Cornell University Creates Biofuels Lab

Cornell University is engaged in a $6 million renovation to create a biofuels laboratory in Ithaca, N.Y. The project involves the renovation of 11,500-sf of former agricultural engineering, power, and machinery lab space in Riley Robb Hall. Completion is slated for January of 2009. Housing fermenters, incubators, and analytical equipment, the facility will accommodate between 12 to 18 faculty members and 25 graduate students currently dispersed in other campus locations. The laboratory will study the conversion of perennial grasses and woody biomass into ethanol and other biofuels. The research and training facility was designed by SWBR Architects and Engineers. M/E Engineering is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering for the project. The general contractor is Lechase Construction Services.