diff --git a/include/cantera/base/stringUtils.h b/include/cantera/base/stringUtils.h
index 0063c39d7..ca97de972 100644
--- a/include/cantera/base/stringUtils.h
+++ b/include/cantera/base/stringUtils.h
@@ -11,15 +11,12 @@
 
 #include "ct_defs.h"
 #include "cantera/base/fmt.h"
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 
 #include <string>
 
 namespace Cantera
 {
 
-namespace ba = boost::algorithm;
-
 //! Convert a vector to a string (separated by commas)
 /*!
  * @param v     vector to be converted
@@ -153,6 +150,25 @@ void tokenizeString(const std::string& oval,
  */
 size_t copyString(const std::string& source, char* dest, size_t length);
 
+//! Trim.
+/*!
+ *  Remove all leading and trailing spaces (with default locale).
+ */
+std::string trimCopy(const std::string &input);
+
+//! Convert to lower case.
+/*!
+ *  Convert the given string to lower case (with default locale).
+ */
+std::string toLowerCopy(const std::string& input);
+
+//! Case insensitive equality predicate.
+/*!
+ *  Returns true if and only if all elements in both strings are the same
+ *  when compared case insensitively (with default locale).
+ */
+bool caseInsensitiveEquals(const std::string &input, const std::string &test);
+
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/base/ct2ctml.cpp b/src/base/ct2ctml.cpp
index 687fcba04..abd48d19c 100644
--- a/src/base/ct2ctml.cpp
+++ b/src/base/ct2ctml.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ static string pypath()
     const char* py = getenv("PYTHON_CMD");
 
     if (py) {
-        string sp = ba::trim_copy(string(py));
+        string sp = trimCopy(string(py));
         if (sp.size() > 0) {
             s = sp;
         }
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ static std::string call_ctml_writer(const std::string& text, bool isfile)
         }
         python.close();
         python_exit_code = python.exit_code();
-        error_output = ba::trim_copy(error_stream.str());
+        error_output = trimCopy(error_stream.str());
         python_output = output_stream.str();
     } catch (std::exception& err) {
         // Report failure to execute Python
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ void ck2cti(const std::string& in_file, const std::string& thermo_file,
         }
         python.close();
         python_exit_code = python.exit_code();
-        python_output = ba::trim_copy(output_stream.str());
+        python_output = trimCopy(output_stream.str());
     } catch (std::exception& err) {
         // Report failure to execute Python
         stringstream message;
diff --git a/src/base/stringUtils.cpp b/src/base/stringUtils.cpp
index b9463d6a0..2eb6b7dde 100644
--- a/src/base/stringUtils.cpp
+++ b/src/base/stringUtils.cpp
@@ -245,4 +245,16 @@ size_t copyString(const std::string& source, char* dest, size_t length)
     return ret;
 }
 
+std::string trimCopy(const std::string &input) {
+    return ba::trim_copy(input);
+}
+
+std::string toLowerCopy(const std::string &input) {
+    return ba::to_lower_copy(input);
+}
+
+bool caseInsensitiveEquals(const std::string &input, const std::string &test) {
+    return ba::iequals(input, test);
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/base/xml.cpp b/src/base/xml.cpp
index 6705ee7b5..140513776 100644
--- a/src/base/xml.cpp
+++ b/src/base/xml.cpp
@@ -192,11 +192,11 @@ int XML_Reader::findQuotedString(const std::string& s, std::string& rstring) con
 void XML_Reader::parseTag(const std::string& tag, std::string& name,
                           std::map<std::string, std::string>& attribs) const
 {
-    string s = ba::trim_copy(tag);
+    string s = trimCopy(tag);
     size_t iloc = s.find(' ');
     if (iloc != string::npos) {
         name = s.substr(0, iloc);
-        s = ba::trim_copy(s.substr(iloc+1,s.size()));
+        s = trimCopy(s.substr(iloc+1,s.size()));
         if (s[s.size()-1] == '/') {
             name += "/";
         }
@@ -207,17 +207,17 @@ void XML_Reader::parseTag(const std::string& tag, std::string& name,
             if (iloc == string::npos) {
                 break;
             }
-            string attr = ba::trim_copy(s.substr(0,iloc));
+            string attr = trimCopy(s.substr(0,iloc));
             if (attr == "") {
                 break;
             }
-            s = ba::trim_copy(s.substr(iloc+1,s.size()));
+            s = trimCopy(s.substr(iloc+1,s.size()));
             string val;
             iloc = findQuotedString(s, val);
             attribs[attr] = val;
             if (iloc != string::npos) {
                 if (iloc < s.size()) {
-                    s = ba::trim_copy(s.substr(iloc,s.size()));
+                    s = trimCopy(s.substr(iloc,s.size()));
                 } else {
                     break;
                 }
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ std::string XML_Reader::readValue()
             tag += ch;
         }
     }
-    return ba::trim_copy(tag);
+    return trimCopy(tag);
 }
 
