Postdoctoral research
The future is now for the science and technology of sustainable, renewable, plant-based materials. Highly qualified and determined postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to make contact about opportunities in aldehyde-assisted fractionation and boron-assisted fractionation of plant biomass. These methods preserve the natural structure of lignin, providing value potential never before seen from an isolated lignin.
Careers
Plant polymer science is rich with career opportunities- let’s talk lignin. For nearly 150 years of pulping technology, lignin valorization has never met the potential found in native lignin, our best source of renewable, reduced aromatic carbon. This may change because a breakthrough in pulping (delignification) preserves the abundant beta-aryl ether while allowing removal of the highly derivatized polymer. Aldehyde and boron-protected lignins are controllably deprotected and therefore capable of lignin-valorization pathways that were never feasible with contemporary technical lignins like kraft.
The Science
We focus on lignin chemistry. Lignin is an incredible plant polymer; it's why trees stand tall; it's the original self-healing polymer. We seek new methods to control lignin reactivity, a huge technological challenge and opportunity.
We also specialize in biomass rheology, the study of deformation and flow in materials like wood, switchgrass, and bamboo. These materials are processed under elevated temperature and moisture conditions. We study their rheological behavior to help understand their structure and behavior during processing.
