Welcome to our lab’s research page, where we focus on pioneering sustainable technologies across diverse areas. From biomass conversion to synthetic biological materials, our interdisciplinary approach drives innovation towards a greener future. Leveraging advanced techniques like high-temperature and pressure NMR spectroscopy, we explore innovative conversion strategies and catalytic pathways to unlock the potential of biomass and lignin. Additionally, our efforts extend to sustainable polymers and the circular economy of plastics, with a focus on developing bio-based materials and enhancing recycling methods. Through collaborations and major instrumentation grants, we aim to accelerate the discovery of new materials and processes, setting new benchmarks for sustainability in engineering and materials science. Join us in shaping a more sustainable world through groundbreaking research and technological advancement.
Core Research Areas – BioProducts Engineering Laboratory
- In-situ Characterization & Analytical Toolkit: Developing a novel analytic toolkit to address the complexity and recalcitrance of feedstocks such as biomass and waste plastic. Also focusing on the development of in-situ characterization methods to study the fractionation, deconstruction, and functionalization of biomass and waste plastics using high-temperature and high-pressure spectroscopy and scattering techniques to gain insights into processes under reaction conditions.
- Lignin Valorization: Converting underutilized lignin into valuable chemicals and materials through innovative catalytic and biological pathways.
- Sustainable Polymers & Upcycling: Emphasizing the principles of the circular economy for plastics through novel chemical or catalytic recycling and upcycling approaches, along with the creation of bio-derived monomers and polymers.
- Synthetic Biological Materials: Applying materials science and advanced characterization techniques to design DNA-templated and microbially-derived materials, including the development of high-strength bio-composites and nanomaterials.
