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Research Studies2020 Doctoral Graduate Students
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On the Frontline of Emerging Opportunities
Our department is recognized globally for its expertise in:
The Department of Forest Biomaterials is a research powerhouse with an ecosystem built for achievement and collaboration. Using fundamental science and applied engineering skills, coupled with financial and life cycle analyses, our faculty and students examine the practical uses of forest biomass as renewable resources that could form the basis for many products of the future, including biofuels,
bioenergy, bioplastics, chemicals, housing materials, composite components and more.
We call on NC State’s proprietary strengths in new technologies and frequently work with other departments or units across campus to examine uncharted areas related to our fields. Our
interdisciplinary research teams link biotechnology, nanotechnology and other new sciences with wood science and pulp and paper processes to explore new options in fiber sourcing, recycling methods,
innovative uses for materials previously thought to be waste, and improvements in manufacturing and processing methods.
h Renewable chemicals and energy h Business processes and innovation h Sustainable materials and technology
h Advanced manufacturing h Novel forest-based biomaterials h Paper science and processes
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Hands-On and Future-FocusedGraduate programs in the Department of Forest Biomaterials emphasize hands-on research, teaching and
real-world field opportunities. Our master’s and Ph.D. students work alongside world-class faculty and industry leaders to learn the theory and applications of chemistry, physics and engineering as it pertains
to biomaterial science and engineering. Major areas of activity are concentrated in the bioenergy, biopolymers, wood and paper fields.
Students who successfully complete our graduate degree programs are in high demand throughout the United States and around the world. Our alumni fill leadership roles in management, research, technical
services, marketing, engineering, and academia across a wide variety of sectors involving wood and paper sciences, paper engineering and, most recently, forest biomaterials.
Contact Information
For more information about our students and our unique program, please contact Dr. Joel Pawlak, Director of Graduate Programs, or Michele Serrano, Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
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Dr. Dimitris ArgyropoulosWood chemistry, biomaterial characterization, carbohydrate, lignin, polymer chemistry
Dr. Medwick Byrd Mechanical, chemical and non-wood pulping, bleaching, agricultural residue processing
Dr. Hou-Min Chang Chemistry of lignin, pulping and bleaching processes, and biomass conversion
Dr. Ronalds GonzalezConversion economics and sustainability. Co-director, Tissue Pack Innovation Lab
Dr. Hasan JameelPulping and bleaching processes, chemistry of lignin
Dr. Steve Kelley Sustainable production of energy and materials from biomass
Dr. Frederik Laleicke Educational programs and assistance for wood waste and reclaimed wood utilization in North Carolina
Dr. Nathalie LavoineRenewable nanomaterials, biopolymers, active and intelligent packaging, controlled release systems, sustainable processing
Dr. Marko HakovirtaPhysics, materials science, sustainable technologies, innovation management and economics, new product commercialization
Dr. Lucian LuciaGreen chemistry, fiber and polymer science, chemical modification of polysaccharides
Dr. Phillip MitchellValue-added wood products, lumber cut-up improvement, lumber drying, wood properties and behavior
Dr. Martin Hubbe Papermaking wet-end chemistry; colloidal and surface chemistry of cellulosic materials
Our Faculty
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Dr. Lokendra PalFunctional coatings, smart packaging, digital/3D printing, printed electronics
Dr. Sunkyu ParkBiomass reactivity, biorefinery development for biofuels and bio-based products, dissolving pulp applications
Dr. Melissa PasquinelliFibrous and biopolymeric materials, environmental chemistry, interfacial engineering, molecular modeling
Dr. Joel PawlakEngineering multiphase materials, enzymatic manipulation of material structure, nanoscale fiber composites
Dr. Perry PeraltaWood physical properties, wood mechanics, statistical process control
Dr. Richard PhililpsCost and financial analysis of pulp/paper and biorefinery operations
Dr. Daniel SaloniProcess improvement, supply chain, biomass and bioenergy conversion
