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Bruno KleinView profile

Researcher

• Biofuels
• Microalgae
• Carbon Dioxide
• +9 more

Bruno Klein is a Researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) working in the Economic Sustainability & Market Analysis group within the Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center. His expertise lies in techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) for biomass conversion pathways to biofuels and bioproducts. Bruno's educational background includes: PhD in Chemical Engineering from State University of Campinas Master's in Chemical Engineering from State University of Campinas Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Bachelor's in Multidisciplinary Engineering from École centrale de Lille His research spans conceptual process design, process integration, and sustainability assessment of biomass conversion technologies. Bruno specializes in biochemical conversion pathways with particular focus on algal biomass production and conversion systems. His work integrates techno-economic analysis with environmental impact assessment to evaluate the viability of emerging bioenergy technologies. Recent projects examine microalgae cultivation systems, sustainable aviation fuels, and ethanol production pathways from biomass feedstocks. Bruno's publication record shows consistent output with 29 research contributions between 2020-2025, demonstrating increasing productivity over time. His work addresses critical challenges in environmental sustainability metrics including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and land impacts while maintaining economic viability considerations. As an active member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Bruno contributes to the professional community in chemical engineering and renewable energy research.

Wanlu LiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sustainable Energy
• Environmental Remediation
• Porous Carbon Materials
• +4 more

Dr. Wanlu Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montclair State University's College of Science and Mathematics. She holds a PhD from The Graduate Center-City University of New York and conducted postdoctoral research at Columbia University. Her work focuses on developing heteroatom-doped porous carbon materials for applications in sustainable energy and environmental remediation. Education: Bachelor of Science, Binzhou University Doctor of Philosophy, The Graduate Center-City University of New York Research Interests: Design of porous carbon materials for electrochemical CO₂ reduction Biowaste-derived supercapacitor applications Photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants Nickel-based catalysts for biomass conversion Her studies emphasize functional group engineering and porosity optimization to enhance material performance in energy storage and environmental remediation. Publications: Dr. Li has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work exploring S,N-codoped carbon materials, biowaste-derived composites, and photocatalyst stability under environmental conditions. These studies highlight advancements in sustainable material design and energy conversion technologies. Affiliations: Member of the American Carbon Society, American Chemical Society, and Electrochemical Society. Lab & Teams: Leads the Wanlu Li Group focused on Material Chemistry for Environmental Remediation and Renewable Energy. Her lab investigates advanced carbon-based materials through collaboration with industry and academic partners.

David McNultyView profile

Associate Professor

• Energy Storage
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• +3 more

David McNulty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Limerick (UL), affiliated with the Bernal Institute and the Centre for Battery and Energy Materials Research. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from UL, with postdoctoral experience at University College Cork (UCC), the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, and Confirm Centre-funded projects. His research focuses on advanced battery materials, particularly lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and sodium-ion batteries, emphasizing sustainable solutions like plastic waste conversion into electrode materials. Notable achievements include a Marie Curie COFUND Fellowship (ADMIRE Programme), an SFI Future Innovator Prize, and grants from the Royal Irish Academy and SFI-IRC Pathway Programme. He teaches solid-state and condensed matter physics to undergraduate and graduate students. Research interests include nanomaterial synthesis, electrode design, and energy storage systems. Key projects involve marine and biowaste-derived carbon materials for lithium-sulfur batteries and silicon nanowire anodes for improved battery performance. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting sustainable materials and energy solutions. Publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on battery materials and nanotechnology. Awards highlight his contributions to sustainable energy and materials science. Current initiatives include expanding lithium-sulfur battery research through independent grants and leading interdisciplinary teams in battery innovation.

