THE

LINKING INNOVATION AND NEW KNOWLEDGELINK VOL. 2, NO. 1 FALL 2016 SEATON 142 RENOVATION PAGE 8

® THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AND THE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING LINK 2016 FACULTY

Innovation Collaboration LeadershipIN THIS Education ISSUE Entrepreneurship3 Research Message Scholarly from Economic the department Global Excellence head Technology Discovery FROM THE Joseph P. Harner, professor and head Presentation Development Impact 4 Study abroad — Czech Republic 6 BAE students earn top honors at low-impact Jonathan Aguilar, assistant professor development design competition DEPARTMENT HEAD Innovation Collaboration Leadership Education Entrepreneurship Research Scholarly Economic Global Excellence Technology Discovery Edwin L. Brokesh, instructor Presentation Development Impact EDUCATION 7 Windbreak for control of air pollutants FROM SEATON HALL 129 — MOVING FORWARD 8 Seaton 142 renovation Gary A. Clark, sr. associate dean, COE he 2016 issue of The LINK — our second edition 10 Award-winning BAE senior design team — provides alumni and friends a linkage to 12 study tour Daniel K. Flippo, assistant professor T Innovation Collaboration Leadership Education Entrepreneurship Research Scholarly Economic Global Excellence Technology Discovery happenings in the department of biological and EXCELLENCE 14 Agricultural Technology Presentation Management Development Impact — the program Mei He, assistant professor agricultural engineering (BAE). of choice U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan stated, “Every successful individual 16 Industry collaboration Stacy L. Hutchinson, professor knows that his or her achievement depends on a com- Innovation Collaboration 18 Leadership Irrigation Education scheduling Entrepreneurship Research focus Scholarlyof multi-state Economic projects Global Excellence Technology Discovery COLLABORATION Presentation Development Impact Isaya Kisekka, assistant professor munity of persons working together.” The “tradition of 20 New techniques for evaluating soil erosion excellence” of BAE is directly linked to a community of 21 China trip Zifei Liu, assistant professor people working together. Department accomplishments, 22 Researchers develop 3-D printed diagnostic device to recognitions and accolades result from faculty, office pro- rapidly detect anemia Ronaldo G. Maghirang, professor INNOVATION fessionals and students working together. I believe more 22 New technology for full utilization of non-structural Trisha L. Moore, assistant professor carbohydrates in sweet sorghum than 25 times during the past year, BAE was mentioned in the K-State Today daily newsletter. 23 India and Mahindra visits Danny H. Rogers, professor However, our alumni and friends are a vital component 24 2016 quarter-scale tractor team of the departmental success. Your investment of time, 25 Fountain wars team makes impressive showing Vahid Rahmani, assistant professor finances and service are significant in helping the depart- 25 Three from Kansas State University named to fellow Ajay Sharda, assistant professor status ment continue its “tradition of excellence.” Alumni support plished through many small steps is important. Every- enables faculty and students to participate in internation- 26 BSE students place in engineering undergraduate Aleksey Sheshukov, assistant professor one’s involvement will be key in reaching the BAE goals research poster forum al exchange programs, supported undergraduate re- outlined in our Vision 2025 plan. 26 New faculty John W. Slocombe, professor search innovation and design teams. It allows undergrad- We hope you enjoy reading about our 2016 high- uate and graduate students to experience participation in 26 Ethiopia Reads Susan Sun, ancillary faculty lights in The LINK. A glimpse of faculty and students’ 27 Student scholarships take priority through annual, an international professional society meeting, as well as activities and experiences are featured throughout. matching and estate gifts Donghai Wang, professor a variety of other educational enhancement and devel- Remember the unseen “small step” behind each accom- opment activities. Thank you for all you do to support the THE plishment touted involved finances, time and connec- LINK Lisa R. Wilken, assistant professor is published by the department of biological and agricultural engineering at department and for investing in the BAE team. tions contributed by our alumni and friends. Thank you. Kansas State University College of Engineering, Manhattan, KS 66506-5200. Henry Ford stated, “If everyone is moving forward Naiqian Zhang, professor Summer 2016 together, then success takes care of itself.” I am thankful Editing and design Engineering Communications to be part of a community where people are working to- Contributing to content: . . .KSU Foundation, K-State Communications and Marketing gether and moving forward toward accomplishing K-State Vision 2025. Invest in student success and join Innovation and Inspiration: “We’re working together; that’s the secret,” according The Campaign for Kansas State University. Call 785-532-7609, to Sam Walton. Obtaining and reaching the goals outlined Joseph P. Harner III in Vision 2025 is now less than 10 years away. However, email [email protected] or log on to inspire.k-state. Professor and Department Head working together and recognizing that a goal is accom- edu to learn more. Biological and Agricultural Engineering

