Tong’s group tackles challenges in the interdisciplinary areas of sustainable materials and catalytical conversion. We target innovative technologies (self-assembly, catalysis, and machine learning) for producing chemicals, materials, and fuels from renewable resources for a beneficial circular economy.

Feedstock

Tong group focuses on the utilization of waste and bio-derived materials, such as lignin, chitosan, cellulose, plastic, food/agricultural waste, etc.

Research

Tong group’s core research spans four main research areas, including the production of biomass-derived aromatic chemicals and aviation fuels, designing self-assembly of biomolecules for smart and controlled-release materials, waste-treat-waste for environmental mitigation, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based biorefinery process control and catalyst design.