Jouni HavukainenView profile

Professor

• Environmental Engineering
• Renewable Energy
• Sustainability Science
• +5 more

Jouni Havukainen is a tenured Professor in Sustainability Science at LUT University's School of Energy Systems in Lappeenranta, Finland. He has been working at LUT University since 2008 in various research and teaching roles, progressing from researcher to project leader, scientific director, and ultimately achieving tenure as a full Professor in 2024 after being appointed to an Assistant Professor position in 2022 with a tenure track period until 2026. His educational background includes a D. Sc (Tech.) in Environmental Engineering from Lappeenranta University of Technology (2009-2014). During his doctoral studies, he also worked at the Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY), researching biogas utilization in the transport sector in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Northern Estonia. He has conducted research across three continents during his PhD studies and postdoctoral research period, including research exchanges at Kaunas University of Technology, Energy Biosciences Institute in Berkeley, Zhejiang University in China, and Technical University of Denmark. Havukainen's research focuses on ensuring environmental considerations are integrated into systemic changes in energy systems. His work spans several key areas: Environmental sustainability of Power-to-X (P2X) technologies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of energy and waste systems Circular economy implementation in waste management Renewable energy systems and their environmental impacts Waste-to-energy conversion processes Nitrogen recovery from waste streams His recent publication portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on climate change mitigation through sustainable waste management and energy systems. The research spans from fundamental LCA methodology development to practical applications in municipal waste management, hydrogen production, and Power-to-X pathways. A significant portion of his work addresses the environmental performance of emerging technologies for achieving carbon neutrality in Finland and globally, with increasing attention to international applications in countries like China, Rwanda, and Uganda. Havukainen has secured research funding from multiple sources including EU Horizon projects, Business Finland, and the Research Council of Finland. He has served as project manager for the seven-year EU Life IP Circwaste project (ended 2023) and as Principal Investigator for the BUTTERFLY project on renewable fuels production. His research portfolio includes significant work on port energy communities (Mussalo project), sustainable energy access in East Africa (Sunny project), and hydrogen transition pathways (JustH2Transit project). As an educator, Havukainen has established himself as a leader in sustainability education, founding the 'Biological cycle in circular economy' master's course in 2019 and co-founding the 'Sustainability of Energy systems' postgraduate course in 2024 with colleagues from LUT and Polimi. His teaching has spanned waste management technology since 2008, including the Solid waste management technology course for master's students (2008-2021).

Keikhosro KarimiView profile

Professor

• Biotechnology
• Biofuel Production
• Waste Valorization
• +3 more

Prof. Keikhosro Karimi is a Professor in the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research focuses on sustainable biorefinery systems, waste valorization, and biofuel production. Key areas include biomass pretreatment, bioenergy optimization, and circular economy strategies for industrial and agricultural residues. Research Projects STEP-Chem (2025–2029): Technological strategies for a sustainable chemical industry. IPSU 2024: Smart biorefinery concepts for municipal biowaste valorization in Europe. Research Interests Prof. Karimi’s work integrates advanced pretreatment technologies, machine learning optimization, and life cycle assessment to address sustainability challenges in bioenergy systems. He explores innovative approaches for converting lignocellulosic biomass, marine macroalgae, and food industry byproducts into biofuels, biochemicals, and high-value materials. Recent Contributions Recent studies highlight breakthroughs in ultrasound-assisted biomass processing , fish waste biorefining , and blockchain-enabled food waste management . His work emphasizes scalability, economic viability, and environmental impact mitigation in bioprocess design. Grants & Collaborations Active collaborations include EU-funded initiatives and industry partnerships focused on bio-based economies. Ongoing projects aim to harmonize technological, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable chemical production.

Dietmar SchlosserView profile

Researcher

• Environmental Biotechnology
• Microbial Ecology
• Fungal Biotechnology
• +5 more

Dr. Dietmar Schlosser is a Group Leader in Environmental Mycology at the Department of Applied Microbial Ecology within the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ since 2005. His research program focuses on fungal biodegradation of environmental pollutants, particularly synthetic polymers, micro-pollutants, and recalcitrant organic compounds. Education : Diploma in Biology (1990), Friedrich Schiller University Jena PhD in Technical Microbiology (1993), Friedrich Schiller University Jena His research integrates ecological principles with applied biotechnology , emphasizing fungal biochemistry, physiology, and enzymology. Key projects include: TapNature (2021-2027): Exploiting natural fungal systems for bioeconomy FINEST Microplastics (2022-2027): Sustainable materials management PUreValue (2024-2027): Polyurethane biodegradation for upcycling CLEANER (2023-2026): Water cycle resilience in cities Article trends reveal expertise in mycoremediation , lignocellulose valorization , and fungal attack on synthetic polymers , with recent work spanning environmental engineering, microbiology, and biochemical monitoring techniques. He maintains active collaborations with institutions across Europe and contributes to sustainable technology development through his leadership in Environmental Mycology .

