UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Agricultural And Biological Engineering Play A Huge Role In Our Everyday Lives, And That Relevance Will Be Showcased In The Exhibit, "engineering For Your Life," In The College Of Agricultural Sciences Building At Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18.

"The exhibits in the College Building will show the integration of engineering in systems at the nano, microbial, processing, farm and ecosystem scales," says Tom Richard, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering. "Careers in agricultural and biological engineering will be highlighted in fascinating displays, presentations and hands-on activities."

Exhibits will show engineers involved in developing innovative new technologies from the field to final products, insuring the safety and security of workers and the food supply, and developing sustainable solutions for agricultural production, renewable energy and the environment.

"Hands-on activities will provide active learning opportunities and 'gee-whiz' enthusiasm, while displays will encourage visitors -- and potential students -- to imagine themselves in the exciting world of agricultural and biological engineers and technologists," says Richard. "An integral part of the theme will focus on the concept of scale, and emphasize the connections between natural systems and engineering applications."

Among the displays, demonstrations and presentations in the College of Agricultural Sciences Building:

--Ecosystem-Scale: Productive, Clean, Enjoyable. "Our natural resources provide society with food, fiber and a whole range of other ecosystem services including flood protection, clean air and water, and recreational opportunities," Richard says. "We will have a working model with recirculating water that illustrates erosion control, wetland treatment, and stormwater retention"

--Farm Scale: Faster, Safer, Better. "Engineers design the machines that till the soil and harvest our crops, as well as the structures used to store crops, house livestock and contain their manure, and do so in a way that protects worker safety, animal health and the environment," Richard says. "We will have a roll-over simulator to demonstrate safe tractor operation."

--Processing scale: Manufacturing the Products You Love. "Transforming agricultural feedstocks into consumer goods requires increasingly sophisticated processing technologies," Richard says. Our profession plays a crucial role in developing the equipment and processes needed for new foods and other value-added products. The processing demonstration will be a pilot-scale biodiesel refinery, part of a collaborative effort between the College of Agricultural Sciences and Chemical Engineering."

--Microbial Scale: Producing New Products, Keeping Food Safe. "Microorganisms have been used for centuries to produce foods like bread, wine and cheese," says Richard. "More recent innovations include the use of microbes to produce chemicals and fuels. While microbes can offer humans many benefits, engineers also design systems that protect us from pathogens, especially in food. We will have demonstrations showing a fermentation bioreactor and a device producing electro-oxidizing water for cleaning food-processing equipment."

--Nano Scale: Little Things Make a Big Difference. "Engineers are integrating the new tools of nanotechnology with advances in molecular biology to provide early detection of food pathogens and disease," says Richard. "Nano-scale applications include biosensors for early detection of food pathogens, environmental contaminants and disease, new drug delivery technologies, and innovative biocomposite materials for structures, textiles and packaging. A device to electro-spin nanofibers will be demonstrated."

Outside the College Building will be several exhibits, including an operating plastic fuel pellet burner, a ¼-scale tractor and a full-size tractor using all soybean oil-based fuels, fluids and lubricants. A variety of presentations will be held in the College Building Theater throughout the three-day event.

Schedule Of Presentations At College Building Theater

Tuesday, Aug. 16 10 a.m. -- State Animal Response Team and County Animal Response Teams 11 a.m. -- On-Lot Sewage Failures Noon -- Composting: Science and Practice 1 p.m. -- Farm to Pharm – A Tale of Medicine Tablet 2 p.m. -- It’s Not Your Grandma’s Lawnmower! 3 p.m. -- Bio-hydraulic fluids – Vegetable-Based Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil and How it Supports Agriculture and the Environment. Wednesday, Aug. 17 10 a.m.—Yes, a Robot Can Milk the Cows! 11 a.m.— Saving Energy—and Dollars Too—in the Home Noon—Biodiesel: What is it? How is it Made? How can I Use it? 1 a.m.—Heating Buildings With Waste Plastics 2 p.m.—It’s Not Your Grandma’s Lawnmower! 3 p.m.—Horsing Around the Barn 4 p.m.—Cleaning Milking Systems with Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water 5 p.m.—Bio-hydraulic fluids: Vegetable-Based Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil and How it Supports Agriculture and the Environment. 6 p.m.—State Animal Response Team and County Animal Response Teams Thursday, Aug. 18 10 a.m. to noon—Pennsylvania House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Town Meeting 1 p.m.—State Animal Response Team and County Animal Response Teams

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