Junyong (JY) Zhu
Position title: Senior Research Scientist, USDA Forest Product Laboratory
Email: jzhu9@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 231-9520
Address:
Building 33, Room 243
USDA Forest Product Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726

Program Affiliations
- Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service
Education and Certificates
- B.S. – Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
- M.S. – Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University
- Ph.D. – Engineering, University of California, Irvine
Fields of Interest
- Mechanical and chemical pretreatments of lignocellulose for bioconversion
- Biorefinery process integration for efficient production of biofuel and bioproducts
- Cellulose nanomaterials: production, characterization, and utilization.
- Fundamentals of nano-scale structure and activities associated with enzyme access in lignocellulose bioconversion processes
- Biomass feedstock characterization
- Fiber resources, properties, characterization, processing, and modification
- Fiber Production through mechanical and chemical pulping and Paper Recycling
Teaching
- BSE 460: Biorefining – Energy and Products from Renewable Resources
Publications
Selected Referred Journal Publications since 2009
- Zhang, J. and Zhu, J.Y., (2015) “Optimizing High Titer Ethanol Production from a SPORL Pretreated Poplar without Detoxification Using a Combined Hydrolysis Factor (CHF)” Bioresource Technology (submitted)
- Zhou, H., Zhu, J.Y., Gleisner, R., Qiu, X., Horn, E., (2015), “High titer ethanol and lignosulfonate productions from SPORL pretreated poplar at pilot-scale”, Frontiers Bioenergy Biofuels (submitted)
- Cheng, J., Leu, S.Y., Zhu, J.Y. Gleisner, R., (2015), “High Titer and Yield Ethanol Production from Undetoxified Whole Slurry of Douglas-fir Forest Residue using pH-Profiling in SPORL”, Biotechnol. Biofuels 8:22 DOI:10.1186/s13068-015-205-3
- Zhu, J.Y., Chandra, M.S., Gu, F., Gleisner, R., Reiner, R., Sessions, J., Marrs, G., Gao, J., Anderson, D., (2015) “Using Sulfite Chemistry for Robust Bioconversion of Douglas-fir Forest Residue to High Titer Bioethanol and Lignosulfonate: A Pilot-Scale Demonstration”, Bioresource Technology, 179:390-397 DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.12.052
- Wang, W., Mozuch, M.D., Sabo, R.C., Kersten, P., Zhu, J.Y., Jin, Y., (2015), “Production of cellulose nanofibrils from bleached eucalyptus fibers by hyperthermophilic endoglucanase treatment and subsequent microfluidization”, Cellulose 22:351-316 DOI:10.1007/s10570-014-0465-2
- Zhang, J., Laguna, A., Clemons, C., Wolcott, M.P., Gleisner, R., Zhu, J.Y. (2015), “Effect of Temperature on Pelletizing SPORL Pretreated Forest Biomass and Subsequent Enzymatic Saccharification and Fermentation”, BioEnergy Research 8: DOI:10.1007/s12155-014-9530-9
- Zhou, H.F., Leu, S.-Y., Zhu, J.Y., Wu, X., Gleisner, R., Yang, D., Qiu, X., Horn, E., (2014), “Comparisons of high titer ethanol production and lignosulfonate properties by SPORL pretreatment of lodgepole pine at two temperatures”, RSC Advances 4, 27030–27038 DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03608e
- Wang, Q.Q., Zhao, X., Zhu, J.Y., (2014), “Kinetics of Strong Acid Hydrolysis of A Bleached Kraft Pulp for Producing Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC)”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 53:11007-11014 DOI:10.1021/ie501672m
- Xu, X., Wang, H.; Jiang, L.; Wang, X.; Payne, S.; Zhu, J.Y. (2014) “Electrospun Polyethylene Oxide Nanofiber Mats: Effects of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Cellulose Nanofibrils and Novel Shish-kebab-like Crystalline Structures”, Macromolecules 47:3409-3416 DOI: 10.1021/ma402627j