Dr. David TilottaHousing and analytical chemistry, chemical contamination, decontamination of wood
Dr. Richard VendittiModification and utilization of biopolymers in new products, paper recycling, environmental life cycle analysis
Dr. Yuan YaoIndustrial ecology, sustainable engineering, data analytics, quantitative analysis for accelerating RD&D in renewable energy technologies
Dr. Ilona PeszlenWood anatomy and properties, effects of environment on wood and fiber properties, utilization of plantation wood
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Select Student Research
Salonika Aggarwal, Ph.D. Summer 2020Novel industrial applications of supercritical CO2 for drying, extraction and 3D printing
pg 10 Mochen Liao, Ph.D. Summer 2022 Quantifying energy demand and GHG emissions of activated carbon production from diverse woody biomass
pg 18
David Cruz Rios, Ph.D. Fall 2023 Techno-economic analysis for the production of fuels and polymer precursors from biomass- derived carbohydrates
pg 11 A. Griffin Miller, Ph.D. Spring 2022 Enzymatic extraction of xylo-oligosaccharides from hardwood bleached pulp
pg 19
Soojin Kwon, Ph.D. Summer 2022 Aquatic biodegradation of nonwoven disposable structures
pg 17 Marielis C. Zambrano, Ph.D. Fall 2020 Microfiber release during laundering and their biodegradability in aquatic environments
pg 25
Joseph Nicolas Gutierrez Pena, M.S. Summer 2020Sustainable biomaterials to reduce the environmental impact of single-use disposable plastics
pg 13 William (Joe) Sagues, Ph.D. Summer 2020 Bio-based materials for energy storage and CO2 removal
pg 21
Juliana Jardim, Ph.D. Fall 2021 Assessment of the chemical structure and properties of kraft lignins
pg 14 Khandoker Salem, Ph.D. Fall 2020 Elucidation of the nanofibrillated cellulose reactivity for efficient production and controlled surface grafting
pg 22
Matt Kollman, Ph.D. Spring 2020 Kraft lignin upgrading through catalytic hydrogenolysis and chemical modification
pg 15 Heather Starkey, Ph.D. Spring 2022 Nanocellulose functionalization and application for light-weight and sustainable packaging s olutions
pg 23
Rajnish Kumar, Ph.D. Summer 2022 Developing potential applications for alternative natural fibers, specialty papers, non-woven and biocomposites
pg 16 Ramakrishna Trovagunta, Ph.D. Summer 2021 Understanding the synergy between lignin and cellulose nanomaterials for advanced functional foams
pg 24
Mrittika Debnath, Ph.D. Fall 2022 Modification of fiber to develop sustainable and biodegradable products
pg 12 Hyeonji Park, Ph.D. Summer 2022 Catalytic upgrading of carbohydrates in waste streams to hydrocarbons
pg 20
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Salonika Aggarwal
Research Advisors: Dr. Marko Hakovirta
Research Interests: Industrial applications of supercritical carbon dioxide in drying and extraction, formulation of novel biocomposites for 3D printing and its diverse applications
Skills: Material characterization, drying technology development, extraction technology development, development of biocomposites, additive manufacturing, microbiological testing
Education: M.Tech Pulp and Paper Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India, 2013 B.Tech Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, India, 2011
Experience: Technical Officer, Food Corporation of India, India, July 2014 - Dec 2017 Assistant Professor, Bharat Institute of Technology, July 2013 - March 2014
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
NOVEL INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF SUPERCRITICAL CO2 FOR DRYING, EXTRACTION AND 3D PRINTING
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David Cruz Rios
Research Advisors: Dr. Sunkyu Park and Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez
Research Interests: Biorefinery development for biofuels and bio-based products
Skills: Process development, modeling and optimization for techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA)
Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2011
Experience: Recovery Boiler and Paper Machine Process Engineer, Smurfit Kappa, January 2012 - July 2019
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Fall 2023
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FUELS AND POLYMER PRECURSORS FROM BIOMASS-DERIVED CARBOHYDRATES
DECONSTRUCTION
FEEDSTOCK
BIOFUELS / POLYMER PRECURSORS
SIMULATION AND PROCESS DATA
TEA & LCA
ü CAPITAL COSTü OPERATING COSTü EMISSION INVENTORY
ü BIOPRODUCTS SELLING PRICEü EMISSION INTENSITY
-OPT
IMIZ
ATIO
N -
General Objective:
Develop and optimizing processes for converting carbohydrates from organic waste streams into biofuels and/or polymer precursors both economically and sustainably.
