Education

Research Description

Microalgae culture and bioprocessing; Fermentations; Sustainable agriculture; Artificial photosynthesis and bioseparations; Biomass thermochemical conversion; Microbial and bio-fuel cells; Biodiesel quality control and utilization

Honors and Awards

• NCSU University Faculty Scholar, 2017
• ASABE Rain Bird Engineering Concept of the Year Award, 2016
• ASABE Superior Paper Award, 2015
• ASABE New Holland Young Researcher Award, 2012
• NSF CAREER Award, 2010
• Mid-central section of the ASABE Distinguished Service Award, 2010
• ASABE Superior Paper Award, 2006
• ASABE Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award 1st place (Ph.D.), 2005
• AOCABFE Scholarly Achievement Award, 2005
• AOCABFE Research Paper Award, 2nd place, 2005

Publications

Antibacterial Effects of Brown Algae Extract against Tilapia Spoilage Bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Shewanella putrefaciens

Liu, X., Yuan, W., & Liu, Y. (2023), BIORESOURCES, 18(2), 2897–2912. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.18.2.2897-2912

Biochar from agricultural residues for soil conditioning: Technological status and life cycle assessment

James, A., Sanchez, A., Prens, J., & Yuan, W. (2022). [Review of , ]. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH, 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100314

Succinic acid fermentation from agricultural wastes: The producing microorganisms and their engineering strategies

Wang, J., Zeng, A.-ping, & Yuan, W. (2022). [Review of , ]. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH, 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100313

Ultrasound for microalgal cell disruption and product extraction: A review

Liu, Y., Liu, X., Cui, Y., & Yuan, W. (2022). [Review of , ]. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY, 87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106054

Understanding and Engineering Glycine Cleavage System and Related Metabolic Pathways for C1-Based Biosynthesis

Ren, J., Wang, W., Nie, J., Yuan, W., & Zeng, A.-P. (2022), ONE-CARBON FEEDSTOCKS FOR SUSTAINABLE BIOPRODUCTION, Vol. 180, pp. 273–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/10_2021_186

Algal Lysis by Sagittula stellata for the Production of Intracellular Valuables

Wang, M., Yuan, W. qiao, Chen, S., Wang, L., Zhao, S., & Li, S. (2021), APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, 193(8), 2516–2533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-021-03502-2

EFFICIENT PHOSPHATE REMOVAL IN SWINE WASTEWATEWATER USING Fe-Mn-MODIFIED PYRO/HYDROCHAR FROM SWINE MANURE

Zhu, F., Zhang, C., Shan, S., Yuan, W., PawLowski, A., Song, C., … Qian, J. (2021), ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ENGINEERING, 47(3), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.37190/epe210307

Algal biorefinery to value-added products by using combined processes based on thermochemical conversion: A review

Fan, L., Zhang, H., Li, J., Wang, Y., Leng, L., Li, J., … Zhou, W. (2020). [Review of , ]. ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS, 47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.101819

Algal cell lysis by bacteria: A review and comparison to conventional methods

Wang, M., Chen, S., Zhou, W., Yuan, W., & Wang, D. (2020). [Review of , ]. ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS, 46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2020.101794

Biochar production and applications in agro and forestry systems: A review

Wang, D., Jiang, P., Zhang, H., & Yuan, W. (2020). [Review of , ]. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137775

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Grants

High-Purity Bio-Hydrogen from Industrial Hemp Biomass

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services(4/01/22 - 3/31/24)

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High-Purity Bio-Hydrogen from Industrial Hemp Biomass

Sponsor: NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Start Date: 4/01/22

End Date: 3/31/24

Abstract

Hydrogen gas (H2) has been considered as one of the most promising fuels because of its super clean and highly efficient conversion to energy. It is mainly used as a fuel for fuel cells, rockets and spaceships. It is also commonly used in hydrogenation where H2 is introduced into foods or chemicals. Currently, approximately 100 million m3 (or 3.5 billion ft3, at 1 atm) of H2 is sold in the United States each year, of which 48% is from natural gas reforming, 30% from refinery-gas/chemicals, 18% from coal gasification, and 4% from electrolysis of water. The major challenge with H2 fuel is its high production cost, which is strongly dependent on the energy source and technology used. In order to make H2 fuel more economically feasible and sustainable, cheaper and renewable energy source (e.g., biomass) and better technologies are necessary. The objective of this proposal is to develop H2 from a low value biomass, hemp hurd. Industrial hemp is a growing agricultural industry in North Carolina that offers an additional economic opportunity for existing farm operations. North Carolina continues to operate under the USDA Industrial Hemp Pilot Program authorized in 2014. Hemp is a promising crop due to its diversity in bioproduct applications, including the flower oil for health benefits, seeds for nutrition, and fiber for textiles. Currently, most of the industrial hemp production is for the cannabidiol (CBD) oil extracted from the floral buds and the smokable flower market. Hemp hurd is comprised of the residual components after flower, seeds, and fibers have been removed, and mainly consists of stalks and stems. Compared to corn stover, hemp hurd is of similar composition, albeit with higher lignin content and lower ash content.[56] North Carolina planted over 9000 acres of hemp in 2019 with the majority dedicated to CBD oil production. Unfortunately, most hemp growers in 2019 did not achieve their anticipated revenues due to oversupply across the U.S., limited processing capacity and other factors, leading to a sharp decline in planted acres in 2020. This has resulted in an abundance of excess hemp being stored by growers around the state. In addition, there is currently very low demand for the hurd material due to a lack of high-value product applications. Thus, new, high-value products derived from hemp hurd would allow growers to utilize all components of the hemp plant and ultimately increase and stabilize revenue streams.

