Wei Mu, working under Dr. Yulin Deng, will receive his PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.  Wei’s research has been on the degradation of biomass and its conversion to biofuel.

Wei is exploring other value-added opportunities for lignin, including the catalytic conversion of lignin into gasoline-compatible liquid fuel. Wei, who entered the doctoral program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering on an IPST Paper Science and Engineering Fellowship, is supervised by Professor Yulin Deng of IPST and the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Wei plans to graduate with his PhD in December 2013.

Wei’s research employs a two-step conversion of lignin into a liquid transportation fuel. The first step is pyrolysis, which decomposes lignin into smaller molecules. Step two is upgrading, which increases the hydrogen amount and partially removes oxygen. The upgrading step requires robust and active catalysts. His research focuses on the catalyst synthesis step and reaction kinetics modeling.

Wei received his MS in Paper Science and Chemical Engineering at Miami University (Ohio). He has industry experience with the Hercules Paper Division and Hercules Paper Technologies and Ventures in China, prior to earning his master’s degree and coming to Georgia Tech for his PhD.

More detail on Wei’s work and its recognition can be found at
http://ipst.gatech.edu/news/current/121221_mu.html