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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Higher Wood Density Lowers Feedstock Cost and Has Minimal Impact on Biomass Conversion to Biofuels

Poplar and other woody feedstocks have the potential to provide up to 200 million tons of biomass per year that can be converted to liquid fuels. Most forestry strategies that aim to increase biomass productivity per hectare rely on short rotation plantations of fast-growing varieties. The improvement of the wood density as a key trait itself has largely been overlooked. We evaluated natural variation in wood density across a population of genetically diverse Populus trichocarpa trees grown in a common garden. Wood density varies greatly within this population but is heritable; higher wood density was not systematically associated with reduced growth, challenging assumptions of a trade-off between wood density and biomass accumulation. Furthermore, denser wood led to significant improvements throughout the supply chain including lowering biomass production and transportation costs. Higher density did not correlate with changes in biomass composition. Density did not impact bioconversion in the two feedstock-to-fuel pipelines tested (pretreatment by ionic liquids and fermentation to bisabolene or soaking in aqueous ammonia and fermentation to ethanol) on a representative subset of poplars. These findings highlight wood density as a promising breeding target for accelerating the development of high-yielding, conversion-efficient bioenergy crops and as an avenue for increasing landuse efficiency and reducing biomass transportation cost.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Structured Solvents to Hybrid Materials (SS2HM) for Chemically Selective Capture and Electromagnetic Release of CO 2 : Mechanisms, Stability and Interfaces (Final Report)

The goal of this research program was to develop high capacity sorbents amenable for alternative regeneration approaches for direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 . In particular, the research aimed to develop an understanding of CO 2 binding mechanism, thermal and oxidative stability, and regeneration energetics of functionalized ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and porous materials. ILs and DESs are high-dielectric solvents with structural tunability that permits the rational-design for energy-efficient regeneration approaches based on electromagnetic (EM) field and moisture-swing. By further incorporating these solvents into polymeric capsules and other structural supports, multi-scale interfaces for targeted CO 2 and energy transfers were achieved. Aspects related to CO 2 capacity, selectivity, stability, dielectric properties, and binding energies were examined through experimental and computational design to identify molecular descriptors to inform future design of structured solvents and hybrid materials for DAC. Enclosed final report details the key findings, science advancements, and workforce development efforts from this project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Understanding and Harnessing the Robustness of Undomesticated Yarrowia lipolytica Strains for Biosynthesis of Designer Bioesters (Final Report)

This project seeks to elucidate and harness the exceptional robustness of novel and undomesticated Y. lipolytica isolates, which were identified from a genetic diversity screening for compatibility with bioenergy development. Bioenergy-relevant isolates were further developed as microbial platforms for efficient conversion of undetoxified biomass hydrolysates into designer bio-esters continuously recovered by solvent extraction. The project has three major goals. Goal 1. Elucidate and enhance the endogenous metabolism of Y. lipolytica for superior growth, sugar utilization, and lipid accumulation in undetoxified biomass hydrolysates under hypoxic conditions. Goal 2. Understand and enhance the underlying mechanism of exceptional tolerance of Y. lipolytica to organic solvents. Goal 3. Elucidate and rewire endogenous metabolism of the most robust Y. lipolytica strains for effective conversion of accumulating lipids to designer bio-esters. Significant progress has been made toward completing all research goals. We elucidated and optimized the robustness of Y. lipolytica by utilizing mixed C5 and C6 sugars in switchgrass hydrolysates (SGH) for lipid production (Aim 1). We conducted extensive omics analysis to investigate how genetic diversity among Yarrowia strains, derived from natural isolates or developed through adaptive laboratory evolution, influences lipid production when utilizing SGH. In Aim 2, novel mechanisms and underlying genetics were discovered that enabled Yarrowia strains to thrive in cultures containing high ionic liquid (IL) concentrations. Amongst other novel findings, it was found that sterols strengthened cell membranes to confer IL toxicity resistance, specifically via increased ergosterol content upon exposure to IL. In Aim 3, mechanistic studies elucidated how Y. lipolytica utilized intracellular lipids and alkanes/alkenes, leading to our discovery of novel enzymes and pathways for making short-chain esters. Most notably, thermostable chloramphenicol transferases were repurposed to function as alcohol acetyltransferases in Y. lipolytica, as well as the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria Escherichia coli and thermophile Clostridium thermocellum, respectively.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Processing iridium foil targets for the production of radioplatinum isotopes