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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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Biochar-Based Soil Nutrient Carriers: Production, Processing and Performance

US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)(7/15/19 - 7/14/24)

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Biochar-Based Soil Nutrient Carriers: Production, Processing and Performance

Sponsor: US Dept. of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)

Start Date: 7/15/19

End Date: 7/14/24

Abstract

It is extremely important and urgent to develop fertilizers that can not only enhance crop yields, but also protect the environment by reducing nutrient losses! This project will develop a biochar-based organic fertilizer from an engineered biochar-manure co-aging (EBMCA) process. The resultant EBMCA fertilizer is expected to be superior to sole manure or biochar in that it enhances soil N retention capability and improves the synchrony between nutrient supply and nutrient need due to biochar’s unique characteristics: 1) A high ion exchange capacity (IEC) and a modifiable nature of IEC via abiotic and biotic oxidation processes; 2) A large surface area and porosity for carrying abundant and diverse beneficial microbes; 3) A powerful adsorption for retaining, stabilizing and buffering N from manure and soil. This project aims to characterize a number of properties and processes during the production and application of the fertilizer, includes five objectives: 1) Correlate gasification conditions with the chemical and physical properties of reproducible biochars as a bioenergy co-product in low-temperature gasification; 2) Elucidate the effects of the biochar quality and quantity on nutrient retention and/or loss during manure co-aging process; 3) Examine the impacts of the biochar-based organic fertilizer on soil properties and processes underlying soil nutrient release patterns and greenhouse gas emissions; 4) Evaluate the performance of the biochar-based organic fertilizer in terms of crop nutrient use efficiency, performance/quality, and yield;

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Renewable Paving Binders from Top-lit Updraft Kilning of Biomass

National Science Foundation (NSF)(6/15/15 - 5/31/21)

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Renewable Paving Binders from Top-lit Updraft Kilning of Biomass

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 6/15/15

End Date: 5/31/21

Abstract

The long-term goal of the proposed research is develop a sustainable alternative to asphalt binder in pavements. For an alternative binder to be viable as a replacement to asphalt cement, it must (a) be derived from renewable sources that can be produced economically in mass quantities, (b) require less energy and produce fewer emissions than the production and construction of concrete using current asphalt binder technology, and (c) demonstrate equal or superior performance over asphalt binder. To best meet these objectives, bio-binders will be produced using thermo-chemical conversion of biomass. Biomass feedstock and thermo-chemical conversion operating parameters will be varied in order to link inputs to produce a viable paving binder. Rigorous analyses of bio-binder chemical composition and properties will be conducted to assess the viability of bio-binders produced for use in pavements. In addition, preliminary trials of producing bio-binder – aggregate mixtures will be conducted using conventional laboratory methods for producing asphalt mixtures. Performance testing of bio-binder – aggregate mixtures will be conducted to assess their performance and to link critical bio-binder properties to the resultant performance of mixtures. In addition, life cycle analysis will be conducted to assess the sustainability of bio-binders compared to petroleum-based asphalts.

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Collaborative Research: Artificial Photosynthesis Based on Archaeal Lipids and Proteins for Biofuels

National Science Foundation (NSF)(9/01/14 - 8/31/18)

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Collaborative Research: Artificial Photosynthesis Based on Archaeal Lipids and Proteins for Biofuels

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 9/01/14

End Date: 8/31/18

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to fabricate a highly efficient and durable, membrane-based artificial photosynthesis device using novel lipids and enzymes from thermoacidophiles. The system will be capable of converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into carbohydrates for the production of biofuels such as ethanol. Microbe growth, protein and lipid purification and characterization, membrane biophysics, biochemical assays, various spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, circular dichroism, UV-visible and infrared, as well as Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) technology will be employed.

