Barney Miao

All Publications

• Solvent selection enables sustainable and affordable lignin biocomposite for cement-free construction CLEANER MATERIALS Miao, B. H., Woo, D., Lesh, A. C., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. 2026; 19

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.clema.2026.100371

  View details for Web of Science ID 001667687100001

• AI-powered non-destructive testing for smart manufacturing of carbon-negative biopolymer-bound soil composite. Communications engineering Miao, B. H., Dong, Y., Theissler, A., Lesh, A. C., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. 2026

  Abstract

  Biopolymer-bound soil composite (BSC) is a materials technology that uses nature-based polymers to form carbon-negative building materials that are as strong as concrete. For large-scale applications of this material, a quality control system is necessary to minimize defects and avoid wastage. To meet this need, we developed a non-destructive vibration-based sensing system that assesses initial material quality, while still wet, before hardening occurs. We developed a set of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that use a set of physics-based features to aid in the smart manufacture of BSC. Our system allows for defect detection early on in the manufacturing process, so that the wet material can be salvaged when defects are identified. Another benefit is that our sensing system enables the monitoring of moisture loss as the material dries out and gains strength. Both of these functions are essential for large-scale deployment of this building material.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s44172-026-00621-8

  View details for PubMedID 41741768

• Recycling of lignin-based biocomposites: Improving sustainability and enhancing material strength RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING Miao, B. H., Woo, D., Javan, D., Garboczi, E. J., Headrick, R. J., Lesh, A. C., Li, Z., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. 2025; 215

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.108104

  View details for Web of Science ID 001398637600001

• Taking advantage of biological binders to solidify granular material: manufacture and recyclability of lignin-based biopolymer composites Miao, B. H., Lesh, A. C., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. edited by Knez, M., MartIn-Palma, R. J., Lakhtakia, A. SPIE-INT SOC OPTICAL ENGINEERING. 2025

  View details for DOI 10.1117/12.3050862

  View details for Web of Science ID 001536713600009

• Development of biopolymer composites using lignin: A sustainable technology for fostering a green transition in the construction sector CLEANER MATERIALS Miao, B. H., Headrick, R. J., Li, Z., Spanu, L., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. 2024; 14

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.clema.2024.100279

  View details for Web of Science ID 001370739500001

• Life cycle assessment and design of LignoBlock: A lignin bound block on the path towards a green transition of the construction industry JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION Miao, B. H., Headrick, R. J., Li, Z., Spanu, L., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D. 2024; 474

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143610

  View details for Web of Science ID 001316432200001

• BioSys: Efficient Quality Control System for Manufacturing of Sustainable Biopolymer Composites Miao, B. H., Dong, Y., Theissler, A., Lesh, A. C., Loftus, D. J., Lepech, M. D., ACM ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY. 2024: 11-21

  View details for DOI 10.1145/3671127.3698165

  View details for Web of Science ID 001537918400002

• Poster Abstract: Integration of Physics-Based Building Model and Sensor Data to Develop an Adaptive Digital Twin Miao, B. H., Dong, Y., Wu, Z. Y., Alemdar, B. N., Zhang, P., Kohler, M. D., Noh, H., ACM ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY. 2022: 282-283

  View details for DOI 10.1145/3563357.3567745

  View details for Web of Science ID 001066191100037