About

Lokendra Pal is the EJ “Woody” Rice Professor of Paper Science and Engineering (PSE) and Sustainable Biomaterials at the Department of Forest Biomaterials within the College of Natural Resources at NC State University. He is recognized as a faculty expert in the field of forest-based biomaterials, with a focus on advancing research in paper science, renewable chemicals and energy, and sustainable materials and technology. His contributions are acknowledged through awards such as the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award, highlighting his leadership and impact in education and research in bioresource industries.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Materials science
• Engineering
• Chemistry
• Composite material
• Organic chemistry
• Biology
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental science
• Business
• Biochemical engineering
• Ecology
• Environmental resource management
• Polymer chemistry
• Economics
• Natural resource economics
• Environmental planning
• Geography
• Archaeology
• Nuclear chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Mechanical engineering
• Environmental protection
• Waste management

Selected publications

• AI-powered open-source infrastructure for accelerating materials discovery and advanced manufacturing

  Communications Materials · 2026-02-17 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer significant opportunities to drive industrial transformation by addressing growing societal demands for products, techno-economic efficiency, and reduced carbon footprints. This review presents a structured framework for building transparent, scalable, and sustainable AI-driven infrastructures spanning conceptualization to commercialization for materials discovery and advanced manufacturing. The framework traces the evolution of materials development from empirical approaches toward integrated AI-enabled platforms, emphasizing open-source tools that unify data acquisition, modeling, simulation, and deployment to democratize access, foster collaboration, and enhance reproducibility. Key enabling components include self-driving laboratories for real-time optimization, advanced computational approaches for high-fidelity data, and blockchain-based mechanisms for secure data sharing, provenance, and supply-chain traceability. The review further discusses the importance of machine learning for materials property prediction, synthesis and process optimization, together with scalable cloud–edge architectures that improve efficiency and reduce latency. Emphasis is placed on lifecycle-aware design, techno-economic analysis, and ethical AI principles to align industrial development with global sustainability goals.

  PublisherDOI

• Advances in citric acid–crosslinked starch biopolymer chemistry, processing, and applications in sustainable packaging – A critical review

  Carbohydrate Polymers · 2026-02-16

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Biobased materials are increasingly being developed to replace petroleum-derived counterparts as renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly packaging products. This review focuses on starch-based biopolymers, given their abundance in the global supply chain and their potential to produce high-barrier, mechanically robust composites, films, and coatings. The barrier and mechanical performance of starch-based materials is critically examined, with emphasis on structure-property relationships. Key physical and chemical modification strategies used to overcome the inherent limitations of native starch are discussed, with a particular focus on citric acid crosslinking as a scalable and environmentally friendly approach for enhancing barrier performance in commercial packaging applications. Crosslinking starch with citric acid, a naturally derived multifunctional carboxylic acid, significantly improves the physical, chemical, morphological, thermal, crystalline, and hydrophobic properties of starch films and coatings. Optimal performance is achieved through precise control of processing parameters, including pH, temperature, citric acid concentration, plasticizer levels, and curing conditions. Importantly, citric acid crosslinking imparts enhanced structural stability while preserving the recyclability, compostability, and biodegradability of starch-based materials, consistent with green chemistry principles. Overall, this review highlights citric acid-crosslinked starch as a promising platform for circular packaging solutions aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks and European Union (EU) regulatory requirements.

  PublisherDOI

• Hydrodistillation-Based Essential Oil Extraction and Soda Pulping of Spent Hemp Biomass for Sustainable Fiber Production

  Molecules · 2026-01-31

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasingly valued not only for its fibers and seeds but also for essential oils derived from floral by-products. This study investigates the extraction of essential oils from three hemp floral varieties, Sour Space Candy, Suver Haze 3N, and Pinewalker 3N using hydrodistillation, a widely accepted and efficient method for isolating volatile compounds. The chemical composition and quantification of key volatiles, including α-pinene, β-myrcene, α-humulene, and α-terpineol, were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In addition to oil extraction, the residual spent biomass was repurposed into pulp fibers using the soda pulping process. Fiber properties such as freeness, viscosity, kappa number, and fiber length were evaluated for papermaking applications. The essential oil yield ranged from 1.24% to 1.86% (w/w), and the spent fiber yield ranged from 37.07% to 55.23%. Handsheets prepared from blends of spent fibers and hemp hurd fibers exhibited tensile indices ranging from 21.87 to 34.98 N·m/g. This dual-valorization approach enhances the economic and environmental value of hemp cultivation, supports sustainable material development, and contributes to the broader adoption of bio-based alternatives.