2 THE LINK THE LINK 3 STUDY ABROAD — SPRING 2016 SEMESTER

hroughout the semester, the elieving that international travel and cultural students had a chance to grow Bexchange are important to students getting EDUCATION T together, taking many of the same a well-rounded education, Harry and Elaine classes, as well as traveling together. Manges established the Harry and Elaine Now that the semester has come Manges Family International Scholarship for CZECH to a close, four of the group looked students in the department of biological and agricultural engineering in the College of back on what was important to them, Engineering at Kansas State University. sharing some of their best experiences Throughout his career, Harry has been in the following testimonials: invited to lecture in Europe and South America. He and Elaine have visited Mexico several “ My favorite thing about Prague was definitely Old Town. The main square is absolutely REPUBLIC times with Heifer International, working to end gorgeous and there’s also a lot of fun things to do in that area. It was definitely hard to hunger and poverty through agriculture. It was walk through Old Town one last time before I left the Czech Republic.” these experiences that sparked their interest — Chelsea Fleming in a scholarship to support students studying “ One of my favorite spots in Prague is the Charles Bridge. This is a walking-only bridge abroad. with numerous saints’ statues lining the walkway. Walking over the bridge always gave “I think it’s great for young people to get out me a sense of what it might have been like to live in Prague in medieval times, and there and see the world,” Harry said. “This scholarship is a gorgeous view of a castle, which is not far away.” will give students the opportunity to experience — Anna Brokesh other countries and cultures.” BAE’s study abroad students Aaron Akin, “ It is impossible to relay the depth of my joy and gratefulness for having had the chance Anna Brokesh, Chelsea Fleming, Craig Griswold to study abroad. The fact that K-State, professors, alumni and parents are so supportive and Kyle Lickteig wish to thank the Mangeses for and encouraging of this opportunity is amazing. My time abroad has taught me a lot, their continued generosity and all the Harry and helped me grow and given me experiences I will never forget.” Elaine Manges Family International Scholarship — Craig Griswold has provided them. The scholarship has and “ My favorite trip our group took was to Vienna, Austria. The amount of culture, will give other BAE students the opportunity to n February, five BAE students from K-State boarded a plane headed architecture and beauty we saw in such a short time was unimaginable to me. We study abroad, and gain wonderful experiences Ifor the Czech Republic. Immediately after landing, Czech buddies — were able to experience some of their small joys such as their delicious gelato, or their and memories to cherish throughout their lives. local students willing to assist in the transition to international life — butterfly gardens, as well as their unsurmountable palaces. Fortunately, we were able met the K-Staters and took them to their new home for the next four to walk through the Schönbrunn Palace and learn all about the life and history of those months. The first weeks were a whirlwind, as the incredulity of living who have/had lived in the palace. Overall, it was an eye-opening, life-changing halfway around the world became a reality. event for me. The entire experience would not have had such an impact without As quickly as Prague became a new place to call home, it ended this trip.” — Kyle Lickteig just as fast. Soon it was July and the semester has ended. The memories created, though, will remain forever. Prague was the perfect LEFT: FROM LEFT, MATT (A K-STATE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT), ANNA, KYLE AND CHELSEA IN THE GARDENS OF SCHÖNBRUNN place to study: the people were friendly, the city was gorgeous (and PALACE IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA TOP LEFT: FROM LEFT, CHELSEA, ANNA, CRAIG AND AARON IN BAHIA PALACE IN MARRAKECH, MOROCCO also cheap), and it offered a central location to travel throughout TOP RIGHT: FROM LEFT, ANNA, KYLE, CRAIG AND CHELSEA IN OLD TOWN, PRAGUE Europe, and even into Africa. Students formed friendships from all RIGHT: FROM LEFT, FRONT, CHELSEA, ANNA, AND JENNIFER VOGT (A K-STATE STUDENT WHO WAS STUDYING IN FRANCE); FROM LEFT, over the world, while experiencing incredible events and activities. BACK, CRAIG AND KYLE ON A PADDLE BOAT IN MUNICH, GERMANY 4 THE LINK THE LINK 5 BAE STUDENTS EARN TOP HONORS AT LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT DESIGN COMPETITION WINDBREAK FOR

EDUCATION hree biological and agricultural creative planning layouts and engaging CONTROL OF Tengineering graduate students – visualizations to market their design Kelsey McDonough, Kari Bigham and to competition judges. Despite a short Erica Schmitz – were awarded top timeline and challenges that come AIR POLLUTANTS honors at the 2016 Great Plains Low- with interdisciplinary team work, the Impact Development Student Design students’ complimentary skill sets and Competition held in Omaha, Nebraska, unified vision paid off – in addition to a in March. cash prize, the team had the satisfaction The competition tasked students of producing a design that integrated with developing a comprehensive both ecological and social benefits for a stormwater design that would address community in need. flooding and stormwater quality in Stacy Hutchinson and Trisha Moore, Omaha’s Gifford Park neighborhood, both BAE faculty, served as faculty while also providing ecological mentors to the team alongside Lee KELSEY MCDONOUGH, BAE, REPRESENTING THE KANSAS STATE TEAM AT and recreational amenities to the Skabelund, professor of landscape THE DESIGN COMPETITION IN OMAHA, WITH STEVE RODIE, UNIVERSITY community and park visitors. The team architecture. OF NEBRASKA-OMAHA, WHO ORGANIZED THE CONFERENCE. produced a written report and then presented their design concept to representatives from the city of Omaha as well as other industry and academic judges during the competition. In addition to giving these BAE students the opportunity to apply their engineering design skills, the competition also provided a venue to work as part of an interdisciplinary JONATHAN ZELLER, BAE RESEARCH TECHNICIAN, MOVES TREES TO SET UP VEBS USING A TREE SPADE PROVIDED BY THE USDA PLANT MATERIALS CENTER. team with Kansas State landscape architecture students Conner Bruns missions of dust, odor and other air houses, and effectiveness of VEBs is research swine facilities. They examined and Jonathan Knight. After developing Epollutants from livestock facilities are highly dependent on proper design. A their performance under various their design, which included low- receiving increasing concerns related to recent survey in Iowa showed that 75% of conditions, as well as the effects of key impact development elements such as nuisance, health and upcoming air quality swine producers are interested in using design parameters such as height and bioretention and permeable pavement, regulations. Windbreak is a potential cost- VEBs for odor management. However, thickness. Results of the project had been the BAE team conducted an in-depth effective strategy for reducing multiple lack of information on performance and presented in the 2015 ASABE annual economic and hydrologic modeling air pollutants. It can function as a living technical guidelines have been barriers to meeting. The research group’s ultimate analysis to predict flood retention bio-filter, so it is sometimes also called a their adoption and use. goal is to develop technical guidelines for and water quality benefits of their vegetative environmental buffer, or VEB. Funded by the National Pork Board, VEBs in order to maximize effectiveness of Design of VEBs should consider air air pollution control with limited costs. design. Their landscape architecture A STUDENT TEAM OF KANSAS STATE BAE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS DEVELOPED A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR a BAE air quality group established VEBs collaborators helped in developing A COMMUNITY IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA, THAT MEETS BOTH ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL GOALS. circulation near and through animal using red cedar trees at the K-State