Dissolving noble metals remains challenging because of their high reduction potentials and tendency to passivate as oxides. This barrier is acute for iridium metal targets used to produce platinum radioisotopes, where post-irradiation processing is costly and hazardous with conventional routes. Here, we report a rapid alkali-fusion method that converts Ir metal directly into chloride media compatible with downstream separations. In the process, an Ir foil is fused with Na 2 O 2 and KCl at temperatures above the KCl melting point; the molten salt enhances heat transfer and facilitates O 2− /Na + transport to the Ir surface, overcoming Ir's oxidation resistance. The fused cake is then cooled and leached in 10 M HCl, yielding Ir in solution without specialized microwave digestion or HF. Pt separation from bulk Ir was evaluated using extraction-chromatography resins. A newly formulated ionic-liquid resin containing Cyphos IL 104 (E104) was compared with two commercial resins (TrisKem TK200 and TK201). All resins achieved >90 % Ir recovery. Pt co-recovery depended on resin chemistry: TK200 recovered 85.9 % Pt, TK201 recovered 54.1 % Pt, and E104 recovered 72.9 % Pt. This study introduces a fast, scalable dissolution route for solid Ir targets and demonstrates resin choices that tune Ir/Pt separation, lowering the barrier to routine production and purification of Pt radioisotopes.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solvent Screening for Separation Processes Using Machine Learning and High-Throughput Technologies

As the chemical industry shifts toward sustainable practices, there is a growing initiative to replace conventional fossil-derived solvents with environmentally friendly alternatives such as ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a key role in the discovery and design of novel solvents and the development of green processes. This review explores the latest advancements in AI-assisted solvent screening with a specific focus on machine learning (ML) models for physicochemical property prediction and separation process design. Additionally, this paper highlights recent progress in the development of automated high-throughput (HT) platforms for solvent screening. Finally, this paper discusses the challenges and prospects of ML-driven HT strategies for green solvent design and optimization. To this end, this review provides key insights to advance solvent screening strategies for future chemical and separation processes.

Artificial intelligence↗
DOE OSTI2025

The power of lanthanides: same composition, but different lanthanides leading to different interesting materials properties, from magnetocalorics to molecular magnets and phosphors

Commonly accepted design concepts for ionic liquids (ILs) state that the constituting ions must be large and carry low, well-dispersed charges. A series of ILs based of pentadeca charged ILs with pentanuclear linear {Ln 5 } units ([Ln 5 (C 2 H 5 -C 3 H 3 N 2 -CH 2 COO) 16 (H 2 O) 8 ](Tf 2 N) 15 (C 3 H 3 N 2 = imidazolium moiety, Tf 2 N = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide) with Ln = Er, Ho, Tm) demonstrates that these criteria are not absolute. Highly charged ions can also support IL formation, provided they are sufficiently large. Expanding the series of these unconventional, record pentadeca charged with new lanthanide representatives, led to the discovery of additional unprecedented properties for ILs: The Gd compound exhibits a strong magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in the liquid state with a maximum magnetic entropy change of −ΔS M = −11 J⋅kg −1 ⋅K −1 at 2 K for Δμ 0 H = 7 T. Albeit the Dy representative shows slow magnetic relaxation, the relaxation times are not favorable for practical application as a molecular magnet. Lastly, for both the Gd and the Y compound, phosphorescence in the seconds time scale is observed, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the longest ever reported for an IL.

