Tom L. Richard Ph.D.

Research

Dr. Richard's Bioconversion Research Group applies fundamental engineering science to microbial ecosystems, developing innovative strategies for a more sustainable agriculture and the emerging bio-based economy. Our particular emphasis is on microbial processes that occur in three-phase porous media, where solid, liquid, and gas phases all play critical roles. These porous media systems are referred to variously as:

1. solid-state fermentation in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries;
2. composting in the manure management and solid waste realms,
3. ensilage on dairy and beef cattle farms, and
4. soils in agroecosystems.

The complexity of these systems lies not only in their immediate physical, chemical, and biological dimensions, but also in the human and natural systems within which they are embedded. Understanding and improving the performance of these microbial processes demands a multi-dimensional perspective and invites interdisciplinary collaboration.

Research themes

• Solid-state fermentation of biomass for renewable chemicals and fuels
• Advanced compost engineering
• Sustainable crop and livestock systems

Current sponsors include the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

For those who might be interested, my Ph.D. dissertation is available on-line:
Richard, T.L. 1997. The Kinetics of Solid-State Aerobic Biodegradation. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Engagement

We are pleased that our research has proven useful to businesses, schools, citizens and policymakers. The following links illustrate some of these contributions:

• Biomass policy development: Biomass use in energy production: new opportunities for agriculture. (U.S. Senate testimony)
• Composting education: Cornell composting website
• Planning tools for sustainable agriculture: I-FARM simulation model

Our group is also active in advancing the emerging discipline of Biological Engineering, though organizations like the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE), the Journal of Biological Engineering (JBE), the international Genetically Engineered Machines competition (iGEM), and opensourcing our lab with Openwetware.

Teaching

• B E 497A: Biomass Energy

Publications

• Chen, Q., M.N. Marshall, S.M. Geib, M. Tien and T.L. Richard. 2012. Effects of laccase on lignin depolymerization and enzymatic hydrolysis of ensiled corn stover.  Bioresource Technology 117:186-193.

• Speer, M.A. and T.L. Richard. 2011. Amplified insert assembly: an optimized approach to standard assembly of BioBrick™ genetic circuits.  Journal of Biological Engineering 5:17.
• Lee, R.L., R.A. Aziz, C.H. de Brito Cruz, A.F.A. Chimphango, L.A.B. Cortez, A. Faaij, N. Greene, M. Keller, P. Osseweijer, T.L. Richard, J. Sheehan, A. Chugh, L. van der Wielen, J. Woods, and W.H. van Zyl. 2011. A global conversation about energy from biomass: the continental conventions of the global sustainable bioenergy project.  Interface Focus 1(2):271-279.
• Baxter, R., G. Feyereisen, Y. Yu, and T.L. Richard. 2011. Winter crop and residue biomass potential in China.  Biofuels 2(5):503-513.
• Durre, P and T. Richard. 2011. Microbial energy conversion revisited.  Current Opinion in Biotechnology 22(3): 309-311.
• Richard, T.L. 2010. Challenges in scaling up biofuels infrastructure. Science 329: 793 – 796.