6 THE LINK THE LINK 7 n November 2013 some BAE faculty were challenged to step in 2015. Progress continued as we received approval Idevelop a vision for transforming Seaton 142 into a 21st of the architectural plans by the state architect and then century academic teaching, research and outreach center. opening of the construction bids. For every two steps of The goal was to look futuristic, enhance the learning progress there seemed to be one step of regress. After

EDUCATION SEATON 142 environment, and create innovative teaching and research many “small, seemly insignificant steps” forward and areas. The foundation was provided by considering how backwards during the past two and one-half years, we Seaton 142 was utilized by past teaching, research and relished the “giant step” as the renovation was completed extension activities. The focus was on remembering the in August 2016. RENOVATION past but focusing on the future. We invite you to stop by and see Seaton 142 and Many seemly insignificant conversations and how we transformed the ag engineering machine shop ideas followed with faculty, students, advisory boards, into a 21st century academic learning center with a goal administration and allied industry during the following of promoting excellence and innovation in machinery months. An early outcome was STORM 2050 (sustainable systems. Additional enhancements identified as part terrain and off-road machinery), and this became the of the original vision will be incorporated as funding theme with a focus on food, fiber and fuel machinery becomes available. These include naming of research systems in 2050. A conceptual idea was developed bays and a research development lab, display cases in the for renovating the space in 2014 and seemly more “walk of fame” and educational displays. In the meantime, insignificant conversations followed, but the vision thanks to everyone involved in helping us persevere remained. through the seemly insignificant steps to enjoying the The hiring of an architecture firm to bring the ideas giant step of the new academic learning center for together within the space and funds available was a major machinery systems.

“ Life is a series of steps. Things are done gradually. Once in a while there is a giant step, but most of the time we are taking small, seemingly insignificant steps on the stairway of life.” —Ralph Ransom

8 THE LINK THE LINK 9 CAMP DAISY HINDMAN — LAKE ODONATA SENIOR DESIGN WITHIN THE KSU BAE DEPARTMENT SE senior design projects are as unique he KSU Biological Systems Engineering AWARD-WINNING BAE SENIOR DESIGN TEAM Bas they are challenging. In the summer TSenior Design class is a three-credit, of 2015, the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas asked capstone class offered annually during the fall semester. Students who enroll he line solutions senior design project powered swing arm, electric winch motors ASABE and SAE safety standards. They if a team of students could study Lake