Ionic Liquids↗
DOE OSTI2025

Exploring Phosphonium‐Based Anion Exchange Polymers for Moisture Swing Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide

This study explores the performance and stability of ammonium and phosphonium-based polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) with methyl and butyl substituents in moisture-swing direct air capture of CO 2 . The polymers are synthesized with chloride counterions, followed by ion exchange to the bicarbonate ion, and tests for CO 2 capture capacity and stability under cyclic wet–dry conditions. The phosphonium polymer with methyl substituents [PVBT-MeP] demonstrates the highest CO 2 capture capacity at ≈510 µmol g⁻¹, attributed to minimal steric hindrance and stronger ion pairing with bicarbonate. However, oxidative degradation is detected by 31 P NMR spectroscopy after the moisture swing experiment, with the appearance of a phosphine oxide peak at 61.28 ppm, which indicates phosphorus oxidation as the primary degradation pathway. In contrast, the ammonium polymer with butyl substituents [PVBT-BuN] exhibits the highest stability, showing no degradation over five moisture swing cycles. Additional stability experiments in 0.5 m KHCO 3 solutions reveal no degradation for any PIL, suggesting that oxidative degradation is driven by dynamic acid-base reactions during the moisture swing cycles in the air. Furthermore, these findings reveal the potential of phosphonium-based PILs for moisture-swing direct air capture, achieving high capacity while highlighting the need for optimized stability through counterion and structural design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Alkali Cation-Mediated Modulation of CO 2 Reduction Activity on Tin Electrodes in [EMIM][BF 4 ]/H 2 O Electrolytes

The development of efficient CO 2 reduction technologies hinges upon a thorough understanding of the intricate interplay between solution cations and the characteristics of the electrode surface. Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as promising electrolytes for the CO 2 reduction reaction. However, the effect of alkali cations on the electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R) reaction remains unclear in ILs. Here, in this report, we studied alkali cation effects by assessing the electrocatalytic CO 2 R activity with the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [EMIM][BF 4 ], in water with alkali metal co-cations (i.e., Li + , Na + , and K + ) using a polycrystalline Sn catalyst. Contrary to previous findings in purely aqueous media with inorganic cations, where alkali cations strongly enhance CO 2 R via pH modulation and strengthening of interfacial electric fields, alkali cations in electrolytes containing the IL [EMIM][BF4] negatively impact CO 2 R activity on Sn electrodes. These results were attributed to the larger radius and higher concentration of the IL organic cation [EMIM] + that mitigates the impact of alkali cations. These findings highlight the complex interplay between IL cations and alkali metals in shaping CO 2 R performance.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microwave-driven synthesis and modification of nanocarbons and hybrids in liquid and solid phases

Over the past 20 years, nanocarbons have become more significant as nanostructured fillers in composites and, more recently, as functional elements in a brand-new class of hybrid materials. Microwave-assisted synthesis and processing is a burgeoning subject matter in materials research with significant strides in the realm of nanocarbon during the last decade. Here, the review examines recent approaches to producing various nanocarbons using microwaves as energy sources, the characterization of such materials for various applications, and their results. The underlying factors supporting the increased performance of such materials or their composites are analyzed and reaction mechanisms are presented wherever necessary. In particular, the recently developed and verified approaches to produce porous carbon materials, CNTs and fibers, carbon nanospheres, carbon dots, CQDs, reduced graphene oxide, nanocarbon hybrid materials, and the purification and modification of CNTs are discussed. The reduction of graphene oxide and the preparation of graphene derivative hybrids using solid-state and liquid-state routes such as polyopl, mixed solvents, ionic liquids, and microwave-assisted hydrothermal/solvothermal methods are analyzed in detail. In addition, the principles of microwave heating in liquid and solid states, the use of metals particles as arcing agents or catalysts, and carbonaceous materials as internal or external susceptors during synthesis and modifications are presented in detail.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Diversifying hierarchical ionic assembly by docking cations to anions as salt bridges

