Students Challenged to Address Global Energy Needs
Global Venture Challenge 2008 (GVC) is an educational event designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit by engaging students, industry, government and the investment community in the discovery and development of innovative ideas. This year’s event focused on one of the world’s most critical issues—energy. Semi-finalists from 14 teams competed for a top award of $25,000 by submitting technology-based business plans specific to meeting the needs of bioenergy, energy efficiency and renewable fuels.
Team: Merrimack Biodiesel Crew
Team Members: Erica Lawson, Bud Dickson, Gina Chaput, Maggie McCormick, Brandon McDonald, Kevin Johansen, Robert Harris, Randy Perrine, Andrew Paiz, Nick Kanakis, Chris Kazazian
School: Merrimack High School, Merrimack, N.H.
Faculty Advisors: Tray Sleeper, Sean Muller
Topic: Bioenergy
Product or Service: A commercial, micro biodiesel processor that allows individuals to make 500 ml to 4 liters of biodiesel without the risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Pictured (L to R) are Erica Lawson, Gina Chaput, Maggie McCormick, Brandon McDonald, Kevin Johansen, Robert Harris, Randy Perrine, Andrew Paiz, Nick Kanakis, and Chris Kazazian of the Merrimack High School “Biodiesel Crew.” High-resolution version of photo
Commercializing the biodiesel process will help catapult public investment in the alternative fuels industry—at least that’s what the Merrimack “Biodiesel Crew” from New Hampshire is banking on. The team of four students and two mentors, incidentally representing the only high school to participate in the 2008 Global Venture Challenge, proposed a small-scaled biodiesel processor that would allow educational facilities and hobbyists to produce their own fuel.
Currently, the smallest processor available for purchase at the retail level is a 40-gallon processor. Many home-spun Web sites try to provide step-by-step instructions for how to build your own biodiesel processor, but in reality, even though the process is relatively simple, it does require the use of a few hazardous chemicals, ultimately increasing the risk of exposure to poisonous fumes or the chance of fire.
The Merrimack “Biodiesel Crew” suggests that a microprocessor, such as the one they proposed, would simplify the use of the hazardous chemicals and enable even the youngest of scientists the opportunity to research alternative fuels.
“The educational value of being involved in producing fuel from waste products is immeasurable,” said Sean Muller, one of the team’s mentors. “The experience will help explain synthesis of fuels from natural oils and provide middle school students—and older—the opportunity to simulate the industrial process of creating alternative fuels.”
The team argues that not only would science and technology teachers leap at the opportunity to provide a hands-on experience for their students, but the demand for personal micro biodiesel processors would be further fueled by hobby enthusiasts who use might use alternative fuels for their cars, planes and boats.