• Thermal Energy Storage
• Phase Change Materials (PCM)
• District Heating and Cooling Systems
• +3 more

Viktoria Martin is a Professor of Energy Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, specializing in thermal energy storage systems, particularly phase change materials (PCMs). Her research focuses on integrating sustainable energy solutions, such as renewable energy alternatives (e.g., solar heating) and optimizing district heating/cooling networks. She leads a research team with over 15 years of experience in PCM-based storage technologies, emphasizing compact, efficient systems that enhance energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes. Her work often involves collaborations with international research institutes and industries. Her research interests span thermal energy storage design, industrial surplus heat utilization, and sustainable energy systems. She explores strategies to mitigate climate change through innovations like distributed cold storage in district cooling systems, energy efficiency in low-temperature district heating, and the integration of biowaste valorization into energy networks. Her studies also address socio-technical transitions and policy frameworks for sustainable development. Key trends in her publications include the optimization of thermal energy storage systems for urban and industrial applications, the role of PCMs in enhancing energy efficiency, and the analysis of energy-water-land interdependencies in Africa. She has contributed to modeling frameworks for energy system transitions and techno-economic assessments of novel storage technologies. Her work has implications for smart cities, renewable energy integration, and decarbonization strategies. Collaborations with global partners highlight her commitment to bridging academic research with industrial and policy applications.

• Catalysis Engineering
• Electrochemical Energy Conversion
• Photochemical Processes
• +7 more

Yijiao Jiang is a Professor at Macquarie University's School of Engineering and Co-Director of the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre. Her research focuses on sustainable technologies for converting greenhouse gases, plastics, and biowaste into fuels and chemicals. She leads a vibrant research group with 2 postdocs, 5 PhD candidates, and 5 undergraduate students. Key roles include Editorial Board membership for ACS Energy & Fuels and Carbon Capture Science & Technology , and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Education: PhD in Chemical Technology (University of Stuttgart, Germany) BEng & MEng in Environmental Engineering (Kunming University of Science and Technology) Postdoc at ETH Zurich (Catalysis and Reaction Engineering) ARC DECRA Fellow at UNSW Australia Visiting Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Research Interests: Catalysis engineering, electrochemical energy conversion, photochemical processes, CO₂ reduction, waste plastics upcycling, biosolid utilization, and hydrogen production. Recent work emphasizes mechanism-driven design of electrocatalysts and innovative waste-to-value processes. Awards: Monash Engineering Women's Leadership Award (2017) Outstanding HDR Supervision Award (2023) Young Scientist Award (6th Asia-Pacific Catalysis Congress, 2013) Grants & Projects: Secured funding from ARC Discovery Projects, Industry Hubs, CSIRO, and international collaborators. Current projects include AI-driven monitoring systems for agricultural pests and upcycling mixed plastics from municipal waste. Labs & Teams: Directs the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre and participates in the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub's Powerfuels Network. Active in Green Chemistry advocacy through the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Ana Arias CalvoView profile

Researcher

• Circular Economy
• Biorefineries
• Environmental Biotechnology
• +3 more

Ana Arias Calvo is a Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Higher Technical School of Engineering. She is part of the BIOGROUP (Environmental Biotechnology) research group. Her doctoral thesis focused on transforming biowaste into biomaterials and bioactive products within circular economy frameworks, completed in 2023 under the supervision of Dra. María Teresa Moreira Vilar and Dr. Chewing Feijoo Costa. Research Interests: Ana's work centers on sustainable biorefinery design, waste valorization, and environmental impact assessments. She explores how circular economy principles can drive innovation in bio-based materials, renewable resources, and eco-efficient technologies. Her research integrates life cycle analysis (LCA), multi-criteria decision-making, and policy frameworks to evaluate sustainability outcomes. Key Themes in Publications: Her recent work emphasizes the environmental and economic feasibility of biorefinery systems, biofuel production from agro-industrial byproducts, and the development of sustainable bio-based polymers and adhesives. She also investigates governance mechanisms to align certification systems with bioeconomic policies. Advising & Grants: No advising roles or grants are explicitly listed, though her research often involves collaborative projects with industry and academic partners. She contributes to advancing the bioeconomy through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge technological innovation and environmental stewardship. Labs/Teams: Active member of the BIOGROUP lab, focusing on environmental biotechnology and circular economy applications.

