Chemical Bioprocessing

At RBI, we are interested in addressing the fundamental and manufacturing challenges for future high margin/high volume products from biomass, with a traditional focus on forest biomaterials.  Our faculty focuses on both conversion and separation of biomass compounds.  For example, we work along the lignocellulosic conversion pathway with faculty interested in recovering lignin prior to pulping (Bommarius, Realff), in cellulose conversion (France, Jones), and in lignin separation from black liquor and subsequent conversion (Nair).  We have particular strengths in catalytic processing of biomass (France, Jones, Sievers) and in biochemical separation (Nair, Walton) as well as fundamental modeling of reactions of biomass compounds (Medford).

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Key Contacts

Portrait of Matthew Realff

Matthew Realff

Professor and David I.J. Wang Faculty Fellow, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
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RBI Initiative Lead: Next Generation Refinery

 

Portrait of Zhaohui (Julene) Tong

Zhaohui (Julene) Tong

Associate Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 
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RBI Initiative Lead: Waste Valorization in Food-Energy-Water
Portrait of Valerie Thomas

Valerie Thomas

Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems Professor, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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RBI Initiative Lead: Sustainability Analysis

 

Portrait of Andreas Bommarius

Andy Bommarius

Professor, Clifford W. Rackley Faculty Fellow, and Nobles Family Faculty Fellow, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 
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RBI Initiative Lead: Renewable-based Economy from WOOD (ReWOOD)