• News
    • Research News
    • Faculty News
    • Alumni News
    • Student News
    • STEM News
  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
FAMU Forward
FAMU Forward

Tallahassee, Florida

March 4th, 2021
  • News
    • Research News
      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Air Force Research Laboratory Celebrate New Partnership

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Air Force Research Laboratory Celebrate New Partnership

    • Faculty News
      FAMU Academic Advisor Ray Bellamy Earns Inaugural Trailblazer Award at the University of Miami

      FAMU Academic Advisor Ray Bellamy Earns Inaugural Trailblazer Award at the University of Miami

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researcher Receives over $1 Million in NSF Grants for Multi-Institutional Bacteria Research

      FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Researcher Receives over $1 Million in NSF Grants for Multi-Institutional Bacteria Research

      FAMU Professor Receives $2.4M Federal Grant To Research Parkinson’s and Other Neurological Disorders

      FAMU Professor Receives $2.4M Federal Grant To Research Parkinson’s and Other Neurological Disorders

      FAMU 2019-2020 Research Funding Totals $60.8M, Highest in School History

      FAMU 2019-2020 Research Funding Totals $60.8M, Highest in School History

    • Alumni News
      FAMU Alum, Former Faculty Member Named New Dean of Clarkson University’s School of Arts & Sciences

      FAMU Alum, Former Faculty Member Named New Dean of Clarkson University’s School of Arts & Sciences

      FAMU grad Clemmie Perry making a big impact for minorities

      FAMU grad Clemmie Perry making a big impact for minorities

      FAMU’s Roy Wood Jr. launches Faces of Race, 15-episode series about corporate racism

      FAMU’s Roy Wood Jr. launches Faces of Race, 15-episode series about corporate racism

      FAMU Alum Appointed to USDA Civil Rights Post

      FAMU Alum Appointed to USDA Civil Rights Post

    • Student News
      FAMU Agribusiness Student To Attend 2021 AFA Food Institute

      FAMU Agribusiness Student To Attend 2021 AFA Food Institute

      FAMU-FSU COE Students Among Black Engineer of the Year Award Winners

      FAMU-FSU COE Students Among Black Engineer of the Year Award Winners

      FAMU Marching '100'  Participates in “We Are One” Presidential Inaugural Event

      FAMU Marching '100' Participates in “We Are One” Presidential Inaugural Event

      FAMU Receives $1M From TikTok’s Future Health Heroes Fund

      FAMU Receives $1M From TikTok’s Future Health Heroes Fund

    • STEM News
      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Chemical Engineering Student Gets Historic Doctorate, Gets Offer From Harvard

      FAMU Chemical Engineering Student Gets Historic Doctorate, Gets Offer From Harvard

  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
Home
News
STEM

FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

February 2nd, 2021 Andrew Skerritt News, STEM
FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering civil and environmental engineer professor Gang Chen, Ph.D., P.E. in his lab at the Aero-Propulsion, Mechatronics and Energy (AME) building.

By Trisha Radulovich

Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have discovered a new technique that uses microwave technology to synthesize fertilizer for agriculture production. The process makes the fertilizer more efficient and better for the environment. 

Their work was recently published in Polymer Testing,  an open-access scientific journal. 

Gang Chen, a civil and environmental professor at the college, and his team are using the new technology to improve the performance of biochar-hydrogel composites. Biochar is a cost-effective product used for soil fertility. When combined with the hydrogel, the product absorbs water and fertilizes the soil. By adding the microwave processing technique, the researchers were able to improve the effectiveness of the composite by 20 percent.

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering research assistant Yudi Wu works on research involving soil additives and nutrient solutions in professor Gang Chen’s lab at the Aero-Propulsion, Mechatronics and Energy (AME) building in Tallahassee, Florida.

“The microwave-mediated polymerization technique we are using heats the material and optimizes its structure,” Chen said. “The process is cost-effective, better for the environment, and greatly improves the performance of the material.”

Superabsorbent hydrogels are widely used in agricultural production to improve the efficiency of conventional fertilizers. They enhance water and fertilizer retention in soil. Although useful in the industry, they are made from organic solvents that can be harmful to the environment. Wide applications of these types of hydrogels can be costly as well, and the researchers hope the new cost-effective technology will encourage industry to use the more environmentally friendly product. 

Simeng Li

“The exciting feature of this research is we are turning agricultural waste into useful materials that will likely boost agricultural production,” Simeng Li, a researcher on the project, said. “This technique has the potential to save energy and lower production cost as well as being better for the environment.”

Based on the results of cost-benefit analysis, the researchers expect that microwave-assisted products will help make agricultural production more efficient and more cost-effective in the future. The enhanced product’s ability to absorb water may help combat water shortages in some arid areas of the world.

