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Novel Deep Eutectic Solvent for Native Lignin Extraction Through Heterocycle Induced Interaction

Novel Deep Eutectic Solvent for Native Lignin Extraction Through Heterocycle Induced Interaction

Primary author: Kuan-Ting Lin
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Xiao Zhang

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Tri-Cities

Abstract:

Plant biomass, constructed by lignocellulose, is the largest renewable source for biofuel and bioproducts to replace petroleum products. To facilitate the process of lignocellulose to product, fractionation of lignocellulose is performed as the primary step to improve carbohydrate utilization, and isolate lignin for valorization. Current industrial pretreatment and/or pulping approach apply harsh processing conditions to extract lignin from the biomass matrix. In these harsh conditions, lignin-carbohydrate complexes are not completely broken, resulting in a significant amount of residual saccharides and process chemicals. Deep eutectic solvent (DES) is a promising alternative method to effectively extract lignin from lignocellulosic biomass. Previous studies have shown DES generally yielded good lignin purity and yield. Although DES extracted lignins are relatively pure, the process is known for acid hydrolysis of the ether linkages in lignin which caused a large degree of structural changed. In this study, we hypothesized that design a DES with heterocycles enable a selective extraction of lignin from plant biomass, meanwhile the function of HBD under different reaction condition control the cleavage of ether linkages that produce lignin with tailor structural properties (ether linkage and depolymerization).

Polyurethane Foam Production Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Lignin as a Partial Polyol Substitute

Polyurethane Foam Production Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Lignin as a Partial Polyol Substitute

Primary author: Dylan Cronin
Co-author(s): Xiao Zhang

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Tri-Cities

Abstract:

Polyurethane is one of the world’s most important classes of industrial polymers due to its incredible versatility, ease of use in manufacturing, and low cost. This material is frequently used in the form of rigid and semi-rigid foams and represents a $70 bn/year market across the construction, transportation, furniture, and packaging industries. The current industry standard for polyurethane production is entirely dependent on petrochemical feedstocks for the supply of the two major components – polyol and isocyanate. This study investigated the substitution of up to 40 wt% of the polyol component of polyurethane foams with lignin. Preparing the material in this way both reduces the consumption of non-sustainable materials, and also allows for the potential incorporation of characteristics such as enhanced biodegradability and ultraviolet light stability.
This lignin was prepared using a novel, deep eutectic solvent (DES) procedure. This DES procedure is a mild, industrially scalable process, which yields a product of high purity, and more importantly of high structural homogeneity. The compatability of the lignin with traditional polyols was further improved via oxypropylation of the lignin structure, allowing for greater degrees of lignin substitution whilst maintaining an acceptable rigidity.
The goal of this work was to combine the societal need and commercial benefits of effectively utilizing forestry and agricultural wastes to produce bio-based materials and plastics from carbohydrates and lignin. Utilizing biomass wastes such as these not only helps to ensure the availability of a low-value and annually sustainable feedstock, but also provides new revenue streams for associated industries.

Collaborative Conversations: Learning to Become Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Educators

Collaborative Conversations: Learning to Become Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Educators

Primary author: Kathleen Cowin
Co-author(s): Sarah Newcomer

Primary college/unit: College of Education
Campus: Tri-Cities

Abstract:

Our research reports on a study bringing teacher and school leader candidates together to deepen the candidates’ self-study about socially just, culturally sustaining pedagogy, with the purpose of allowing candidates to reflect on their teaching and leadership practices together. Our goal was to learn more about how to connect teacher and school leader preparation coursework, and to study the efficacy of this collaboration between teacher and school leader candidates.

Teacher and leader candidates were engaged in four collaborative dialogue sessions focused on six assigned research articles. Small groups were formed of both teacher and school leader candidates so the candidates could share their perspectives as teachers and school leaders with one another. After each session the candidates also met as a whole group for a review of the highlights of their small group discussions, especially focusing on their own study of their culturally sustaining and socially just teaching practices. Candidates also wrote written reflections based on their insights from the discussions. An electronic platform was used to capture the candidates’ reflections on the readings and the dialogues. These reflections were shared with the whole group and with the researchers.

We will report what we learned about the candidates’ communication from observing the dialogues. We will record the topics of the dialogues as well as the candidates’ report of how their self-study impacted their culturally sustaining and/or socially just teaching or leadership practices.