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Nanobiotechnology,Bioproducts and

Sustainability: Where isAgriculture Going??

Dr. Norman R Scott

Biological & EnvironmentalEngineering

Cornell Universitynrs5@cornell.edu

A National Planning Workshop:

NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERINGFOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS

Hongda Chen, USDA

Norman R. Scott, Cornell University

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A NEW SCIENTIFIC FRONTIER

Broad spectrum of opportunities

Research community

Industrial development

Planning Workshop Objective

The planning workshop objective was

to develop a science roadmap (strategic plan)

with recommendations for implementation of

a new program in nanotechnologies in the USDA

(as a partner in the federal NNI)

for agriculture and food systems.

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z Microfluidics, micro/nanoanalysis, lab on a chip

z BioNEMS, bionanoelectromechanical systems biodevices,

levers, sensors, pumps, rotors, motorsz Drug delivery/biochips, nanocapsules, nanoporous

materials, antiviral/antibacterial nanoparticles, nanotubes,nanoprosthetics

z Nucleic acid bioengineering, nucleic acid segregation

z Nanobioprocessing, cellular manipulation, self-assembly,biotissue/bioproducts manufacture

z Biosensors for food safety and environmental assessment,sensing, monitoring, and controlling bioprocesses in agricultureand food systems

z Nanomaterials, biopolymer composites, nanomembranes,nanowires, nanostructured materials from agriculturalsubstrates

z Bioselective surfaces, bioseparation technologies

Potential to revolutionizeagriculture and food systems

Significant focus for federalresearch investment

National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)

Formed in 2000

Involving 10 federal departments and agencies

Emphasizes long-term, fundamental research

Focused on discovering novel phenomena,processes, and tools

Supports new interdisciplinary centers and networksof excellence, shared user facilities

FY 2003 Congressional appropriations: $ 774M

FY 2004 Presidents budget request $ 847M

USDA increase from $1M to $10M (2004)

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AGRICULTURALNANOTECHNOLOGY THEMES

z Microfluidics (Matthew Wheeler)

z BioNEMS (Michael Ladisch)

z Drug Delivery/Biochips (Mauro Ferrari)

z Nucleic Acid Bioengineering (Dan Luo)

z Nanobioprocessing (Larry Walker)

z Biosensors (Antje Baeumner)

z Nanomaterials (Alexandra Navrotsky)

z Bioselective Surfaces (Harvey Hoch)

MicrofluidicsApplicationsz MIT technology review (2001) - one of ten

technologies that will change the world

z Markets

Point of care diagnostics

Discovery/screening (not just drug)

DNA manipulation and processing

Analytical instruments

Drug delivery

Sensing

Assisted Reproduction Bioproduction

Chemical engineering

Chemistry

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1).1). Food and water supply monitoring:Food and water supply monitoring:

--presence of residues, trace chemicals,presence of residues, trace chemicals,

antibiotics, pathogens, toxins);antibiotics, pathogens, toxins);

-- integrated, rapid DNA sequencing to identifyintegrated, rapid DNA sequencing to identify

genetic variation andgenetic variation and GMOsGMOs;;

--integrity of food during transportation and storageintegrity of food during transportation and storage

2.2. Animals health monitoring:Animals health monitoring:

--developmental biology;developmental biology;

--presence of residues, antibiotics, pathogens, toxins;presence of residues, antibiotics, pathogens, toxins;

--biobio--sensorssensors3.3. Environment monitoring:Environment monitoring:

--land, water and air pollution;land, water and air pollution;

--remote/distributed sensingremote/distributed sensing

Opportunities for Nanotechnology inOpportunities for Nanotechnology in

Agriculture and Food Systems ResearchAgriculture and Food Systems Research

Multi-disciplinary

Engineering

Medicine

Agriculture

Science

BiotechnologyBiotechnology

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Performance

Performance

TimeTime

19001900 19501950 20002000 20502050

Evolution of TechnologiesEvolution of Technologies

Vacuum TubeVacuum TubeTechnologyTechnology

RadioRadio

RadarRadar

TelevisionTelevision

SemiconductorSemiconductorTechnologyTechnology

TransistorTransistorRadioRadio

ComputersComputers

CellCellPhonesPhones The InternetThe Internet

NanotechnologyNanotechnology

Wearable WirelessWearable Wireless

Internet AppliancesInternet Appliances

Molecular ElectronicsMolecular Electronics

NanoNano--RobotsRobots

Cooper, 2001Cooper, 2001

Branches of NanotechnologyBranches of Nanotechnology

Electronic NanotechnologyElectronic Nanotechnology

MicroMicro--MechanicalMechanical

Systems (MEMS)Systems (MEMS)

MicrofluidicsMicrofluidics

& Bio& Bio--ChipsChips

40mNeurons

Pt electrode

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NanoPUMP ImplantableDrug Delivery Device