  PublisherDOI

• Sustainable and alternative fiber production from industrial hemp hurds: bench and pilot scale assessment

  Cellulose · 2026-01-18

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract The sustainable development of high-quality fibers from agricultural waste biomass offers a promising pathway for next-generation fiber-based food packaging and composite products. This study evaluates fiber production from hemp biomass using environmentally friendly approaches, including chemical-free autohydrolysis (AH), soda (alkaline) pulping (AL), and mild kraft pulping (HK), followed by peroxide and elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching. Both bench-scale experiments and a pilot-scale soda pulping trial were conducted to evaluate the industrial scalability and feasibility of converting low-value agricultural residues, specifically hemp hurds, into high-quality fibers. Among the pulping methods, autohydrolysis resulted in the highest fiber yield, followed by lab-scale soda pulping, pilot-scale soda pulping, and mild kraft pulping. However, autohydrolysis exhibited limited delignification, as indicated by a high kappa and low pulp viscosity. In contrast, mild kraft pulping produced the lowest fiber yield but achieved higher fiber quality due to increased delignification. Following ECF bleaching, the kraft pulp (HKC) showed the highest brightness, lowest residual lignin content, and highest viscosity, indicating well-preserved cellulose integrity. AL and HK fibers exhibited lower coarseness and fines content, along with enhanced crystallinity and improved fiber morphology. Peroxide- and ECF-bleached AH fibers showed the highest anionic charge and carboxyl content, indicating strong potential for further chemical modification. While AH fibers are more suitable for molded and hygiene products, HK and AL fibers show greater potential for fiber-based food packaging and composite applications, contributing to the development of a circular bioeconomy. Graphical abstract

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Energy-efficient cellulose acetate nanofilms from hemp hurds for circular packaging and agricultural mulch applications

  Cellulose · 2026-02-09

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract This study uniquely demonstrates the valorization of industrial hemp hurds into energy-efficient cellulose acetate (CA) nanofilms tailored for both sustainable packaging and agricultural mulching applications, a dual-purpose approach to address the growing global concern over single-use plastic pollution. The degree of substitution (DS) of CA was tailored by adjusting the soaking time of hurd cellulose in glacial acetic acid. Following acetylation, the resulting CA fibers underwent mechanical nanofibrillation through friction grinding using a Masuko grinder to produce cellulose acetate nanofibers (CAN). Acetylation significantly reduced this energy demand, resulting in up to 81.4% lower energy being required for nanofibril formation compared to unmodified cellulose. The nanofibers were then cast into CAN films via solution casting. The obtained CA fibers were then characterized by using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate structure, thermal behavior, and morphology. Mechanical and barrier properties of the CAN films were assessed against oxygen, moisture, water, oil, and grease to determine their suitability for high-value packaging and agricultural applications. The films showed excellent oxygen resistance (11.8–60.1 mL/m 2 ·day), high oil and grease resistance (Kit 12), and minimal hot oil absorption (≤ 0.75%). Improved dry (46.17–62.83 Nm/g) and wet (2.19–14.77 Nm/g) tensile strength, reduced water absorption (0.84–6.74%), and 38.63% lower WVTR were also observed. Compared to plastic mulch films, the acetylated films demonstrated excellent moisture retention, promoting seed germination and faster growth rates in preliminary controlled tests. These sustainable films offer a viable alternative to fossil-based plastics, ultimately contributing to food security and a circular economy. Graphical abstract

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• “Wrap and Plant” Seed Treatment: A Sustainable Management Practice for Yield Improvement and Storability of Yam Against Plant‐Parasitic Nematodes in Ghana

  International Journal of Agronomy · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Yam is an important food and income security crop for people in Ghana. Plant‐parasitic nematode infestation in soils and seed yams is a hindrance to peak production and profitability of the yam business. The key yam nematodes are Scutellonema bradys , Meloidogyne spp., and Pratylenchus spp., which cause dry rot in yam in the field, and in storage resulting in tuber losses. This study evaluated the efficacy and yield potential of abamectin “wrap and plant” technology in the management of plant‐parasitic nematodes in yam production in comparison with the traditional method in three agroecological zones in Ghana. The experiment was conducted over two seasons across three locations (Krachi‐Nchumuru, Zabzugu, and Nkoranza) in Ghana, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Field trials were set up in both wet (March–May) and dry (November–February) seasons for Nchumuru and Zabzugu districts with the exception of Nkoranza district, which had only a dry season field trial. Treatments involved banana paper with abamectin (treatment A), banana paper only (Treatment B), and farmer’s practices (FPs). Nematode damage severity after 5 months of yam storage for treatment A was the least (2.21, 3.78, and 4.60) for Krachi‐Nchumuru, Zabzugu, and Nkoranza districts, respectively. There were no significant differences among the various treatments for the initial and final nematode populations, and all treatments had reproductive factors (Rf) less than 1. Treatment A further had the least yam weight losses (29.79%, 30.18%, and 68.12%) after 5 months of storage for Krachi‐Nchumuru, Zabzugu, and Nkoranza districts, respectively. Yam weight losses in Legon storage environments were slightly lower than those in the other storage environments due to lower relative humidities in these barns. Abamectin‐treated banana paper has the potential to reduce yam rot and nematode population build‐up in yams placed in storage.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development of molded fibers-based packaging from sugarcane bagasse for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics

  BioResources · 2025-07-09 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Molded fiber-based packaging has recently surged in popularity as a replacement for single-use plastics (SUPs). However, key challenges include the lack of low-cost, high-yield sustainable fibers that provide adequate strength and moldability while reducing drying energy consumption, which is essential for widespread adoption. Therefore, this study explores high-yield, sustainable fiber development for molded packaging applications through carbonate and bicarbonate pulping, as well as oxygen delignification. Furthermore, it examines mild refining and cationic starch treatments to balance strength and drainage properties during the molding process. Results show that carbonate and bicarbonate pulping of sugarcane bagasse achieved yields of approximately 72%, while oxygen delignification reduced yield by 2% but improves mechanical performance by 25%. Mild refining decreased dryness by 10%, whereas adding 1% cationic starch enhanced dryness by 9% and increased mechanical strength by up to 60%. These alternative fibers from sugarcane bagasse present a viable solution for replacing SUP packaging, helping to mitigate pollution and reduce waste accumulation.

