Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Showcase Sustainable resources

Factors that Affect the Economic Feasibility of Cider Apples in Washington State given Mechanical Harvest and Two Different Orchard Design Systems

Factors that Affect the Economic Feasibility of Cider Apples in Washington State given Mechanical Harvest and Two Different Orchard Design Systems

Primary author: Suzette Galinato
Co-author(s): Carol Miles; Travis Alexander; Jacqueline King

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

We utilize partial budget analysis to evaluate the profitability of a cider apple block given two orchard design systems – freestanding system, and tall spindle trellis system. The two systems have different tree spacing, thus they have different tree density and horticultural management that affect production costs and returns. We also evaluate the size of the cider apple orchard and/or volume of fruit production, and output price needed to make an investment in mechanical harvest economically feasible.
Given the study’s assumptions about production and estimates of costs and returns, results show that: (1) it is economically feasible to use a mechanical harvester in both systems; and (2) the tall spindle system is a more profitable investment than the freestanding system.
Economies of scale are obtained when the per-unit cost of output decreases with the scale of operation. Economies of scale often rely on fixed costs, which are costs that do not vary with output. In addition, the quantity of output produced is partly determined by the production area. The share of the purchase cost of a mechanical harvester in the total expenses for fixed capital is 37% in the freestanding system, and 44% in the tall spindle system. Also, the fixed costs are 68% and 65% of the total production costs during full production in freestanding and tall spindle systems, respectively. These are sizeable amounts and growers will realize more cost advantages by producing more output, which can be achieved by increasing the scale of their cider apple operation.

Propelling Research to a Practical Level: New Challenges in High Energy Density Li-S Battery

Propelling Research to a Practical Level: New Challenges in High Energy Density Li-S Battery

Primary author: Shuo Feng
Faculty sponsor: Yuehe Lin

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Lithium-sulfur battery (Li-S) has been intensively studied in the past years due to its high theoretical energy density and economic benefit. However, there are still several obstacles that greatly limit its practical application such as low conductivity, large volume change and polysulfides shuttling. It is widely reported that nano materials can solve these problems and significantly improve batteries’ performance. Despite the efforts, many of the results are derived from an ideal condition, that is, a low sulfur loading ( 10 µL/mgs). The insufficient active materials as well as the large amount of electrolyte not only results in a low practical energy density but also glosses over some challenges in Li-S batteries. Hence, a high sulfur loading cathode (>4 mg/cm2) and a lean electrolyte condition (= 4 µL/mgs) should be determined in order to deliver repeatable results and reliable conclusions. In this poster, we demonstrate various strategies to achieve high energy density Li-S battery and elucidate the new challenges in this field. Moreover, by investigating the distinct phenomenon under flooded and lean electrolyte condition, we develop a reasonable test protocol and propel Li-S battery research to a practical level.

This work was supported in part through the PNNL-WSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program (SF).

Thermal performance of a novel masonry block made from recycled gypsum drywall waste

Thermal performance of a novel masonry block made from recycled gypsum drywall waste

Primary author: David Drake
Co-author(s): Taiji Miyasaka

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Developing new product applications for waste recycled from building construction and demolition (C&D) provides environmental and economic benefits. However, challenges remain for recycling certain low-value C&D materials, such as gypsum drywall waste, which is banned from landfilling in some areas due to hydrogen sulfide emissions during decay. The gypsum and paper components in drywall have low thermal conductivity relative to concrete and brick, suggesting a novel insulative masonry block system made from recycled gypsum drywall waste could have higher thermal performance than conventional concrete masonry units (CMU). The authors have developed such a system, referred to as Drywall Waste Block (DWB), and have previously published investigations of DWB engineering properties including compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density, and thermal conductivity. This paper describes investigation of resistance to heat flow of a reinforced DWB wall assembly, using a calibrated hot box apparatus as specified in ASTM C1363-11. The hot box apparatus was designed and fabricated as a cost-effective alternative to commercially testing services, affording rapid iteration during the research and development phase of novel building products made from unconventional materials. Some aspects of the apparatus design, fabrication, and characterization are discussed. Thermal performance of the DWB wall relative to a comparable CMU wall is discussed, as are areas for further research.

Discovery and development of a multi-tenant engagement program for a Net-Zero building in Spokane, WA

Discovery and development of a multi-tenant engagement program for a Net-Zero building in Spokane, WA

Primary author: Julia Day
Co-author(s): Shelby Ruiz

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The Catalyst Building is part of the first phase of a Spokane re-development project and city-wide sustainability initiative. This pioneering project, expected to be completed in May 2020, will be the first net-zero energy and zero carbon building in Eastern Washington state. While many state-of-the-art and innovative energy-saving and carbon-reducing technologies have been implemented into the design (e.g. cross-laminated timber, shared central plant / eco-district, etc.), the owners realize that building occupants play a critical role in achieving aggressive energy goals. The authors have been tasked with the development of a tenant engagement and education program for the multi-tenanted Catalyst building to promote energy efficiency, health, and community within the project. These efforts will encourage a culture of energy efficiency and sustainability for Catalyst building occupants in ways that will positively impact the South Landing Development. As part of this program, tenants will learn strategies to save energy within the building and their community (e.g. human-building interface and interaction with energy usage including heating/cooling, plug loads, lighting, bicycle commuting, etc.)
This poster presents findings from an extensive literature review that was conducted to guide the development of the Catalyst Building tenant engagement program. Key topics include social science and behavioral change theories, occupant/tenant engagement strategies (such as technology and gamification), effective occupant and adult education, and best-practices case studies. These findings have guided the development of a robust tenant engagement program for the South Landing District to maximize net zero energy and zero carbon goals.

Polyurethane Foam Production Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Lignin as a Partial Polyol Substitute

Polyurethane Foam Production Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Lignin as a Partial Polyol Substitute

Primary author: Dylan Cronin
Co-author(s): Xiao Zhang

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Tri-Cities

Abstract:

Polyurethane is one of the world’s most important classes of industrial polymers due to its incredible versatility, ease of use in manufacturing, and low cost. This material is frequently used in the form of rigid and semi-rigid foams and represents a $70 bn/year market across the construction, transportation, furniture, and packaging industries. The current industry standard for polyurethane production is entirely dependent on petrochemical feedstocks for the supply of the two major components – polyol and isocyanate. This study investigated the substitution of up to 40 wt% of the polyol component of polyurethane foams with lignin. Preparing the material in this way both reduces the consumption of non-sustainable materials, and also allows for the potential incorporation of characteristics such as enhanced biodegradability and ultraviolet light stability.
This lignin was prepared using a novel, deep eutectic solvent (DES) procedure. This DES procedure is a mild, industrially scalable process, which yields a product of high purity, and more importantly of high structural homogeneity. The compatability of the lignin with traditional polyols was further improved via oxypropylation of the lignin structure, allowing for greater degrees of lignin substitution whilst maintaining an acceptable rigidity.
The goal of this work was to combine the societal need and commercial benefits of effectively utilizing forestry and agricultural wastes to produce bio-based materials and plastics from carbohydrates and lignin. Utilizing biomass wastes such as these not only helps to ensure the availability of a low-value and annually sustainable feedstock, but also provides new revenue streams for associated industries.

Identification of a novel pathway to produce valuable industrial oil in Lesquerella

Identification of a novel pathway to produce valuable industrial oil in Lesquerella

Primary author: Sajina Bhandari
Faculty sponsor: Philip Bates

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Plant oils containing hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) are valuable alternative to petroleum for making cosmetics, lubricants, polymers and biofuels. The major source of HFAs is Castor but U.S. cultivation is banned due to seed toxins. Lesquerella is native to southwest U.S., non-toxic and produces HFA, but it needs to be further bred or engineered to be a high yielding alternative crop. The main goal of this project is to determine the pathway for oil/triacylglycerol (TAG) assembly in Lesquerella to aid in breeding/engineering approaches of crop development. Castor uses a linear pathway to make HFA-TAG directly, whereas other oilseed crops produce non-HFA-TAG from the membrane lipid phosphatidycholine (PC). But, most plants keep unusual fatty acids like HFA away from membrane lipids, making it unlikely that PC is a precursor to HFA-TAG. However, transcriptomics in Lesquerella indicated lipid gene expression was similar to plants utilizing the PC pathway, making the oil biosynthetic pathway unclear. Therefore, a biochemical isotopic labeling approach and protein-protein interaction studies were used to identify the oil biosynthetic pathway. Metabolic tracing of Lesquerella oil biosynthesis indicated a PC pathway producing TAG with 0-1-HFA but the HFA did not traverse the membrane. Over time 0-1HFA-TAG was converted to 2HFA-TAG. Thus, Lesquerella uses a novel TAG remodeling pathway that changes the oil composition after initial synthesis. Our protein-protein interaction studies have identified gene candidates that may be key to engineering unusual fatty acid accumulation in crop plants as an alternative to petroleum.

Effects of soil rhizobia in inducing anti-herbivore defense and altering host plant quality in peas in response to S. lineatus feeding

Effects of soil rhizobia in inducing anti-herbivore defense and altering host plant quality in peas in response to S. lineatus feeding

Primary author: Saumik Basu
Co-author(s): Benjamin Lee; Robert Clark; Clare Casteel; David Crowder
Faculty sponsor: David Crowder

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Soil bacterial mutualists (e.g. soil rhizobia) contribute significantly to improve the performance of legumes against herbivores and pathogens. The additional nitrogen supplied by soil rhizobia during legume-rhizobia symbiosis not only boost host nutritional status, but also induce various defense responses. The performance of various aboveground herbivores has been investigated during legume rhizobia symbiosis. We for the first time investigates the mechanism of various rhizobia-mediated defense induction and nutritional status in peas against S.lineatus, a non-vector chewing herbivore. Our study showed that, soil rhizobia, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. Viciae confer resistance in peas by reducing defoliation (leaf notches) produced by S. lineatus. Conversely, S. lineatus interfere with legume-rhizobia symbiosis by reducing nodule numbers and biomass in peas. Soil rhizobia induced anti-herbivory in pea is achieved through induction of various defense genes and alteration of host plant quality. Soil rhizobia enhance expression of both jasmonic acid and abscisic acid responses and keep expression of the salicylic acid responsive gene low in peas. Besides phytohormone defense, soil rhizobia also enhance levels of genes associated with physical defense and antioxidant defense pathways in peas and improve host plant quality. Taken together, our results show both mutually-antagonistic interactions between soil rhizobia and S. lineatus herbivorey and in-depth mechanism of soil rhizobia mediated anti-herbivore response in legume.

Monolignol biosynthesis pathway

Monolignol biosynthesis pathway

Primary author: Parvaneh Ahmadvand
Faculty sponsor: ChulHee Kang

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Biomass as a renewable carbon source for the generation of biofuels and biomaterials has become increasingly important in the quest for sustainable development. Plant secondary cell walls, which have a complex structure consisting of cellulose, hemicellulosic polysaccharides and lignin, constitute the majority of plant biomass. At the step of refinery, in the different chemical and physical processes, these various polymers are separated. Polysaccharides are hydrolyzed to fermentable sugars, whereas the lignin can be used as composites, nanoparticles and carbon fibers.There are there types of lignin: H (soft), G (semi-hard), S(hard).Of the several enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, 4-coumaroyl-CoA ligase (4CL) is the central enzyme. Sorghum bicolor, the fifth most important cereal crop, is a plant that is a candidate for producing large volumes of biomass, in part because its tolerance for drought and a wide pH range. The brown midrib (BMR) is a genetic mutation that results in a forage with a reduced lignin content, increased protein content and higher palatability. The research is aimed at obtaining a better understanding of those Bmr2 and its mutations through their structural characteristics. Based on enzymatic assays, analysis of kinetics, a plausible mechanism for its broad substrate specificity will be proposed. Also, in the final step of lignification, Peroxidase and Laccase catalyze the oxidative radicalization, followed by combinatorial radical coupling. This will open a new perspective on understanding the catalytic process and innovative ways to increase the amount of H and G lignin and decrease the amount of S lignin so that cellulose can be more easily accessed for biofuel production.

