Thomas Richard, Ph.D.
- Professor
University Park, PA 16802
Websites:
Education:
- B.S. Political Economy of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, 1978
- M.S. Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University, 1987
- Ph.D. Biological Engineering, Cornell University, 1997
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:
- solid-state fermentation in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries;
- composting in the manure management and solid waste realms,
- ensilage on dairy and beef cattle farms, and
- 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, May 2004)
- 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 302: Transport Processes for Biological Production and Processing
- B E 497A: Biomass Energy
- B E 301: Freshman Seminar
- B E 402: Transport Processes for Biological Production
- ABE 597A: Bioconversion Processes
Publications
- Ahn, H.K., T.L. Richard and T.D. Glanville. 2008. Optimum moisture levels for biodegradation of mortality composting envelope materials. Waste Management, in press.
- Ahn, H.K., Richard, T.L., Glanville, T.D, 2008. Laboratory determination of compost physical parameters for modeling of airflow characteristics. Waste Management, 28(3):660-670.
- Murphy, P.T., K.J. Moore, T.L. Richard, and C.J. Bern, and T.J. Brumm. Use of swine manure to improve solid-state fermentation in an integrated storage and conversion system for corn stoker. 2007. Transactions of the ASABE 50(5):1901-1906.