 //////////////////////////  XML_Node  /////////////////////////////////
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ void XML_Node::addValue(const std::string& val)
 
 void XML_Node::addValue(const doublereal val, const std::string& fmt)
 {
-    m_value = ba::trim_copy(fmt::sprintf(fmt, val));
+    m_value = trimCopy(fmt::sprintf(fmt, val));
 }
 
 std::string XML_Node::value() const
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@ std::vector<XML_Node*> XML_Node::getChildren(const std::string& nm) const
 {
     std::vector<XML_Node*> children_;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < nChildren(); i++) {
-        if (ba::iequals(child(i).name(),  nm)) {
+        if (caseInsensitiveEquals(child(i).name(),  nm)) {
             children_.push_back(&child(i));
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/kinetics/KineticsFactory.cpp b/src/kinetics/KineticsFactory.cpp
index 7a4712e0d..6a9c04d0b 100644
--- a/src/kinetics/KineticsFactory.cpp
+++ b/src/kinetics/KineticsFactory.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ KineticsFactory::KineticsFactory() {
 
 Kinetics* KineticsFactory::newKinetics(const string& model)
 {
-    return create(ba::to_lower_copy(model));
+    return create(toLowerCopy(model));
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/src/kinetics/Reaction.cpp b/src/kinetics/Reaction.cpp
index 0eac0d4aa..e121740dd 100644
--- a/src/kinetics/Reaction.cpp
+++ b/src/kinetics/Reaction.cpp
@@ -295,19 +295,19 @@ void readFalloff(FalloffReaction& R, const XML_Node& rc_node)
     }
 
     int falloff_type = 0;
-    if (ba::iequals(falloff["type"], "lindemann")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(falloff["type"], "lindemann")) {
         falloff_type = SIMPLE_FALLOFF;
         if (np != 0) {
             throw CanteraError("readFalloff", "Lindemann parameterization "
                 "takes no parameters, but {} were given", np);
         }
-    } else if (ba::iequals(falloff["type"], "troe")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(falloff["type"], "troe")) {
         falloff_type = TROE_FALLOFF;
         if (np != 3 && np != 4) {
             throw CanteraError("readFalloff", "Troe parameterization takes "
                 "3 or 4 parameters, but {} were given", np);
         }
-    } else if (ba::iequals(falloff["type"], "sri")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(falloff["type"], "sri")) {
         falloff_type = SRI_FALLOFF;
         if (np != 3 && np != 5) {
             throw CanteraError("readFalloff", "SRI parameterization takes "
@@ -478,23 +478,23 @@ void setupChebyshevReaction(ChebyshevReaction& R, const XML_Node& rxn_node)
 
 void setupInterfaceReaction(InterfaceReaction& R, const XML_Node& rxn_node)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(rxn_node["type"], "global")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(rxn_node["type"], "global")) {
         R.reaction_type = GLOBAL_RXN;
     }
     XML_Node& arr = rxn_node.child("rateCoeff").child("Arrhenius");
-    if (ba::iequals(arr["type"], "stick")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(arr["type"], "stick")) {
         R.is_sticking_coefficient = true;
         R.sticking_species = arr["species"];
 
