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March 2024
From Instant Grits to Polymers: Scientist Kat Knauer Is Laser Focused on Plastics Pollution
As a polymer scientist and the chief technology officer of the NREL-led BOTTLE consortium, Knauer is responsible for helping solve one of the world's greatest challenges--plastic pollution.
February 2024
On Its Journey To Make Clothing That Leaves No Trace, The North Face Taps the BOTTLE Consortium To Scale Biodegradable Polyester Alternative
Over the next 12 months, BOTTLE will scale the process to produce several pounds of PHA fiber, which The North Face will test and evaluate for use in its product lines.
Biorefinery Model Points to Better Method at Producing Co-Products
A next-generation biorefinery model holds the potential to produce biofuels and chemicals through a process that researchers say has proven to be more efficient in converting plant biomass.
From Organics to Fuels: Computational Models Can Accelerate and Scale Up Biomass Conversion
Pathways to sustainable biofuels are within view as computational models solve key challenges.
NREL's Recyclable Carbon Fiber Composites Made Greener With Thermoforming
Senior polymer science researcher and group manager Nicholas Rorrer currently leads a team of NREL researchers working to replace the heavy, resource-intensive steel parts in vehicles with recyclable carbon fiber composites.
NREL Collaborates on $15 Million Multilaboratory Efforts To Advance Commercialization of Carbon Dioxide Removal
DOE tapped NREL to support a new $15 million research effort to improve the measurement, reporting, and verification of carbon dioxide removal technologies, an industry with the potential to help mitigate climate change by addressing existing carbon emissions and removing them from the atmosphere.
NREL and Partners Receive Funding To Decipher Microbial Behavior in Bioreactors at Scale
A research team led by NREL recently received funding for their project that will study and model the behavior of microbes in bioreactors and reasons for potential failures at industrial scale.
15 Finalist Teams Announced for AlgaePrize 2023–2025 Competition
This year's AlgaePrize finalist teams include students from high schools, community colleges, and universities from 11 states across the United States and Puerto Rico.
January 2024
On the Ground in Colorado, NREL Is Simulating Sustainable Aviation Fuel Combustion During Flight
A cross-disciplinary research team is gathering meticulous fuel chemistry data to equip the aviation industry with an ultra-detailed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) combustion simulation. Powered by supercomputers, the "virtual jet engine" can predict how SAF performs during flight and provide insights on how to tune it to maximize its safety and performance.
NREL Researchers Produce First Macromolecular Model of Plant Secondary Cell Wall
A multidisciplinary approach has enabled researchers with NREL to quantitatively define the relative positioning and arrangement of the polymers in Populus wood and to create a computer model that details the findings.
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Last Updated May 5, 2025