large farms

Emerging global areas of research Sustainability Sustainable Sources of Energy Bioenergy/bioproducts Sustainable production Human factors/policy Environmental/climate/hydrologic modeling Water and land management Climate adaptation Food security and safety Automation/precision agriculture/robotics Socio-ecological complexity

Bioenergy Waste to energy Anaerobic digestion Pyrolysis Cellulosic ethanol Biodiesel (waste or algae) Biomass Economics of bioenergy Environmental impact 



Byproducts from biofuel waste Waste Biomass Soybean Feedstocks Agricultural Residues Biofuel Biodiesel Conversion Waste Collection Lignin Waste glycerol and fatty acid Sustainability Composting Biodegradability Close Life cycle Added Value Tailored Properties Advantages Bio-based By-products Packaging Adhesive Latex

Decentralized bioenergy production Direct withdrawal of methane from biofilm How does it work? Output=Methane Input = Human waste

Engineered Carbon/Biochar Technology Synthesize and characterizations of innovative engineered carbon/biochar: nano-, bio-, and pyrolysis technologies. Environmental applications of engineered biochar: environment and resource sustainability.

Decentralized water production What about toxins in graywater (such as silver nanoparticles)? Nanoparticles in your socks? Biological reactor for removal of surfactants Household graywater recovery Reusable (non-potable) water Ongoing study using biosensors to probe biofilm physiology