• Process Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Bioeconomy
• +6 more

Thomas Hoffmann is a senior researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam, Germany, where he has served as Head of the Department of Post Harvest Technology since 2008. He holds a Diplom in mechanical engineering from TU Dresden (1991) and a Doctorate (Dr. rer. agr.) from Humboldt University Berlin (1998). Research Focus: Hydrothermal biomass processing, biochar production, biogas optimization, and sustainable bioeconomy. Leadership: Leads the Leibniz Innovation Farm for Sustainable Bioeconomy and chairs the VDI LAND.TECHNIK advisory board. His work integrates process engineering with environmental science to address challenges in biomass valorization, including: Hydrothermal humification (HTH) for artificial humic acid production Phytotoxicity mitigation in hydrochar applications Carbon recovery strategies for circular agriculture Climate-resilient soil amendment using biochar Recent publications demonstrate expertise in transforming cow manure digestate and agricultural residues into value-added products while enhancing biomethane yields. Key techniques include: FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopic characterization ICP-OES elemental analysis Van Krevelen diagram interpretation Biogas yield optimization Collaborative projects span Kenya food security initiatives , European circular agrifood systems , and Brandenburg historical garden preservation .

• Environmental Policy
• Energy Systems Transition
• Waste Management
• +7 more

Professor Phil Longhurst is a faculty member at Cranfield University, holding the Chair of Environment and Energy Technology in the School of Water, Energy & Environment . He leads the Centre for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy and serves as Director of Partnerships, bridging academia with industry and government clients. His academic background includes a PhD in Innovation & Technology Assessment, a degree in Design and Technology, and a B.Ed. (Hons). Prior to academia, he worked in the furniture industry and trained as a Design and Technology educator, developing educational wind tunnel demonstrators. His research focuses on waste management innovation , including material recovery from waste streams, energy-from-waste applications, and pollution prevention. Key projects involve risk assessments for agricultural use of composts (PAS100) and anaerobic digestates (PAS110), trace metal recovery from contaminated land, and systems modeling for waste minimization and net-zero transitions. He has pioneered methods like mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) of solid waste and solid recovered fuels (SRF) quality analysis. Professor Longhurst collaborates with major institutions such as EPSRC, NERC, Defra, BEIS , and industrial partners like Viridor, Biffa, Boeing . He teaches in Energy, Environment, and Agrifood themes while supervising doctoral researchers. Recent work includes contributions to HM Treasury’s Infrastructure study via the Engineering Interdependencies Expert Group (EIEG) and developing short courses on biowaste regulation and odour control. His research emphasizes cross-sector collaboration, environmental policy implementation, and transitioning energy systems to net-zero. Clients span government departments (e.g., HM Treasury, UK Water Industry Research), NGOs, and commercial sponsors. Phil has also evaluated methane diffusion dynamics in coal gasification and pioneered neural network-based approaches for solar PV adoption modeling.

Li LiView profile

Associate Professor

• Nanotechnology
• Biominerals
• Precision Delivery
• +17 more

Li Li is an Associate Professor and ARC Industry Fellow (IM) at the Gulbali Research Institute, Charles Sturt University (CSU), where she leads a cutting-edge research program in programmable biomineral composites. She also holds an Honorary Associate Professor and group leader position at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ), reflecting her strong interdisciplinary and collaborative research profile. Her work bridges nanotechnology, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. PhD in Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (2007) MSc in Physical Chemistry, Guizhou University (2002) Bachelor in Chemistry and Chemical Education, Liaocheng University (1997) Her research focuses on functional biominerals for precision delivery and controlled release in both medicine and agriculture. Key areas include smart RNA-based technologies, mucosal delivery of vaccines, and biowaste conversion using programmable biominerals. Her group develops responsive nanomaterials for targeted therapy in cancer and infectious diseases, as well as for sustainable crop protection and nutrient delivery. The recent articles highlight a strong trend toward multifunctional nanocomposites for biomedical and agricultural applications. Her work emphasizes oral and mucosal vaccine delivery , drug-free cancer therapy , and environmentally responsive materials . The keywords span nanotechnology, biominerals, immunotherapy, and sustainability, reflecting her interdisciplinary impact. Her scientific awards underscore national recognition and research excellence: ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowships (2024) ARC Research Hub Grant (2024) Antiviral Research Grant for SARS-CoV-2 (2022) AEA-BenPol Technology Grant (2025) Engineered Nanomaterials for RNA Delivery (2025) Li Li actively supervises research students and leads a dynamic team focused on precision nanomedicine and sustainable agriculture. She has secured significant grants from the Australian Research Council and collaborates extensively with institutions like UQ and Newcastle University. Her research is supported by a strong network in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and agricultural innovation. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), Controlled Release Society, and Australian Infectious Disease Society, reinforcing her leadership in both academic and applied research domains.

