LignoPulse: Platform for conversion of lignocellulosic residues into high-value biocomposites assisted by electrical pulses

• Grant number: 25/08070-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Eric Keven Silva
• Grantee: Ederson Paulo Xavier Guilherme
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/11255-3 - Pulsed electric field: design of non-thermal processes, functional foods and biomaterials, AP.JP

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient industrial processes has driven the development of innovative technologies for the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin, one of the main components of this biomass, is a complex and highly resistant macromolecule, whose utilization still represents a major technological challenge. Conventional depolymerization methods typically involve harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and aggressive reagents, which compromise the selectivity of the products obtained and increase environmental impacts. In this context, the application of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) emerges as a promising alternative, offering a non-thermal and selective approach to promote the cleavage of lignin's chemical bonds. The objective of this project is the development and validation of an experimental unit for lignin fragmentation using PEF, investigating its operating conditions and efficiency in the production of biocompounds of industrial interest. The characterization of the bioproducts will be carried out by mass spectrometry coupled with gas chromatography (GC-MS), and the lignin throughout the process will be characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), enabling a detailed analysis of the structural changes in lignin over the course of the process. In addition, critical parameters such as electric field intensity, pulse duration, and matrix conductivity will be evaluated to optimize the yield and selectivity of the process. The consolidation of this innovative approach could enable future industrial applications, contributing to the development of more efficient and sustainable biorefineries, with a focus on producing high-value-added inputs from renewable sources.