Abstract: The demand for sustainable carbon precursors is growing due to greenhouse gas emissions associated with the current dependence on fossil resources. Lignocellulose can potentially displace fossil resources given its renewable origin, abundance, and geographical distribution. However, a key to the economic viability and sustainability of lignocellulosic biorefineries is the valorization of lignin streams generated as waste byproducts. To address this gap, my research focuses on developing a scalable (simple, flow-through, and rapid) and sustainable aerosol-based technique to valorize lignin into high-value carbon nanomaterials. In this talk, I will discuss the development of the aerosol technique by employing a comprehensive approach, encompassing process modeling, experimental design, and advanced characterizations. I will especially emphasize aerosol reaction engineering models to elucidate the formation of carbon nanoparticles with controlled properties (size, shape, and chemical structure) in the aerosol reactor. I will then discuss the impact of these nanomaterial properties in different applications including energy storage and CO2 capture. Finally, I will share the ongoing work on assessing the sustainability of the developed aerosol technique for lignin valorization using the lifecycle analysis.