Joint Appointee
Joint Appointee

Biography

Dr. Yang holds a Joint Appointment in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Division and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) user program. He also currently holds the Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair in Energy and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (2019 – 2020), and he is a recipient of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award of 2011. Yang has dedicated most of his career to the development of renewable energy technologies with particular emphasis on production of biofuels and chemicals from cellulosic biomass feedstocks and other sustainable resources. His major research interests include understanding fundamental mechanisms of bioprocessing technologies, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and facilitating the commercialization process, as well as improving our knowledge of emerging technologies to meet near and long-term needs worldwide. His current research focuses on pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and conversion technologies that accelerate commercial application of biomass processing to cellulosic and lignin fuels and biobased products.  

Green process engineering on biofuels and bioproducts has been the focus of Dr. Yang’s prolific research career for 20 years, over which he has made leading contributions in remarkably diverse domains. His groundbreaking research has driven forward the fundamental science and engineering of the bioenergy field. He has taken a preeminent leadership role in developing biomass pretreatment technologies; synthesis of alternative fuels, chemicals, and biomaterials from lignin; and design of second-generation biofuel production platforms. 

Scholarly achievements:  

  • Published 110 articles in peer-reviewed journals (h-index 40 on Google Scholar) 
  • Authored eight book chapters 
  • Five issued patents and 20 invention disclosures 
  • Delivered more than 60 invited presentations and seminars  

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers  
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) 
  • Society for Industrial Microbiology 
  • American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 
  • Advisory Editorial Board: Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefinery; Biofuels, Bioethanol Journal 
  • Editorial Board: AIMS Energy; Frontiers in Energy Research; SOA-Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering; Journal of Sustainability Research 

Awards and Recognitions

  • Distinguished Chair, The Fulbright-Aalto University (2019 – 2020) 
  • Young Faculty Award, DARPA (2011) 

Patents

  • B. Yang, D. Laskar. 2016. “Apparatus and Process for preparing reactive lignin with high yield from plant biomass for production of fuels and chemicals.” U.S. Patent No. 9,518,076. 
  • B. Yang, C. Wyman. 2013. “Lignin-blockers and Uses Thereof.” U.S. Patent No. 8,580,541 B2. 
  • B. Yang, C. Wyman. 2011. “Lignin-blockers and Uses Thereof.” 2011. U.S. Patent No. 7,875,444B2.  
  • B. Yang, C. Wyman. 2009. “Lignin-blocking Treatment of Biomass Uses Thereof.” U.S. Patent No. 7,604,967 B2.  
  • B. Yang, K. Gao. 1994. “Dietary Fiber Powder of Bagasse.” 1994. Date Issued: July 2000. Chinese Patent Z.L. 94101330.8. 

Publications

2025

  • Lipton A.S., T. Ibrahim, W. Schwartz, R. Gieleciak, D. Xiao, and B. Yang. 2025. "In-situ dehydrogenation of lignin-based jet fuel: A novel and sustainable liquid organic hydrogen carrier." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 98. PNNL-SA-203447. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.082

2024

  • Adarsh Kumar F., D.C. Bell, Z. Yang, J.S. Heyne, D.M. Santosa, H. Wang, and P. Zuo, et al. 2024. "A Simultaneous Depolymerization and Hydrodeoxygenation Process to Produce Lignin-Based Jet Fuel in Continuous Flow Reactor." Fuel Processing Technology 263, no. _:Art. No. 108129. PNNL-SA-203423. doi:10.1016/j.fuproc.2024.108129

2023

  • Fitria F., J. Liu, and B. Yang. 2023. "Roles of Mineral Matter in Biomass Processing to Biofuels." Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 17, no. 3:696-717. PNNL-SA-180718. doi:10.1002/bbb.2468
  • Li X., A. Gluth, S. Feng, W. Qian, and B. Yang. 2023. "Harnessing redox proteomics to study metabolic regulation and stress response in lignin-fed Rhodococci." Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 16, no. 2024:Art. No. 180. PNNL-SA-189367. doi:10.1186/s13068-023-02424-x
  • Ruan H., Z. Xu, A. Kumar, M. Feng, A.S. Lipton, E.D. Walter, and R. Gieleciak, et al. 2023. "Elucidating the Reaction Pathways of Veratrylglycero-ß-guaiacyl Ether Degradation Over Metal-Free Solid Acid Catalyst with Hydrogen." ChemSusChem 16, no. 6:e202202001. PNNL-SA-175496. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2024037/v1

