Education

Publications

Green Needle Coke Production from Pyrolysis Biocrude toward Bio-based Anode Material Manufacture: Biochar Fines Addition Effect as ?Physical Template? on the Crystalline Order

Molina, E. A. R., Vook, T., Sagues, W. J., Kim, K., Labbe, N., Park, S., & Kelley, S. S. (2023), ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING, 11(18), 6944–6955. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06952

Leveraging the bioeconomy for carbon drawdown

Dees, J. P., Sagues, W. J., Woods, E., Goldstein, H. M., Simon, A. J., & Sanchez, D. L. (2023, April 6), GREEN CHEMISTRY, Vol. 4. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2gc02483g

COUPLING CIRCULARITY WITH CARBON NEGATIVITY IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS

Lower, L., Cunniffe, J., Cheng, J. J., & Sagues, W. J. (2022), JOURNAL OF THE ASABE, 65(4), 849–864. https://doi.org/10.13031/ja.14908

A simple method for producing bio-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Sagues, W. J., Yang, J., Monroe, N., Han, S.-D., Vinzant, T., Yung, M., … Park, S. (2020), Green Chemistry, 22(20), 7093–7108. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0gc02286a

Decarbonizing agriculture through the conversion of animal manure to dietary protein and ammonia fertilizer

Sagues, W. J., Assis, C. A., Hah, P., Sanchez, D. L., Johnson, Z., Acharya, M., … Park, S. (2020), BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, 297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122493

Depolymerization of Lignin into Monophenolics By Ferrous/ Persulfate Reagent Under Mild Conditions

Bao, H., Sagues, W. J., Wang, Y., Peng, W., Zhang, L., Yang, S., … Tong, Z. (2020), ChemSusChem, 10. https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202002240

Prospects for bioenergy with carbon capture & storage (BECCS) in the United States pulp and paper industry

Sagues, W. J., Jameel, H., Sanchez, D. L., & Park, S. (2020). Prospects for bioenergy with carbon capture & storage (BECCS) in the United States pulp and paper industry. Energy & Environmental Science, 13(8), 2243–2261. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ee01107j,

Are lignin-derived carbon fibers graphitic enough?

Sagues, W. J., Jain, A., Brown, D., Aggarwal, S., Suarez, A., Kollman, M., … Argyropoulos, D. S. (2019), Green Chemistry, 21(16), 4253–4265. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9gc01806a

Enhanced carbon dioxide removal from coupled direct air capture-bioenergy systems

Sagues, W. J., Park, S., Jameel, H., & Sanchez, D. L. (2019), SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS, 3(11), 3135–3146. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9se00384c

Potential for ethanol production from different sorghum cultivars

Castro, E., Nieves, I. U., Rondón, V., Sagues, W. J., Fernández-Sandoval, M. T., Yomano, L. P., … Vermerris, W. (2017), Industrial Crops and Products, 109, 367–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.08.050

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Grants

Sargassum and Wood Waste for Aviation Fuel and Graphite (SWAG)

US Dept. of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)(10/01/22 - 9/30/23)

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Sargassum and Wood Waste for Aviation Fuel and Graphite (SWAG)

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

Start Date: 10/01/22

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

This project will merge NREL’s highly robust biomass fractionation and fermentation technology and NCSU’s highly robust graphitization technology to convert two waste streams that are increasingly problematic in the southeastern US and Caribbean states (hurricane-damaged wood waste and Sargassum seaweed) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and graphite for lithium ion batteries (LIB), as shown in Figure 1. NREL has developed fractionation technology for biomass and algae that solubilizes carbohydrates and proteins of varying composition into fermentable hydrolysates. Hydrolysates from woody biomass contain abundant carbohydrates but are typically nutrient-poor for fermentation and require added nutrients, such as nitrogen. Algae (both micro- and macroalgae) hydrolysates are also rich in carbohydrates but are often over-rich in nutrients. Thus, combining these two waste stream hydrolysates in an appropriate ratio will maximize fermentation productivity of SAF precursor (ethanol) while keeping wood waste and Sargassum out of landfills. NCSU and NREL have also demonstrated synthesis of battery-grade graphite from a variety of sustainable feedstocks, including pyrolysis oil, lignin, and cellulose using metallic iron catalysts. This technology is also expected to work well with the insoluble residues from the waste streams described above. The proposed fermentation pathway presents a viable pathway to helping reach BETO’s goal of producing 3 billion gal/year of SAF and the graphite production is compatible with the rapidly growing market for LIB (20% per annum) for portable electronics and electric vehicles.