IsoIso--osmoticosmoticelectrolyte primer solutionelectrolyte primer solution

Check valve (closed)Check valve (closed)AnodeAnode CathodeCathode PlungerPlunger

VentVentSwitch (open)Switch (open)

Release orificeRelease orifice

Drug/electrolyte solutionDrug/electrolyte solution

NanoporeNanopore membrane arraymembrane array

Battery packBattery packBiocompatible encasementBiocompatible encasement

Check valve (opened)Check valve (opened) Advancing PlungerAdvancing PlungerVentVent

Switch (closed)Switch (closed)

Released DrugReleased Drug

Drug/electrolyte solutionDrug/electrolyte solution

Enteric coatingprotects drug-loaded particles inacidic stomach

Capsuledissolves in

intestinesreleasing drug-loaded

particles

Particles adhere tointestinal wall andtransport contents intothe blood stream

Delivery:Transport through theGI Tract

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Two Directions inNanotechnology

Etching, etc.

Controlth

ebuildingblocks

Controlled Assembly

ControltheKnife

Novel materials and/or devicesNovel materials and/or devices

DNA Delivery to AgriculturallyImportant Animals

Percent changes between pST-treated pigs and controlsDaily Gain Feed/Gain Backfat Loin Eye Muscle

+15.2% -21.1% -24.8% +18.5% +9.9%

DNA vs. Protein Delivery (cost; safety;simplicity; etc.)

Bolus vs. Controlled Release Delivery DNA Encapsulation in Molded-Nanowells Multi-gene Delivery in Controlled Release

Polymers DNA-polymer Hybrid Materials for Delivery ).

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Agricultural and EnvironmentalAgricultural and Environmental

Bioprocess Engineering ResearchBioprocess Engineering Research

Molecular mechanisms of

polysaccharide degrading

enzymes,

Solid state microbial

processes and molecular

ecology,

Mechanisms and kinetics

of metal uptake and

sequestration in plants,

Molecular filtration andanalysis of biomolecules

Major research andMajor research and

development activities indevelopment activities in

the life sciences hasthe life sciences has

generated the need forgenerated the need for

materials, methods, andmaterials, methods, anddevices for sorting,devices for sorting,

separating, and analyzingseparating, and analyzing

proteins, DNA and otherproteins, DNA and other

biomoleculesbiomolecules..

Biomolecular Devices and AnalysisBiomolecular Devices and Analysis

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Background and RationalExample

Detection and quantification of DNA or RNA

Standard Procedure (Southern, Northern Blot)

Detection limit fmol

Analysis time 48 hours

Lab procedure

Simple, optical biosensors based on capillary action in a

membrane strip

Detection limit fmol

Analysis time 15 min

Portable procedure

Outcome and Impact of ResearchExample: Nanobiosensors and Milking

Approach: Location of an array of nanobiosensors directly

at the inlet of the milking machine to monitor for

the presence of bacteria in the milk of each cow

Outcome and Impact: Direct quality control of milk

Avoiding the spoilage of large quantities of milk

Obstacles: Not possible with current technology

(array

seconds

no pretreatment)

Requirements: Rapid detection (seconds)

No sample pretreatment (since in-line detection)

Continuous monitoring

Remote sensing capability

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Understanding Nanoparticles

and Nanoscale Phenomena

z can make agriculture more efficient and

z help mitigate environmental problems

Bioselective Surfaces for Nanotechnology inAgriculture

Manipulation of molecules and cells used in biosensors,nanobioprocessing, pest and pathogen control, catalyticprocesses, etc. all rely on surface selectivity for theseagents.

Functional bioselectivity of these surfaces is throughaffinity or repulsive physio-chemical properties.

Bioselective surfaces exhibit cell and bio-moleculeselectivity through topographical clues and ligand-receptorinteractions.

Also, size and shape exclusion can be used as selectiveparameters.

As such, bioselective surfaces constitute an integralcomponent of most nanotechnology based tools that will beused in agriculture---detectors and sensors, monitoringdevices.

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Other opportunities---applied/basicapplications

Biology of pathogen/pest/host interactions--e.g.,basic studies lead to concepts for possible approachto plant rust disease control

Rust diseasesRust diseasesRust diseases

appressorium

Stomata: onlysite of invasionfor rust fungi

OVERVIEWTransition to a Biobased Economy

Motivations for the transition from fossil fuels

Identification of raw materials for biobased system

Bioprocesses for energy and chemicals

Potential products and opportunities

The Sun Grant Initiative

Engineering and Science for sustainable

biobased industries

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Applied Research

Liberty Hyde

Bailey

Genetic Resources

Sun Grant Centers of Excellence

Education, Outreach,

Business OpportunitySystems thinking

Basic Research

Development

1 m

Agricultural ImportanceAgricultural Importance

))Agriculture as a sourceAgriculture as a sourcefor food, natural rawfor food, natural rawmaterials formaterials for

bioindustriesbioindustries andandenergy will increasinglyenergy will increasinglybe a major engine tobe a major engine todrive our transition to adrive our transition to asustainable world.sustainable world.