EXCELLENCE in the course are in the last two or three team continued the BAE tradition to move trolley, a cutting mechanism and also spent time interviewing and watching Odonata at Camp Daisy Hindman in Dover, T semesters of their college career. Because of innovative design work and award- electric linear actuator. their customer work to understand the Kansas. The lake was built around 1920 and has lost depth in its outer reaches due of the single-semester format, a successful winning performance by winning two Course instructor, Ed Brokesh, indicated individual’s need and limitations. to sedimentation. This loss of depth has design project will propose a design ready awards in summer 2016: the Kansas State the quality of this project was a direct result prevented canoeing in areas of the lake. for construction, at minimum, by the end University Kirmser Research award; and of the amount of research work the team Additionally, the lake’s water quality is less of the semester. In an industrial setting, third place in the AGCO National Student invested. The group used library databases than desirable at times, which discourages the projects would be at the point where Design competition at the ASABE-AIM and links extensively to locate information campers from swimming and canoeing. The management determines if a project is meeting for their design of a device to on existing and past products, patents, FROM LEFT: ERICA SCHMITZ AND LAURA WILSON TAKE loss of depth and water quality concerns BATHOMETRIC SURVEY DATA. approved for prototype construction. To mechanically remove net wrap from peer-reviewed journal publications, and large round bales. impair the lake’s usefulness for scouts staying was able to provide the Girl Scouts with actually build their projects, students are Their success started in the late at the camp and diminish their overall suggestions for the lake. encouraged to take an elective companion summer of 2015 when a design team of experience there. The team determined the lake had only design class, Biological Systems Engineering Austin Schmitz, Peter Masters and David A senior design team of Laura Wilson, lost minimal depth due to sedimentation. Design Project, during the spring semester Leiszler developed their own project Erica Schmitz, Kayla Wehkamp and It also had a Eurasian watermilfoil following senior design. During this second idea for senior design. The students Margaret Spangler was given the project (Myriophyllum spicatum) infestation that semester class, students will further develop wanted to develop a device to remove of studying the lake and providing the Girl impacted the lake’s water quality, but the their project, build a prototype and conduct net wrap from large round bales from Scouts with some guidance to improve the indicator species survey indicated that testing. Project teams consist of three to the operator’s station of a tractor or lake’s recreational value. The design team, ecologically the lake was in good health. five students, with the preferred team size loader. A requirement of the class is SW2Solutions, conducted a site survey and For improvements, the team proposed being four students. that all design teams have to have a several site studies including bathymetric a dredging program to increase depth The ideal senior design project will have a customer/client that has a problem in need client to work with. The team contacted CAD MODEL OF A MECHANICAL LARGE, ROUND BALE, NET WRAP- KIRMSER AWARD WINNERS, FRONT ROW FROM LEFT: ADVISER ED BROKESH, and indicator species studies. The team in desired canoeing areas and removal Kerri Ebert with the Kansas AgrAbility REMOVING DEVICE CLIENT NEAL GUGLER; BACK ROW FROM LEFT: DAVID LEISZLER, PETER MASTERS conducted several model simulations of the milfoil habitat. Several biological of a solution and will have a high likelihood program, who connected them with Neal AND AUSTIN SCHMITZ including WinTR-55 and a water erosion milfoil control strategies were provided to of being built, should the proposed design Gugler, a disabled farmer, and provided prediction project (WEPP) model to improve the lake water quality. be approved by the customer/client. some developmental funding for the investigate the lake’s health. After the site The design team proposed a In all, KSU/BAE Senior Design class project. The team developed a device surveys and model simulations, the team swimming beach design, canoeing pier teams have won first place in national that will allow Gugler to quickly and and construction of a hiking trail. The student design competitions 12 times, rd safely remove net wrap from the large construction of sedimentation catch basins finished second twice and placed 3 two round bales from the seat of a skid steer were proposed to maintain the lake depth times. Additionally, design teams in the loader. In addition to winning awards, for years to come. BSE Senior Design course have worked the design team is pursuing a patent for on quarter-scale tractor designs that have its idea. gone on to win competitions. BSE Senior The team researched existing Design course projects over the years have solutions, developed conceptual received patents, aided disabled farmers, solutions, and modeled, built and tested improved products, developed research potential machines for net wrap removal. tools, addressed urban water problems and solved many other problems for farmers, The final design included a hydraulically LAKE ODONATA SITE DESIGN OVERVIEW BY BEACH DETAIL FROM DESIGN REPORT 2 businesses, individuals and researchers. KANSAS AGRABILITY CLIENT, NEAL GUGLER, REMOVES NET WRAP FROM A LARGE ROUND BALE. SW SOLUTIONS SENIOR DESIGN TEAM 10 THE LINK THE LINK 11 Faculty and students had the opportunity to interact with faculty, students PHILIPPINES and researchers at several institutions including the University of the Philippines- Los Baños (UPLB), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Mariano Marcos State STUDY TOUR University (MMSU), United States Agency COLLABORATION for International Development (USAID), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the JANUARY 2016 Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Highlights of the trip included dinner with newly inaugurated CLSU president and K-State alumnus, Tereso Abella; visiting the hydroponics research farm in Munoz; learning about U.S.-Philippine World War II history during the Corregidor Island tour; discussing environmental issues in the Philippines with former assistant secretary for the department of science and Wilken and Maghirang presented onaldo Maghirang and Lisa Wilken, City, , Pagudpud, Kapurpurawan, technology, Marilou Orijola; tour of the IRRI “Kansas State Biological and Agricultural RBAE professor and assistant professor, Paoay, , Makati, Science City of Muñoz grain quality laboratory; warm hospitality Engineering Programs” at UPLB. Wilken also respectively, along with BSE seniors Erica and Corregidor Island. The purpose of and local cuisine: carabao milk and tilapia ice presented “Bioprocessing and bioseparations Schmitz, Bridget Paulk and Jade Edmonds, the travel was to provide K-State students cream, pancit, fresh fruit (yellow watermelon, research highlights” to researchers at IRRI spent two weeks in the Philippines and faculty a unique opportunity to gain mango, pineapple, papaya), pastillas de and “Current status of bioprocessing and ABOVE LEFT: LISA WILKEN PRESENTS SANDY SAPLALA- visiting institutions involved in sustainable international experience and learn about leche; MMSU victory celebration dinner with bioseparations research and teaching YAPTENCO AND KEVIN YAPTENCO, UPLB AGRICULTURAL development. Locations visited include agricultural development programs in the acting president Prima Fe R. Franco; and the programs at Kansas State” to faculty and ENGINEERING PROFESSOR, WITH A K-STATE WOODEN BOWL Calamba, Tagaytay, Los Baños, San Pablo Philippines. beautiful weather and scenery. students at MMSU. Maghirang was the guest FOR THEIR WARM HOSPITALITY. THE BOWL WAS DESIGNED AND of honor and keynote speaker at the MMSU MADE BY LISA’S FATHER, LARRY WILKEN. 38th Foundation Anniversary Celebration and ABOVE RIGHT, FROM LEFT: RONALDO MAGHIRANG, LISA WILKEN, CASIANA VERA CRUZ, JADE EDMONDS, ERICA discussed “Academic journey across cultures: SCHMITZ AND BRIDGET PAULK AT THE INTERNATIONAL RICE from here to there. “ RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN LOS BAÑOS ABOVE: LISA WILKEN PRESENTS HER RESEARCH AND TEACHING PROGRAM TO FACULTY AND STUDENTS AT MARIANO MARCOS The faculty and students acknowledge LEFT: RONALDO MAGHIRANG, BAE PROFESSOR, PRESENTS STATE UNIVERSITY, , , PHILIPPINES. the John Deere Foundation and the PRIMA FE R. FRANCO, ACTING MMSU PRESIDENT, WITH A department of biological and agricultural KANSAS STATE ENGINEERING GIFT FOLLOWING HIS KEYNOTE RIGHT, FROM LEFT: RONALDO MAGHIRANG; ARNEL DEL BARRIO, LECTURE AT MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY. FORMER K-STATE VISITING SCIENTIST; EDWIN ATABAY, CLSU-PCC engineering for the generous support, ADMINISTRATOR; BRIDGET PAULK; TERESO ABELLA, CLSU the host institutions (UPLB, MMSU, IRRI, PRESIDENT; JADE EDMONDS; LISA WILKEN; ERICA SCHMITZ; PhilRice, PCC, CLSU and USAID) for the terrific AND DANIEL AQUINO AT CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY, SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, NUEVA ECIJA educational experience, and the numerous K-State alumni and friends for their assistance in planning and/or serving as hosts and tour guides, and ensuring the success of the trip.