Specific Objectives:
9 Propose the chemical path to upgrade carbohydrates to hydrocarbon products that can be blended into jet or diesel fuel.
9 Determine an economically feasible process for the production of bio-based PET precursors.
$CO2
BIOMASS FEEDSTOCK
CATALYTIC REACTIONS
DECONSTRUCTIONBIOFUELS
BIO-PRODUCTS
PROFITABLE
SUSTAINABLE
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Mrittika Debnath
Research Advisors: Dr. Lokendra Pal
Research Interests: Cellulose-based bioproducts, sustainable barrier coatings and composites, 3D printable/moldable biomaterials
Skills: Expert in cellulose-based bioproducts, chromatography and spectroscopy. Works well individually or in a team
Education: M.S. Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, 2018 M.S. Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, 2015 B.S. Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, 2013
Experience: Research Assistant in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Visiting Researcher in Bangladesh Institute of Public Health
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Fall 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
MODIFICATION OF FIBER TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS
O2 H2O Grease, oils (l)
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Motivation: Innovate alternative fibers and chemistries (fluorochemicals free) to develop sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials. These materials are expected to expand the accessibility and use of bioproducts to replace their less-sustainable counterparts.
Create a systematic understanding of the influences of mechanical and chemical treatment of different lignocellulose materials.Measure changes in surface morphology and chemistry, and resulting changes in functional properties such as oil and grease resistance, moisture, and oxygen barrier.
(1) Prepare multiscale cellulose substrates from different feedstocks with varying mechanical and chemical modifications.
(2) Perform surface functionalization using nanocellulose-based coatings and composites.
(3) Quantify fundamental material properties such as morphology, chemistry, and crystallinity, and correlate the resulting changes with functional properties such as oil and grease resistance.
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Joseph Nicolas Gutierrez Pena
Research Advisors: Dr. Lokendra Pal and Dr. Richard Venditti
Research Interests: Plastics pollution, paper straws, proteins, coating, biodegradable alternatives, sustainable biopolymers, materials characterization
Skills: Biopolymers development, characterization and testing, coating applications, paper testing, protein analysis
Education: M.S. Forest Biomaterials, NCSU, 2018-2020, B.S. Chemical Engineering, ULA, Merida, Venezuela, 2017
Experience: Research Assistant 2018 - 2020, Teaching Assistant 2019 - 2020
Website: www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph_Gutierrez5 www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-gutierrez-peña-b6a242145
Masters Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
SUSTAINABLE BIOMATERIALS TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SINGLE-USE DISPOSABLE PLASTICS
• Evaluate tobacco derived protein (TDP) and alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) as binder in paper and paperboard coating application
• Compare TDP and APC with soy protein isolate (SPI) as an alternative to latex (SBR)
• Determine the impact of the protein structure on the coating properties
• Reduction of synthetic polymers in coating application
• Sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers
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Juliana Jardim
Research Advisors: Dr. Lucian Lucia, Dr. Hasan Jameel, Dr. Hou-min Chang and Dr. Peter Hart
Research Interests: Sustainability, lignocellulosic processing, biorefinery, biopolymers, lignin properties and opportunities
Skills: Adaptability, open minded, responsibility, dedication to goals, teamwork, resourcefulness, problem solving
Education: M.S. Pulp and Paper Technology, NC State University, 2017 B.S. Forest Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2014
Experience: Several internships/projects dealing with biomass quality, bioenergy, and pulp and paper manufacturing
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-jardim-033a6a59 www.researchgate.net/profile/Juliana_Marangon_Jardim
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Fall 2021
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
ASSESSMENT OF THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF KRAFT LIGNINS
Motivation: Lack of understanding of hardwood lignin precipitation is a significant hurdle toward its fully characterization and utilization
Lignin Applications:
Lignin precipitation and characterization
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Matt Kollman
Research Advisors: Dr. Hasan Jameel and Dr. Hou-min Chang
Research Interests: Renewable feedstock upgrading, polymer chemistry, catalytic deconstruction of lignin to chemicals and fuels
Skills: Natural polymer characterization, process development and modelling for lab and industrial scale operations