2022

  • Gluth A., Z. Xu, L.S. Fifield, and B. Yang. 2022. "Advancing biological processing for valorization of plastic wastes." Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 170. PNNL-SA-167906. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2022.112966
  • Xu Z., B. Peng, R. Kitata, C.D. Nicora, K.K. Weitz, Y. Pu, and T. Shi, et al. 2022. "Understanding of bacterial lignin extracellular degradation mechanisms by Pseudomonas putida KT2440 via secretomic analysis." Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 15, no. 1:Art. No. 117. PNNL-SA-172168. doi:10.1186/s13068-022-02214-x
  • Yang Z., Z. Xu, M. Feng, J.R. Cort, R. Gieleciak, J.S. Heyne, and B. Yang. 2022. "Lignin-based Jet Fuel and its Blending effect with Conventional Jet Fuel." Fuel 321. PNNL-SA-168716. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124040

2021

  • Li X., N.J. Day, S. Feng, M.J. Gaffrey, T. Lin, V.L. Paurus, and M.E. Monroe, et al. 2021. "Mass spectrometry-based direct detection of multiple types of protein thiol modifications in pancreatic beta cells under endoplasmic reticulum stress." Redox Biology 46. PNNL-SA-163313. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2021.102111
  • Li X., Z. Xu, A. Gluth, W. Qian, and B. Yang. 2021. "Proteomic approaches for advancing the understanding and application of oleaginous bacteria for bioconversion of lignin to lipid." In Lignin Utilization Strategies: From Processing to Applications. ACS Symposium Series, edited by C.G. Yoo and A. Ragauskas. 61-96. Washington, District Of Columbia:American Chemical Society. PNNL-SA-157920. doi:10.1021/bk-2021-1377.ch004
  • Li X., Z. Xu, J.R. Cort, W. Qian, and B. Yang. 2021. "Lipid production from non-sugar compounds in pretreated lignocellulose hydrolysates by Rhodococcus jostii RHA1." Biomass & Bioenergy 145. PNNL-SA-153203. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2021.105970
  • Xu Z., C. Pan, X. Li, N. Hao, T. Zhang, M.J. Gaffrey, and Y. Pu, et al. 2021. "Enhancement of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production by Co-feeding Lignin Derivatives with Glycerol in Pseudomonas putida KT2440." Biotechnology for Biofuels 14, no. 1:Article No. 11. PNNL-SA-157585. doi:10.1186/s13068-020-01861-2

2020

  • Wu X., J. Jiang, C. Wang, J. Liu, Y. Pu, A.J. Ragauskas, and S. Li, et al. 2020. "Lignin-Derived Electrochemical Energy Materials and Systems." Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 14, no. 3:650-672. PNNL-SA-144600. doi:10.1002/bbb.2083
  • Zhang L., Z. Xu, J.R. Cort, T. Vuorinen, and B. Yang. 2020. "Flowthrough Pretreatment of Softwood under Water-only and Alkali Conditions." Energy and Fuels 34, no. 12:16310-16319. PNNL-SA-157576. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c03374

2019

  • Li X., Y. He, L. Zhang, Z. Xu, H. Ben, M.J. Gaffrey, and Y. Yang, et al. 2019. "Discovery of Potential Pathways for Biological Conversion of Poplar Wood to Lipids by Co-Fermentation of Rhodococci Strains." Biotechnology for Biofuels 12. PNNL-SA-136201. doi:10.1186/s13068-019-1395-x
  • Wang H., Y. Pu, A.J. Ragauskas, and B. Yang. 2019. "From Lignin to Valuable Products-Strategies, Challenges, and Prospects." Bioresource Technology 271. PNNL-SA-137687. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.072

2018

  • Wang H., H. Wang, E. Kuhn, M.p. Tucker, and B. Yang. 2018. "Production of Jet Fuel Range Hydrocarbons from Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin over Super Lewis Acid Combined with Metal Catalysts." ChemSusChem 11, no. 1:285-291. PNNL-SA-129978. doi:10.1002/cssc.201701567
  • Wang H., Y. Duan, Q. Zhang, and B. Yang. 2018. "Effects of sugars, furans, and their derivatives on hydrodeoxygenation of biorefinery lignin-rich wastes to hydrocarbons." ChemSusChem 11, no. 15:2562-2568. PNNL-SA-133525. doi:10.1002/cssc.201801401
  • Zhu D., H. Si, P. Zhang, A. Geng, W. Zhang, B. Yang, and W. Qian, et al. 2018. "Genomics and biochemistry investigation on the metabolic pathway of milled wood and alkali lignin-derived aromatic metabolites of Comamonas serinivorans SP-35." Biotechnology for Biofuels 11. PNNL-SA-140577. doi:10.1186/s13068-018-1341-3