12 THE LINK THE LINK 13 he agricultural technology management, or ATM, academic program AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT — Thas served alumni for more than 50 years with a solid foundation in technology, agricultural sciences and business management. Alumni utilize these foundations daily in their vast career opportunities. The ATM program attracts students seeking these foundations and the opportunity to tailor a four-year academic program to their career aspirations — with careful THE PROGRAM planning many students graduate with one or more academic minors in a four-year duration — by working with an academic adviser in the BAE department. These have been hallmarks of the ATM program for decades. COLLABORATION ATM students at K-State achieve many successes every year in the BAE OF CHOICE department, College of Agriculture, the university and through experiential career activities. Summer months provide keen opportunities for students to explore career aspirations through structured and supervised internships. During the summer of 2016, 11 ATM students participated in internships that focused on the application of precision agriculture technologies, variable-rate technologies, manufacturing systems and technologies; terminal elevator management; and applying crop production services to producers. Common threads emphasized in all ATM internships is the ability to effectively communicate and work with people. BAE faculty and students are grateful to all individuals working with our students on internship programs, creating a win-win situation for both the internship employer and our students.

14 THE LINK THE LINK 15 BAE MACHINERY GROUP INDUSTRY COLLABORATION COLLABORATION Research Projects:

ADVANCED PLANTING TECHNOLOGY. bearing on germination and yield. Thus, Ryan Strasser and Sylvester Badua (B.S./ a control system which can maintain M.S. and Ph.D. students, respectively) are seed depth with changes in terrain and CARETAKER. Austin Schmitz, concurrent BS/ working under the supervision of Ajay soil type would be a big leap forward for MS student in BAE, has started on a project Sharda, assistant professor in biological high-speed planting systems. Badua’s funded by the Kansas Corn Commission under and agricultural engineering, on this focus is on “downforce control system Dan Flippo, assistant professor in biological project supported by Horsch GmbH, response on real-time soil texture and and agricultural engineering. This work is in the Germany. Strasser has designed a test terrain variability.” Quantifying response of second year of a four-year project that seeks to PEST SAMPLING FROM UAV. Phillip Dix, bench for rapid optimization and testing the planter control system with automatic combine robotic vehicles with image processing graduate student under the supervision of Dan of planter automatic downforce control downforce under diverse operating to spot and identify pests in corn autonomously. Flippo, is working on a system that will drop system. The system would automatically conditions is critical to technology The vision for this project is to have a swarm of from a UAV over a field to sample pests for later simulate typical in-field planting development and producer adoption. small autonomous vehicles to patrol a corn field identification. Dix has also designed and built a conditions and optimize downforce control He is conducting multi-location on-farm and relay pest information, as well as use micro UAV simulation test-bed to aid in his work and system behavior to continuously maintain evaluation of technology by engaging spray or other means to mitigate any infestation. future UAV payload systems. seed depth. Seed depth has significant cooperators in three counties. 16 THE LINK THE LINK 17 IRRIGATION SCHEDULING FOCUS OF MULTI-STATE PROJECTS hile irrigation scheduling is nothing led to many soil water sensors options, based irrigation scheduling tools from Wnew in irrigation management, there causing farmers to wonder which soil water Kansas State University (for KanSched), is renewed interest across several states sensors they should use. The main goal of Colorado State University (for WISE) and underlain by the Ogallala aquifer. New the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Texas A&M AgriLife (for DIEM), among COLLABORATION technology may allow irrigation scheduling Service’s Conservation Innovation Grant others. The goal for this project objective to become more seamless with current multi-state project is to help producers learn is to improve existing irrigation scheduling agricultural practices and further increase which of the different soil water sensors tools to include improved, more user- user friendliness. Irrigation scheduling available on the market are appropriate to friendly interfaces with other management refers to the decision-making process of their field conditions, and will provide them technology such as the soil water sensors determining when and how much water to the most accurate and useful information that provide complimentary irrigation apply to an irrigated field in order to achieve to implement irrigation scheduling. Kansas scheduling information. It includes the the yield goal. State University, Oklahoma State University goals of training students in development There are several ways of implementing (lead) and Texas A&M AgriLife have of the tools, and incorporating short- and irrigation scheduling, but the two established several sites at different farms to medium-term weather forecasts to estimate most popular methods are soil water demonstrate performance of the soil water irrigation requirements. This is just one of measurement, and moisture and crop sensors. the many objectives Kansas, Oklahoma, evapotranspiration or crop water use. Part of the multi-million, multi- Colorado, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico Soil water sensors are used to estimate objective project with the USDA- National hope to address in sustaining agricultural the amount of water in the soil. Recent Institute of Food and Agriculture is to productivity in the region underlain by the advances in electronics and telemetry have continue improvement and use of ET- Ogallala aquifer.

