The primary objectives of the CNAM-Biomaterials Center (CNAM-Bio) are to synthesize low cost, biodegradable biopolymers from renewable sources (such as agricultural waste biomass and methane) using polymer-producing microbes and extremophilic bioprocessing; and to develop commercially viable processes to transform these materials into valuable biopolymer and biocomposite products.
CNAM-Bio has uniquely integrated capabilities across the biopolymer-synthesis to biocomposite-processing spectrum, bringing together strong research teams in biocatalysis, metabolic engineering, extremozymes, interfacial chemistry, polymer processing, composites manufacturing, and materials modeling. With patent-pending technologies, industry-driven objectives, and a location close to sources of unique extremophilic microbes, methanotroph microbes, and abundant lignocellulosic biomass, CNAM-Bio will play a leading role in propelling the emergence of a strong bio-based materials industry.
Supplanting petroleum as the dominant polymer feedstock will be critical to sustaining global consumption and industrial production of polymeric materials (which have become essential to the quality of human life) while helping to ensure a clean and healthy planet for generations to come.
We welcome your interest in CNAM-Bio and hope you will join us in this exciting enterprise!
David Salem
Director