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Dissertations and theses from NARA graduate students

Images of some graduate students working on NARA projects
Images of some graduate students working on NARA projects

Since NARA’s inception in 2011, over 100 graduate students have conducted research for NARA funded by the USDA-NIFA. Their efforts contribute substantially towards NARA goals and play an important role in preparing a trained workforce for a bioenergy-based industry.

Often a student’s dissertation or thesis …more

Unlocking Lignin

Fractionating the molecular structure of wood has always been a challenging issue in biofuel production from woody biomass. ORNL research team has simulated a genetically modified aspen tree lignin molecule linked to a hemicellulose molecule and demonstrated that genetic modification of lignin can boost the amount of biofuel derived from plant material without compromising the structural integrity of the plant. Read more at http://www.biomassmagazine.com/articles/12149/ornl-unlocking-lignin-for-sustainable-biofuel.