Tom L. Richard, Ph.D.

Research

Dr. Richard retired from Penn State in 2023, but continues active research collaborations with former students and colleagues in academia, government and industry. His research 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. high-solids anaerobic digestion for renewable natural gas;
3. composting in the manure management and solid waste realms,
4. ensilage on dairy and beef cattle farms, and
5. 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.

Tom is the author or co-author of over 180 research and technical publications, a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and a Fellow and Past President of the Institute of Biological Engineering.

Engagement

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

• Composting education: Cornell Composting website
• Planning tools for sustainable agriculture: Farm Energy Analysis Tool (FEAT)
• Biomass and and biofuels as a climate solution:  https://sdg-action.org/harnessing-the-power-of-photosynthesis-for-negative-emissions/

Publications

Additional publications are available on Google Scholar