Here, we expand the diversity of building blocks available for ionic assembly by introducing tertiary (3°) ammonium cations into anion complexes. We use proton transfer between 3° amines and organo-phosphoric acids to generate H-bonding cations (R 3 NH + ) and anions (RHPO 4 – ) that co-assemble with cyanostar macrocycles into assemblies with 2:2:2 stoichiometry. At the heart is a supramolecular dimer where phosphate anions form salt bridges by H-bonding with cations. Unlike conventional 4° ammonium cations, 3,000 commercial amines provide diversity for high-throughput screening of 72 combinations (9 nitrogen bases and 8 acids), producing 13 privileged partners for quantitative assembly. Yields depend on the solvent and sterics of salt bridge formation. Ten more nitrogen bases connect to fluorophores (pyrene), photocatalysts (quinoline), drugs (Cipralex, Zytiga), and ionic liquids (imidazole). The synthesis and examination of 82 new salts exemplify how acid-base chemistry can open a pipeline to a diversity of building blocks for exploring hierarchical ionic assembly.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Electrocatalysis in CO 2 -Binding Organic Liquids with an Iron Porphyrin

Direct electrochemical upgrading of CO 2 in capture media is an attractive approach to carbon capture that can bypass the energy requirement for the thermal release of pure CO 2 . Here we investigate the electrocatalytic activity of iron(tetraphenylporphyrin) in the presence of organic solvents that convert into ionic liquids upon exposure to CO 2 . Four different solvent systems were tested, all of which capture CO 2 in the form of an alkyl carbonate (or carbamate) anion and an acidic ammonium cation. The electrocatalytic selectivity exhibited a strong dependence on the acidity of the capture medium, with the most basic solvent affording a high selectivity for production of CO instead of H 2 . Experimental and computational studies support a canonical mechanism in which the catalyst reacts with free CO 2 in solution, as opposed to a reaction with the alkyl carbonate that is present in high concentration. Kinetic analysis indicates that the rate-limiting step is changed from C–O protonolysis in traditional solvents to the binding of CO 2 in the capture media. Quantitative 13 C– 13 C EXSY revealed that the dissociation of the alkyl carbonate into free, solvated CO 2 is very rapid (~15 s –1 ) compared to the interconversion of HCO 3 – /CO 2 in aqueous solution. These results underscore the need to understand the mechanism and kinetics for both the release of captured CO 2 and its electrocatalytic conversion.

Carbon Dioxide↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Coordinated-Anion-Enriched Electrolyte for Lean-Electrolyte Li–S Batteries

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Li and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) at sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) formed in the commonly used liquid electrolytes cannot accommodate the large volume change of both Li anode and SPAN cathode, resulting in severe electrolyte and Li consumption and fast capacity decay under high mass loading and lean electrolyte condition. Herein, a LiF-rich SEI and a LiF-Li x N y O z co-enriched CEI are simultaneously formed by adding ionic liquid (Py 13 TFSI) in the localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE), which forms a coordinated-anion-enriched solvation structure. In this study, the LiF-rich interphase results in less stress/strain during large volume changes of Li and SPAN and therefore achieving obviously improved stability even at a high areal capacity. Consequently, Li (50 μm)||SPAN (6 mg cm -2 ) pouch cells under the lean electrolyte condition (E/S ratio of 5 mL g SPAN -1 ) delivers a stable cycle life of 120 cycles with 79.2% capacity retention, demonstrating great promise for high-energy-density lithium-sulfur batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interactive multiscale modeling to bridge atomic properties and electrochemical performance in Li-CO 2 battery design

