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New biofuel began at Augsburg College At Augsburg College, Minneapolis, the curiosity of senior chemistry major Brian Krohn sparked a new method for making biodiesel. Some experts say the discovery of this chemical process could free the U.S. from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel. It began in 2006 when Krohn got a grant from the college to do summer research on new ways to produce biodiesel. After seeing Krohn’s research, his professor, Arlin E. Gyberg, urged him to contact chemist Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus and vice president of SarTec Corp., an Anoka, Minn.-based company that provides natural products to the agricultural industry. McNeff, his chief scientist Ben Yan, and Gyberg took Krohn’s idea and created the Mcgyan Process—a chemical reaction never before described in scientific literature. To manufacture the fuel, McNeff co-founded Ever Cat Fuels in Anoka. The process converts a wide range of feedstock oils, animal fats and byproducts from ethanol production into biodiesel. According to an Augsburg news release, the process makes “more biodiesel quickly and with a minimal impact on the environment.” Even the college could benefit, Krohn told WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, last March: “Five cents on every gallon that’s produced there is going to come to Augsburg for building a new science building.” Last spring he presented his research to legislators in Washington, D.C. He also received the Goldwater Scholarship for students who plan to pursue doctorates in science. Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow said the collaboration between Krohn, his professor and other scientists “may result in one of modern day’s greatest discoveries. ... Augsburg is proud to be in the forefront and grateful that it may lead to a source of ongoing funding that will enable us to take our science program to great heights.” |
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