“There are promising implications in agricultural practice and the process may solve difficulties we are facing around the world,” Yudi Wu, a researcher on the project, said. “We are very excited when we got the test results and hope the technology can contribute to food production growth around the world.”


Chen’s research group features the work of current and former graduate students from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Yudi Wu is a doctoral candidate at the college, while Colten Brickler recently graduated with a master’s degree. 

Colten Brickler

“This research is very exciting to me because we took material that would otherwise be land-filled to create a product that provides benefit to the soil,” Brickler said. “At a relatively low cost, this is a sustainable practice that will protect our environment.”

The students are working closely with Simeng Li, who graduated in 2019 with a doctorate and is now working as an assistant professor at California State Polytechnic University. 

“Dr. Li has set an excellent example for fellow students on how to be successful in academia,” Chen said. “The students working on this project are all very talented and hardworking.”

The research is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Florida A&M University and the National Science Foundation.

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article FAMU Gamer To Compete in NFL HBCU Madden Superbowl Showcase
Next article Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society Inducts 60 FAMU Scholars
Related Posts
FAMU Alum, Former Faculty Member Named New Dean of Clarkson University’s School of Arts & Sciences

FAMU Alum, Former Faculty Member Named New Dean of Clarkson University’s School of Arts & Sciences

March 3rd, 2021
FAMU Announces Dates For In-Person 2021 Spring Commencement

FAMU Announces Dates For In-Person 2021 Spring Commencement

March 3rd, 2021
FAMU Lawson Center COVID-19 Vaccination Site Eligibility Expands

FAMU Lawson Center COVID-19 Vaccination Site Eligibility Expands

March 2nd, 2021
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by the FAMU Office of Communications.


Timeline
Mar 3rd 5:09 PM
Alumni

FAMU Alum, Former Faculty Member Named New Dean of Clarkson University’s School of Arts & Sciences

Mar 3rd 4:21 PM
News

FAMU Announces Dates For In-Person 2021 Spring Commencement

Mar 2nd 3:05 PM
Sports

FAMU grad Clemmie Perry making a big impact for minorities

Mar 2nd 1:29 PM
News

FAMU Lawson Center COVID-19 Vaccination Site Eligibility Expands

Mar 2nd 1:07 PM
STEM

Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

Follow Us!
Tweets by @FAMU_1887
RSS FAMU Sports News
  • Florida A&M Powers Past North Carolina Central 65-58
  • Florida A&M Gets Back on Track With 63-58 Victory Over South Carolina State
  • Rattlers Homer Twice but Can’t Fend Off Late USF Rally
  • Irvis Has a Big Day as Florida A&M Drops Unconquered Invitational Finale
  • Florida A&M Suffers Set Back at South Carolina State
A&M Magazine Digital Stories
FAMU Videos

Black History Month

"We Shall Overcome" By the FAMU Concert Choir

Upcoming Events
Mar
3
Wed
all-day FAMU Board of Trustees Meeting @ Via Zoom
FAMU Board of Trustees Meeting @ Via Zoom
Mar 3 – Mar 4 all-day
Florida A&M University Board of Trustees Meeting March 3-4, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Via Zoom You are invited to a Zoom webinar.   Topic: Board of Trustees / Committee Meetings When: Mar 3, 2021[...]
Mar
4
Thu
6:00 PM FAMU Department of Sociology and... @ Via Zoom
FAMU Department of Sociology and... @ Via Zoom
Mar 4 @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
FAMU Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice TOWN HALL MEETING @ Via Zoom
The FAMU Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice TOWN HALL MEETING Thursday, March 4 at 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Via Zoom Engaging the Community in a Conversation about the Potential Impact of a City-wide[...]
Mar
8
Mon
3:00 PM PUBLIC MEETING, HEARING, OR WORK... @ Teleconference
PUBLIC MEETING, HEARING, OR WORK... @ Teleconference
Mar 8 @ 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
PUBLIC MEETING, HEARING, OR WORKSHOP NOTICE The Florida A&M University Foundation announces an Executive Committee Meeting, which all persons may attend. DATE: Monday, March 8, 2021 TIME: 3 p.m. EST PLACE: Teleconference Participant Toll Free[...]
Mar
15
Mon
10:00 AM Grant Writers’ Seminars and Work... @ Via Zoom
Grant Writers’ Seminars and Work... @ Via Zoom
Mar 15 @ 10:00 AM – Mar 16 @ 1:30 PM
Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops @ Via Zoom
Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops March 15-16, 2021 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Here is a link to registration  https://famu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsf-iprD4oHNa8NhUma1UDogVtAglnhPhv
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML
Calendar
February 2021
S M T W T F S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28  
« Jan   Mar »
Archives
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Enter your email address to subscribe to our news site and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Us!
Got a Story?

We love hearing from our alumni.  Let us know what you’ve been up to since you left the hill! Contact us here today!

© Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2019. All rights reserved.
Powered by the FAMU Office of Communications