Program Overview

NRRI’s Interactive Tools for Decision Support program creates specialized, web-based software programs that provide decision support for natural resource use and management. Our complimentary graphic design and web development capabilities allow us to create custom data analysis and information delivery tools.

Program Goal

Develop customized software applications and websites that allow our partners to efficiently understand data, share information, and make better decisions.

Program Overview

NRRI’s Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Visualization Program helps people and organizations understand their data. Our goal is to facilitate collaboration, increase re-use of high value datasets and increase data impact. Through a combination of analytical approaches, ranging from traditional statistics to state-of-the-art machine learning approaches, and effective visualization, our researchers drive accurate data interpretation in a variety of disciplines.

Program Overview

The Biomaterials and Biochemicals program at NRRI develops new materials and chemicals using principles of green chemistry from our abundant biomass resources. This program has developed a broad patent portfolio around isolation and derivatization of triterpenoids from birch bark for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. NRRI has long-standing collaborations with academia, government, and agrochemical partners to create natural products that can be used to improve agrochemicals, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals.

Program Overview

The bioenergy and bioproducts advances the low carbon economy by developing methods to pretreat biomass for efficient conversion into thermal energy, syngas, hydrogen, and reluctants. We develop formulations to assist the wood pellet industry with heating and grilling pellets, as well as enhanced pellets with improved durability and water resistance to reduce losses during processing, transport, and storage. More advanced bio-carbon products can be substituted 1:1 for thermal and metallurgical coals for heavy industry such as energy and steel production.

Program Overview

The Advanced Wood Products Program at NRRI aims to develop and commercialize high-performing, sustainable wood-based products and materials from renewable forest resources, while ensuring that resources are used in a sustainable manner with fewer life-cycle impacts than competing and existing materials.  Our research leads to new technologies that result in long-term job creation that supports a robust, regional bioeconomy. 

Program Overview

Carbon is an essential element in nature. Functional biocarbon materials are developed to utilize waste biomass resources as high value carbon-based product for a variety of applications. For example, biochar is a stable, carbon-dense material that can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide for millenia while providing benefits to soil, water, and plants. Other materials can also be developed, such as sorbents for water and air purification, composite fillers, and battery components.

Industry Support Overview

Located near Minnesota’s mineral resources, our expertise places us at the forefront of the industry. NRRI’s staff expertise and testing capabilities in mineral characterization, mineral processing and metallurgy are recognized by clients in Minnesota, regionally and internationally.  Our experienced team is ready to discuss your project needs and guide you through scoping and contracting in a manner that best serves your needs.

Program Overview

The Economic Geology program is the center for economic geology studies and mineral resource characterization in the University of Minnesota system. This program works to maximize our knowledge of Minnesota’s unique and diverse geology to provide foundational scientific data and information so that informed decisions regarding minerals resources in the state can be made.

Program Overview

The focus of our research is on forest processes; understanding how trees and forests respond to natural disturbance and how managers can best mimic those disturbances to sustainably manage forest ecosystems. 

1. Develop quantitative and qualitative data on Minnesota’s forests to enable us to measure, model and predict 

   • their ability to support and grow trees, 

   • the growth and yield of commercial forest species,

   • the impacts of forest management activities on site productivity, and 

Program Overview

From local governments and large companies to independently owned businesses and homeowners, stormwater is a water management challenge for both the private and the public sector. To address these challenges, NRRI researchers are developing systems-driven solutions and implementation practices for holistic watershed management.