-        if (ba::iequals(arr["motz_wise"], "true")) {
+        if (caseInsensitiveEquals(arr["motz_wise"], "true")) {
             R.use_motz_wise_correction = true;
-        } else if (ba::iequals(arr["motz_wise"], "false")) {
+        } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(arr["motz_wise"], "false")) {
             R.use_motz_wise_correction = false;
         } else {
             // Default value for all reactions
             XML_Node* parent = rxn_node.parent();
             if (parent && parent->name() == "reactionData"
-                && ba::iequals((*parent)["motz_wise"], "true")) {
+                && caseInsensitiveEquals((*parent)["motz_wise"], "true")) {
                 R.use_motz_wise_correction = true;
             }
         }
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ void setupElectrochemicalReaction(ElectrochemicalReaction& R,
                                   const XML_Node& rxn_node)
 {
     // Fix reaction_type for some specialized reaction types
-    std::string type = ba::to_lower_copy(rxn_node["type"]);
+    std::string type = toLowerCopy(rxn_node["type"]);
     if (type == "butlervolmer") {
         R.reaction_type = BUTLERVOLMER_RXN;
     } else if (type == "butlervolmer_noactivitycoeffs") {
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ void setupElectrochemicalReaction(ElectrochemicalReaction& R,
     }
 
     XML_Node& rc = rxn_node.child("rateCoeff");
-    std::string rc_type = ba::to_lower_copy(rc["type"]);
+    std::string rc_type = toLowerCopy(rc["type"]);
     if (rc_type == "exchangecurrentdensity") {
         R.exchange_current_density_formulation = true;
     } else if (rc_type != "" && rc_type != "arrhenius") {
@@ -568,13 +568,13 @@ void setupElectrochemicalReaction(ElectrochemicalReaction& R,
         R.orders.clear();
         R.allow_nonreactant_orders = true;
         const XML_Node& rof_node = rxn_node.child("reactionOrderFormulation");
-        if (ba::iequals(rof_node["model"], "reactantorders")) {
+        if (caseInsensitiveEquals(rof_node["model"], "reactantorders")) {
             R.orders = initial_orders;
-        } else if (ba::iequals(rof_node["model"], "zeroorders")) {
+        } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(rof_node["model"], "zeroorders")) {
             for (const auto& sp : R.reactants) {
                 R.orders[sp.first] = 0.0;
             }
-        } else if (ba::iequals(rof_node["model"], "butlervolmerorders")) {
+        } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(rof_node["model"], "butlervolmerorders")) {
             // Reaction orders based on provided reaction orders
             for (const auto& sp : R.reactants) {
                 double c = getValue(initial_orders, sp.first, sp.second);
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ void setupElectrochemicalReaction(ElectrochemicalReaction& R,
 
 shared_ptr<Reaction> newReaction(const XML_Node& rxn_node)
 {
-    std::string type = ba::to_lower_copy(rxn_node["type"]);
+    std::string type = toLowerCopy(rxn_node["type"]);
 
     // Modify the reaction type for interface reactions which contain
     // electrochemical reaction data
diff --git a/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp b/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
index 19c8ac45c..cb02ea76f 100644
--- a/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
+++ b/src/kinetics/importKinetics.cpp
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ bool checkElectrochemReaction(const XML_Node& p, Kinetics& kin, const XML_Node&
 
     // If the reaction is electrochemical, ensure the reaction is identified as
     // electrochemical. If not already specified beta is assumed to be 0.5
-    std::string type = ba::to_lower_copy(r["type"]);
+    std::string type = toLowerCopy(r["type"]);
     if (!r.child("rateCoeff").hasChild("electrochem")) {
         if ((type != "butlervolmer_noactivitycoeffs" &&
              type != "butlervolmer" &&
diff --git a/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp b/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
index c18fc0f80..406f33add 100644
--- a/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/DebyeHuckel.cpp
@@ -305,17 +305,17 @@ void DebyeHuckel::getPartialMolarCp(doublereal* cpbar) const
  */
 static int interp_est(const std::string& estString)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(estString, "solvent")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "solvent")) {
         return cEST_solvent;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(estString, "chargedspecies")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "chargedspecies")) {
         return cEST_chargedSpecies;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(estString, "weakacidassociated")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "weakacidassociated")) {
         return cEST_weakAcidAssociated;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(estString, "strongacidassociated")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "strongacidassociated")) {
         return cEST_strongAcidAssociated;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(estString, "polarneutral")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "polarneutral")) {
         return cEST_polarNeutral;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(estString, "nonpolarneutral")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(estString, "nonpolarneutral")) {
         return cEST_nonpolarNeutral;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("interp_est (DebyeHuckel)",
@@ -324,16 +324,16 @@ static int interp_est(const std::string& estString)
 }
 
