Valorization of agriculture and organic biomass to high value bioproducts

为了应对全球变暖和气候变化带来的威胁，需要在可再生和可持续燃料、化学品和材料的推动下，实现低碳经济的转型。生物质和生物废弃物是替代化石燃料的宝贵资源。然而，由于缺乏将这些可再生资源转化为高价值生物产品的有效和可行的过程，这些可再生资源的利用受到限制。我的研究目标是通过开发用于生产高价值化学品和材料的综合生物精炼系统来解决生物质利用方面的挑战。这项发现研究计划的长期目标是开发各种各样的生物产品，包括混合纤维素纳米材料、生物碳（潜在的煤炭和黑碳替代品）、生物化学物质（潜在的石油替代品）、合成气和可再生氢（许多燃料和化学品的主要组成部分）。这是通过发展对生物质分馏和纤维素纳米材料合成、水热萃取和碳化以及钙环气化过程的基本理解来实现的。杂化纤维素纳米材料及其增强和流变性能的全面认识将导致可生物降解包装、智能材料和低成本流变性改性材料的发展。水热萃取和碳化将最大限度地利用生物质，并产生多种具有工业重要性的产品流。预计拟议的研究将产生新的和变革性的技术，这些技术将推动工业吸收，并导致更多来自生物质和生物废物的产品。这项研究将促进向循环经济的过渡，有助于创造新的就业机会，并促进加拿大经济的多样化。拟议的研究将为11名HQP提供培训。该研究项目的重点是通过开发创新技术和工艺来弥合生物质资源和有价值生物产品之间的差距，这将为HQP在实验、分析、数值、设计、建模、决策、领导和职业准备技能方面创造丰富的培训经验。

A transformative change to low carbon economy driven by renewable and sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials is required to address the threat posed by global warming and climate change. Biomass and bio-waste is a valuable resource alternative to fossil fuels. However, the utilization of these renewable resources is limited due to the lack of efficient and feasible processes for their conversion to higher value bioproducts. My research goal is to address the challenges regarding biomass utilization by developing an integrated biorefining systems for producing high value chemicals and materials. The long-term goal of this discovery research proposal is to develop a wide variety of bioproducts, including hybrid cellulose nanomaterials, biocarbon (potential substitute for coal and black carbon), biochemicals (potential substitute for petroleum), syngas and renewable hydrogen (the main building block of many fuels and chemicals). This is achieved by developing fundamental understanding of biomass fractionation and synthesis of cellulose nanomaterials, hydrothermal extraction and carbonization and calcium looping gasification processes. The hybrid cellulose nanomaterials and comprehensive understanding of their reinforcing and rheology properties will lead to the development of biodegradable packaging, smart materials, and low-cost rheology modifier materials. Hydrothermal extraction and carbonization will maximize the utilization of biomass and produces multiple product streams of industrial importance. It is expected that the proposed research will generate new and transformative technologies that will drive industrial uptake and lead to more products derived from biomass and bio-waste. This research will facilitate the transition to a circular economy, help in new job creation, and the diversification of Canada's economy. The proposed research will provide training to 11 HQP. The focus of the research program on bridging the gap between the biomass resources and valuable bioproducts by developing innovative technologies and processes will create rich training experiences to HQP in experimental, analytical, numerical, design, modeling, decision-making, leadership, and career ready skills.