EAST LANSING, Mich. – Bruce Dale, a university leader in exploring alternatives to fossil fuels, has been named associate director of Michigan State University’s new Office of Bio-based Technologies.

Dale, a professor of chemical engineering and faculty adviser to MSU’s Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory, is an expert in research aimed at converting agricultural bounty – such as corn – into fuel. Such materials, called plant biomass, have the potential of providing cost-effective and environmentally beneficial ways to generate fuels, chemicals, materials, foods and feeds from renewable resources.

The office’s goal is to marshal MSU research and resources in the plant sciences, chemistry, agricultural sciences and engineering fields to help foster connections with public and private sector initiatives designed to transform Michigan’s economy.

“Dr. Dale brings a lot of energy and a wealth of technical expertise to the office,” said Steven Pueppke, director of the Office of Bio-based Technologies. “He’s already begun to lead a series of campus conversations to coordinate our activities on the bioeconomy and to strengthen linkages with partners in the private sector.”

Dale describes his role as providing “technical reality” stemming from his 30 years of work in biomass technology and in bringing such technology to the marketplace from the laboratory.

“I’ll be trying to help put together large proposals and working to link plant science researchers and others with engineers to build relationships allowing us to move forward,” Dale said.

Dale, who has been at MSU for 10 years, has developed a patented process called ammonia fiber explosion which makes the breakdown of cellulose more efficient, thus tackling one of the thornier problems of producing ethanol.

Dale received his doctorate in chemical engineering from Purdue University. He has received 13 U.S. and international patents and has filed eight patent disclosures during the past two years.

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