Feedstock Conversion

Bioenergy feedstocks are converted into fuels, industrial chemicals and biobased products by biological conversion (enzymatic and/or microbial), thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis or gasification) and chemical conversion. The Institute has activities in all three areas.

Biological/Chemical Conversions

  1. Processing Cellulosic Biomass for Renewable Fuels Production
  2. Consolidated Bioprocessing
  3. Biofuel Intermediates via Fermentation
  4. Direct Fungal Fermentation of Lignocellulosic Biomass
  5. Fungal Fermentation of Thin Stillage in Dry-grind Corn Ethanol Plants
  6. Cellulase and Xylanase Mechanisms by Computation
  7. Modular Assembly of Synthetic Cellulosomes
  8. Biohydrogen Fermentation
  9. Biorenewable Chemicals
  10. Microbial Science Research at ISU

Thermochemical/Chemical Conversions

  1. Bio-Oil and Syngas Fermentation
  2. Biomass to Mixed Alcohol Research Reactor
  3. Dissolution of Lignocellulosics via Derivatization with Phosphite Esters
  4. A Potentially More Economical Route to Biodiesel
  5. Conjugated Plant Oils as Drying Oils for Coatings and Inks

Partnerships