June 17--Washington State University's reputation for its research in developing viable alternative jet fuels has caught the attention of aviation leaders around the globe, earning WSU an invitation to the 50th International Paris Air Show.
The air show is a congregation of more than 150,000 representatives of the aviation industry from around the world. According to the show's website, exhibitors from 45 different countries will display everything from spacecraft and aircraft engines to airborne equipment, including weapons.
WSU has sent delegates to the show in the past, but this is the first year WSU was asked to participate in the show's Alternative Aviation Fuels Pavilion. It is held every two years in Paris, France, alternating with the Farnborough International Airshow in England.
Ralph Cavalieri, associate vice president for alternative energy, will man a booth and promote WSU's research with colleagues Michael Wolcott, regent's professor of civil and environmental engineering, and James Petersen, director and professor of the Gene and Linda Voiland School of chemical engineering and bioengineering.
Cavalieri said WSU has been invited to many conferences to speak about biofuel research, but the Paris Air Show was a unique opportunity to address the world's aviation leaders all in one place.
When he received the invitation about four months ago, Cavalieri said the university agreed it was a great opportunity and gave him the go-ahead to accept.
Cavalieri said he and his fellow representatives will show a video highlighting WSU's research into biofuels for jet aircraft and the university's work with the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA).
Funded by a $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, NARA, led by WSU, is focusing on developing economically viable wood-based jet fuel and petrochemical substitutes.
Cavalieri said the WSU delegates hope to show aviation leaders that WSU's research is cutting edge and relevant.
"The object is to find international collaborators and to raise the global awareness of this strength that Washington State University has," Cavalier said.
Cavalieri said another goal is to build international partnerships which are helpful when it comes to applying for grants. He said he also hopes to promote the state of Washington as a perfect place for researching and developing biofuel made from algae, perennial grasses, hybrid poplars, and oilseed crops like camelina.
"The big point is to help them understand that the state of Washington with its tremendous diversity in climates and growing conditions is a natural laboratory," Cavalieri said.
He also said one of his big selling points will be the proficiency of WSU's engineers who have studied how to most efficiently convert plant materials to aviation fuels.
WSU and Washington are ideal locations for alternative fuel research, Cavalieri said.
"If the people around the world are looking for a place to establish a partnership to do this kind of research, WSU should be at the top of their list," he said.
The delegates from WSU won't be the only representatives at the show from Washington. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's Office of Aerospace and the Washington State Department of Commerce will also attend.
Cavalieri said Washington is known for it's work in aviation with 1,256 aerospace companies in the state. The 130,000 employees who work for these companies produce more than 1,200 aircraft each year.
To follow the activities of WSU's team at the air show, visit cleantech.wsu.edu/, @WSUCleanTech on Twitter or facebook.com/WSUCleanTech on Facebook.
The video Cavalieri mentioned, titled "Washington State: A Living Laboratory for Aviation Biofuels," can be viewed at vimeo.com/67850604.
Meredith Metsker can be reached at (208) 883-4628, or by email to [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at: @MeredithMetsker
Copyright 2013 - Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho
