The RBI invited PSE students to participate in a poster session and contest during its recent inaugural symposium, “Advances in Lignocellulosic Processes and Products.” The posters were judged by about 50 guests from the chemical, fuel, materials and pulp and paper industries, faculty, and from national affiliated organizations and laboratories such as the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and the Agenda 2020 industry alliance.

Chad Hume, a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering (advisor: David Rosen), won first place for his poster, “Design and Analysis of Press Fabric Structures for Improved Dewatering.” Cait Meree placed second with “Processing Property Characterization For Cellulosic Nanocomposite Films and Hydrogels Produced via Water-Based Processing Methods;” she is a PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engineering studying with associate professor Meisha Shofner. Xiaodan Zhang’s poster and the poster by Nikita Kevlich and Ketki Sharma tied for third, which was settled by a drawing.

A total of 36 students submitted posters representing their research in a cross-section of schools in four areas: biorefining; novel platforms and applications; novel nanomaterials; and process improvements.

RBI member companies consider the poster session a highlight of the conference, giving them a unique networking opportunity with students.