Biodiesel Program
Part of Loyola's Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy (CUERP)
Welcome to Loyola University Chicago's Biodiesel Program website. This innovative, interdisciplinary program was formed as part of the Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP) course. After focusing on biodiesel for three semesters, STEP has changed topics to focus on food systems. Follow this link for more information about STEP: Food Systems.
Designed by members of Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy (CUERP), STEP is an innovative approach to learning which incorporates all fields of study and concentrates it into one particular issue. The class is currently focusing on recycling waste vegetable oil from Loyola's cafeterias to convert it into biodiesel.
To schedule a tour of the biodiesel lab or learn more about the Biodiesel Program at Loyola, contact Assistant Biodiesel Lab Manager Zach Waickman.
Loyola University Chicago's Biodiesel Lab
Photos by Mark Beane/Loyola University Chicago
STEP is funded in part with a grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "P3" program (People, Prosperity and the Planet Student Design Competition for Sustainability). We are using our P3 award to advance six main objectives:
- Build a laboratory facility to create biodiesel from waste vegetable oil.
- Develop end-uses for produced biodiesel in Loyola and the local community.
- Replicate the developed technology through creation of an additional biodiesel lab with public school partners.
- Loyola students will learn to make biodiesel, evaluate its quality, partner with end-users, measure emissions, and evaluate the potential of biodiesel to advance the health of people and the planet.
- Educate Chicago Public School (CPS) K-12 students by training CPS science teachers in biodiesel education modules taught by Loyola personnel.
- Promote the adoption of sustainable technologies by having Loyola students perform public outreach.
The class requires the cooperation of many different departments, resources, teachers and students in order to succeed in the world of alternative fuels. Here, all students are scientists, entrepreneurs, policy makers, communicators and teachers.
The STEP class topic and project success depends on the curiosity and efforts of students, and welcomes all of those interested in contributing to take the course.