August 2009
9 posts
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a little help from our friends (in south america)
In the two weeks I spent in Brazil I learned so much about the biofuels programs and research in both Brazil and the US.
More valuable to me than the basic technical knowledge of conversion technologies or feedstock production has been learning the similarities and differences between the US and Brazil’s approach to biofuels, economics and policies. Both countries were disrupted by the oil...
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americana
On our most recent field trip we stopped off for lunch at a restaurant in Campinas. Turns out the place is filled with bits and pieces of Americana from Texaco signs to old WWII posters. The food was completely Brazilian but the atmosphere was all Americana.
I never expected to see this in the middle of Brazil!
Planes were hanging from the ceiling.
Don’t worry we still ate a lot.
A...
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leaving ‘hogwarts’, err, brazil
Wow, what a rush! My two weeks in Brazil is finally coming to an end. In the past two weeks I have learned so much about US and Brazilian biofuel crops, research activities and PhD opportunities. More importantly, and I’m so happy about this, are the friendships I have made. I met students and professors from all over the world. Not only are these some of the most intelligent folks I’ve ever met,...
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tour – week 2
Both Thursdays have been set aside for field trips to different labs and companies in Sao Paulo state. Yesterday we visited USP’s School of Medicine for a lecture with a world renowned air quality researcher, traveled to Campinas to visit the site of a new Brazilian National Lab and the site of bioengineering ethanol start-up, Amyris. I’ve learned so much on these tours and have also enjoyed...
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walking around usp
Yesterday a few of us decided to take a walk around the USP (Universitie de Sao Paulo). The weather was nice (25C) and we just ate 1,200 calories worth of meat, rice and beans so a walk was in order. We always pass this massive statue on the way in so we decided to check it out:
Thinkers?
Around the back of the statue there are some naked men. Not sure what’s going on here.
Looks like...
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a growing appreciation for starch-based ethanol
Over the past week I have learned a great deal about ethanol production, feedstocks and conversion technologies and have a newfound appreciation of the ethanol processes. I’ve never been a big proponent of ethanol production or usage, but hearing from professors and experts in this space has allowed me understand why ethanol is appealing to a lot of people.
I also never had a firm grasp of the...
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An Evening at the Corinthians Game
I went to my first real soccer, err football, match today here in Sao Paulo. A group of us watched the Corinthians (one of three teams here) take on Avai (the islanders). There really is no substitute for watching the game live.
Better yet, the soccer hooligans were in full force also to keep the crowd pumped up. I was impressed that an entire section of fans was able to bang on drums and clap...
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three markets and a cathedral
We had the day to ourselves today (no class!) so we were able to explore the city. We ended up taking the bus and metro to the outer regions of the city where the São Paulo Cathedral and bootleg markets are.
I had an “Americalzone” for coffee break in the subway station. Not bad, not bad…
I’m very impressed with the transit system in Sao Paulo. I guess you have to have decent transit in a city...
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meat and dancing
Now that it’s finally the weekend some of us were able to escape our hotel and venture out into some fun Sao Paulo neighborhoods. We went to eat at a nice restaurant a few miles from where we’re staying in an area filled with bars, restaurants and music venues. We definitely enjoyed Brazil tonight by eating meat and dancing to samba music.
The translation of the menu literally read: “Delicious...