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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
    <image>
      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <title>Evaluation of Low-Cost Engineered Cementitious Composites with Incorporation of Cellulose Nanocrystals </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646935</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Cellulose nanocrystals are a type of nanomaterial derived from cellulose, which have gained interest due to their effect on concrete materials. This research study aims to investigate the effect of Cellulose nanocrystals on the mechanical properties of cost-effective Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC). To accomplish this goal, four levels of nanocellulose will be evaluated. In addition, two types of Engineered Cementitious Composites mixtures will be assessed; one with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and without SCBA. A comprehensive experimental program will be conducted to evaluate the compressive, tensile, and flexural performance of the Engineered Cementitious Composites mixtures. Results will provide insights into the effects of nanocellulose on the mechanical behavior of low-cost Engineered Cementitious Composites materials.  

The scope of this study is to investigate the effect of cellulose nanocrystals on the mechanical properties of cost-effective Engineered Cementitious Composites. The objectives of the proposed research are to synthesize cellulose nanocrystals from rice husk through acid hydrolysis treatment, prepare two sets of mixtures of Engineered Cementitious Composites: one with SCBA as sand replacement and one without SCBA, evaluate the compressive, tensile and flexural performance of Engineered Cementitious Composites mixtures, and evaluate the cracking behavior of Engineered Cementitious Composites materials after uniaxial tensile test. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:23:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646935</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Characterization of Regular Concrete and Low-Cost Engineered Cementitious Composites with Incorporation of Cellulose Nanoparticles and Cost- Effective Ingredients</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948613</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are a special class of nanomaterials derived from cellulose, which
is the most abundant natural polymer. These nanomaterials have gained growing interest due to
their mechanical, chemical, optical, and rheological properties. This study aims to investigate
the effect of CNC on the physical and mechanical properties of ECC and concrete materials. To
accomplish the goal of this study, three levels of CNC dosage will be assessed for both ECC
and conventional concrete. In the case of concrete, a structural class A1 concrete mixture will
be prepared according to the Louisiana specifications. In addition, three different mixtures
exhibiting different strength and ductility levels will be assessed for ECC. A comprehensive
experimental program will be conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the prepared
mixes (compressive strength, tensile strength, and surface resistivity as an indicator of concrete
permeability). Furthermore, the microstructure and crack behavior of the prepared mixes will be
evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy (EDS). Results will provide insights into the effects of CNC on the fundamental
properties of ECC and PCC composites. It is also expected that incorporating CNC into ECCs
can further help the implementation of the readily available low-cost ingredients for optimum
performance and cost.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 11:34:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948613</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Simultaneous Starch and Cellulose Hydrolysis for Whole Stalk Processing of Sweet Sorghum</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368827</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:43:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368827</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Identification and Characterization of Insect Cellulolytic Systems for Plant Biomass Degradation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368086</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2015 10:06:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368086</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Introduction of Cellulosomes into Low Lignin Plants for Improved Cellulose and Hemicellulose Digestion</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368009</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2015 09:44:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368009</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Low cost Granulation of Lignocellulosic Biomass</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368003</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2015 09:20:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368003</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New Biocatalysts to Hydrolyze Lignocellulosic Biomass in Ionic Liquids</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367954</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:03:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367954</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimization and Control of a Coculture System for Ethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367952</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:41:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367952</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuels from Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367885</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2015 15:06:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367885</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Solvent Fractionation for the Separation of Lignocellulosic Raw Materials</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367877</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2015 14:50:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367877</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synergies between Heme Peroxidases and Cellulases in the Bioconversion of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks to Ethanol</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367711</link>
      <description><![CDATA[An enzymatic process for the bioconversion of softwood to sugars for fermentation to ethanol will be developed, including optimization of the cellulase formulation specifically for hydrolysis of Douglas-fir pretreated by acid-catalyzed steam explosion. High throughput methods to intensively optimize enzyme composition for the specific softwood feedstocks available in the Western region may provide sound data with which realistic economic analysis may be performed and policy issues regarding the near-term expectations for lignocellulosic ethanol enlightened. 
Microorganisms produce a “barrage” of extracellular enzymes when growing on wood, and these “auxiliary” enzymes are likely to increase the rate of cellulose hydrolysis in complex lignocellulosic substrates. Using a high throughput approach, synergies between cellulases and heme peroxidases can be explored. It is likely from the scientific evidence available that heme peroxidases will increase cellulase activity by removing residual lignin. The proposed research using heme peroxidases will provide quantitative measurements as to the significance of this effect, and may provide evidence of other previously undiscovered auxiliary enzymes or synergistic interactions. Further exploiting the true metabolic potential of wood-degrading fungi may lower the cost of producing lignocellulosic ethanol from softwoods, providing a significant source of transportation fuel from the prevalent forestry wastes in the Western region.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:13:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367711</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of Complex Fluids for Enhanced Cellulosic Pre-treatment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367540</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:09:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1367540</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Influence of Alternative Pretreatment Strategies on Cellulosic Ethanol Production Using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation of High Solids</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1364477</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research project is to improve efficiency of ethanol production from Switchgrass through basic research into the inhibitory by-products that build up during conversion process.  The experimental approach - which is  about to commence -- includes two parallel studies with switchgrass and  mixed prairie biomass (MPB). The first study will consist of a series of cellulase binding experiments with swichgrass and MPB, and the second study will use Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze the same biomass substrates.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:01:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1364477</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Enhanced Microbial Cellulose Degradation and H₂ Production above 80°C</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363922</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project will screen a culture collection (>25) of microbes from deep-sea geothermal vents for their ability to grow on microcrystalline cellulose and to determine whether these organisms can degrade cellulose with H&amp;#8322; as the primary waste product.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2015 01:00:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363922</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Marketing New England Biofuels to Ensure Energy Security</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363881</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Developing a cellulosic biofuels market provides a potential opportunity to revitalize the forest industrial sector, thereby enhancing employment opportunities and incomes in areas of the rural Northeast that typically has few other economic opportunities. This project focuses on the areas of Marketing, Economics and Policy and Systems Integration as it applies to designing and testing information strategies to promote biofuels use and production in the Northeast. The Energy Independence and Security Act requires the sale of specified quantities of renewable and advanced biofuels. These fuels will cost more to produce but will provide enhanced reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This research will provide crucial knowledge about how consumers understand and evaluate biofuels in a competitive marketplace taking into consideration their environmental impacts. The project will provide important information on how to best market and label advanced biofuels to insure that largest contribution to local economies and diversify regional energy supplies. This will provide valuable information about ways to promote purchases of biofuels, and provide information to policy makers on potential standards for certification and labeling of biofuel products. We will research, design, and test the effectiveness of various consumer information strategies to promote cellulosic ethanol in particular, and evaluate consumer's acceptance and understanding of biofuels generally. The research will also derive estimates of the market penetration of biofuels in the Northeast. These estimates of market penetration, combined with estimates of market share changes for alternatively fueled vehicles, will allow us to make petroleum displacement forecasts and evaluate the possible impact of biofuels on the Northeast's energy security. By focusing efforts on the Northeast region we are uniquely able to bring together economists and market researchers with bioproducts researchers at the University of Maine's Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2015 01:02:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363881</guid>
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