18 THE LINK THE LINK 19 NEW TECHNIQUES FOR CHINA TRIP

EVALUATING SOIL EROSION EDUCATION INNOVATION SUMMER 2016 roviding access to adequate quantities teaching and research collaboration oil erosion on cultivated cropland is a major source of clean water is a concern for visits with Jilin University, Changchun; of anthropogenic soil degradation in the Central P S communities all around the world. Water Three Gorges University, Yichang; and Great Plains. An understanding of the underlying resources and environmental engineers the Enshi Autonomous Prefecture physical processes and developing management at Kansas State University are working Academy of Agricultural Sciences in rural practices is important and relies on use of better to develop solutions for the global Hubei Province. They also participated evaluation techniques of soil losses. community by enhancing their cultural in the 2016 International Workshop A team of BAE students and faculty led by awareness and learning about complex for Water Resources Utilizations and Aleksey Sheshukov, assistant professor, is applying water issues outside of the United States. Management at Three Gorges University. several soil surveying techniques to evaluate soil and Graduate students Kelsey The Hutchinsons are currently working ephemeral gully erosion in agricultural fields, including McDonough and Kari Bigham to develop a study abroad program laser-scanning total station, mobile camera-based accompanied Professors Stacy (BAE) at Jilin University for undergraduate photogrammetry and aerial photography with UAV. and Shawn Hutchinson (geography) to students, focused on water resources and The produced digital elevation models are used in China this past June. They completed management. physically based computational models.

LAYERS OF SOIL SURFACE, DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL AND COMPUTATIONAL MESH

BAE GRADUATE STUDENTS CHINTHAKA BANDARA (LEFT), VLADIMIR KARIMOV (MIDDLE), AND KARI BIGHAM (RIGHT) WITH WATERSHED SPECIALIST, WILL BOYER, USE DIFFERENT SURVEYING TECHNIQUES TO EVALUATE SOIL EROSION ON A SORGHUM FIELD SOUTHEAST OF MANHATTAN, KANSAS. 20 THE LINK THE LINK 21 RESEARCHERS DEVELOP 3-D PRINTED DIAGNOSTIC INDIA AND MAHINDRA VISITS DEVICE TO RAPIDLY DETECT ANEMIA SUMMER 2016 im Plevniak, BAE M.S. student, and Anemia affects 2 billion people jay Sharda, BAE assistant professor, PROFESSOR SHARDA

