"Transformative Approaches to Lignin Utilization for a Sustainable Future"

This event is sponsored by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering.

Abstract: The exploration of effective approaches for the valorization of lignin to valuable products attracts broad interests of a growing scientific community. By fully unlocking the potential of the world’s most abundant bio-aromatics, it could improve the profitability and carbon efficiency of the entire biorefinery process, thus accelerating the replacement of fossil resources with bioresources in our society. The successful realization of this goal depends on the development of technologies to overcome the following challenges, including: 1) efficient biomass pretreatment and lignin separation technologies that overcomes its diverse structure and complex chemistry challenges to obtain high purity lignin; 2) advanced chemical analysis for precise quantitative characterization of the lignin in chemical transformation processes; 3) novel approaches for conversion of biomass-derived lignin to valuable products. In this talk, Dr. Yang will provide an overview of state-of-the-art technologies for advanced biofuels production from lignin. Specifically, he will cover his recent applied research and development on catalytic pathways to upgrade lignin into lignin-based jet fuel, hydrogen carriers, and other lignin-based materials. In addition, he will discuss his biological research aimed at building fundamental knowledge of the oleaginous bacterial and yeast conversion of aromatic lignin.

Dr. Bin Yang

Department of Biological Systems Engineering

Washington State University

Speaker Bio: Dr. Yang’s major research interests include understanding fundamental mechanisms and advancing cutting-edge biomass processing technologies for advanced biofuels and bioproducts, facilitating the commercialization process as well as improving our knowledge of emerging technologies to meet near and long-term needs worldwide. He has authored more than 145 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters and has six issued patents. He also serves as an advisory editor board member for leading biorefinery journals. Dr. Yang recently has pioneered new biomass pretreatment technology and manufacturing technologies to process biomass into jet fuel, bioplastics, carbon fiber, supercapacitor, hydrogen carriers, and other bioproducts.