Biomass Based Products

Simply, earth’s living organisms are biomass. Biomass is organic material that stores sunlight in the form of chemical energy. In the effort to become less dependent on fossil fuel, secure energy resources, and protect the environment, there’s a growing global market for renewable and sustainable products from biomass, commonly referred to as bio-based products. Examples include biofuels, biochemicals, and natural fiber composites and bioplastics.

Our research program is directed at exploring the fundamental principles of catalytic and biocatalytic conversion of biomass to biofuels, biochemicals and materials. Topics include bioenergy and biofuels (Ragauskas, Trinh, Dalhaimer, Danquah), green chemistry (Ragauskas, Laursen, Trinh, Dalhaimer, Danquah) and design of (bio)catalysts (Laursen, Trinh, Danquah).