Current Research

Dr. Ron Sabo's research aims at developing next generation composites using sustainable forest resources and a fundamental understanding of material properties and interactions. His work aims to develop advanced composites by understanding and exploiting the properties of materials at the nanometer and molecular scales. More specifically, he is working to develop novel composites produced from natural fibers that have been processed and modified into nanoparticles and nanofibers with unique physical and mechanical properties. Dr. Sabo also has research activities aimed at developing 'green' composites using biodegradable, bio-derived, or recycled materials.

Research Interests

• Cellulose nanocomposites
• 'Green' composites
• Recycling
• Modification and characterization of lignocellulosic surfaces
• Reactive extrusion
• Colloidal and interfacial phenomena

Education

• University of Florida, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering 2001
• Vanderbilt University, B.E. Chemical Engineering and Mathematics 1997

Featured Publications & Products

• Peng, Jun; Walsh, Philip J.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Clemons, Craig M. 2016. Water-assisted compounding of cellulose nanocrystals into polyamide 6 for use as a nucleating agent for microcellular foaming.
• Barari, Bamdad; Ellingham, Thomas K.; Ghamhia, Issam I.; Pillai, Krishna M.; El-Hajjar, Rani; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Sabo, Ronald. 2016. Mechanical characterization of scalable cellulose nano-fiber based composites made using liquid composite molding process.
• Seo, Jung-Hun; Chang, Tzu-Hsuan; Lee, Jaeseong; Sabo, Ronald; Zhou, Weidong; Cai, Zhiyong; Gong, Shaoqin; Ma, Zhenqiang. 2015. Microwave flexible transistors on cellulose nanofibrillated fiber substrates.
• Peng, Jun; Ellingham, Thomas; Sabo, Ron; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Clemons, Craig M. 2014. Short cellulose nanofribrils as reinforcement in polyvinyl alcohol fiber.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Zhu, J.Y.; Agarwal, Umesh; Cai, Zhiyong; Wu, Yiqiang. 2013. A comparative study of cellulose nanofibrils disintegrated via multiple processing approaches.
• Zhu, Junyong; Sabo, Ronald; Luo, Xiaolin. 2011. Integrated production of nano-fibrillated cellulose and cellulosic biofuel (ethanol) by enzymatic fractionation of wood fibers.
• Sabo, Ronald; Clausen, Carol A.; Winandy, Jerrold E. 2008. Thermochemical remediation of preservative-treated wood.
• Postek, Michael T.; Vladar, Andras; Dagata, John; Farkas, Natalia; Ming, Bin; Sabo, Ronald; Wegner, Theodore H.; Beecher, James. 2008. Cellulose nanocrystals the next big nano-thing.

Patents

• Gong, Shaoqin; Javadi, Alireza; Zheng, Qifeng; Cai, Zhiyong; Sabo, Ronald. 2017. Sustainable Hybrid Organic Aerogels and Methods and Uses Thereof.
• Zhu, JunYong; Sabo, Ronald; Clemons, Craig. 2014. Method for Integrated Conversion of Lignocellulosic Material to Sugars or Biofuels and Nano-Cellulose.

