A new discipline of engineering has emerged from research in green chemistries. The role of technology in sustainability involves the development of new technologies in production processes, as well as biotechnology for health, industrial, agricultural, and food products and processes. UNT’s Renewable Bioproducts Cluster falls under this umbrella, as plant scientists, biologists, and other researchers seek to create environmentally-friendly solutions for the life cycle of consumer and industry products. Research focuses on plant, bacteria, and other bio-agent materials, which includes the design, development, and implementation of these green solutions that outperform their nonrenewable counterparts. Possible applications include alternative motor oils, solar cells, biodegradable consumer packaging and composite fibers used in the construction of buildings. Funding secured by researchers within this cluster totals over $900,000.

Renewable Bioproducts Cluster

Description: Researchers from the College of Arts & Sciences and Engineering make up this cluster. Departments represented include Biology and Materials Science & Engineering.

Focus: Creating green solutions for the life cycle of consumer and industry products using plant, bacteria and other bio-agent materials.

Members:

• Kent Chapman - metabolic engineering of plant oils for industrial and human health applications. Funding: $430,387 
• Thomas Scharf – improvement of the thermooxidative stability of vegetable oil esters such as triglycerides. Funding: $141,040
• Brian Ayre – improvement of crop yield gains through tissue-specific engineering of metabolic pathways. Funding: $137,000
• Nigel Shepherd – use of thermal evaporation to fabricate organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Funding: $74,890
• Witold Brostow - bio and nanocomposites. Funding: $49,999
• Michael Allen – microbial genetics and biotechnology. Funding: $48,775
• Nandika D'Souza – engineered polymers and composites. Funding: $29,898
• Zhenhai Xia - polymeric, metallic and ceramic materials in composite and thin film forms; peripheral nerves; materials mimicking biological materials such as gecko. Funding: $24,000
• Stevens Brumbley – plant metabolic engineering.

Total Funding: $935,989

Possible Applications: Alternative motor oils, solar cells, biodegradable consumer packaging, composite fibers used in the construction of buildings, improving crop yields.