About

Troy Runge is a Professor in the Biological Systems Engineering department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and serves as the CALS Associate Dean for Research. He performs research and teaches in the bioenergy field, with a focus on biomass composition and separation technologies. Troy is a lignocellulose chemist by training, holding a B.S. in Paper Science and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Paper Science and Engineering from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech. His expertise includes bioenergy, biomass composition impact on bioprocessing systems such as anaerobic digestion, combustion, gasification, and catalysis, as well as biomaterials like pulp, paper, bio-based chemicals, cellulose composites, and nonwoven structures. Prior to his current role, Troy spent several years at UW as the Director of the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative and worked for fifteen years at Kimberly-Clark Corporation in research and engineering roles related to pulp, tissue, nonwoven, and hygiene product production.

Research topics

• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Agronomy
• Waste management
• Geography
• Environmental science
• Organic chemistry
• Pulp and paper industry
• Statistics
• Agricultural engineering
• Computer vision
• Environmental protection

Selected publications

• Cellulose nanocrystals from forest residues: An integrated techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment

  Resources Conservation and Recycling · 2026-01-07 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Cellulose nanofibers and limestone filler enable high-performance, sustainable, and cost-efficient printable concrete

  Nature Communications · 2026-02-09 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  3D-printed concrete requires carefully tuned rheological properties to ensure successful printing. Achieving a balance between printability, mechanical performance, sustainability and cost remains a challenge due to high cement content and extensive use of chemical admixtures typically required to meet rheological constraints. In this study, we develop a high-performance, low-carbon, cost-effective printable concrete using cellulose nanofibers and limestone filler. Incorporation of 0.3% cellulose nanofibers with 29% limestone filler replacement increases the static yield stress, storage modulus, and critical strain by 1213%, 255%, and 542%, respectively, with a moderate impact on viscosity compared to the reference mixture. Microstructural analyses indicate that the limestone filler accelerates hydration and enhances early-age stiffening, while the cellulose nanofibers increase static yield stress through colloidal interactions. Cellulose nanofibers enhance both compressive and flexural strength, allowing up to a 40% reduction in cement content while maintaining mechanical performance. Robotic 3D printing of a large-scale element demonstrates the scalability of the developed mixture and underscores its potential for large scale applications. Finally, techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment further demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of the proposed mixtures. The study develops a printable concrete using cellulose nanofibers and limestone filler, enhancing rheological and mechanical properties while reducing cement content. It demonstrates improved buildability and sustainability, with potential for large-scale 3D printing applications in construction.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Integrating Rgb-Derived Morphometrics and Nir Spectra for Robust Optical Estimation of Forage Processing Quality

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Economic and environmental impact analysis of cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced cementitious mixture in 3D printing

  Resources Conservation and Recycling · 2025-03-13 · 15 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Cover Feature: Biotransformation of Phenolics in Spent Liquor from Aqueous Ammonia Pretreatment (ChemSusChem 22/2025)

  ChemSusChem · 2025-11-24

  articleOpen access

  The Cover Feature shows microbes engineered at UW-Madison’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center transforming p-hydroxybenzamide (pHBAm) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) into 2-pryone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC). Ammonia pretreatment of poplar converts p-hydroxybenzoate esters into pHBAm, pHBA, and phenol, the structures on the leaves. While phenol is produced by decarboxylation of pHBA, it is not transformed by the microbes. More information can be found in the Research Article by S. D. Karlen and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202500881). Cover design by Chelsea Mamott, Shengfei Zhou and Steven D. Karlen.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Forest Residue-Derived Thermoresponsive Nanocellulose Adsorbent for Efficient Removal of Short- and Long-Chain PFAS from Water

  Water Air & Soil Pollution · 2025-11-17 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Pre-harvest loss quantification in grain crops

  Computers and Electronics in Agriculture · 2025-04-30 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Techno-economic and life cycle assessment of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing

  Industrial Crops and Products · 2025-03-08 · 11 citations

  articleOpen access

  As CO 2 emissions reach record highs, finding renewable, low-cost, and low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel-based products is critical. This study examines the techno-economic and life cycle assessment (TEA-LCA) of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing, investigating lignin, a renewable and affordable resource, as an alternative to petroleum-derived resins. Kraft lignin was fractionated into a low molecular weight fraction and combined with commercial resin in a 9:1 ratio or 10 % by weight. TEA estimated the production cost of the resin at $38.43/kg with a minimum selling price of $38.85/kg for a 10 MT/batch plant. LCA results revealed a global warming impact of 6.64 kg CO 2 eq/kg of resin, with highest emissions coming from the commercial epoxy resin. Utilizing higher percentages of lignin instead of the commercial resin could substantially lower both production costs and environmental impacts, providing a more sustainable option for 3D printing. • Evaluated lignin-based resin for 3D printing, showing promise as a sustainable alternative. • Techno-economic analysis estimated resin production cost at $38.43/kg for a 10 MT/batch plant. • Life cycle assessment revealed a global warming impact of 6.64 kg CO₂ eq/kg of resin. • Increasing lignin content in the resin blend could reduce both costs and environmental impacts. • The study supports lignin-based resins as a feasible option for sustainable 3D printing production.

  PublisherDOI

• Biotransformation of Phenolics in Spent Liquor from Aqueous Ammonia Pretreatment

  ChemSusChem · 2025-09-10 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Spent liquors of biomass pretreatment provide a source for renewable chemical production. These liquors require treatment before being discharged; otherwise, they negatively impact the environment. Herein, spent liquors from aqueous ammonia pretreatment of poplar wood are characterized for phenolic content via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The main phenolics are phenol, p-hydroxybenzamide (pHBAm), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA), of which pHBAm and pHBA are produced from the ester-linked p-hydroxybenzoates in poplar wood. Phenol is produced from pHBA via decarboxylation. The potential biotransformation of the extracted phenolics into 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) is assessed using an engineered strain of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans DSM12444 (PDC strain). Biotransformation of pHBAm to PDC is shown to be possible in the presence of pHBA, but not when pHBAm is the sole phenolic substrate, this is the first reported observation of N. aromaticivorans producing PDC from an aromatic amide. The phenol present is not transformed to PDC and does not inhibit PDC production. This study demonstrates that the phenolic amide in spent liquor from ammonia pretreatment can be valorized via biotransformation using N. aromaticivorans, which adds to the growing versatility of N. aromaticivorans as a microbial chassis for converting plant-derived compounds to useful products.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Techno-economic and environmental impacts assessments of sustainable aviation fuel production from forest residues

  Sustainable Energy & Fuels · 2024-01-01 · 38 citations

  articleOpen access

  Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from forest residues is a promising pathway to reduce aviation's carbon footprint. This study assesses the techno-economic and environmental impacts of producing SAF via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, with soil carbon benefits and greenhouse gas reductions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Xuesong Zhang

  32 shared

• Mahmoud Sharara

  North Carolina State University

  23 shared

• R. C. Izaurralde

  University of Maryland, College Park

  20 shared

• Bruce E. Dale

  20 shared

• John Ralph

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  19 shared

• Steven D. Karlen

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  19 shared

• Kamalakanta Sahoo

  17 shared

• Seungdo Kim

  Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center

  16 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Biological Systems Engineering

  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  2003

• M.S., Biological Systems Engineering

  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  1998

• B.S., Agricultural and Biological Engineering

  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  1996