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Growing Agriculture(and Iowa) for the

BioEconomy

Biomass for Products, Fuel, and Power willtransition to a multi-product industry

Early 1900sand before

Late 1900s Mid 2000s

HeatHeat

HeatHeat

ElectricityElectricity

Ethanol (corn)Ethanol (corn)

CharcoalCharcoal

ChemicalsChemicals

ChemicalsChemicals

PlasticsPlastics

EthanolEthanol

BiogasBiogas

HeatHeat

ElectricityElectricity

Other fuelsOther fuels

CharcoalCharcoalBiomass feedstocks can be alteredBiomass feedstocks can be alteredto optimize the desired outputto optimize the desired output

IIOWAOWA IINDUSTRIESNDUSTRIES OOFF TTHEHE FFUTUREUTURE

BioEconomy ismore thanProduction

Production Trees Grasses Agricultural

Crops Agricultural

Residues Animal Wastes Municipal Solid

Waste

End-UsesProducts Plastics Functional Monomers Solvents Chemical Intermediates Phenolics Adhesives Hydraulic Fluids

Fatty acids Carbon black Paints Dyes, Pigments, and Ink Detergents Paper Horticultural products Fiber boards Solvents Adhesives Plastic filler Abrasives

FuelPower

Processing-Acid/enzymatichydrolysis

- Fermentation- Bioconversion- Chemical Conversion- Gasification- Combustion- Co-firing

PlantScience

Genomics Enzymes Metabolism Composition

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Industrial EcologyIndustrial Ecologyzz Industrial ecology is aIndustrial ecology is a systems approachsystems approach

drawing upon methods for analysis anddrawing upon methods for analysis andsynthesis from system science.synthesis from system science.

zz This systems approach focuses upon theThis systems approach focuses upon theinteraction of industrial systems and theinteraction of industrial systems and the

ecological systemsecological systems (local to global) of which(local to global) of whichthey are a part.they are a part.

zz IE seeks to redesign industrial activities toIE seeks to redesign industrial activities toreduce the ecological impact of human activityreduce the ecological impact of human activityto levels natural systems can sustain.to levels natural systems can sustain.

Many Businesses will Develop

Cargill DowLA/PLAFacility

BiomassRefinery

Energy Plant

WaterTreatment

WasteTreatment

FilmConverting

FiberConverting

SheetConverting

ChemicalPlant

Warehousing

Transportation

Biofuel

RegionalFeedstock

Plant

RegionalFeedstock

Plant

RegionalFeedstock

Plant

RegionalFeedstock

Plant

RegionalFeedstock

Plant

Animal Feed

Transportation

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The Sun Grant Initiative

Bring the best research for:

-Educating youth who will catalyze the transition

-Providing outreach to create

- Economic development

- Farm development

- Community development

-Engineering processes and systems

-Producing biocommodities and natural products

-Producing bioenergy-enabling technologies1 m

World is in Transition

z More people

z Greater Consumption ofMaterials & Resources

z Need to Reduce Poverty withoutDestroying the Environment

z Sustainable development

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Sustainability-Principal Concept to

Integratez Technological

z Economic

z Social

z Political Issues

To address environmentalprotection & economicdevelopment

Meeting the needs of theMeeting the needs of thepresent withoutpresent withoutcompromising the ability ofcompromising the ability offuture generations to meetfuture generations to meet

their own needs.their own needs.

WCED,1987WCED,1987

Our Common FutureOur Common Future

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Sustainable development is aSustainable development is a process ofprocess ofchangechange in which thein which the direction of investmentdirection of investment,,

thethe orientation of technologyorientation of technology, the, the allocation ofallocation ofresourcesresources, and the development and, and the development andfunctioning of institutions meet presentfunctioning of institutions meet presentneeds and aspirations without endangeringneeds and aspirations without endangeringthe capacity of natural systems to absorbthe capacity of natural systems to absorbthe effects of human activities, and withoutthe effects of human activities, and withoutcompromising the ability of futurecompromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their own needs andgenerations to meet their own needs and

aspirations.aspirations.