  PublisherDOI

• Ultralow-Density Mesoporous PDMS-Doped Graphene Oxide Foam for Cyclic Oil Absorption and FOG Deposition Mitigation

  ACS Applied Engineering Materials · 2025-04-01 · 3 citations

  article

  In this article, the ice-templating method was employed to produce 3D graphene oxide (GO) foam from a GO suspension prepared via an improved Hummer method. The GO foam was doped with PDMS and cured to improve the flexibility and stability. The foam exhibited excellent oil absorption performance due to its high porosity, enhanced surface area, and strong selectivity (highly oleophilic and hydrophobic). Structural characterizations using Raman, XRD, XPS, ToF-SIMS, SEM, BET, etc., confirmed that PDMS was successfully incorporated in the interconnected three-dimensional multilayer GO foam. The GO/PDMS foam was employed as a substrate for oil/water separation, showing remarkable absorption for different types of oils ranging from 6.6 to 11.6 g/g, exceeding that of many conventional sorbents. The compressibility analysis and burning experiment of GO-PDMS foam showed that the foam did not compromise its structural integrity even after a hundred (100) cycles at 40% and 60% compressive strain and ten (10) cycles of subsequent burning. The PDMS-doped GO foam was then employed in artificial sewage wastewater to investigate the effect of the foam on fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposit formation. The experiment was run for 15–45 days, and a 14.1-to-17.1-fold reduction of FOG deposition in the presence of the foam was observed compared to its absence. Therefore, the GO-PDMS foam provides a unique opportunity to use nanomaterials to solve oil spillage scenarios and prevent FOG deposition. It exceptionally outperforms traditional materials in terms of capacity and reusability and promises to be an eco-friendly material for environmental remediation.

  PublisherDOI

• Synergistic cell-free enzyme cocktails for enhanced fiber matrix development: improving dewatering, strength, and decarbonization in the paper industry

  Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts · 2025-04-29 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: The pulp and paper industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable solutions that address its substantial energy consumption and environmental impact. One of the most energy-intensive operations is the thermal drying, which presents significant opportunities for efficiency improvements. This study evaluates a cell-free mild enzyme pretreatment, utilizing a cocktail of cellulases and xylanases, combined with cationic starch, to enhance dewatering efficiency and improve paper strength utilizing bleached hardwood pulp fibers. Life cycle and economic analysis were also conducted to quantify the environmental impact and economic benefits, with a particular focus on direct greenhouse gas emissions. Enhanced water removal during pressing can significantly reduce energy consumption during thermal drying, facilitating the decarbonization of the paper industry. RESULTS: The cell-free enzyme pretreatment, applied with mild refining and cationic starch, achieved significant improvements in dewatering efficiency and paper strength. The treatment led to an 11% point increase in solids and a 25% improvement in tensile strength. Morphological analyses revealed no changes in fiber length and width; however, reductions in kink and curl indexes indicated enhanced fiber flexibility and bonding potential. Furthermore, the enzyme-starch combination decreased water retention value by 27%, including substantial reductions in bound and hard-to-remove water content. Environmental assessments estimated a 12% reduction in global warming potential (GWP), with the technology yielding net savings of $11.29 per air-dried ton of paper through reduced natural gas consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the technical feasibility and economic viability of incorporating enzyme and cationic starch treatments into papermaking. The treatment improves paper quality while reducing energy consumption, costs, and carbon emissions. These findings support the broader adoption of enzyme-based innovations for sustainable manufacturing, aligning with decarbonization goals and industry demands for greater efficiency. The results highlight a promising avenue for achieving significant environmental and economic benefits in the pulp and paper sector.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Biomaterials education through artificial intelligence-enabled product-based learning

  Elsevier eBooks · 2025-12-05

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Lucian A. Lucia

  Qilu University of Technology

  69 shared

• Martin A. Hubbe

  North Carolina State University

  59 shared

• Hasan Jameel

  Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University

  42 shared

• Preeti Tyagi

  University of Delhi

  31 shared

• Khandoker Samaher Salem

  University of Dhaka

  30 shared

• Ronalds González

  North Carolina State University

  28 shared

• Richard A. Venditti

  North Carolina State University

  26 shared

• Sachin Agate

  North Carolina State University

  25 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging

  Western Michigan University

  2006

Awards & honors

• NC State’s 2024-25 Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Profes…