Roger Ruan
Renewable energy; environmental technologies; catalytic microwave-assisted pyrolysis; waste-to-energy systems; biomass and solid waste conversion; wastewater treatment; circular economy
Background & Expertise
Roger Ruan is a professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and director of the Bioproducts and Biosystems Science, Engineering and Management graduate program. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, Ruan is internationally recognized for pioneering work in renewable energy, environmental technologies, biomass and solid waste conversion, plastic waste pyrolysis, gasification, wastewater treatment and circular economy systems. His research has generated more than 53,000 citations, with an h-index of 114 and an i10-index of 590. He has published more than 600 refereed journal papers, authored books and book chapters, and holds 21 U.S. patents. His technologies have advanced practical approaches for converting waste and renewable resources into fuels, chemicals, materials, energy and environmental solutions. Dr. Ruan’s expertise supports the development of closed-loop thermochemical strategies to destroy PFAS in contaminated water and land systems, to advance measurable, scalable and sustainability-focused solutions for Minnesota communities and beyond.
Featured Project: Roger Ruan
Closed-Loop Thermochemical Destruction of PFAS for Water and Land Systems at Prairie Island Indian Community
Challenge
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a water quality, land and ecosystem issue for the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC). A recent research collaboration between the PIIC and University of Wisconsin Sea Grant partners has detected PFAS in several traditional foods, including maple syrup and walleye, with PFAS concentrations also identified in wells on PIIC Tribal lands.
Meet the Project Team
Project Lead
