The Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) brings together leading researchers from institutions across the country to develop foundational technologies that unlock cost-effective new pathways for producing fuels, chemicals, and materials. These innovations are critical to strengthening the nation’s energy independence and boosting global competitiveness.
CBI’s research teams are tackling the toughest challenges facing the bioeconomy — from engineering high-yield energy crops to developing scalable, efficient conversion processes for bio-based fuels and materials. Scientists are advancing methods to turn plant waste into valuable chemical feedstocks, while applying technoeconomic and life-cycle analyses to guide investment in future conversion facilities. These efforts cultivate new domestic supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign resources, and position U.S. industries for long-term success in the growing bioeconomy.
Here are just a few of the ways CBI is laying the foundation for a thriving bioeconomy:
Engineering better energy crops
Tom Pendergast from the University of Georgia – Athens works as a part of CBI’s Switchgrass team, evaluating the potential of this American-native plant to become a future energy crop.
Unlocking the genetic potential of plants and microbes
Maggie Bales from Oak Ridge National Laboratory works as a part of CBI’s Rapid Genetics team, optimizing plants and microbes to better produce bioproducts and fuels that can sustain America for generations to come.
Transforming biomass waste into valuable chemical building blocks
Katie Mains from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory works as a part of CBI’s Lignin Valorization team, finding ways to repurpose current waste streams into valuable new bioproducts and fuels.
Developing reliable, next-generation fuels
Marie Klein from the University of California – Davis works as a part of CBI’s Poplar team, working to develop reliable, alternative feedstocks that could fuel the future of the U.S. aviation industry.
Follow along on LinkedIn as CBI scientists share how their foundational research is powering real-world solutions — and what makes bioenergy research centers like CBI a unique national asset.