 void DebyeHuckel::setDebyeHuckelModel(const std::string& model) {
-    if (model == "" || ba::iequals(model, "Dilute_limit")) {
+    if (model == "" || caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "Dilute_limit")) {
         m_formDH = DHFORM_DILUTE_LIMIT;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "Bdot_with_variable_a")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "Bdot_with_variable_a")) {
         m_formDH = DHFORM_BDOT_AK;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "Bdot_with_common_a")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "Bdot_with_common_a")) {
         m_formDH = DHFORM_BDOT_ACOMMON;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "Beta_ij")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "Beta_ij")) {
         m_formDH = DHFORM_BETAIJ;
         m_Beta_ij.resize(m_kk, m_kk, 0.0);
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "Pitzer_with_Beta_ij")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "Pitzer_with_Beta_ij")) {
         m_formDH = DHFORM_PITZER_BETAIJ;
         m_Beta_ij.resize(m_kk, m_kk, 0.0);
     } else {
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ void DebyeHuckel::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
             XML_Node* ss = acNode.findByName("A_Debye");
             string modelString = ss->attrib("model");
             if (modelString != "") {
-                if (ba::iequals(modelString, "water")) {
+                if (caseInsensitiveEquals(modelString, "water")) {
                     setA_Debye(-1);
                 } else {
                     throw CanteraError("DebyeHuckel::initThermoXML",
diff --git a/src/thermo/Elements.cpp b/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
index ed5eba8b5..e90f756d7 100644
--- a/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/Elements.cpp
@@ -167,8 +167,8 @@ double getElementWeight(const std::string& ename)
 {
     int numElements = numElementsDefined();
     int numIsotopes = numIsotopesDefined();
-    string symbol = ba::trim_copy(ename);
-    string name = ba::to_lower_copy(symbol);
+    string symbol = trimCopy(ename);
+    string name = toLowerCopy(symbol);
     for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) {
         if (symbol == atomicWeightTable[i].symbol) {
             return atomicWeightTable[i].atomicWeight;
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ string getElementSymbol(const std::string& ename)
 {
     int numElements = numElementsDefined();
     int numIsotopes = numIsotopesDefined();
-    string name = ba::to_lower_copy(ba::trim_copy(ename));
+    string name = toLowerCopy(trimCopy(ename));
     for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) {
         if (name == atomicWeightTable[i].fullName) {
             return atomicWeightTable[i].symbol;
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ string getElementName(const std::string& ename)
 {
     int numElements = numElementsDefined();
     int numIsotopes = numIsotopesDefined();
-    string symbol = ba::trim_copy(ename);
+    string symbol = trimCopy(ename);
     for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) {
         if (symbol == atomicWeightTable[i].symbol) {
             return atomicWeightTable[i].fullName;
@@ -255,8 +255,8 @@ int getAtomicNumber(const std::string& ename)
 {
     int numElements = numElementsDefined();
     int numIsotopes = numIsotopesDefined();
-    string symbol = ba::trim_copy(ename);
-    string name = ba::to_lower_copy(symbol);
+    string symbol = trimCopy(ename);
+    string name = toLowerCopy(symbol);
     for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) {
         if (symbol == atomicWeightTable[i].symbol) {
             return i+1;
diff --git a/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp b/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
index ad2ae8bc5..cc602add3 100644
--- a/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/HMWSoln.cpp
@@ -626,11 +626,11 @@ void HMWSoln::setZeta(const std::string& sp1, const std::string& sp2,
 