Education: M.S. Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013 B.S. Chemical Engineering; B.S. Paper Science and Engineering, NC State University, 2011
Experience: Process Engineer, Robins and Morton, May 2013 - May 2016
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Spring 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
KRAFT LIGNIN UPGRADING THROUGH CATALYTIC HYDROGENOLYSIS AND CHEMICAL MODIFICATION
Motivation
• Create value for pulp and paper and other biorefinery industries
• Develop sustainable alternative source of carbon for plastics, chemicals and liquid fuels
Future Biorefinery
Depolymerization
Disassembly of lignin network
Lignin Oil Upgrading
Create aviation-grade fuel from kraft lignin
Chemical Modification
Investigate lignin modification methodologies and applications
Catalytic Hydrogenolysis
Hydrotreating or Functionalization
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Rajnish Kumar
Research Advisors: Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez and Dr. Hasan Jameel
Research Interests: Alternative natural fibers applications, specialty papers, non-woven, biocomposites, cost and financial analysis, integrated supply chain analysis
Skills: Fiber characterization, non-wood pulping and bleaching, techno-economic analysis
Education: MBA. Finance, Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur, 2018 B Tech. Pulp and Paper Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 2012
Experience: Credit and Underwriting, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, May 2018 - July 2019 Sales and Service, Voith Paper, July 2012 - May 2016
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/rajnishkumar90
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE NATURAL FIBERS, SPECIALTY PAPERS, NON-WOVEN AND BIOCOMPOSITES
Fiber Characterization
• Fiber Structure & Morphology• Mechanical Properties• Chemical Composition• Thermal Properties• Surface Composition
• Fique Vs Abaca Vs Sisal Fibers• Wood Fibers• Synthetic Fibers
Fiber Benchmarking
TEA
Potential Applications
• Chemical Treatments• Pulping & Bleaching• Refining Studies• Enzymatic modifications
• Specialty Papers• Nonwovens• Bio-composites
Fiber Modifications
• Technical & Financial Feasibility
Motivation • Develop eco-friendly cost
effective substitutes for petroleum based synthetic fibers and scarce wood resources
• Create values for the farmers of natural fibers
Problem StatementInformation regarding natural fibers is scattered and there are wide variations in the morphological and mechanical properties as reported in literature. Lack of standards and high variability in the properties of various natural fibers are key deterrent in their generalized applications.
Leaf-based natural fibers such as abaca, fique and sisai are very stiff and are considered among the strongest fibers available on Earth. Characterizing them in terms of their various properties and benchmarking against other fibers would help in unlocking their potential applications.
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Soojin Kwon
Research Advisors: Dr. Richard Venditti and Dr. Joel Pawlak
Research Interests: Aquatic biodegradation of natural and synthetic polymers and nonwoven structures
Skills: Polymers and nonwovens characterization, aquatic biodegradation and composting
Education: M.S. Environmental Materials science, Seoul National University, 2019 B.S. Environmental Materials Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, 2017
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
AQUATIC BIODEGRADATION OF NONWOVEN DISPOSABLE STRUCTURES
Plastic waste, including those from nonwoven materials
• Drastically increased → aquatic ecosystem impacts
Nonwoven products: A large spectrum of raw materials
• ranging from natural fibers to man-made fibers → Complexity of nonwoven biodegradation
Society’s demand for environmental-friendly products
Understand the physical and chemical factors that determine the aquatic biodegradability of nonwoven structures
Structural properties• Web formation• Bonding process
Raw materials• Renewable / Synthetic polymers
Mechanical properties
Microfiber generation
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Mochen LiaoPh.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
QUANTIFYING ENERGY DEMAND AND GHG EMISSIONS OF ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCTION FROM DIVERSE WOODY BIOMASS
Research Advisors: Dr. Yuan Yao and Dr. Stephen S. Kelley
Research Interests: Life cycle assessment, artificial intelligence, modeling and simulation of biomaterials and bioenergy production
Skills: Programming for AI models, chemical process simulation
Education: B.S. Applied Chemistry and Computer Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, 2017
Experience: Machine learning internship, ExLattice, October 2019 - January 2020
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/mochen-liao
Motivation: Life cycle inventory data gap of activated carbon production processes and the importance of activated carbon in soil amendment and wastewater treatment.
