In this case, it was Augsburg student Brian Krohn, who was working on a research project in 2006 and asked his chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg, “Is there a better way to make biodiesel?”

Gyberg connected him with McNeff, his former student, who read the academic literature suggested by Krohn and saw potential. McNeff, Gyberg, and McNeff’s colleague, Ben Yan, developed a process—which now carries their names, Mc-Gy-Yan—to make a biofuel that can be used in all diesel engines. The process is cleaner and faster than others, produces no waste, and can use all known feedstocks. Since it does not displace food crops for fuel, it has advantage over ethanol. A patent for the Mcgyan Process was issued in March 2011.

McNeff’s team has now turned its attention from technology to applications. They’ve experimented with various types of feedstocks for the process including waste oils, weeds, algae, and waste treatment residues, and all have been successful. How then could farmers benefit?

A portable unit on a truck is all that’s needed to enable farmers to produce biodiesel. They can plant a winter weed crop for fuel production, such as stinkweed; harvest it before they plant their main cash crop; and become energy self-sufficient.

By “harnessing the capacity of plants,” McNeff said, the Mcgyan Process unlocks huge potential. Algae is very promising—63 million gallons of biodiesel can be produced on 10 million acres of algae that don’t replace cropland. Cellulosic materials such as corn stalks, switchgrass, and wood chips are also favorable for large-scale production.

Their recent research was sparked by McNeff’s 12-year-old son, Charlie, who asked another right question, which led to a demonstration grant to produce Mcgyan biodiesel from yeast oil.

McNeff said they’ve learned a tremendous amount at every point from “many long hours and thousands of discussions.” He has documented the Mcgyan Process in a book, The Green Miracle, from the initial discovery to the current 3 million gallons per year produced at Ever Cat’s plant in Isanti, Minn.

“I look back, now, and have no idea how it all came together,” McNeff said. He added, “There are times in a scientist’s life where there is so much joy in the discovery process.”

Clayton McNeff is one of three campaign co-chairs for Augsburg’s Center for Science, Business, and Religion. He grew up working at SarTec, the family business started by his parents, Larry and Marie, who is an Augsburg regent and professor emerita. The family donates to Augsburg a portion of the profit from every gallon of biodiesel sold. With the new science center, Clayton wants to ensure that Augsburg students continue to have a place to keep asking the right questions.

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The plant, located about 40 miles north of campus in Isanti, Minn., is expected to produce about 3 million gallons of biodiesel per year when it is fully operational. The plant represents the first large-scale application of the Mcgyan process of making biodiesel.

The Mcgyan process, which came out of research by Augsburg undergraduate and Rhodes scholar Brian Krohn, creates biodiesel from waste oils. The process doesn’t require food stock to work and doesn’t create any waste products.

The Mcgyan process—named for alum and Ever Cat Fuels founder Clayton McNeff ’91, Augsburg chemistry professor Arlin Gyberg and Ever Cat scientist Ben Yan—has certainly attracted a lot of attention.

“When I see something like this, it’s everything that we talk about in Washington,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who spoke at the grand opening.

McNeff said Ever Cat Fuels is already planning to expand its facility in Isanti. In addition, the company is licensing the Mcgyan process and it is expected that other biodiesel facilities will be built across the country and the world.

“It gives us a chance to grow our way to energy independence,” McNeff said.

Biodiesel was previously produced using the Mcgyan process in a test facility in Anoka. Production at the Isanti facility began earlier this month. Some of the biodiesel produced is being used to run the facility. Most is being sent to blenders, who combine biodiesel and traditional diesel fuel. The percentage of biodiesel required to be used in the diesel sold at pumps across Minnesota will rise in upcoming years.

McNeff also said that a donation to Augsburg’s planned Center for Science, Business and Religion will be made for each gallon of biodiesel sold.

Augsburg was well represented at the grand opening and Gyberg and President Paul Pribbenow were recognized. Several other members of the president’s cabinet, faculty members, and staff members were also in attendance. In addition, Augsburg music students provided entertainment before the event started.

WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby was the master of ceremony for the event that had about 150 people in attendance. Shelby summed up the importance of the day.

“Energy change has begun in this room,” Shelby said. “This is incredible on almost every conceivable level. The process is carbon neutral, it doesn’t use food, there are no chemicals and without waste. We’re sitting on top of proof of the future of energy in America.”

Read the StarTribune’s coverage of the opening by Neal St. Anthony.

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Brian’s answer to that question has led him from the laboratory to Capitol Hill. With the help of Augsburg faculty and alumni, Brian uncovered a way to produce biodiesel from a wide variety of organic sources, not just crops. The new process also creates biodiesel much faster than existing methods while producing virtually no waste.

“Our process can use any feedstock,” said Brian. “What this does is it makes biodiesel cheaper, and you’re not using a food source — like corn or soybeans — to make a fuel.”

With the concern that biofuels are driving up food prices, it is no surprise that Congress is showing interest in Brian’s research. Last week in Washington D.C., he and chemistry Professor Arlin Gyberg met with US. Sen. Amy Kolbuchar and the staffs of U.S. Reps. James Oberstar, Collin Peterson, and Keith Ellison. Brian and Gyberg also briefed both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

started with his URGO summer research project into biodiesel. After Brian’s initial research, his project adviser, Professor Gyberg, helped him verify his findings. Then, the two reached out to alumnus Dr. Clayton McNeff, vice president of Sartec corporation. Sartec was able to take Brian and Gyberg’s research discovery and turn it into a full-fledged production system that they named the “Mcgyan Process” after the various scientists involved in the project. Sartec has already made over 50,000 gallons of fuel using the Mycgyan process, and they are building a facility that will be producing 3 million gallons per year by the end of 2008.