 void HMWSoln::setPitzerTempModel(const std::string& model)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(model, "constant") || ba::iequals(model, "default")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "constant") || caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "default")) {
         m_formPitzerTemp = PITZER_TEMP_CONSTANT;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "linear")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "linear")) {
         m_formPitzerTemp = PITZER_TEMP_LINEAR;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "complex") || ba::iequals(model, "complex1")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "complex") || caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "complex1")) {
         m_formPitzerTemp = PITZER_TEMP_COMPLEX1;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("HMWSoln::setPitzerTempModel",
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ void HMWSoln::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
         // Look for parameters for A_Debye
         if (acNode.hasChild("A_Debye")) {
             XML_Node& ADebye = acNode.child("A_Debye");
-            if (ba::iequals(ADebye["model"], "water")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(ADebye["model"], "water")) {
                 setA_Debye(-1);
             } else {
                 setA_Debye(getFloat(acNode, "A_Debye"));
@@ -811,19 +811,19 @@ void HMWSoln::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
             // Process any of the XML fields that make up the Pitzer Database.
             // Entries will be ignored if any of the species in the entry aren't
             // in the solution.
-            if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "binarysaltparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "binarysaltparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySalt(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "thetaanion")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "thetaanion")) {
                 readXMLTheta(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "thetacation")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "thetacation")) {
                 readXMLTheta(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "psicommonanion")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "psicommonanion")) {
                 readXMLPsi(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "psicommoncation")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "psicommoncation")) {
                 readXMLPsi(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "lambdaneutral")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "lambdaneutral")) {
                 readXMLLambdaNeutral(*xmlACChild);
-            } else if (ba::iequals(nodeName, "zetacation")) {
+            } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "zetacation")) {
                 readXMLZetaCation(*xmlACChild);
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp b/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
index 7ef3b7fb4..2086c7883 100644
--- a/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/IdealMolalSoln.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "cantera/thermo/ThermoFactory.h"
 #include "cantera/base/ctml.h"
 #include "cantera/base/stringUtils.h"
+
 #include <iostream>
 
 namespace Cantera
@@ -416,11 +417,11 @@ void IdealMolalSoln::initThermo()
 
 void IdealMolalSoln::setStandardConcentrationModel(const std::string& model)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(model, "unity")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "unity")) {
         m_formGC = 0;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "molar_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "molar_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 1;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 2;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("IdealSolnGasVPSS::setStandardConcentrationModel",
@@ -430,11 +431,11 @@ void IdealMolalSoln::setStandardConcentrationModel(const std::string& model)
 
 void IdealMolalSoln::setCutoffModel(const std::string& model)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(model, "none")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "none")) {
         IMS_typeCutoff_ = 0;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "poly")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "poly")) {
         IMS_typeCutoff_ = 1;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "polyexp")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "polyexp")) {
         IMS_typeCutoff_ = 2;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("IdealMolalSoln::setCutoffModel",
diff --git a/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
index df5000566..7041397d6 100644
--- a/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/IdealSolidSolnPhase.cpp
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ void IdealSolidSolnPhase::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
     // <thermo model="IdealSolidSolution" />
     if (phaseNode.hasChild("thermo")) {
         XML_Node& thNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
-        if (!ba::iequals(thNode["model"], "idealsolidsolution")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thNode["model"], "idealsolidsolution")) {
             throw CanteraError("IdealSolidSolnPhase::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown thermo model: " + thNode["model"]);
         }
@@ -425,11 +425,11 @@ void IdealSolidSolnPhase::setToEquilState(const doublereal* lambda_RT)
 
 void IdealSolidSolnPhase::setStandardConcentrationModel(const std::string& model)
 {
-    if (ba::iequals(model, "unity")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "unity")) {
         m_formGC = 0;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "molar_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "molar_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 1;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 2;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("IdealSolidSolnPhase::setStandardConcentrationModel",
diff --git a/src/thermo/IdealSolnGasVPSS.cpp b/src/thermo/IdealSolnGasVPSS.cpp
index be3167bb0..f7078765a 100644
--- a/src/thermo/IdealSolnGasVPSS.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/IdealSolnGasVPSS.cpp
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ void IdealSolnGasVPSS::setStandardConcentrationModel(const std::string& model)
                            "Standard concentration model not applicable for ideal gas");
     }
 
-    if (ba::iequals(model, "unity")) {
+    if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "unity")) {
         m_formGC = 0;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "molar_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "molar_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 1;
-    } else if (ba::iequals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
+    } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(model, "solvent_volume")) {
         m_formGC = 2;
     } else {
         throw CanteraError("IdealSolnGasVPSS::setStandardConcentrationModel",
diff --git a/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
index 3a0e5a9b0..443ea17a0 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MargulesVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ void MargulesVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
     XML_Node& thermoNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
 
     // Make sure that the thermo model is Margules
-    if (!ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "margules")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "margules")) {
         throw CanteraError("MargulesVPSSTP::initThermoXML",
                            "model name isn't Margules: " + thermoNode["model"]);
     }
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ void MargulesVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
     // XML block
     if (thermoNode.hasChild("activityCoefficients")) {
         XML_Node& acNode = thermoNode.child("activityCoefficients");
-        if (!ba::iequals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
             throw CanteraError("MargulesVPSSTP::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown activity coefficient model: " + acNode["model"]);
         }
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ void MargulesVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id_)
             // Process a binary salt field, or any of the other XML fields that
             // make up the Pitzer Database. Entries will be ignored if any of
             // the species in the entry isn't in the solution.
-            if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySpecies(xmlACChild);
             }
         }
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ void MargulesVPSSTP::readXMLBinarySpecies(XML_Node& xmLBinarySpecies)
 