2017

  • He Y., X. Li, X. Xue, M.S. Swita, A.J. Schmidt, and B. Yang. 2017. "Biological Conversion of the Aqueous Wastes from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae and Pine Wood by Rhodococci." Bioresource Technology 224. PNNL-SA-121581. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2016.10.059
  • Wang H., H. Ruan, M. Feng, Y. Qin, H.M. Job, L. Luo, and C. Wang, et al. 2017. "One-Pot Process for Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin to Alkanes Using Ru-based Bimetallic and Bifunctional Catalysts Supported on Zeolite Y." ChemSusChem 10, no. 8:1846-1856. PNNL-SA-120890. doi:10.1002/cssc.201700160
  • Zhang L., L. Fu, H. Wang, and B. Yang. 2017. "Discovery of Cellulose Surface Layer Conformation by Nonlinear Vibrational Spectroscopy." Scientific Reports 7. PNNL-SA-120731. doi:10.1038/srep44319
  • Zhu D., P. Zhang, C. Xie, W. Zhang, J. Sun, W. Qian, and B. Yang. 2017. "Biodegradation of Alkaline Lignin by Bacillus ligniniphilus L1." Biotechnology for Biofuels 10. PNNL-SA-124233. doi:10.1186/s13068-017-0735-y

2016

  • Wang H., L. Zhang, T. Deng, H. Ruan, X. Hou, J.R. Cort, and B. Yang. 2016. "ZnCl2 Induced Catalytic Conversion of Softwood Lignin to Aromatics and Hydrocarbons." Green Chemistry 18, no. 9:2802-2810. PNNL-SA-115052. doi:10.1039/C5GC02967H
  • Yan L., Y. Pu, M.E. Bowden, A.J. Ragauskas, and B. Yang. 2016. "Physiochemical Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Dissolution by Flowthrough Pretreatment." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 4, no. 1:219-227. PNNL-SA-117245. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.5b01021
  • Zhang L., Y. Pu, J.R. Cort, A.J. Ragauskas, and B. Yang. 2016. "Revealing the Molecular Structural Transformation of Hardwood and Softwood in Dilute Acid Flowthrough Pretreatment." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 4, no. 2:6618-6628. PNNL-SA-120912. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b01491

2015

  • Jeon J., L. Zhang, J. Lutkenhaus, D.D. Laskar, J.P. Lemmon, D. Choi, and M.I. Nandasiri, et al. 2015. "Controlling Porosity in Lignin-Derived Nanoporous Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications." ChemSusChem 8, no. 3:428-432. PNNL-SA-106038. doi:10.1002/cssc.201402621
  • Wang H., H. Ruan, H. Pei, H. Wang, X. Chen, M.p. Tucker, and J.R. Cort, et al. 2015. "Biomass-derived Lignin to Jet Fuel Range Hydrocarbons via Aqueous Phase Hydrodeoxygenation." Green Chemistry 17, no. 12:5131-5135. PNNL-SA-112582. doi:10.1039/C5GC01534K
  • Zhang L., L. Yan, Z. Wang, D.D. Laskar, M.S. Swita, J.R. Cort, and B. Yang. 2015. "Characterization of Lignin Derived from Water-only and Dilute Acid Flowthrough Pretreatment of Poplar Wood at Elevated Temperatures." Biotechnology for Biofuels 8. PNNL-SA-113147. doi:10.1186/s13068-015-0377-x
  • Zhang L., Z. Lu, L.A. Velarde Ruiz Esparza, L. Fu, Y. Pu, S. Ding, and A.J. Ragauskas, et al. 2015. "Vibrational Spectral Signatures of Crystalline Cellulose Using High Resolution Broadband Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy (HR-BB-SFG-VS)." Cellulose 22, no. 3:1469-1484. PNNL-SA-105805. doi:10.1007/s10570-015-0588-0

2013

  • Laskar D., B. Yang, H. Wang, and G.J. Lee. 2013. "Pathways for Biomass-Derived Lignin to Hydrocarbon Fuels." Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 7, no. 5:602-626. PNNL-SA-96098. doi:10.1002/bbb.1422
  • Yan L., D.D. Laskar, S. Lee, and B. Yang. 2013. "Aqueous phase catalytic conversion of agarose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by metal chlorides." RSC Advances 3, no. 46:24090-24098. PNNL-SA-89336. doi:10.1039/C3RA43293A

2011

  • Yang B., Z. Dai, S. Ding, and C.E. Wyman. 2011. "Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulosic Biomass." Biofuels 2, no. 4:421-450. PNNL-SA-81187. doi:10.4155/BFS.11.116
  • Yang B., Z. Dai, S. Ding, and C.E. Wyman. 2011. "Review: Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulosic Biomass." Biofuels 2, no. 4:421-450. PNNL-SA-80964. doi:10.4155/bfs.11.116