Washington State Department of Commerce Director, Michael Fong visited the WSU Pullman campus Friday to meet with university leadership and learn about research in sustainable fuels and building materials. The two agencies are key partners on a wide array of subjects, many dealing with energy. Most recently, WSU has provided thought leadership as Commerce helped direct the formation of an effort to secure a federally funded hydrogen hub.
University leaders on Friday provided an overview of how WSU lives out its teaching, research and public service missions through its network of six campuses, Extension centers, research units, and other installations. The Director visited the PACCAR Environmental Technology Building to learn about various research efforts.
Among the research presented was WSU professor Jake Leachman’s cryogenic hydrogen work through his HYPER Lab, the only lab of its kind in U.S. academia. Leachman demonstrated how his lab is working to improve hydrogen production as well as safely handling and storing it at extremely cold temperatures.
Director Fong also learned about cross-laminated timber research taking place at WSU. Known as CLT, lower grade timber is glued into layers to provide strength that is comparable to steel and concrete while requiring much less energy to manufacture and transport. WSU’s researchers exhibited that strength by applying 14,000 pounds of pressure on a western hemlock CLT panel before it finally gave way with a thunderous crack. WSU research has studied how CLT might penetrate the market as a strong and sustainable product.
The final research highlight was from WSU professor Manuel Garcia-Perez, who shared how WSU researchers are working to identify fuel products for use as sustainable aviation fuel. This includes the use of biomass waste in forest residue or sugar cane fibers that can be converted into fuel.