INNOVATION Mei He, BAE assistant professor, at worldwide, including more than half of Avisited India to participate in a multi- DELIVERS INVITED K institutional project meeting focused on TALK AT COLLEGE Kansas State University developed a preschool children and pregnant women OF AGRICULTURAL low cost, point-of-care device using a in developing countries, and at least collaboration on a major initiative in India ENGINEERING AND 3-D printer to make quick diagnosis of 30 percent of children and women in on the project “Start Up Rural India — from TECHNOLOGY, anemia from a drop of blood. The device industrialized nations. The 3-D printer- Farm to Fork in Soy/ Millet Value Addition,” PUNJAB can attach to a smartphone companion fabricated device does not require June 2-4, 2016. Sajid Alavi, professor in grain AGRICULTURAL science at Kansas State University, initiated UNIVERSITY, PUNJAB app for informing anemia status that laboratory settings for testing, and allows INDIA. may due to imbalance of food nutrition individuals living in rural area or developing and put together a multi-institutional or diet. countries to access to health care. public-private international consortium for this project whose partners include K-State, Central Institute of Ag Engineering “Sensing and automation on agricultural commitment to continue efforts to foster KIM PLEVNIAK (CIAE), Solidaridad (non-profit organization), machinery systems” at the College of a long-term collaboration for research, International Crops Research Institute for Engineering and Technology, PAU, Ludhiana teaching and training between the two the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Central on June 15, 2016. The invited talk was co- institutions. NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR FULL UTILIZATION OF NON-STRUCTURAL Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & organized by the Punjab Chapter of Indian As a follow up of the meeting with Technology (CIPHET), Punjab Ag University, Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) and M&M, S. Sudarsanam, deputy general CARBOHYDRATES IN SWEET SORGHUM Acharya NG Ranga University, National Agro Alumni Association of COAET, PAU, Ludhiana, manager, head – build, validation and (private partner based in Punjab), Assocom- as well as Jaskaran Singh Mahal, dean of homologation, farm machinery, Chennai onghai Wang’s research group, produces significant quantities of grain India (private partner for rural skill the College of Agricultural Engineering India, visited Kansas State University from Din collaboration with Bill Rooney, in the panicle, predominantly starch. development), and other private and public and Technology. COAET presented Sharda June 30 through July 1, 2016. Texas A & M University, has developed a Currently, when using the sugarcane institutions. Sharda is leading a project with an award of honor and reiterated the technology to fully utilize non-structural harvest approach for sweet sorghum, the at K-State to develop a robust research carbohydrates in sweet sorghum for a sorghum plant is “topped” and the panicle plan for a planting system involving inter- ED BROCKESH, BAE INSTRUCTOR, DAN biofuel production diffusion process. is cut and dropped on the ground; it is not cropping of soybeans and millets. FLIPPO, BAE ASSISTANT Sweet sorghum is a specific included in the biomass brought to the During the meeting, Sharda also PROFESSOR AND S. type of sorghum that stores a high processing plant. interacted with R&D engineers from SUDARSANAM concentration of soluble sugars in the The team has developed technology Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) to explore stalk and also produces grain in the to fully utilize fermentable sugars, starch in collaborative research opportunities panicle. At present, the industry uses the panicle and no-structural carbohydrate with faculty in the BAE department at the same method for processing sweet in the stalk from sweet sorghum using Kansas State. M&M is India’s largest tractor sorghum that is used in the sugarcane a diffusion process. A thermal stable manufacturer with a significant presence in the United States, particularly in the industry. The sugarcane industry enzyme was used to convert starch into NANA BAAH APPIAH-NKANSAH recovers at least 95% of the fermentable fermentable sugars during the diffusion under-120 hp segment. sugars from the stalk, using a diffusion process. With this technology, they He also visited Punjab Agricultural process based on hot water extraction. achieved 96% starch conversion efficiency technology is under process. Nana Baah University in Punjab to interact with However, sweet sorghum is not and 98% sugar recovery efficiency, Appiah-Nkansah, a Ph.D. candidate, has faculty and students, along with meeting identical to sugarcane as sweet sorghum respectively. The patent application for this also been working on this project. manufacturers and producers June 14-16, 2016. He gave an invited talk on the topic 22 THE LINK THE LINK 23 THREE FROM KANSAS STATE 2016 QUARTER-SCALE TRACTOR TEAM FOUNTAIN WARS TEAM MAKES UNIVERSITY NAMED TO SU-BAE Powercat Tractor team successfully competed IMPRESSIVE SHOWING FELLOW STATUS Kin the 2016 ASABE IQS competition in Peoria, Illinois -State’s Fountain Wars team earned four water through a hole into the adjoining tube in June. The competition consisted of several events, Kawards and placed second overall in an to raise the dolphin and push it out of the including three tractor pulls, maneuverability event, design international design-build competition in July apparatus. All teams were able to inject water he American Society of Agricultural EXCELLENCE judging, sound testing, written report, presentation and a in Orlando, Florida. Advised by Trisha Moore, into the pipe, but the next steps were trickier. Tand Biological Engineers, or durability course. The 2016 team took home second-place BAE assistant professor, the student team “For most teams, once the dolphin rose to ASABE, recognized three Kansas overall honors this year. received a $1,000 prize and trophy for its entry the top of the tube, it would sit on the cushion State University professors as Fellows The 2016 Powercat Tractor, two-wheel drive design, in the Fountain Wars Competition, a segment of water and not come out,” Moore said. during ceremonies at its 2016 annual included an adjustable-length frame that extended of the G.B. Gunlogson Student Environmental “Because our team members spent plenty international meeting July 17-20, in the vehicle length by 18 inches, lateral active-weight Design Competition at the American Society of time testing and adjusting their design, Orlando, Florida. displacement steering and an original three-speed of Agricultural and Biological Engineering’s they were one of the only teams to fully With the number of candidates transmission with ratios specifically designed for each of annual international meeting. accomplish the task.” elected to Fellow grade each year limited to 0.2 percent of the total the events. After making a brief, marketing-style The team’s design concept also earned an ASABE membership, to have three THE 2016 POWERCAT TRACTOR COMPETES ON THE MOBILITY COURSE, DRIVEN BY TYLER MONTGOMERY, BSE SENIOR. promotion of their design, each team additional award: most innovative design. constructed its system in 120 minutes, in the of this year’s 13 recipients from Awards were based on