The Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) was established in January 2006 at Mississippi State University (MSU) through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

SERC was formed to create an infrastructure for coordinated interdisciplinary collaboration at MSU in the development of environmentally and economically sustainable energy sources specific to the Southeastern United States.

SERC is made up of six thrust areas of research. These thrusts include over 80 professors around the university and encompass many different colleges. For more information about our areas of research, click here.

BREAKTHROUGH: "MSU Gas" Made Without Oxygen

MSU announces production of zero oxygen hydrocarbons from biomass

By Phil Steele

Mississippi State University (MSU) recently announced that a breakthrough in catalyst synthesis has allowed them to produce a 100% hydrocarbon mix with no detectable oxygen from bio-oil produced from biomass. Bio-oil is a product produced by thermal decomposition of biomass by rapid heating in the absence of air. This is the first announcement of a zero-oxygen liquid hydrocarbon produced from bio-oil. This breakthrough was made possible by the support of the Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) for the research performed by Department of Forest Products Ph.D. student Sanjeev Gajjela. [read more]

2009 MSU Biofuels Conference Showcases "Next Generation" of Energy

Over one hundred fifty gather in state capital to discuss future of alternative fuels

By Diane Godwin, Patty Drapala and Patrick Young

The 2009 Mississippi State University (MSU) Biofuels Conference welcomed over 150 attendees to the Jackson Marriott in the state's capital August 6 and 7. Hosted by the Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC), the Bagley College of Engineering, MAFES and Industrial Outreach Services, this year's conference focused on "the next generation of biofuels". [read more]

Graduate Crymble Explores Castor Oil, Finds Success

Research captures first place at biofuels conference

By Patrick Young

Scott Crymble is not one of those people who can be categorized under any certain label. The Mississippi State University (MSU) graduate student, who is often mistaken for being in his early teens, loves video games and sleeping in, but he also has taken interest in the alternative energy field. Crymble was approached by his advisor Rafael Hernandez to begin a master's project looking at making biodiesel out of castor oil. [read more]

Number Cruncher: Hood Guides SERC to Find Economic Solutions

Agricultural economist finds possibility of bio-oil factory in state

By Patrick Young

While researchers at the Sustainable Energy Research Center (SERC) at Mississippi State University work to create renewable energy solutions, Ken Hood often asks the most important question: How much will it cost?
Since beginning with SERC, Hood has worked to make sure the researchers' findings can pass the test of economic feasibility. [read more]

Volume 2, Issue 1

Fall 2009

Writer Profile: Patrick Young is the SERC publications intern and an undergraduate student majoring in broadcast/journalism and political science. He currently is a senior at Mississippi State University where he is a staff writer for the student newspaper, The Reflector and recently interned with the Today Show on NBC. Young can be reached at pay9@msstate.edu.