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < xmLBinarySpecies.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = xmLBinarySpecies.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         // Process the binary species interaction parameters.
         // They are in subblocks labeled:
diff --git a/src/thermo/MaskellSolidSolnPhase.cpp b/src/thermo/MaskellSolidSolnPhase.cpp
index 8f2a34fd5..85b8c38c3 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MaskellSolidSolnPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MaskellSolidSolnPhase.cpp
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ void MaskellSolidSolnPhase::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string
     // <thermo model="MaskellSolidSolution" />
     if (phaseNode.hasChild("thermo")) {
         XML_Node& thNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
-        if (!ba::iequals(thNode["model"], "maskellsolidsolnphase")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thNode["model"], "maskellsolidsolnphase")) {
             throw CanteraError("MaskellSolidSolnPhase::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown thermo model: " + thNode["model"]);
         }
diff --git a/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp b/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
index e6c34783f..40dbaf8cf 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MixedSolventElectrolyte.cpp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void MixedSolventElectrolyte::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::stri
     }
     XML_Node& thermoNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
     string mString = thermoNode["model"];
-    if (!ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "mixedsolventelectrolyte")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "mixedsolventelectrolyte")) {
         throw CanteraError("MixedSolventElectrolyte::initThermoXML",
             "Unknown thermo model: " + thermoNode["model"]);
     }
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ void MixedSolventElectrolyte::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::stri
     // XML block
     if (thermoNode.hasChild("activityCoefficients")) {
         XML_Node& acNode = thermoNode.child("activityCoefficients");
-        if (!ba::iequals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
             throw CanteraError("MixedSolventElectrolyte::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown activity coefficient model: " + acNode["model"]);
         }
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ void MixedSolventElectrolyte::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::stri
             // Process a binary salt field, or any of the other XML fields that
             // make up the Pitzer Database. Entries will be ignored if any of
             // the species in the entry isn't in the solution.
-            if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySpecies(xmlACChild);
             }
         }
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ void MixedSolventElectrolyte::readXMLBinarySpecies(XML_Node& xmLBinarySpecies)
 
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < xmLBinarySpecies.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = xmLBinarySpecies.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         // Process the binary species interaction child elements
         if (nodeName == "excessenthalpy") {
diff --git a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
index f6dcdbd3a..6c5a3fbbd 100644
--- a/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/MolarityIonicVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -281,8 +281,8 @@ void MolarityIonicVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
                            "no thermo XML node");
     }
     XML_Node& thermoNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
-    if (!ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "molarityionicvpss")
-        && !ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "molarityionicvpsstp")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "molarityionicvpss")
+        && !caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "molarityionicvpsstp")) {
         throw CanteraError("MolarityIonicVPSSTP::initThermoXML",
                            "Unknown thermo model: " + thermoNode["model"]
                            + " - This object only knows \"MolarityIonicVPSSTP\" ");
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ void MolarityIonicVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
         for (size_t i = 0; i < acNode.nChildren(); i++) {
             XML_Node& xmlACChild = acNode.child(i);
             // Process a binary interaction
-            if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySpecies(xmlACChild);
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.cpp b/src/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.cpp
index c38a19d0e..3b2b743f5 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.cpp
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ void PDSS_HKFT::setParametersFromXML(const XML_Node& speciesNode)
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_HKFT::constructPDSSXML",
                            "no thermo Node for species " + speciesNode.name());
     }
-    if (!ba::iequals(tn->attrib("model"), "hkft")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(tn->attrib("model"), "hkft")) {
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_HKFT::initThermoXML",
                            "thermo model for species isn't hkft: "
                            + speciesNode.name());
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ void PDSS_HKFT::setParametersFromXML(const XML_Node& speciesNode)
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_HKFT::constructPDSSXML",
                            "no standardState Node for species " + speciesNode.name());
     }
-    if (!ba::iequals(ss->attrib("model"), "hkft")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(ss->attrib("model"), "hkft")) {
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_HKFT::initThermoXML",
                            "standardState model for species isn't hkft: "
                            + speciesNode.name());
diff --git a/src/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.cpp b/src/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.cpp
index 35226ae3b..3d22ac42b 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void PDSS_IonsFromNeutral::setParametersFromXML(const XML_Node& speciesNode)
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_IonsFromNeutral::constructPDSSXML",
                            "no thermo Node for species " + speciesNode.name());
     }
-    if (!ba::iequals(tn->attrib("model"), "ionfromneutral")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(tn->attrib("model"), "ionfromneutral")) {
         throw CanteraError("PDSS_IonsFromNeutral::constructPDSSXML",
                            "thermo model for species isn't IonsFromNeutral: "
                            + speciesNode.name());
diff --git a/src/thermo/Phase.cpp b/src/thermo/Phase.cpp
index efd9a930a..ae5ee0ef1 100644
--- a/src/thermo/Phase.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/Phase.cpp
@@ -174,10 +174,10 @@ void Phase::getAtoms(size_t k, double* atomArray) const
 
