Chemistry intern uses agricultural waste to produce eco-friendly biofuel

Kalidas Mainali, Ph.D., has always been drawn to the natural world and the potential good biomass could have on society. Growing up in a village in Nepal, he developed a particular interest in biofuels due to the abundance of biomass resources in the region. He studied abroad at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, then relocated to Washington State University where he earned his doctoral degree in chemistry and agricultural engineering.

During his doctoral studies, Mainali expressed an interest in government research to his degree supervisor, Manuel Garcia Perez, Ph.D., who suggested he explore opportunities through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). He applied and became a part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Participation Program (USDA ARS), within the Sustainable Biofuels and Coproducts Research Unit. Here, he studies useful ways that biofuels can impact the future of the world.

The USDA ARS Research Participation Program provides opportunities for students, postgraduates, established scientists and faculty to participate in programs, projects and activities at ARS-designated facilities to help ARS solve agricultural problems of high national priority.

Mainali contributed to multiple projects, including synthesizing biolubricants from vegetable oils and waste cooking coils, extracting useful compounds out of less useful biomass and producing biochar from agricultural waste products. All these projects have enormous potential to make the planet cleaner, more efficient and profitable. For example, biolubricants could be substituted for petroleum-based lubricants that are harmful to the environment. Additionally, biochar, which is a way to sequester carbon, can be made from waste products and therefore could prevent those products from polluting soil and water, on top of being more cost effective.

A typical day for Mainali involves anything from creating experimental designs, to researching in the lab, to literature reviews and attending meetings. His favorite aspects of the internship include interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, and access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Mainali has collaborated on ten papers; he has been the lead author on five papers and has four additional manuscripts in the works. He has been published in the Journal of Environmental Management, Biomass and Bioenergy, and Industrial Crops and Products. Mainali has also presented his research at conferences such as at the American Chemical Society’s Annual Spring Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mainali recommends the USDA ARS program “without a doubt” to other students and scientists, believing that it has great value for those eager to develop their research skills.

“Not only will you have access to well-equipped laboratories staffed by experienced personnel, but based on your motivation, you will be trained to use these facilities to work on various projects and make a difference,” says Mainali. “I believe that the USDA ARS is an excellent location for an internship, and it has been a valuable opportunity for young researchers to gain hands-on research experience.”

Mainali thanks all his mentors, including Majher Sarker, Ph.D., Charles Mullen, Ph.D.,  Brajendra K. Sharma, Ph.D., and Madhav Yadav, Ph.D., for their guidance within the USDA ARS program. After his internship concludes, he hopes to continue his research, whether through government initiatives or academic institutions.

 The USDA ARS Research Participation Program is funded by USDA and is administered through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is managed for DOE by ORAU.