Activated Carbon Production:
• Develop the model for simulating different activated carbon production processes
• Investigate the influences of feedstocks and operational condition in producing activated carbon
• Reduce the process energy consumption and GHG emission of activated carbon production
Artificial Neural Network
Pyrolysis Kinetic Model
Process Simulation
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A. Griffin Miller
Research Advisors: Dr. Sunkyu Park and Dr. Richard Venditti
Research Interests: Biomass upgrading, value-added products, selective modification, polymer chemistry
Skills: Enzyme characterization and utilization, organic chemistry, biochemical assays
Education: B.S. Biochemistry; Minor in Physics, North Carolina State University, 2019
Experience: Quality Control Intern, Novozymes, May 2017- September 2017
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/griffin-miller-agm
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Spring 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
ENZYMATIC EXTRACTION OF XYLO-OLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM HARDWOOD BLEACHED PULP
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Hyeonji Park
Research Advisors: Dr. Sunkyu Park and Dr. Hasan Jameel
Research Interests: Biomass upgrading, waste stream separation, renewable chemical conversion, chemical modification
Skills: Biochemical characterization, pretreatment and development of waste resources to intermediates
Education: M.S. Department of Forest Sciences, Seoul National University, 2018 B.S. Department of Forest Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Resources, Seoul National University, 2016
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/hyeonjipark
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
CATALYTIC UPGRADING OF CARBOHYDRATES IN WASTE STREAMS TO HYDROCARBONS
Goal:To convert carbohydrates recovered from wet waste stream into hydrocarbon biofuel
Motivation: To suggest the beneficial and sustainable chain of using waste resources for high value-added product instead of landfill or lagoon
Pretreatment of wet waste streamRecovery of carbohydrates
Development of intermediateHigh sugar conversion rate(e.g. enzymatic hydrolysis)High yield of furan derivatives
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William (Joe) Sagues
Research Advisors: Dr. Sunkyu Park and Dr. Hasan Jameel
Research Interests: Bio-based energy storage materials, CO2 capture and utilization, lignin valorization, systems-level innovation
Skills: Biomass graphitization, lignin solvolysis, fermentation, industrial bioprocessing, techno-economic analysis
Education: M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 2015 M.S. Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 2015 B.S. Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, 2012
Experience: Graduate Student Research Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, 2020 Technology-to-Market Scholar, U.S. Department of Energy, ARPA-E, 2018 Bioprocess Engineer, University of Florida and Georgia Pacific, 2012 - 2015
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
BIO-BASED MATERIALS FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND CO2 REMOVAL
• Graphite constitutes ≈ 15 - 30 wt% of Li-ion batteries
• 115 Li-ion “megafactories” in development for electric vehicle deployment
• Innovative, sustainable methods for producing battery-grade graphite needed
• Convert lignocellulosic biomass to battery-grade graphite
• Use earth abundant catalyst and low temperature treatment
• Develop cost-effective process
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 1200 1400 1600 1800
X-ray diffraction Raman spectroscopy
Catalyzed production of graphite at moderate temperatures
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Khandoker Salem
Research Advisors: Dr. Lokendra Pal and Dr. Lucian Lucia
Research Interests: Surface modification, polymer chemistry, fiber modification for barrier properties application
Skills: Surface modification, microscopic visualization of fiber morphology, barrier properties application
Education: M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, NC State University, 2017 M.S. Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, 2012 B.S. Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, 2010
Experience: Lecturer, Daffodil International University, August 2012 - April 2014 Lecturer, University of Dhaka, April 2014 - August 2015
Website: www.researchgate.net/profile/Khandoker_Salem
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Fall 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
ELUCIDATION OF THE NANOFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE REACTIVITY FOR EFFICIENT PRODUCTION AND CONTROLLED SURFACE GRAFTING
Motivation
Global Packaging Trend
Sustainability will be the top trend
Food Safety and Performance are and will remain top trend
Cost falls in importance
Food preservation& food security for growing population
§ Use Cellulose nanofibrils for barrier properties
§ Chemical modification of cellulose nanofibrils to impart hydrophobic properties
2000 1500 1000
Tran
smitt
ance
(T%
)
Wave Number (cm-1)
Modified NFC Unmodified NFC
17401370
1229
SBHK
SBHK Suspension
Grinding Stone (Fixed)
Grinding Stone (Rotate)
Gap width
reduced2500 rpm
NFC gel
Diluted NFC suspension
Acetylated NFC
Wavenumber
Tran
smitt
ance
Water In
Water Out
ClampThermometer
Oil
Magnetic Stirrer
1740 1370
1229
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Heather StarkeyPh.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Spring 2022
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
NANOCELLULOSE FUNCTIONALIZATION AND APPLICATION FOR LIGHT-WEIGHT AND SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
Develop stronger, lighter packaging materials
Enhance barrier properties such as oil and grease resistance
Develop pathways to enhance or mitigate nanocellulose dewatering
Sustainable materials solutions
Provide food security
Support e-commerce growth
Aid the development of a circular economy
.