Roy F. WestonRoy F. Weston

Linear SystemsLinear SystemsApproachApproach

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Incorporating Concepts ofIncorporating Concepts ofSustainabilitySustainability

GBISCGBISC((Global Biologically Integrated SustainableGlobal Biologically Integrated SustainableCommunities)Communities)

)) renewable energy systems;renewable energy systems;

)) total recycling;total recycling;

)) energy conservation;energy conservation;

)) lowlow--energy and close proximityenergy and close proximitytransportation for the work and livingtransportation for the work and livingenvironment;environment;

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GBISCGBISC)) managed ecosystems for treatment of wastemanaged ecosystems for treatment of waste

water, retention of wetlands and promotion ofwater, retention of wetlands and promotion oflandscape ecology;landscape ecology;

)) sustainable enterprises developed fromsustainable enterprises developed fromagriculturallyagriculturally--based biobased bio--industries, includingindustries, includingboth new molecular technologies as well asboth new molecular technologies as well asnewnew bioindustriesbioindustries compatible with communitycompatible with communityresources;resources;

)) infrastructure development to take advantageinfrastructure development to take advantageof the advances in information technologiesof the advances in information technologies

for communication, both internal and externalfor communication, both internal and externalto the community.to the community.

Distributed ElectricalGeneration

Combining a geographicalCombining a geographicalinformation system (GIS) andinformation system (GIS) andprocess engineering toprocess engineering to

design an agriculturaldesign an agricultural--industrial ecosystemindustrial ecosystem

Dairy manureDairy manure--derived distributedderived distributedgenerationgeneration

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Biogas Production

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

6/8/98 12/25/98 7/13/99 1/29/00 8/16/0

Cubic

Feet/Day

Biogas Produced

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1/1/99 4/11/99 7/20/99 10/28/99 2/5/00 5/15/00 8/23/00

Cubic

Feet/Day/Cow

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0

20

40

60

80

100

120

6/8/98 9/6/98 12/5/98 3/5/99 6/3/99 9/1/99 11/30/992/28/00 5/28/00 8/26/0011/24/00 2/22/01 5/23/01 8/21/01

Energy produced and net energy togrid at AA Dairy

-500

0

500

1000

1500

2000

7/31/98 10/31/98 1/31/99 4/30/99 7/31/99 10/31/99 1/31/00 4/30/00 7/31/00 10/31/00 1/31/01 4/30/01 7/31/01

Date

kWh

/day

Energy Produced onFarm

Net Energy to the Grid

Difference = Energy Used onthe Farm

- 50 point moving average

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USEFUL HEAT

CO2

ELECTRICITY

Biomass Processing

& Methane Production

Fuel Cell

Cogeneration

Energy

Utilization

AnaerobicFermentationof Manure in a

Plug FlowBiodigester

FACTORIES AND OTHERENTERPRISES (EG.GREENHOUSES,PASTUERIZATION, FOODPROCESSING,etc.)

METHANE

Biogas

(Methane)

Home Heating

Electrical Supply CO2scrubber

H2S

scrubber

Compost orDry Bedding

Liquid separatedfrom Fibrous Material

H2S

Digester

Heating

Comparison of DifferentSystems in MeetingElectricity Needs

Cowpower to meet RuralHouseholds Electricity

Demand 5900 kWh/yr/hh

Cowpower to meet UpstateHouseholds Electricity

Demand @5900

kWh/yr/hh

Biogas ElectricityGeneration System

Number of

Households

%

Households

Number of

Households

%

HouseholdsDiesel En ine 19%

efficiency)

47,457 7.0 47,457 1.8

Fuel Cell (48%

efficiency)

118,813 18.7 118,813 4.4

Total Cowpower 280 Wh 19% efficienc 701 Wh 48% efficienc

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IntegratedEntrepreneurial

ApproachObviously reducing capital costs willObviously reducing capital costs willimprove the economic scenarios BUTimprove the economic scenarios BUTwe suggest that a potentially morewe suggest that a potentially moreinnovative and economicallyinnovative and economicallysuccessful route is to create businesssuccessful route is to create businessand community partnerships toand community partnerships toenhance the value of energyenhance the value of energyproduced, both electrical and thermal.produced, both electrical and thermal.

Examples might include enterprises suchExamples might include enterprises suchas greenhouses, aquaculture facilities,as greenhouses, aquaculture facilities,algal farming, various food and feedalgal farming, various food and feedprocessing facilities, and mostprocessing facilities, and mostcomprehensive of all,comprehensive of all, providing aproviding acommunitys energy and jobscommunitys energy and jobsneedsneeds..

Agricultural ImportanceAgricultural Importance

))Agriculture as a source forAgriculture as a source forfood, natural raw materials forfood, natural raw materials forbioindustriesbioindustries and energy willand energy will

increasingly be a majorincreasingly be a majorengine to drive our transitionengine to drive our transitionto a sustainable world.to a sustainable world.

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We do not want science floating in the skies. We want

To bring it down and hitch it to our plows.

(Anonymous Wisconsin farmer, from One Hundred Years of Agricultural

Research at Cornell University, 1987).

northeast sun grant center