Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The majority of plastics are currently derived from petrochemicals. Their inertness brings growing environmental and human health concerns when disposed of due to their low degradation rates in the environment. Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising alternative to petrochemicals for producing bioplastics, thus achieving a sustainable bioeconomy. The goals of this project are to: (1) develop cost-effective and environmentally friendly pathways to upgrade all components of biomass into a bioplastic precursor (3-Hydroxypropionic acid) and biopolymers, and (2) foster a knowledgeable and engagedworkforce. To achieve the research goal, we encompass multiple research objectives: (1) Identifying integrated biomass pretreatment methods to reduce water and chemical consumption and render the pretreated slurry and residues amenable to enzymes and microorganisms; (2) engineering biological systems that efficiently convert C6 and C5 sugars into 3-Hydroxypropionic acid; (3) Upgrading the fermentation residues to a range of biopolymer materials and exploring their industrial applications; and (4) conducting technoeconomic analysis and life-cycle assessment to reveal the economic viability and environmental sustainability. By integrating educational and research activities, we aim to advance the understanding of biomass valorization, increase revenues, empowerstudents, and contribute to a more sustainable bioeconomy.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
40%
Developmental
30%
Goals / Objectives
The goals of this project are twofold: firstly, to develop cost-effective and eco-friendly methods for upgrading all biomass components into bioplastic precursors and biopolymers, and secondly, to cultivate a knowledgeable and engaged workforce dedicated to enhancing biomass utilization systems.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Identify cost-effective pretreatment pathways. Task 1: The task involves discovering pretreatment strategies that effectively produce lignocellulosic hydrolysate and Kraft lignin without the need for post-washing or chemical disposal. The suitability of different pretreated slurry compositions for fermentation will be evaluated, considering factors like inhibitory compounds. Task 2: This task aims to gain insights into the pretreatment mechanism by analyzing biomass characteristics and microstructural changes before and after pretreatment. Various analytical techniques including SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DSC, and NMR will be employed for this purpose.Objective 2: Develop an engineered s. cerevisiae platform for 3-HP production. Task 3: This task focuses on building a platform strain of S. cerevisiae capable of utilizing multiple substrates, including cellobiose, xylose, and arabinose, for fermentation. The construction of these strains will involve genetic engineering techniques such as in vivo assembly and integration using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Task 4: This task aims to establish optimized pathways for high-level production of 3-HP in the engineered S. cerevisiae platform. Overexpression of NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases will be investigated to enhance the production rate of 3-HP, and fermentation experiments using lignocellulosic hydrolysates will be conducted to assess the feasibility of the engineered platform.Objective 3: Upgrade fermentation residues to biopolymers. Task 5: This task involves generating bioplastic materials using fermentation residues and optimizing their synthesis based on mechanical properties and applicability requirements. Various tests including tensile testing, wear tests, hardness tests, spectroscopic analyses, and sensory analysis will be conducted to evaluate the biopolymers' characteristics and suitability for industrial applications. Task 6: The task focuses on assessing the degradation of biopolymers under different environmental conditions, including soil and water. Environmental tests such as Oxitops assessment, ecotoxicity tests, and plant toxicity tests will be performed to evaluate the biopolymers' environmental impact and biodegradability.Objective 4: Technoeconomic analysis and life-cycle assessment. Task 7: This task involves conducting a technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of the full process chain and economic risk assessment to evaluate the economic feasibility of the proposed production process. Process flow models, simulations, and economic assessments will be performed to estimate capital and operating costs, breakeven selling prices, and potential economic risks. Task 8: The task focuses on conducting a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impact of the production process at each stage of production. Environmental tests, including mass and energy balances, LCA calculations, and uncertainty analysis, will be performed to assess the environmental profile and carbon footprint of the proposed technology.