Li-CO 2 batteries are promising energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and CO 2 fixation capability, relying on reversible Li 2 CO 3 /C formation during discharge/charge cycles. Here, we present a multiscale modeling framework integrating Density Functional Theory (DFT), Ab-Initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD), classical Molecular Dynamics (MD), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to investigate atomic and cell-level properties. The considered Li-CO 2 battery consists of a lithium metal anode, an ionic liquid electrolyte, and a carbon cloth cathode with Sb 0.67 Bi 1.33 Te 3 catalyst. DFT and AIMD determined the electrical conductivities of Sb 0.67 Bi 1.33 Te 3 and Li 2 CO 3 using the Kubo–Greenwood formalism and studied the CO 2 reduction mechanism on the cathode catalyst. MD simulations calculated the CO 2 diffusion coefficient, Li + transference number, ionic conductivity, and Li + solvation structure. The FEA model, parameterized with atomistic simulation data, reproduced the available experimental voltage–capacity profile at 1 mA/cm 2 and revealed spatio-temporal variations in Li 2 CO 3 /C deposition, porosity, and CO 2 concentration dependence on discharge rates in the cathode. Accordingly, Li 2 CO 3 can form large and thin film deposits, leading to dispersed and local porosity changes at 0.1 mA/cm 2 and 1 mA/cm 2 , respectively. The capacity decreases exponentially from 81,570 mAh/g at 0.1 mA/cm 2 to 6200 mAh/g at 1 mA/cm 2 , due to pore clogging from excessive discharge product deposition that limits CO 2 transport to the cathode interior. Therefore, the performance of Li-CO 2 batteries can be improved by enhancing CO 2 transport, regulating Li 2 CO 3 deposition, and optimizing cathode architecture.

Battery performance↗
DOE OSTI2026

Structural effects of composition tuning in A-site disordered perovskite La0.5Li0.5−xMxTiO3 (M = Na, K) nanorods for fast interfacial transport for solid composite electrolyte design

Polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes (CPE) have emerged as promising replacements for currently used liquid organic electrolytes, which pose as safety hazards, in Li-ion batteries. Limits in conductivity enhancement in CPEs is often attributed to a high resistance for Li-ion transport along the interface due to the incompatibility of the polymer and ceramic phases. A clear understanding of the interfacial structure and how this impacts interfacial Li-ion transport is needed in order to efficiently design a CPE with optimal ionic conductivity. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, in conjunction with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), are used to unveil the bulk and surface structure of La0.5Li0.5−xMxTiO3 (M = Na, K) (LMTO) nanorods, a newly-reported ceramic system with promising applications in CPEs, and the LMTO interactions with the poly(lithium sulfonyl (trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide methacrylate) (p(MTFSILi)) polymerized ionic liquid. Substitution of lithium for sodium and potassium onto the A-site perovskite lattice is shown to increase the stability of the preferred pseudocubic perovskite phase because of their increased cation size which allows them to reduce the TiO6 octahedral rotations in the bulk and at the surface. STEM and EELS results show that LMTO nanorods with differing compositions have Ti-enriched (110)-oriented surfaces. Increased sodium and potassium compositions in LMTO is also shown using the DFT calculations to weaken the binding of the lithium atom to the MTFSI unit when LiMTFSI is adsorbed to the LMTO surface. This weakening of lithium binding to the polymer at the LMTO interface indicates that the lithium mobility is increased, correlating to an increase in interfacial Li-ion transport. Overall, this work provides insights into how to tune the interfacial interactions between the polymer (p(MTFSI)) and ceramic (LMTO) for optimal CPE design.

Shepard, Lauren B [Pennsylvania State University, ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Impact of Drought Stress on Sorghum bicolor Yield, Deconstruction, and Microbial Conversion Determined in a Feedstocks-to-Fuels Pipeline

Sorghum is an attractive feedstock for biobased fuel and chemical production because it is familiar to farmers, naturally drought tolerant, and versatile as a food, feed, and fuel crop. Although sorghum is a promising feedstock, particularly in regions that experience drought stress, little is known about how drought conditions impact the ease of conversion of sorghum to fuels and products. This study combines agronomic field trials with a high-throughput experimental pipeline to explore the field performance and liquid biofuel (bisabolene) yields resulting from three sorghum types (photosensitive forage sorghum, optimized grain sorghum, and drought-resistant grain sorghum) grown under pre- and postflowering water limitations in two different California locations. Multiple drought treatments are compared to the control, as the timing (preflowering versus postflowering) of drought stress elicits different survival strategies and corresponding impacts on yield and composition. Forage-type sorghum maintained the highest biomass yields across all irrigation conditions and locations. Glucose and xylose yields resulting from ionic liquid pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification were not significantly impacted by irrigation treatments but differed by location and genotype. However, Rhodosporidium toruloides grown on the resulting plant hydrolysates unexpectedly produced higher titers of bisabolene for drought-stressed sorghum samples regardless of genotype.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancing Cycle Life in Superoxide‐Based Na–O 2 Batteries by Reducing Interface Reactivity

