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The Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) and the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Presidential Symposium on US/Brazil Research Collaboration: Biomass Conversion to Biofuels, Biomaterials, and Chemicals
May 30-31, 2007, Águas de Lindóia, São Paulo, Brazil

Purpose: In a partnership among the ACS, SBQ and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) this symposium is intended to bring together key Brazilian and US researchers and innovators active in the area of biomass conversion science to catalyze bilateral scientific networks and to develop a roadmap for enhanced and sustained research collaboration between the two countries. This symposium is convened with the support of the US National Science Foundation Discovery Corps Program and is dedicated to and held in honor of Professor Alan MacDiarmid and his contributions to Brazil/US science and research collaboration in biomass conversion.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

09h00 Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Antonio Mangrich, President, SBQ
Dr. Paulo Cezar Vieira, SBQ and Dr. Bradley Miller, ACS

09h30 Opening Plenaries – Moving to a Bio-Economy - Opportunities for Bilateral Collaboration, Dr. Gale Buchanan, Undersecretary of Agriculture, USA

Agroenergy – How Brazil is facing the future and the role of chemical science research: Academic, industrial and governmental perspectives. Vice Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply, Brazil

10h30 Break

11h00 Introduction to Thematic Focal Points, Dr. Pedro Arraes, EMBRAPA/LABEX, Brazil
There is tremendous potential for the use of biomass as a source of renewable alternative energy. Much of the current research has focused on converting biomass to liquid fuels for transportation, though biomass can also be used to produce chemicals and materials, The purpose of the session is to focus on the state-of-the-art, scientific challenges, and research horizons in three thematic areas..

11h15 – 13h00 Crop-Based / Naturally Occurring Biomass Feedstocks: Thermochemical and Enzymatic Perspectives - Dr. Foster Agblevor, Virginia Tech University, USA and Dr. Luis Pereira Ramos, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
The two most common biofuels being produced are ethanol and biodiesel. Biomass from crops sources and naturally occurring vegetation can be converted to fuels, chemicals and materials by thermochemical processes and by fermenting microbes. Most current technologies allow for the production of ethanol for example from grain-based feedstocks, but new technologies are being developed to allow for the production of ethanol from non-food plants, which contain cellulose. This will greatly expand the range of feedstocks that can be used to produce ethanol, including wood, switch grass, agricultural residues, and municipal and industrial waste.

13h00 - 14h15 Lunch

14h15-16h00 Biorefining / Storage / Transportation - Dr. Miguel Dabdoub, São Paulo University, and São Paulo Biofuels Association, Brazil and Dr. William Orts, USDA/ARS Western Regional Research Center, USA
Since the feedstocks required for biofuel production are generally confined to a specific geographic region, like the Midwestern states of the United States or the center-south region of Brazil, the development and improvement of methods for refining, storage and transportation of these fuels are critical. The current infrastructure for refining and distribution of petroleum presents challenges if they are to be repurposed for biofuels.

16h00-18h15 Poster Presentations, Reception and Networking Session
Participants, students and invited guests will present poster sessions of their research interests and activities. From among Brazilian graduate student poster contributions a winner will be selected to attend the ACS National Meeting in Boston in August.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

08h30-10h15 Byproducts and Value-Added Co-Products - Dr. Rusty Sutterlin, Renewable
Alternatives, USA and Dr. Claudio José de Araújo Mota, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The production of liquid fuels from biomass often results in unwanted byproducts. For example, the breakdown of cellulose results in lignin, and biodiesel production generates glycerol. These by-products must be utilized, either in the production of biofuels or in some other capacity. Utilizing and adding value to these by-products will become more important as the production of biofuels increases.

10h15-10h40 Break

10h40-11h40 Thematic Wrap Up’s
Key trends, scientific challenges and research horizons in both countries will be summarized across the three thematic tracks.

11h40 – 12h40 Scientific Challenges and Research Collaboration Mechanisms to Overcome Them Discussion Question: Where and how can the US and Brazilian scientific communities best work together to add value to current emphases and move chemistry associated with bioconversions forward in a collaborative not a competitive environment. This session will establish next steps in the development and dissemination of a roadmap for enhanced and sustained bilateral research collaboration.

Panelists: Vice Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply, Brazil; Dr. Gale Buchanan, USDA; Dr. James N. Seiber, ACS Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; Thematic Presenters; Representatives from EMBRAPA, SBQ/ACS (and their technical divisions); Funding Agency Representatives

13h00 Closing Remarks
Dr. Antonio Mangrich, SBQ President

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