Tor Ivan Simonsen

Dr. Tor Ivan Simonsen is a Translational Postdoc Researcher at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on sustainable materials development, particularly in the area of lignin-based technologies for wood protection and biofuels. As co-inventor and innovation lead of the LignoSolve technology, he bridges academic research with industrial applications to create high-performance, eco-friendly materials for outdoor applications.

Dr. Simonsen's educational background includes:

• PhD in Wood Science from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (awarded October 10, 2024), with dissertation titled "Lignin-Alcohol Dispersions: A Promising Marine Biofuel"
• Master's degree in Biology Biotechnology from the University of Copenhagen (awarded September 22, 2017), with thesis on "Light-driven enzymatic oxidation of polysaccharides - Light response and oxygen species"

Dr. Simonsen's research interests center on sustainable materials science with a particular focus on lignin applications. He is passionate about bridging academia and industry to create high-performance materials for outdoor applications. His work spans wood science, biorefining, biofuels, and sustainable materials engineering. As a lignin scientist, he specializes in impregnating wood with lignin to enhance its natural resistance to fungal decay. His current research focus involves developing entrepreneurial skills through Spin-Outs Denmark and paving the way for a successful spinout of LignoSolve technology.

Analysis of Dr. Simonsen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on lignin-based technologies across multiple applications. His work spans wood protection, biofuel development, and sustainable materials engineering. Key themes include lignin-alcohol dispersions as marine biofuels, lignin impregnation for wood preservation, and optimization of lignin extraction and processing methods. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, materials science, and engineering to develop practical, sustainable solutions for industry applications.

Dr. Simonsen has received recognition for his research contributions:

• Best oral presentation award (December 1, 2022)
• Best poster award (November 30, 2023)

As innovation lead for LignoSolve technology, Dr. Simonsen is actively translating academic research into commercial applications. He is developing entrepreneurial skills through Spin-Outs Denmark to facilitate the successful spinout of LignoSolve. His work has attracted media attention, with three press/media contributions covering sustainable shipping fuels and eco-friendly wood protection. His research has been referenced in policy sources and has garnered attention from researchers worldwide as indicated by Mendeley reader statistics.

Dr. Simonsen is part of the Forest and Bioresources research group within the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management. His collaborative network spans multiple institutions and countries, focusing on advancing lignin-based technologies for sustainable applications. He is currently working to establish LignoSolve as an independent venture to bring these innovations to market.