Not only is Brian a part of a discovery that might change the biofuels industry, he has gotten a lot of attention from local, national, and even international press. What does he think of it all?

“I just thought it would be a fun summer research project,” he said just before his interview with ABC News.

Below is a sample of some of the media coverage Brian’s discovery has garnered:

ÌýÌý ABC News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

ÌýÌý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

ÌýÌý Star Tribune –

ÌýÌý Duluth Budgeteer News –

ÌýÌý Green Car Congress –

ÌýÌý Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

ÌýÌý Automotive World –

ÌýÌý Biodiesel Magazine –

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As has been reported on Inside Augsburg and outside media, Brian’s summer research under the eye of Professor Arlin Gyberg led to a revolutionary discovery of a highly efficient method of producing biodiesel from a wide variety of sources. Brian and Dr. Gyberg contacted Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus who also happens to be a vice president with Sartec Corporation. Sartec was able to provide the resources and expertise to turn Brian’s discovery into a full-fledged production system that will be producing millions of gallons of biodiesel by the end of the year.

Here is a list of some media sources that have covered Brian’s biodiesel discovery so far:

ABC News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

ÌýÌý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

ÌýÌý Star Tribune –

Ìý Duluth Budgeteer News –

Ìý Green Car Congress –

Ìý Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

ÌýÌý Automotive World –

ÌýÌý Biodiesel Magazine –

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discovery of a chemical process that could free the United States from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel. This revolutionary method to make biodiesel started with the curiosity of Augsburg chemistry senior Brian Krohn and ended with three Twin Cities scientists creating the “Mcgyan Process.”

Brian initiated his summer research project by deciding to study new ways to produce biodiesel. After Brian’s preliminary

research, his professor advised him to contact chemist Dr. Clayton McNeff, an Augsburg alumnus and vice president of SarTec. McNeff, his chief scientist Dr. Ben Yan, and Augsburg’s Professor Arlin Gyberg took Brian’s idea and created a chemical reaction that has never before been described in scientific literature. As a result of the Mcgyan Process discovery, McNeff co-founded Ever Cat Fuels based in Anoka. It is the only plant in the world using this new method to manufacture biodiesel.

Industry analysts have been surprised by how well the Mcgyan Process works and its implications for fuel production worldwide. This process has many advantages over previous biodiesel production methods. It can convert a much wider range of feedstock oils and animal fats into biodiesel, including the byproducts from ethanol production. The Mcgyan Process recycles the catalyst and alcohol necessary to make biodiesel, it reduces the reaction time from hours to seconds, and it doesn’t use water or dangerous chemicals. In short, it can make more biodiesel quickly and with a minimal impact on the environment.

(QuickTime video, ~4 min., 6 MB)

Because the Mcgyan Process can use a wider range of renewable oils, it has opened the door to a truly Earth-changing possibility. Algae that capture carbon dioxide can be a source of Mcgyan feedstock oil. The use of algae oil simultaneously reduces the demand on arable land for fuel purposes and scrubs the atmosphere of a greenhouse gas. SarTec has conducted research into using algae oils to supply the Mcgyan Process. The corporation is working on the use of algae to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants while creating a biodiesel feedstock.

A patent is now pending on the Mcgyan Process which is named for the three scientists officially credited with the discovery (McNeff, Gyberg, and Yan). Ever Cat Fuels Corporation is currently producing 50,000 gallons of biodiesel per year and is using it as a power source. Its production capacity will increase to 3 million gallons per year when its new plant begins operation in Isanti later this year. Then, Ever Cat Fuels hopes to sell the technology and equipment to nations around the world.

All of these remarkable discoveries started with Brian’s experiential learning at Augsburg, which is a fundamental part of the college’s learning environment. His research will lead Brian to a promising future in science and create opportunities for Augsburg students for years to come. “This one-on-one relationship between professor and student may result in one of modern day’s greatest discoveries,” says Augsburg President Paul Pribbenow. “Augsburg is proud to be in the forefront and grateful that it may lead to a source of on-going funding that will enable us to take our science program

to great heights.”

Media Coverage

The biodiesel press conference garnered attention in local and even international media. Here is a list of links to a sample of that coverage:

ÌýÌý ABC News –

Ìý WCCO News –

ÌýÌý Pioneer Press –

Ìý KSTP 5 News – (both include video)

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

ÌýÌý KARE 11 News – (includes video)

Ìý Star Tribune – and

ÌýÌýÌýÌý and

ÌýÌýÌýÌý

ÌýDuluth Budgeteer News –

Ìý Green Car Congress –

Business Week – http://investing.businessweek.com/

Automotive World –

Biodiesel Magazine –

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

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Krohn’s poster is titled “Fuel of the Future: Biodiesel. A Novel Method and Catalyst for the Production of Biodiesel.” He became interested in biodiesel fuels and received a grant from Augsburg’s Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity Office (URGO) in summer 2006 to work with Gyberg. His goal was to experiment with alternate catalysts that could create a more efficient and environmentally friendly biodiesel. This research, done in collaboration with Augsburg alumnus Clayton McNeff ’91, vice president of SarTec Corporation, was successful and spurred the discovery of a new process to produce biodiesel.

On April 30, Krohn and Gyberg will meet individually with members of the Minnesota delegation to explain the research and its implications for the economy and environment. Later in the day all legislators are invited to a general poster session where students can present and talk about their work.

The Council on Undergraduate Research hosts the annual “Posters on the Hill” program to give students the opportunities to share their stories about the value of undergraduate research and how it has shaped their career plans with members of Congress.

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