Professor LIU Huizhou, Director General of Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Professor Roger Ruan, Director of the Center for Biorefining, University of Minnesota on December 3, 2012.

The MOU aims to consolidate and expand ongoing cooperation in order to establish a stronger partnership in the fields of biomass engineering. The MOU also concerns the establishment of a Joint Laboratory for Biomass Engineering, young scientists interchange, R&D information and materials exchange and postgraduate education between two organizations.

The University of Minnesota Center for Biorefining is affiliated with the the University of Minnesota's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE). The Center is to conduct exploratory fundamental and applied research; provide education on bioenergy, biochemicals and biomaterials; stimulate collaboration among the University and other organizations involved in biobased production technology development; promote technology transfer to industries; and foster economic development in rural areas.

Professor Roger Ruan’s research focuses on various aspects of value-added processing, renewable energy, and food engineering. His current interests are in conversion of renewable biomass into energy fuels, chemicals and materials, biopolymer process improvement, food shelf stability and quality enhancement and safety assurance, and nonthermal plasma development and applications in bioprocessing and foods. Professor Ruan has published over 165 papers in refereed journals, book, and book chapters, and over 300 meeting papers and other reports, and holds 10 US patents. He has also given over 120 invited symposium presentations, company seminars, and short courses.