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March 2026
Why Use Living Cells? NLR Is Making Chemicals With Enzymes Alone
Researchers address technical challenges for “cell-free” biomanufacturing—which could reduce costs of bio-based chemicals.
Accomplished Researcher Recognized by Major Industry Association for Leadership in Biofuels Research
NLR’s Robert McCormick won a Growth Energy TOBI Award recognizing his long history of technical achievements.
Turning Biomass Into Graphite Could Help Secure US Critical Mineral Supply
NLR researchers have developed two novel pathways using fast pyrolysis to create bio-based graphite. The process, which leverages waste materials, could bolster American graphite production and secure a critical supply chain for battery and steel manufacturing.
Researchers Describe Protein Structure Microbes Use To Control Light Conversion
Insights on the protein complex “photosystem I” improve scientific understanding on how cyanobacteria convert light into energy.
February 2026
Could Light Be Used To Drive Enzymes for Efficient Ammonia Production?
Nanocrystal–nitrogenase biohybrids harvest light to reduce N₂ gas. Abundant high-energy electrons are essential.
December 2025
Turning Plastic Waste Into Opportunity: Ongoing Projects Demonstrate Broad Applications of Chemical Oxidation Recycling Platform
The chemical oxidation recycling platform, originally developed through the U.S. Department of Energy’s BOTTLE Consortium, offers a practical, cost-effective, and scalable solution for processing contaminated, mixed, and multilayer plastic waste.
November 2025
A Phyto Finish: Could Seaweed Be Mined for Critical Minerals?
Some seaweeds accumulate critical minerals. NREL scientists are studying which ones do it best.
September 2025
Q&A With Alli Werner: Engineer Enlists Tiniest Engineers (Microbes) To Recycle Plastics, Mine for Metals, and More
In the latest Manufacturing Masterminds Q&A, biological engineer Alli Werner shares why she thinks high school students should not have to choose between sports and science, what a summer internship at an Alaskan glacier taught her about field work, and how her latest breakthroughs could help make it easier, cheaper, and less toxic to recover precious metals.
July 2025
Researcher Spotlight: Violeta Sanchez i Nogue’s Journey to Bioprocess Development at NREL
In the summer of 2015, Violeta Sanchez i Nogue joined NREL as a postdoctoral researcher working on a project to produce carbon fibers.
June 2025
Plastics Recycling With Enzymes Takes a Leap Forward
A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a roadmap toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.
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Last Updated May 5, 2025