(534c) Biomass Research and Development Opportunities in the Environment of User Research Center.

We will explore the boundless opportunities for both fundamental and applied research at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, highlighting three innovative user-driven projects.

Firstly, we delve into the nanoscience of cellulose nanocrystals as a promising platform for the delivery of agrochemicals to plants. This approach aims to drastically reduce agricultural waste and lower the costs of agricultural products.[1]

Next, we examine the transformation of lignin into ultra-high mesoporous activated carbons (ACs) through a one-step KOH activation process. This method is particularly attractive for applications in batteries and catalyst supports. The high surface area of the ACs also demonstrates unique photoluminescent properties due to the presence of conjugated pi systems.[2]

We will also explore the transformation of microstructures, morphologies, and crystallinities of carbon fibers during their processing. Specifically, we focus on carbon fibers produced from a polyamide-6 precursor, utilizing metal salt impregnation and a thermo-oxidative stabilization step.[3]

Lastly, we introduce an integrated, machine-intelligent experimental system capable of performing simultaneous dynamic tests on electrical, optical, gravimetric, and viscoelastic properties of materials under a programmable dynamic environment. This system facilitates the generation of a machine learning model that captures the multifunctional response of materials to various environmental conditions, effectively creating a unique "material passport." This passport has the potential to aid in the development of high-value-added sensors.[4]

A combination of advance synthesis and characterization capabilities at the Center for nanophase Materials Sciences creates unique R&D environment allowing to accelerate research discovery and development process.

Acknowledgment

The measurements were conducted as part of a user project at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), which is a U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science User Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

References

1. Vinzant, D. E. Clouse, S. K. Amit, I. N. Ivanov, V. A. Davis, M. V. Khodakovskaya, Cellulose Nanocrystals are a Renewable and Biocompatible Nanocarrier of Agrochemicals Directly to Plant Cells. Adv. Sustainable Syst.2023, 2300511. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202300511

2. Yu, L.; Liang, L.; Bajaj, I.; Seabright, K.; Keffer, D. J.; Ivanov, I. N.; Chen, H.; Dai, S.; Ragauskas, A. J.; Maravelias, C. T.; Harper, D. P. Tailored mesoporous structures of lignin-derived nano-carbons for multiple applications. Carbon 2023, 213, 118285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118285.

3. Love-Baker, C.A., Harrell, T.M., Scherschel, A. et al. Unveiling the microstructural evolution of carbon fibers derived from polyamide-6. J Polym Res 30, 72 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-023-03455-6

4. Eric S. Muckley, Rama Vasudevan, Bobby G. Sumpter, Rigoberto C. Advincula, and Ilia N. Ivanov ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2023 15 (1), 2329-2340

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16088