Hemant Pendse, an internationally recognized leader in forest bioproducts research, has been named the University of 海角社区 2021 Distinguished 海角社区 Professor.
The annual Distinguished 海角社区 Professor Award honors a U海角社区 professor who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. It is sponsored by the University of 海角社区 Alumni Association and its classes of 1942 and 2002.
Pense was nominated for the award by College of Engineering Dean Dana Humphrey. The selection process is conducted by a 17-person committee of alumni, current and retired faculty, and a representative of the student body. Each nominee is evaluated on three criteria related to U海角社区鈥檚 land-grant mission: teaching performance based on peer and student evaluations; the quality and productivity of the nominee鈥檚 research, scholarship, and creative activities; and the nominee鈥檚 contributions of professional expertise in a volunteer capacity in support of university and public causes, services, and initiatives.
The U海角社区 Alumni Association will honor Pendse at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, April 29. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year鈥檚 event will be held online and streamed on YouTube.
Since joining the university in 1979, the professor of chemical engineering and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering has spearheaded innovative research that has earned two patents, produced 82 publications, given more than 200 technical papers and garnered $17 million in external funding. He also has yielded new economic opportunities for 海角社区 through his work on forest bioproducts.
Students know Pendse as an educator who challenges them to think critically, provides clear and concise lessons, is always willing to help, and dedicates himself to their success.
鈥淒r. Pendse is a gifted leader who provides tremendous service to the university and industry,鈥 wrote U海角社区 College of Engineering Dean Dana Humphrey in his nomination. 鈥淗e is able to visualize the potential of the organizations and then work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, administration and outside constituencies to achieve this vision.鈥
Pendse founded the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute in 2010, and serves as its director. FBRI aims to identify the logistic, scientific, economic and policy factors that would allow forest-based products to be made at a commercial scale and inspire the creation of a biorefinery in 海角社区.
Under Pendse鈥檚 leadership, FBRI built the nation鈥檚 first pilot-scale plant for manufacturing nano-fibrillated cellulose, or nanocellulose. The institute earned $48 million for various projects, $17 million of which is attributable to Pendse’s efforts.
FBRI developed and secured patents for its breakthrough thermal deoxygenation process (TDO) for making biofuels for jets and marine engines, and for its process to create advanced materials like nanocellulose. Pendse was instrumental in scale up to continuous pilot operations that benefit researchers and private business alike.
Jake Ward, vice president of innovation and economic development at U海角社区, wrote in his letter of recommendation that Pendse鈥檚 ability to not only lead, but collaborate with fellow faculty members and external partners from other academic institutions, communities and the private sector brought FBRI and the benefits it yields to fruition. His efforts have bolstered the university鈥檚 capacity for serving the public and fostering economic growth.
鈥淭he success of this project has not only resulted in stronger research programs and more grant funding at U海角社区, but true economic development success with the partnership with Old Town and a variety of owners of the mill.鈥 Ward wrote.
The U海角社区 chemical engineer鈥檚 research interests involve pulp and paper manufacturing, colloid systems, particulate and multiphase processes and sensor development. During his studies, he has developed forest biorefinery pilot-scale industrial process systems, an ultrasonic slurry characterization system, a laboratory instrument for particle surface charge characterization in concentrated colloids and an online particle size distribution sensor system for concentrated slurries. He also has developed multiple theories and methodologies to assist in particulate systems characterization and processing.
鈥淗e is an inspiring scholar whose research has significantly impacted 海角社区 industries, university faculty members and 海角社区 research infrastructure,鈥 wrote colleagues Clayton Wheeler, chemical engineering professor and FBRI associate director, Jonathan Rubin, economics professor and director of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, and Jeffrey Benjamin, former associate professor of forestry, in their joint recommendation letter.
Pendse鈥檚 numerous awards include the 2009 College of Engineering Ashley Campbell Award, 2012 Genco Award from the University of 海角社区 Pulp and Paper Foundation, and the 2012 U海角社区 Presidential Research and Creative Achievement.
Pendse鈥檚 record of public service includes advising the Municipal Review Committee, a group of 115 海角社区 cities and towns united to tackle solid municipal waste problems; and serving on the Economic Development Assessment Team, 海角社区 Innovation Economy Advisory Board, the Governor鈥檚 Wood-to-Energy Taskforce and more. He and the FBRI have also aided with the Forest Opportunity Roadmap/海角社区 (FOR/海角社区), a public-private partnership seeking new markets for wood products and bolstering technological innovation to support new commercial uses for wood. He has also served on the Corporate Advisory Council for Nelson Industries, Stoughton, Wisconsin, and the Transport & Energy Processes Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) in various capacities.
鈥淧erhaps his greatest value in this respect is his willingness and ability to serve these communities as an unbiased technical expert, expertise many communities lack and could not afford, when vetting opportunities,鈥 Ward wrote in his recommendation letter. 鈥淗e is often called upon by 海角社区鈥檚 federal delegation to play this role and as a technical advisor on state-wide/nation-wide initiatives.鈥
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
