There is widespread interest in developing biorefineries which combine catalytic, thermal, and biological conversion processes to efficiently utilize the carbon and energy within biomass, biopolymers and plastic waste polymers. However, the emergence of commercial large-scale biorefineries depends significantly on our ability to advance technologies that improve biomass-derived product diversity, value, and yield.
My lab seeks to understand the causes and effects of polymer structure-derived limits on conversion performance, providing fundamental mechanistic insight. With that understanding, we seek to rationally engineer the conversion processes that take advantage of the unique features of biomass and plastic wastes as feedstocks to access new products.
Research Projects
Lignin Valorization for Biofuel Production
Sustainable Polymers and Plastic Upcyling
Biomass Recalcitrance
Biomass and In-situ characterizations