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Bio-Binders From Hydrothermal Conversion of Biomass for Paving Applications

NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program(1/01/13 - 12/31/13)

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Bio-Binders From Hydrothermal Conversion of Biomass for Paving Applications

Sponsor: NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program

Start Date: 1/01/13

End Date: 12/31/13

Abstract

Currently, over 90% of pavements worldwide are constructed with an asphaltic surface, which results in use of 30 million tons of asphalt annually in the US alone. Asphalt is a byproduct of refining petroleum, a non-renewable resource and thus, supplies are diminishing. There is a need for development of alternative binders from bio-renewable resources. This project will investigate the use of bio-binders produced via hydrothermal conversion of biomass as an alternative to asphalt. Both micro algae and corn cob will be evaluated as biomass feedstock for production of bio-binders. Experimental characterization of bio-binders will be conducted to assess their potential use as paving binders.

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GOALI/Collaborative Research: Additive Manufacturing for a Highly Efficient Artificial Photosynthesis Device with Multi-layer Interconnected Channels and Micro-Porous Structures

National Science Foundation (NSF)(6/15/13 - 5/31/18)

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GOALI/Collaborative Research: Additive Manufacturing for a Highly Efficient Artificial Photosynthesis Device with Multi-layer Interconnected Channels and Micro-Porous Structures

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 6/15/13

End Date: 5/31/18

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to fabricate an artificial photosynthesis device that is capable of converting sunlight, CO2 and water into sugars/glucose for the production of biofuels. Additive manufacturing (AM) enhanced by high-resolution heterogeneous material printing technology and multi-function nozzle array will be investigated to design and build the innovative device with multi-layer interconnected channels and micro-porous structures. This research will enable manufacturing and deployment of large-scale solar conversion systems that not only mimic the nature process of photosynthesis for the production of biofuels, but also make these reactions independent of the life of nature plants.

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Bio-Hydrogen Generation in a Sequential Fermentation-Microbial Electrolysis System

NCSU Faculty Research & Professional Development Fund(7/01/12 - 6/30/13)

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Bio-Hydrogen Generation in a Sequential Fermentation-Microbial Electrolysis System

Sponsor: NCSU Faculty Research & Professional Development Fund

Start Date: 7/01/12

End Date: 6/30/13

Abstract

The long term goal of this new program is to enable cost-effective bio-hydrogen production using waste/low-value materials, such as hemicellulose in biomass. The objective of this proposal is to understand the effect of pH on bio-H2 generation of a sequential fermentation-microbial electrolysis system (SFMES) using xylose as the carbon source. Clostridium tyrobutyricum will be used to decompose xylose to make organic acids and H2 in the first step. The organic acids will then be fed to a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) in the second step to generate H2 on the cathode side. With the input of a low-cost, widely available carbon source, hydrogen will be produced in both steps. The project will lay the foundation for the PI (a new tenure-track faculty) to establish a new research program focusing on bio-H2 production, and will generate preliminary data for future grant proposals.

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Nozzle design and fluid dynamics for algal cell disruption and lipid extraction

NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program(7/01/12 - 6/30/13)

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Nozzle design and fluid dynamics for algal cell disruption and lipid extraction

Sponsor: NCSU Research and Innovation Seed Funding Program

Start Date: 7/01/12

End Date: 6/30/13

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to foster collaboration between two junior faculty in Biological Engineering (Dr. Wayne Yuan, CALS) and Mechanical Engineering (Dr. Tiegang Fang, COE) to generate preliminary data for upcoming NSF proposals. The proposed work will focus on a grand challenge in algal biofuel production ? algal cell disruption and lipid extraction. The effect of spray nozzle design and processing conditions on algae cell disruption and lipid extraction, as well as the mechanism (fluid dynamics) of the proposed nozzle spraying system will be studied. This project integrates research in algal cell mechanics, cell-based multiparametric detection, advanced fluid dynamics, and mechanical system design. It will lead to submission of grant proposals to the CMMI and CBET divisions of NSF, and will eventually contribute to economical algal biofuel manufacturing that will greatly benefit the U.S. economy and energy security, as well as society and the environment in general.

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EAGER/Collaborative Research: Solid Freeform Fabrication of a Conceptual Artificial Photosynthesis Device

National Science Foundation (NSF)(1/01/12 - 7/31/13)

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EAGER/Collaborative Research: Solid Freeform Fabrication of a Conceptual Artificial Photosynthesis Device

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 1/01/12

End Date: 7/31/13

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to fabricate an artificial photosynthesis device that is capable of converting sunlight, CO2 and water into sugars for the production of biofuels. Solid freeform fabrication (SFF) enhanced by high-resolution heterogeneous printing technology will be investigated to design and build the innovative device with multi-layer interconnected channels and micro-porous structures. This research will enable manufacturing and deployment of large-scale solar conversion systems that not only mimic the nature process of photosynthesis for the production of biofuels, but also make these reactions independent of the life of nature plants.

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