Biomass to Bioenergy

Dr. Sonil Nanda is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, Canada. He previously served as Director of Research and Development at Titan Clean Energy Projects Corporation in Craik, Saskatchewan. Dr. Nanda’s research focuses on producing advanced biofuels and biochemicals through thermochemical and biochemical conversion technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, carbonization, torrefaction, and fermentation. He has gained expertise in hydrothermal gasification of various organic wastes and biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues, industrial effluents, municipal solid waste, cattle manure, sewage sludge, food wastes, waste tires, and petroleum residues, to produce hydrogen fuel. His parallel interests also include generating hydrothermal flames to treat hazardous wastes, agronomic applications of biochar, phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, and carbon capture and sequestration. Dr. Nanda has published and more than 180 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Nanda is a fellow member of the Society for Applied Biotechnology in India and a life member of the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Association of Microbiologists of India, the Indian Science Congress Association, and the Biotech Research Society of India. He is also a member of several chemical engineering societies across North America, including the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Chemical Institute of Canada, the Combustion Institute-Canadian Section, and Engineers Without Borders Canada.

Ajay K. Dalai is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Bioenergy and Environmental-Friendly Chemical Processing in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focus is on novel catalyst development for gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies, biodiesel production and applications, hydrogen and syngas production from waste materials, hydroprocessing of heavy gas oil, and value-added products from biomass. His research has had a tremendous global impact in combating pollution and finding alternative energy resources. His leadership in synchrotron radiation research and the Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory (CCREL) he established at the University of Saskatchewan have generated strong interest and collaborative projects with research institutes and universities worldwide. His expertise and strategic initiatives in bioeconomy have earned him several national and international awards. He is also an active member of the American Chemical Society, Canadian Catalysis Society, and Indian Catalysis Society.