- Cheng, J., Leu, S.-Y., Zhu, J.Y., Jeffries, T.W., (2014), “Ethanol Production from Non-detoxified Whole Slurry of SPORL-pretreated Empty Fruit Bunches at a Low Cellulase Loading”, Bioresource Technology 164:331-337 DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.04.102
- Lou, H, Zhou, H, Li, X., Wang, M., Zhu, J.Y., and Qiu, X., (2014), “Understanding the Effects of Lignosulfonate on Enzymatic Saccharification of Pure Cellulose”, Cellulose 21:1351-1359 DOI: 10.1007/s10570-014-0237-z
- Zhang, C., Houtman, C.J., Zhu, J.Y. (2014), “Using Low Temperature to Balance Enzymatic Saccharification and Furan Formation during SPORL Pretreatment of Douglas-fir”, Process Biochemistry 49:466-473 DOI:10.1016/j.procbio.2013.12.017
- Zhou, H.F., Zhu, J.Y., Luo, X., Leu, S.-Y., Wu, X., Gleisner, R., Dien, B.S., Hector, R.E., Yang, D., Qiu, X., Horn, E., Negron, J. (2013), “Bioconversion of Beetle-Killed Lodgepole Pine Using SPORL: Process Scale-up Design, Lignin Co-product, and High Solids Fermentation without Detoxification”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 52(45):16057-16065 DOI:10.1021/ie402873y
- Leu, S.-Y., Gleisner, R., Zhu, J.Y., Sessions, J., Marrs, G., (2013) “Robust Enzymatic Saccharification of a Douglas-fir Forest Harvest Residue by SPORL”, Biomass Bioenergy 59:393 DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.08.014
- Lou, H., Zhu, J.Y., Lan, T.Q., Lai, H., and Qiu, X., (2013) “pH-Induced Lignin Surface Modification to Reduce Nonspecific Cellulase Binding and Enhance Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses”, ChemSusChem 6(5):919-927 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201200859
- Leu, S-Y. and Zhu, J.Y., (2013) “Substrate-Related Factors Affecting Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses: Our Recent Understanding”, BioEnergy Research 6:405-415 DOI: 10.1007/s12155-012-9276-1
- Xu, X., Liu, F., Jiang, L. and Zhu, J.Y. (2013) “Cellulose Nanocrystals vs. Cellulose Nanofibrils: A Comparative Study on Their Microstructures and Effects as Polymer Reinforcing Agents”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 5(8):2999-3009, DOI: 10.1021/am302624t
- Wang, Q.Q., Zhu, J.Y., Considine, J.M., (2013) “Strong and Optically Transparent Film Prepared Using Cellulosic Solid Residue (CSR) Recovered from Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) Production Waste Stream”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 5(7):2527-2534, DOI: 10.1021/am302967m
- Wang, Z.J., Lan, T.Q., Zhu, J.Y., (2013) “Lignosulfonate and Elevated pH Can Enhance Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses”, Biotechnol. Biofuels 6:9. DOI:10.1186/1754-6834-6-9
- Zhang, C., Zhu J.Y., Gleisner, R., Sessions, J. (2012) “Fractionation of Forest Residues of Douglas-fir for Fermentable Sugar Production by SPORL Pretreatment”, BioEnergy Research 5(4):978-988
- Wang, Q.Q., Zhu, J.Y., Hunt, C.G., Zhan, H.Y. (2012) “Kinetics of Adsorption, Desorption, and Re-adsorption of a Commercial Endoglucanase in Lignocellulosic Suspensions”, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 109(8):1965-1975
- Zhu, J.Y., Zhuang, X.S. (2012) “Conceptual net energy output for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass through biorefining”, Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 38(4):583-598
- Wang, Q.Q., He, Z.B., Zhu, Z., Zhang, Y.-H. P., Ni, Y.H., Luo, X.L., Zhu, J.Y. (2012) “Evaluations of Cellulose Accessibility of Lignocelluloses by Solute Exclusion and Protein Absorption Techniques”, Biotechnol. Bioeng. 109(2):381-389
