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Center for Biorenewables

Building a greener future through innovation and education relating to biorenewable food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, materials, and energy

Plants for People

Plants have been used by people for millennia to help meet the basic needs of food, clothing, warmth, and shelter, and have also provided a rich diversity of substances for human health. By harnessing solar power using photosynthesis and evolving a myriad of biosynthetic pathways, plants embody natural chemical factories that produce energy-rich and unique biomolecules.  

Our center seeks to bring together Penn State’s broad expertise in plant biology, genomics, microbiology, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, bioengineering, and other related fields to make the discoveries that will enable to plants to meet the current and future needs of human society, sustainably. 

The Center for Biorenewables is jointly funded by Penn State Institutes for Energy and the Environment and Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

News

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

Funded by a USDA grant, an international team led by Penn State researchers aims to mitigate toxic organic compounds produced in manufacturing of the biomaterial known as biochar.

Penn State research-based startup tackles e-waste recycling challenges

Intel-E-Waste leverages Invent Penn State’s NSF I-Corps program to transform lab research into market-ready technology.

Injecting manure into growing cover crops can cut pollution, support corn crops

A team of Penn State agricultural scientists conducted a new study on dairy manure management strategies for ecosystem services in no-till crop systems.

News

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

Funded by a USDA grant, an international team led by Penn State researchers aims to mitigate toxic organic compounds produced in manufacturing of the biomaterial known as biochar.

Penn State research-based startup tackles e-waste recycling challenges

Intel-E-Waste leverages Invent Penn State’s NSF I-Corps program to transform lab research into market-ready technology.

Injecting manure into growing cover crops can cut pollution, support corn crops

A team of Penn State agricultural scientists conducted a new study on dairy manure management strategies for ecosystem services in no-till crop systems.

New material prevents mineral buildup in equipment handling water-oil mixtures

Penn State researchers have developed a new nanoparticle that can prevent scaling and stabilize a commonly used emulsion, or liquid mixture, potentially making the oil extraction processes more efficient and less harmful to the environment.