Lignin-containing nanofibrils& chemical
modification
+
Recycled Old
Corrugated Container Handsheet
properties tested
according to TAPPI standard
methods
Unbleached softwood
Research Advisors: Dr. Lokendra Pal and Dr. Hasan Jameel
Research Interests: Smart packaging, chemical modification of polysaccharides and data analytics
Skills: Advanced process engineering, data analysis/visualization, sustainable materials and chemistry, mentoring
Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, B.S. Paper Science and Engineering, NC State University, 2017
Experience: Three years of industrial experience leading process and product development in the paper industry globally
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/heatherstarkey
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Ramakrishna TrovaguntaPh.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Summer 2021
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
UNDERSTANDING THE SYNERGY BETWEEN LIGNIN AND CELLULOSE NANOMATERIALS FOR ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL FOAMS
Research Advisors: Dr. Nathalie Lavoine and Dr. Stephen S. Kelley
Research Interests: Biopolymers, wood, cellulose nanomaterials, lignin, foams, renewable materials, cushioning materials
Skills: Production and characterization of cellulose nanomaterials, infrared, UV-visible and dynamic light spectroscopy, 3D printing, benchtop scanning electron microscopy
Education: M.R. Nanoengineering, Materials Science and Engineering, NC State University, 2018 B.Tech. Nanotechnology, SRM University, 2016
Experience: Mentoring Experiences: Summer 2020 (Research experience for undergraduates) Lab Manager: Fall 2018 - Present
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/ramakrishna-trovagunta-05b06677
Woody-biomass as a greener alternative to
petroleum-based plastics
Woody-biomass to advanced functional ligno-nanocellulose foams
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Marielis C. Zambrano
Research Advisors: Dr. Richard Venditti and Dr. Joel Pawlak
Research Interests: Microplastic pollution, polymer biodegradation, biomaterials, sustainability, and circular economy
Skills: Characterization of polymeric materials, biodegradability testing, and bacterial community analysis
Education: B. S. Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela, 2014
Experience: Project Manager and Sustainability Manager, Procter and Gamble, April 2014 - December 2016
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/marieliszambrano
Ph.D. Forest Biomaterials, Expected Graduation Fall 2020
BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: METHODS:
MICROFIBER RELEASE DURING LAUNDERING AND THEIR BIODEGRADABILITY IN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS
Microplastics are EVERYWHERE!!!
www.adventurescientists.org/microplastics.html
Seafood Beer
Tap Water Sea Salt“Microplastics (MPs) are synthetic polymer particles with
regular or irregular shape and with size ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm” (Frias and Nash, 2019).
Main sources of primary MPs: micro size fibers or “MICROFIBERS” released from textiles during laundering
(Boucher and Friot, 2017).
Study the fate and role of textile natural fibers in the anthropogenic pollution of freshwater and
marine environments
Rayon Cotton Polyester/Cotton Polyester
O2 CO2
H2O Biomass
Microfiber Generation
SDL Atlas Launder-Ometer
Accelerated Laundering Experiments
Load4 in x 4 in (0.006 Lb.)
Home Laundering Experiments
Washing Machine
Load4 Lb.
Aerobic Biodegradation
%𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁 = 𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑻
*100
Polymer +𝑂𝑂< → 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂< + 𝐻𝐻<𝑂𝑂 + 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
Respirometer RSA PF-8000
Oxygen Uptake (Ou)Theoretical Oxygen Demand (ThOD)
T = 25°CTest medium = Inoculum + Nutrients
Standards: ISO 14851 / ASTM D6691
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