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A Feasibility Assessment of Waste Cotton to Bioenergy with Carbon Removal

Cotton, Inc. (No pre-award costs/accounts allowed)(4/01/22 - 12/31/23)

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A Feasibility Assessment of Waste Cotton to Bioenergy with Carbon Removal

Sponsor: Cotton, Inc. (No pre-award costs/accounts allowed)

Start Date: 4/01/22

End Date: 12/31/23

Abstract

The overall goal for the project is to fully explore the utilization of waste cotton biomass for bioenergy and carbon removal across the entire cotton and apparel value chain. The project will include a characterization of the amounts of materials available at all stages of the value chain and techno-economic and environmental life cycle analyses of all identified combinations of cotton material-final applications. We will also prioritize these combinations in terms of potential for commercial success/environmental benefit and define areas of further research that will promote these technologies.

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Valorizing Rock Quarry Fines via Soil Carbon Mineralization

The Sunrock Group(4/01/22 - 12/30/22)

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Valorizing Rock Quarry Fines via Soil Carbon Mineralization

Sponsor: The Sunrock Group

Start Date: 4/01/22

End Date: 12/30/22

Abstract

Rock quarry fines will be assessed for their ability to mineralize atmospheric CO2 in agricultural soils.

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EMN-22-S-R-03-Methane Pyrolysis

Eastman Chemical Company(1/16/23 - 1/15/25)

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EMN-22-S-R-03-Methane Pyrolysis

Sponsor: Eastman Chemical Company

Start Date: 1/16/23

End Date: 1/15/25

Abstract

We propose to concurrently investigate two distinct methane pyrolysis approaches to co-produce hydrogen and easily separable value-added carbon products: (a) tailored heterogeneous catalysts for base-growth carbon nanotubes with selective base combustion for nanotube harvesting; and (b) molten phase catalysts that enables phase segregation of the carbon product. It is envisioned that approach a will be implemented in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) system (related processes include CFB combustor or fluid catalytic cracker) and approach b will be implemented in a bubble column reactor (related processes include molten salt systems in nuclear power plants). These complementary approaches can facilitate low cost hydrogen production, facile catalyst-carbon separation, and different forms of value-added carbon products.

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Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration

Novo Nordisk Foundation(9/01/22 - 8/31/27)

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Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration

Sponsor: Novo Nordisk Foundation

Start Date: 9/01/22

End Date: 8/31/27

Abstract

This fundamental research is motivated by three major global challenges that directly involve the transformation of gas molecules: carbon dioxide (CO2) capture for greenhouse gas mitigation, CO2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, and nitrogen (N2) gas conversion to biologically available ammonia to meet growing fertilizer demand. The research focuses on creating and investigating multi-functional interfaces that durably immobilize enzymes near their gaseous substrates while simultaneously delivering essential chemical and electrical reducing equivalents and removing reaction products to achieve maximum catalytic rates. Biocatalytic systems to be explored are: conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase, reduction of CO2 to formate catalyzed by formate dehydrogenase, and reduction of N2 to ammonia catalyzed by nitrogenase. We envision that minimization of reaction barriers near immobilized biocatalyst interfaces involving gas molecule conversions will lead to transformative innovations that help overcome global sustainability challenges.

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Getting to Carbon Neutrality - A National Assessment

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(11/24/21 - 9/30/23)

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Getting to Carbon Neutrality - A National Assessment

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 11/24/21

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

The recent LLNL report Getting to Neutral: Options for Negative Emissions in California was the first economy-wide evaluation of how carbon removal could be used to complete the job of getting to true net zero and meeting our climate goals. It is now appropriate to expand that analysis to the entire nation, producing a technical evaluation of both the options and costs for removing carbon dioxide from the air. This report will bring together experts around the country to evaluate opportunities in natural solutions, biomass solutions with permanent storage, and direct air capture. Key partners have been assembled from the national labs, the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, and universities. These partners will help ensure accuracy and balance in the report. The feasibility and costs will be evaluated on a county level for the entire nation. This will identify how much of each approach can be used in specific areas, which we anticipate will vary dramatically around the nation. Cumulative costs and volumes will be provided by region for the 2050 time frame. The report will evaluate direct removals from the air. This project will evaluate the national opportunities to remove CO2 from the air by evaluating feedstocks, technologies, and limits. This will enable EERE and BETO to coordinate with FECM and ARPA-e to research and develop the most available and cost-effective means to achieve negative emissions.