• Nuclear Engineering
• Materials Science
• Robotics
• +8 more

Y Z Zhang is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), affiliated with the Grainger College of Engineering. He holds roles including Associate Head for Graduate Programs and Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Scholar. His research spans two core areas: Matter (far-from-equilibrium physics, liquids/complex fluids under extreme conditions, neutron scattering) and Machine (soft robots, robots in extreme environments, AI-driven control systems). He earned his Ph.D. from MIT (2010) and B.S. from USTC (2004). Research emphasizes accelerated molecular simulations, stochastic dynamics, and neutron scattering to study materials at atomic levels. His machine-focused work integrates materials expertise into soft robotics and interpretable AI. Notable honors include the JCESR Best Paper Award (2022), Landis Young Award (2017), and multiple UIUC recognitions. He leads interdisciplinary projects involving the Beckman Institute, Illinois Robotics Group, and Center for Autonomy. Recent work includes hydrothermal liquefaction of biowaste for biofuels, anaerobic digestion optimization, and sustainable bioeconomy systems. He teaches advanced radiation-matter interaction courses (NPRE 446/447/521) and advises on student research (NPRE 595). His lab collaborates across engineering, biophysics, and computational science.

• Life Cycle Assessment
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Environmental Impact Analysis
• +4 more

Marcelle McManus is a Professor of Energy and Environmental Engineering at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She leads the Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (SES) and collaborates with multiple interdisciplinary research centers, including the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment and the Water Innovation and Research Centre (WIRC). Her work focuses on advancing sustainability through life cycle assessment (LCA), decarbonization strategies, and renewable energy systems. Marcelle is actively involved in research consortia addressing industrial decarbonization, bioenergy, and circular product systems. Her research interests emphasize the environmental impact assessment of energy systems, bioenergy production, and carbon capture technologies. Key projects include the People-Led Net Zero initiative, the Life Cycle Assessment Regulatory Science & Innovation Network (LCARSIN), and the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub. These projects aim to bridge industry, academia, and policy for sustainable futures. Marcelle has contributed to over 126 research outputs, including high-impact articles on industrial decarbonization, carbon accounting, and renewable energy systems. She has secured significant grants, such as the £12M People-Led Net Zero project and the £7.8M Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Labs and teams associated with Marcelle include the Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI) and the Made Smarter Innovation Center for People-Led Digitalisation. Her research often involves international collaborations and policy engagement to ensure actionable outcomes. She has also served on grant review panels for organizations like the Natural Environment Research Council and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).

Birgitte K. AhringView profile

Professor

• Bioenergy
• Biorefinery Engineering
• Biomass Conversion
• +7 more

Birgitte K. Ahring is a Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University. Her research focuses on biomass conversion to biofuels and bioproducts, spanning from pretreatment technologies to catalysis and biogas production. She leads a team developing scalable biorefinery solutions, including wet explosion pretreatment and on-site enzyme production. Biorefinery Engineering Biofuel Production Biocatalyst Development Waste Valorization Sustainable Aviation Fuels Her work includes pretreatment optimization for agricultural and woody residues, anaerobic digestion enhancements, and metabolic engineering of fungi for biochemical production. Recent projects involve bio-based jet fuels and lignin valorization. Key scientific contributions include the wet explosion pretreatment process, which improves methane yields in anaerobic digestion and enables lignin utilization. This technology has been validated from lab-scale to pilot testing, emphasizing economic viability through complete feedstock utilization. Research Excellence Award Her laboratory collaborates on process modeling , Raman spectroscopy for real-time monitoring, and high-pressure CO2 extraction systems. She advocates for holistic biorefinery approaches that align with her philosophy: "Don't waste waste!"