Abstract Sodium–oxygen (Na–O 2 ) batteries are considered a promising energy storage alternative to current state‐of‐the‐art technologies owing to their high theoretical energy density, along with the natural abundance and low price of Na metal. The chemistry of these batteries depends on sodium superoxide (NaO 2 ) or peroxide (Na 2 O 2 ) being formed/decomposed. Most Na–O 2 batteries form NaO 2 , but reversibility is usually quite limited due to side reactions at interfaces. By using new materials, including a highly active catalyst based on vanadium phosphide (VP) nanoparticles, an ether/ionic liquid‐based electrolyte, and an effective sodium bromide (NaBr) anode protection layer, the sources of interface reactivity can be reduced to achieve a Na–O 2 battery cell that is rechargeable for 1070 cycles with a high energy efficiency of more than 83%. Density functional theory calculations, along with experimental characterization confirm the three factors leading to the long cycle life, including the effectiveness of the NaBr protective layer on the anode, a tetraglyme/EMIM‐BF 4 based electrolyte that prevents oxidation of the VP cathode catalyst surface, and the EMIM‐BF 4 ionic liquid aiding in avoiding electrolyte decomposition on NaO 2 .

Azaribeni, Adel [Department of Chemical and Biolog↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanically Reinforced Pseudosolid Polyelectrolyte Membranes via Layer-by-Layer Assembly for High-Performing Lithium-Metal Batteries

Ionogels are emerging as high-potential pseudosolid electrolytes for lithium-metal batteries (LMBs), leveraging their intrinsic high ionic conductivity from entrapped ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. However, their practical application is hindered by poor mechanical strength stemming from the confinement of ILs within a polymer matrix. To address this challenge, the formation of conformal polyion coatings with functional groups is reported to be relevant to LMBs’ application on ionogels, utilizing a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly strategy. Here, this approach significantly enhances the mechanical strength (Young's modulus and tensile strength) and electrochemical performance of ionogels, owing to the tailored interface modifications introduced by functional groups’ specific conformal polyion coatings. The core of this methodology leverages the inherent ionic structure of ionogels to enable facile interface modification through Coulombic interactions between polyanions and polycations. These conformally coated interface functionalized membranes show improved electrochemical performance when integrated with cathode materials such as LiFePO 4 (LFP) and LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) in an LMB configuration, underscoring their potential for robust, high-conductivity, pseudosolid membranes for LMB applications. These innovative pseudosolid membranes offer improved mechanical and electrochemical properties, leading to higher battery efficiency and safety, making them promising candidates for next-generation LMB technology.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Higher_wood_density_lowers_feedstock_cost_and_has_minimal_impact_on_biomass_conversion_to_biofuels

Poplar and other woody feedstocks have the potential to provide up to 200 million tons of biomass per year that could be converted to liquid fuels. Most forestry strategies that aim at increasing biomass productivity per hectare rely on short rotation plantations of fast-growing varieties. The improvement of wood density as a key trait itself has largely been overlooked. We evaluated natural variation in wood density across a population of genetically diversePopulus trichocarpatrees grown in a common garden. Wood density varies greatly within this population but is heritable higher wood density was not systematically associated with reduced growth, challenging assumptions of a trade-off between wood density and biomass accumulation. Furthermore, denser wood led to significant improvements throughout the supply chain, including, lowering biomass production and transportation costs. Higher density not correlate to changes in biomass composition. Density did not impact bioconversion in the two feedstock-to-fuel pipelines tested (pretreatment by ionic liquids or soaking in aqueous ammonia, and fermentation to ethanol) on a representative subset of poplars. These findings highlight wood density as a promising breeding target for accelerating the development of high-yielding, conversion-efficient bioenergy crops and as an avenue for increasing land-use efficiency and reducing biomass transportation cost. This data set contain three datasets.

CBI↗