Facilities
Several major laboratories are available for use. A fiber quality lab is available for analysis of natural fibers, including Instron black/white and color machine vision systems, as well as a pilot scale bast fiber plant. The agricultural/chemical/biological lab contains a total organic carbon analyzer, gas chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometer, fluorescence spectrometer, UV-vis diode array spectrometer, anaerobic chamber, and precision scales. The biotechnology laboratory contains equipment for fermentations and supercritical fluid extractions as well as a state-of-the-art biotechnology analytical lab (with HPLC capabilities) for conducting mammalian/plant/microbial cell culture for nutraceutical and biopharmaceutical production. A partitioned aquaculture system (PAS) is also used for algae growth studies, fish production, and eutrophication studies. Within the aquaculture facilities, an environmentally controlled greenhouse is available for mariculture studies. A machine shop for metal/wood fabrication is also available. Electromagnetic terrain conductivity meters, auto-weather stations, various environmental sensors, ISCO samplers, depth gages, and flumes are also available in the natural resources laboratory. As a land-grant University, several Research and Education Centers are available throughout the state for plant/animal/environmental/natural resources research.