- Liu, H., Zhu, J.Y., Chai, X.S., (2011) “In-situ, Rapid and Temporally Resolved Measurements of Cellulase Adsorption onto Lignocellulosic Substrates by UV-Vis Spectrophotometry” Langmuir 27(1):272-278
- Zhu, J.Y., Sabo, R., Luo, X.L., (2011), “Integrated Production of Nano-fibrillated Cellulose and Biofuel (Ethanol) by Enzymatic Fractionation of Wood Fibers”, Green Chemistry 13(5):1339-1344
- Luo, X., Zhu, J.Y., Gleisner, R., Zhan, H.Y., (2011) “Effect of Wet Pressing-induced Fiber Hornification on Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses,” Cellulose 18(4):1055-1062
- Luo, X., Zhu, J.Y., (2011) “Effects of Drying-induced Fiber Hornification on Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses,” Enzyme Microbial Technol. 48(1):92-99
- Zhu, W., Zhu, J.Y., Glesiner, R., Pan, X.J., (2010), “On Energy Consumption for Size-Reduction and Yield from Subsequent Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Lodgepole Pine,” Bioresource Technology, 101:2782-2792
- Zhu, J.Y., Pan, X.J., (2010), “Woody Biomass Pretreatment for Cellulosic Ethanol Production: Technology and Energy Consumption Evaluation”, Bioresource Technology, 101:4992-5002.
- Zhu, J.Y., Pan, X.J., Wang, G.S, Gleisner, R., (2009), “Sulfite Pretreatment (SPORL) for Robust Enzymatic Saccharification of Spruce and Red Pine”, Bioresource Technology, 100(8):2411-2418.
- Zhu, J.Y., Wang, G.S., Gleisner, R., Pan, X., (2009), “Specific Surface for Evaluating Wood Size Reduction and Pretreatment Efficiencies”, Chem. Eng. Sci., 64(3):474-485.
Books
- Edited Book: Zhu JY, Pan XJ, Zhang X, (2011) Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Fibers from Forest Biomass, American Chemical Society (ACS) Symposium Series 1067, ISBN: 9780841226432.
Selected Patents
- Zhu, J.Y., Reiner, R., “Methods for Integrating the Production of Cellulose Nanofibrils with the production of Cellulose Nanocrystals” U.S. Patent No. 8, 710,213 (2014)
- Liu, H., and Zhu, J.Y.,“Metal Compounds to Eliminate Nonproductive Enzyme Adsorption and Enhance Enzymatic Saccharification of Lignocelluloses”, U.S. Patent No. 8, 815,561 B2 (2014)
- Zhu, J.Y., Sabo, R., and Clemons, C.M., “Methods for Integrated Conversion of Lignocellulosic Material to Sugars/Biofuels and Nanocellulose” US Patent No. 8. 835,141 B2 (2014)
Selected Awards and Honors
- The Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair and Scholarship (2015-2016) in Energy and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, 2015
- TAPPI International R&D Technical Award and William H. Aiken Prize, 2014, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)
- Employee of the Year –Technical, 2014, Greater Madison Area of Federal Agency Association (GMAFAA)
- US Forest Service Deputy Chief for R&D’s Distinguished Science Award, 2013
- USDA Exemplary R&D in Agriculture, Food, Nutrition, and Natural Resources, 2011
Expertise Summary
Current Major Recent Research Grants
- Co-Principal Investigator, High-value Nano-fibrillated Cellulose Polymer Reinforcement as a Biofuel Co-product, Co- Principal Investigator. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Agricultural Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Foundation Program – Sustainable Energy (2011-67009-20056). 1/2011–1/2016, ~$987,000
- Co-Principal Investigator, Renewable Biomass to Fuels and Value Added Chemicals, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Agricultural Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants – Regional Approaches to Sustainable Bioenergy – Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) (2011-68005-30416) 10/2011–9/2016, ~$40,000,000