combined rain — an extra challenge this year. one university is a remarkable scores of a written report, oral presentation, achievement. The K-State team scored top marks in the construction, the technical tasks and aesthetic Gary Clark, senior associate dean technical tasks for 2016: the “beach ball high display. jump” and “rescuing the dolphin.” For the in the College of Engineering; Joe The Fountain Wars team members are: “beach ball high jump,” teams were required Harner, professor and department Angelica White, Alison Cioffi, Jessica Stanton, to use water force from their fountains to head of biological and agricultural Jesse Laning, Joe Hewit, John Wempe, Cody launch a beach ball into free flight and clear engineering; and Xiuzhi Susan Sun, Deas, Aaron Akin, Alexander Coon, Devon heights of 5-8 feet. a university distinguished professor Bandad, Chris Gillespie and Teddy Gillespie. in the department of grain science The “rescuing the dolphin” task included Dr. Trisha Moore, advisor. two PVC pipes next to each other, one of and industry, and ancillary faculty Read more at http://www.k-state. which had a plastic dolphin bath toy lying in of biological and agricultural edu/media/newsreleases/aug16/ the bottom. Teams were challenged to shoot engineering, were each recognized for fountainwars81016.html BSE SENIOR RYAN STRASSER IN 2016 PULLING RUN their “unusual professional distinction, 2016 THREE-SPEED ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience in, or The new design competed very closely with the related to, the field of agricultural, eventual competition winner. Overall K-State had 2240 food, or biological engineering.” points behind the winner with 2284. Third place had Fellows must have had 20 years 2089. of active practice in the profession The 2016 effort started in the fall of 2015 with of engineering, the teaching of extensive tractor configuration testing. Development engineering, or teaching in an continued through the winter with the final tractor engineering-related curriculum. design being built in April 2016 for the June competition. Read more at http://www.k- The 2016 tractor team consisted of student members state.edu/today/announcement. majoring in biological systems engineering, agricultural php?id=28342 technology management and mechanical engineering. 2016 KSU POWERCAT A AND X TEAMS 24 THE LINK THE LINK 25 DEPARTMENT NEWS NEW FACULTY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS TAKE PRIORITY THROUGH ANNUAL, ahid Rahmani joined the BAE MATCHING AND ESTATE GIFTS Vdepartment as an assistant professor in late spring. His research interests include tan and LeAnn Clark were high school sweethearts in Chapman, Kansas. They married while climate change and variability impacts on Sstudents at Kansas State University, where LeAnn earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary water resources management, extreme education, and Stan earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering. weather event analysis and water supply. STAN CLARK SURROUNDED BY STUDENTS Fast forward 55 years and the couple is making a significant difference at K-State by Currently, his group is working on a volunteering their time and consistently supporting scholarships in their colleges. few projects to promote water supply THE ETHIOPIAN CONNECTION In addition to giving cash each year, the Clarks named Kansas State University as a beneficiary protection, and to improve sustainable on life insurance policies to further support their scholarships for generations to come. eAnn and Stan Clark began volunteer management of the available water in small “We just wanted to help students who needed assistance,” said Stan, who serves on the work with Ethiopia Reads in 2003. The impoundments and large reservoirs. He L College of Engineering dean’s advisory council and previously served on the department of nonprofit organization currently brings has diverse interdisciplinary interests and biological and agricultural engineering advisory council. literacy to more than 130,000 children always seeks new opportunities to help the through its 72 libraries in all regions LeAnn serves on the College of Education dean’s advisory council and previously served on citizens of Kansas. He is located in Seaton of Ethiopia. Ethiopia Reads has also the K-State alumni advisory board. Stan, who retired from a career of designing farm machinery, 049 and would be happy to discuss any constructed five schools in remote, rural also serves as a judge at the annual quarter-scale tractor competition, judging the work of student water-related subjects. regions of the country. teams from K-State and other schools. Nearly half a million books for these “I always come back rejuvenated about the future of our country, just from that association libraries have been collected, sorted and with exceptional young engineers,” he said. BSE STUDENTS PLACE IN ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE prepared for shipment by the Clarks. Since As for including a gift for K-State in their estate plan, Stan said it was easy with guidance from the KSU Foundation and his financial adviser. RESEARCH POSTER FORUM their retirement, LeAnn and Stan have “It’s something that has been on our to-do list for some time,” he said. “We want to do whatever we can to support the university.” focused on book collections, funding Generous K-State supporters like the Clarks help drive momentum for the $1 billion to advance the goals of K-State 2025. for shipment, and training for teachers n December 3, 2015, 46 engineering To support the department of biological and agricultural engineering, contact the engineering development office at and librarians in Ethiopia. The couple Oundergraduate students from eight [email protected] or make a secure, online gift to the department’s excellence fund now. engineering departments participated in has visited the African country several the Undergraduate Research Poster Forum times to support Ethiopia Reads staff and sponsored by the Office of Engineering librarians. K-State Professor Laurie Curtis, Research and Graduate Programs. Thirty department of curriculum and instruction, posters were presented. In the Design/ also volunteers expertise to improve library Build/Team/Class-Project Research efficiency and provide training for the Category BSE seniors Ryan Strasser, Tyler librarians. FROM LEFT: TYLER MONTGOMERY, ASSOC. DEAN NOEL SCHULZ, Montgomery and Lars Peterson won first LARS PETERSON AND RYAN STRASSER place ($500 award), for their poster Tractive Performance Research. In the same category and winning second place ($300 award) were Erica Schmitz, Margaret Spangler and Laura Wilson, BSE seniors. Their poster was Best Management Analysis for Shallow Water Depths at Lake Odonata. The adviser for both groups was Ed Brokesh, BAE instructor. Congratulations to all on a job well done! FROM LEFT: LAURA WILSON, ASSOC. DEAN NOEL SCHULZ, ERICA SCHMITZ AND MAGGIE SPANGLER LEANN CLARK AND ETHIOPIA READS STUDENTS IN ETHIOPIA 26 THE LINK THE LINK 27 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #525 129 Seaton Hall Manhattan, Kan. 66502 920 N. 17th Street Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506-2906 597-001

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FROM LEFT: GRADUATE STUDENT KELSEY MCDONOUGH, STACY HUTCHINSON — BAE PROFESSOR, GRADUATE STUDENT KARI BIGHAM AND SHAWN HUTCHINSON IN CHINA IN JUNE. STORY ON PAGE 21.