Publications

• Sabo, Ronald C. 2020. Cellulose nanomaterials and their products from hardwoods.
• Yermakov, Aleksey ; Thompson, Andrew ; Coaty, Christopher ; Sabo, Ronald ; Law, Chiu Tai; Elhajjar, Rani . 2020. Flexible magnetostrictive nanocellulose membranes for actuation, sensing, and energy harvesting applications.
• Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.; Lebow, Patricia ; Nabinejad, Omid ; Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Matuana, Laurent M. 2020. Novel method of compounding cellulose nanocrystal suspensions into poly(lactic acid) and poly(vinyl acetate) blends.
• Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.; Wei, Liqing ; Matuana, Laurent M. 2019. Wet compounding of cellulose nanocrystals into polylactic acid for packaging applications.
• Stark, Nicole M.; Wei, Liquing ; Sabo, Ronald C.; Reiner, Richard R.; Matuana, Laurent M. 2018. Effect of freeze-drying on the morphology of dried cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and tensile properties of poly(lactic) acid-CNC composites.
• Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Matuana, Laurent; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M. 2018. Performance of high lignin content cellulose nanocrystals in poly(lactic acid).
• Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M. 2018. Water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of extrusion-blown poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite films.
• Peng, Jun; Zhang, Huilong; Zheng, Qifeng; Clemons, Craig M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Gong, Shaoqin; Ma, Zhenqiang; Turng, Lih-Sheng. 2017. A composite generator film impregnated with cellulose nanocrystals for enhanced triboelectric performance.
• Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M. 2017. Blown film extrusion of poly(lactic acid) without melt strength enhancers.
• Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Hirth, Kolby C.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M. 2017. Chemical modification of nanocellulose with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester.
• Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C. 2017. Effect of compounding approaches on fiber dispersion and performance of poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films.
• Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh; Stark, Nicole; Sabo, Ronald. 2017. Nanocomposites from lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals and poly(lactic acid).
• Hassanzadeh, Masoumeh; Sabo, Ronald; Rudie, Alan; Reiner, Richard; Gleisner, Roland; Oporto, Gloria S. 2017. Nanofibrillated cellulose from appalachian hardwoods logging residues as template for antimicrobial copper.
• Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M. 2017. Performance of poly(lactic acid)/ cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films processed by two different compounding approaches.
• Wei, Liqing; Luo, Shupin; McDonald, Armando G.; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Hirth, Kolby C.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M. 2017. Preparation and characterization of the nanocomposites from chemically modified nanocellulose and poly(lactic acid).
• Wang, Wangxia; Mozuch, Michael D.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Kersten, Philip; Zhu, Junyong; Jin, Yongcan. 2016. Endoglucanase post-milling treatment for producing cellulose nanofibers from bleached eucalyptus fibers by a supermasscolloider.
• Wei, Liqing; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent. 2016. Modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for use in poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-CNC composite packaging products.
• Sabo, Ronald; Yermakov, Aleksey; Law, Chiu Tai; Elhajjar, Rani. 2016. Nanocellulose-enabled electronics, energy harvesting devices, smart materials and sensors: a review.
• Sabo, Ronald C.; Elhajjar, Rani F.; Clemons, Craig M.; Pillai, Krishna M. 2015. Chapter 15: Characterization and Processing of Nanocellulose Thermosetting Composites.
• Wang, Wangxia; Sabo, Ronald C.; Mozuch, Michael D.; Kersten, Phil; Zhu, J. Y.; Jin, Yongcan. 2015. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanofibril Films from Bleached Eucalyptus Pulp by Endoglucanase Treatment and Microfluidization.
• Wang, Wangxia; Mozuch, Michael D.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Kersten, Phil; Zhu, J.Y.; Jin, Yongcan. 2015. Production of cellulose nanofibrils from bleached eucalyptus fibers by hyperthermostable endoglucanase treatment and subsequent microfluidization.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Wu, Yiqiang; Zhu, J.Y.; Cai, Zhiyong. 2015. Self-assembled optically transparent cellulose nanofibril films: effect of nanofibril morphology and drying procedure.
• Zhang, Chunmei; Zhai, Tianliang; Sabo, Ronald; Clemons, Craig; Dan, Yi; Turng, Lih-Sheng. 2014. Reinforcing Natural Rubber with Cellulose Nanofibrils Extracted from Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp.
• Qamhia, Issam I.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Elhajjar, Rani F. 2014. Static and Dynamic Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibril Scaffold-Based Composites.
• Zhang, Chunmei; Dan, Yi; Peng, Jun; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Sabo, Ronald; Clemons, Craig. 2014. Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Composites Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals from Southern Pine.
• Agarwal, Umesh; Sabo, Ronald; Reiner, Richard; Clemons, Craig; Rudie, Alan. 2013. Chapter 1.4: Spatially Resolved Characterization of CNC-Polypropylene composite by Confocal Raman Microscopy.
• Sabo, Ronald; Zhu, J.Y. 2013. Chapter 2.1 Integrated Production of Cellulose Nanofibrils and Cellulosic Biofuel by Enzymatic Hydrolysis of wood Fibers.
• Sabo, Ronald; Seo, Jung-Hun; Ma, Zhenqiang. 2013. Chapter 2.3 Cellulose Nanofibril Composite Substrates for Flexible Electronics.