Characterizing Compost Teas for Biofertilization Research

Characterizing Compost Teas for Biofertilization Research

Primary author: Adel Almesmari
Faculty sponsor: Lynne Carpenter-Boggs

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Compost teas (CT) have gained attention as possible alternatives or supplements to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture. CTs are becoming increasingly popular, and several studies have shown that CTs can provide nutrients to plants, increase soil and foliar microbial diversity, stimulate crop systemic disease resistance, and build soil structure. However, CTs are poorly studied and controlled, and vary widely in composition. For both research and practical purposes, there is need to standardize recipes for CTs with repeatable microbial and chemical characteristics. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of compost type, recipe (additives and aeration), and brewing time on characteristics of CTs. Eight CTs were prepared by using four recipes (A, B, C, and D) with two types of compost (WSU bedding compost [Wb] and vermicompost [Ver]) or control (no compost). Each solution was characterized after 1, 3, 6, and 10 days of brewing time. CT characteristics were highly affected by the recipes and time of brewing, and minimally affected by type of compost. Recipes A and B supported high microbial populations and more soluble nutrients compared to recipes C and D. This was true with both types of compost and the controls with no compost. Microbial populations were smallest at day 1 and greatest at day 3. The study shows that CT characteristics can be well managed by recipe and brewing time. This work has potential to affect all future work on CT by describing standardized recipes and procedures for CTs with particular desired characteristics.

The hijacking of barley wall associated kinases by a fungal pathogen, Bipolaris sorokiniana to cause spot blotch disease

The hijacking of barley wall associated kinases by a fungal pathogen, Bipolaris sorokiniana to cause spot blotch disease

Primary author: Gazala Ameen
Co-author(s): Shyam Solanki; Thomas Drader; Lauren Bittara-Sager
Brian Steffenson; Chrysafis Vogiatzis; Robert Brueggeman
Faculty sponsor: Robert S. Brueggeman

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:
Plants have cell membrane bound immunity receptors that sense the pathogen attack and triggers the signalling to initiate defense responses which mostly result in localized programmed cell death (PCD). This PCD mediated resistance subdues biotrophic pathogens, which survive on living cells but can be hijacked by necrotrophic pathogens, that acquire nutrients from and colonize the resulting dead host cells to further plant diseases. We report that a necrotrophic pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana, hijacks two barley wall associated kinase (WAK) cell-membrane bound receptors, Sbs1&2, underlying the previously reported rcs5 disease resistance locus on barley chromosome 7H to intentionally trigger the plant immune responses to cause PCD and ultimately causes spot blotch disease. Post-transcriptional gene silencing of Sbs1&2 genes in the susceptible barley lines Steptoe and Harrington resulted in spot blotch resistance, thus, proving that these two WAKs function as susceptibility genes. The expression analysis of Sbs1&2 showed nearly undetectable expression in resistant and susceptible lines prior to pathogen challenge, however, upregulation of both genes specifically occurred in susceptible lines post inoculation. Allele analysis of Sbs1&2 from eight resistant and two susceptible barley lines identified sequence polymorphisms associated with disease phenotypes in the promoter regions indicating that differential transcriptional regulation by virulent isolates contribute to WAK mediated susceptibility. Virulent isolate apoplastic wash fluids induced Sbs1 suggesting regulation by an apoplastic-secreted effector. Thus, the Sbs1&2 genes underlying the rcs5 QTL are the first susceptibility/resistance genes identified that confer resistance against spot blotch, a disease that threatens barley and wheat production worldwide.