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Ethanol Fermentation Assessment

Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.(11/01/21 - 3/31/24)

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Ethanol Fermentation Assessment

Sponsor: Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.

Start Date: 11/01/21

End Date: 3/31/24

Abstract

An ethanologenic, WT, non-GMO strain of yeast from Rayonier will be assessed for viability. If viable, cells will be propagated and cultured for further fermentation work. A multitude of culture tubes will be placed in a -80C freezer for preservation. A liquid sample from an existing pulp mill, termed “liquor”, will be characterized and assessed for biotoxicity. The soluble sugars in the liquor will be fermented to ethanol using RYAM’s yeast strain. If needed, commercially available yeast, such as Ethanol Red, will also be used per RYAM’s instruction. A series of process variables, as prescribed by RYAM, will be assessed to identify optimal parameters for ethanol productivity and yield.

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Electrifying Animal & Fish Feed: Leveraging Microbes in Food Waste Anaerobic Digesters to Produce Single Cell Protein via Assimilation of CO2-Derived Formic Acid

NC Biotechnology Center(1/03/22 - 1/02/23)

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Electrifying Animal & Fish Feed: Leveraging Microbes in Food Waste Anaerobic Digesters to Produce Single Cell Protein via Assimilation of CO2-Derived Formic Acid

Sponsor: NC Biotechnology Center

Start Date: 1/03/22

End Date: 1/02/23

Abstract

If funded, this early-stage research will establish the groundwork to ultimately develop an innovative bioprocess that decouples land- and ocean-use from protein feed production by converting air-derived CO2 and N2 into an alternative source of protein to supplement, or possibly replace, certain animal and fish feed products that are currently made in an unsustainable fashion. The potential for economic impact is profound given that animal agriculture and associated industries generate revenues of ~$1.25 trillion each year in the US.21 Electrification of protein via A+B systems has exciting potential to address critical issues in agriculture and aquaculture, and, if successful, this particular project will help realize this potential.

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Enzyme Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion (2E-AD) of Source Separated Organics and Municipal Solid Waste

Novozymes(10/11/21 - 2/28/23)

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Enzyme Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion (2E-AD) of Source Separated Organics and Municipal Solid Waste

Sponsor: Novozymes

Start Date: 10/11/21

End Date: 2/28/23

Abstract

Utilization of various organic waste materials for low-carbon energy production has made significant contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development. Novozymes and North Carolina State University (NCSU) have a common interest in promoting and optimizing bioenergy production from organic waste materials with enzymes. Specifically, we will work collaboratively to develop and optimize an enzyme enhanced anaerobic digestion (2E-AD) bioprocess from source separated organics (SSO) and municipal solid waste (MSW) in this proposed project.

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Butanol & Nanocellulose from CRISPR-Edited Poplar

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services(4/30/21 - 6/29/23)

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Butanol & Nanocellulose from CRISPR-Edited Poplar

Sponsor: NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Start Date: 4/30/21

End Date: 6/29/23

Abstract

We propose an innovative bioprocess that will produce high value cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and butanol fuel from sustainable biomass feedstocks. Specifically, we will assess two biomass feedstocks: 1) poplar-derived market pulp and 2) CRISPR edited whole poplar biomass, as shown in Figure 1. Tailored hemicellulase and cellulase enzymes will be provided by Novozymes to selectively hydrolyze the hemicellulose and amorphous cellulose to generate free sugars and cellulose nanocrystals. The free sugars, both 5- and 6-carbon, will be fermented to butanol fuel via Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum. After fermentation, butanol will serve two beneficial purposes for downstream separation operations: 1) butanol will act as a dispersant inhibiting hydrogen bonding and reducing nanocellulose agglomeration1 and 2) butanol will partially solubilize lignin thereby enhancing liquid/solid separation.2,3

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