• Cai, Zhiyong; Rudie, Alan W.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Ralph, Sally A. 2013. Chapter 6: New Products and Product Categories in the Global Forest Sector.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Zhu, J.Y.; Cai, Zhiyong; Wu, Yiqiang. 2013. Comparative study of cellulose nanofibrils Disintegrated from different Approaches.
• Sabo, Ronald; Jin, Liwei; Stark, Nicole; Ibach, Rebecca E. 2013. Effect of environmental conditions on the mechanical properties and fungal degradation of polycaprolactone/microcrystalline cellulose/wood flour composites.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Cai, Zhiyong; Wu, Yiqiang. 2013. Flexible cellulose nanofibril composite films with reduced hygroscopic capacity.
• Sabo, Ronald; Basta, Altaf H.; Winandy, Jerrold E. 2013. Integrated Study of the Potential Application of Remediated CCA Treated Spruce Wood in MDF Production.
• Zheng, Qifeng; Javadi, Alireza; Sabo, Ronald; Cai, Zhiyong; Gong, Shaoqin. 2013. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) hybrid organic aerogels with superior mechanical properties.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Cai, Zhiyong; Wu, Yiqiang. 2013. Resin impregnation of cellulose nanofibril films facilitated by water swelling.
• Sabo, Ronald; Seo, Jung-Hun; Ma, Zhenqiang. 2012. Cellulose Nanofiber Composite Substrates for Flexible Electronics.
• Srithep, Yottha; Sabo, Ronald; Clemons, Craig; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Pilla, Srikanth; Peng, Jun. 2012. Effect of Material Parameters on Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Polymers/Nanofibrillated Cellulose (NFC) Nano Composites.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Wu, Yiqiang; Cai, Zhiyong. 2012. High-Performance Cellulose Nanofibril Composite Films.
• Srithep, Yottha; Turng, Lih-Sheng; Sabo, Ronald; Clemons, Craig. 2012. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) nanocomposites: properties, solubility of carbon dioxide, and foaming.
• Agarwal, Umesh P.; Sabo, Ronald; Reiner, Richard S.; Clemons, Craig M.; Rudie, Alan W. 2012. Spatially Resolved Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Polypropylene Composite by Confocal Raman Microscopy.
• Postek, Michael T.; Vladar, Andras; Dagata, John; Farkas, Natalia; Ming, Bin; Wagner, Ryan; Raman, Arvind; Moon, Robert J.; Sabo, Ronald; Wegner, Theodore H.; Beecher, James. 2011. Development of the metrology and imaging of cellulose nanocrystals.
• Clemons, Craig M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Kaland, Michael L.; Hirth, Kolby C. 2011. Effects of silane on the properties of wood-plastic composites with polyethylene-polypropylene blends as matrices.
• Basta, Altaf H.; El-Saied, Houssni; Winandy, Jerrold E.; Sabo, Ronald. 2011. Preformed amide-containing biopolymer for improving the environmental performance of synthesized urea formaldehyde in agro-fiber composites.
• Clemons, Craig M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Hirth, Kolby C. 2011. The effects of different silane crosslinking approaches on composites of polyethylene blends and wood flour.
• Agarwal, Umesh P.; Sabo, R.; Reiner, Richard S.; Clemons, Craig Merrill; Rudie, Alan W. 2009. Raman analysis and mapping of cellulose nanocrystal-polypropylene composite.
• Sabo, Ronald; Winandy, Jerrold E.; Clausen, Carol A.; Basta, Altaf. 2008. Remediation and recycling of WBP-treated lumber for use as flakeboard.
• Qing, Yan; Sabo, Ronald; Wu, Yiqiang; Zhu, J.Y. 1994. A synoptic climatology for forest fires in the NE US and future implications for GCM simulations.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
FPL-2012-08	Cellulose Nanofiber Composites Can Serve as Substrate for Flexible Electronics Transparent films made from cellulose nanofibers have low thermal expansion and the potential to serve as a foundation for flexible electronics. ...	2012
FPL-2010-011	Improved Composites from Wood Flour and Mixed Plastics In a cooperative project with Louisiana State University, Forest Products Laboratory researchers have used crosslinking technologies, commonly u ...	2010
FPL-2017-101	Improving biopolymers for packaging applications using surface-tailored cellulose nanocrystals Demand is rapidly increasing for environmentally friendly packaging materials that are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, b ...	2017
FPL-2016-57	Improving the Hydrolysis and Fibrillation of Wood Into Cellulose Nanomaterials Cellulose nanomaterials have been receiving an increasing amount of interest from both the scientific and industrial communities because of thei ...	2016
FPL-2011-18	Integrating the Production of Nanofibrillated Cellulose and Biofuels FPL researchers have demonstrated a method of integrating the production of cellulose nanofibers and biofuels. Such a strategy is expected to im ...	2011
FPL-2018-16	Modifying Cellulose Nanomaterials for Wet Compounding into Polylactic Acid Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have been demonstrated to significantly improve various properties, including mechanical and barrier performance, ...	2018
FPL-2016-58	Renewable, Biodegradable Polylactic Acid-Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites for Packaging Applications Packaging research conducted at the Forest Products Laboratory is aimed at developing fully biobased composites containing cellulose nanomateria ...	2016
FPL-2014-188	Short Cellulose Nanofibrils Reinforce Aligned Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers Cellulose nanomaterials have recently gained much attention for their potential use for reinforcing polymers and for use in functional materials ...	2014
FPL-2019-79	Wet Compounding of Cellulose Nanomaterials into Biodegradable Polymers Research at the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory has shown that cellulose nanomaterials can improve the barrier properties of poly ...	2019