 size_t Phase::speciesIndex(const std::string& nameStr) const
 {
-    size_t loc = getValue(m_speciesIndices, ba::to_lower_copy(nameStr), npos);
+    size_t loc = getValue(m_speciesIndices, toLowerCopy(nameStr), npos);
     if (loc == npos && nameStr.find(':') != npos) {
         std::string pn;
-        std::string sn = ba::to_lower_copy(parseSpeciesName(nameStr, pn));
+        std::string sn = toLowerCopy(parseSpeciesName(nameStr, pn));
         if (pn == "" || pn == m_name || pn == m_id) {
             return getValue(m_speciesIndices, sn, npos);
         } else {
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ void Phase::setMoleFractionsByName(const compositionMap& xMap)
     vector_fp mf(m_kk, 0.0);
     for (const auto& sp : xMap) {
         try {
-            mf[m_speciesIndices.at(ba::to_lower_copy(sp.first))] = sp.second;
+            mf[m_speciesIndices.at(toLowerCopy(sp.first))] = sp.second;
         } catch (std::out_of_range&) {
             throw CanteraError("Phase::setMoleFractionsByName",
                                "Unknown species '{}'", sp.first);
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ void Phase::setMassFractionsByName(const compositionMap& yMap)
     vector_fp mf(m_kk, 0.0);
     for (const auto& sp : yMap) {
         try {
-            mf[m_speciesIndices.at(ba::to_lower_copy(sp.first))] = sp.second;
+            mf[m_speciesIndices.at(toLowerCopy(sp.first))] = sp.second;
         } catch (std::out_of_range&) {
             throw CanteraError("Phase::setMassFractionsByName",
                                "Unknown species '{}'", sp.first);
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ size_t Phase::addElement(const std::string& symbol, doublereal weight,
 }
 
 bool Phase::addSpecies(shared_ptr<Species> spec) {
-    if (m_species.find(ba::to_lower_copy(spec->name)) != m_species.end()) {
+    if (m_species.find(toLowerCopy(spec->name)) != m_species.end()) {
         throw CanteraError("Phase::addSpecies",
             "Phase '{}' already contains a species named '{}'.",
             m_name, spec->name);
@@ -725,8 +725,8 @@ bool Phase::addSpecies(shared_ptr<Species> spec) {
     }
 
     m_speciesNames.push_back(spec->name);
-    m_species[ba::to_lower_copy(spec->name)] = spec;
-    m_speciesIndices[ba::to_lower_copy(spec->name)] = m_kk;
+    m_species[toLowerCopy(spec->name)] = spec;
+    m_speciesIndices[toLowerCopy(spec->name)] = m_kk;
     m_speciesCharge.push_back(spec->charge);
     size_t ne = nElements();
 
@@ -790,19 +790,19 @@ void Phase::modifySpecies(size_t k, shared_ptr<Species> spec)
             "New species name '{}' does not match existing name '{}'",
                            spec->name, speciesName(k));
     }
-    const shared_ptr<Species>& old = m_species[ba::to_lower_copy(spec->name)];
+    const shared_ptr<Species>& old = m_species[toLowerCopy(spec->name)];
     if (spec->composition != old->composition) {
         throw CanteraError("Phase::modifySpecies",
             "New composition for '{}' does not match existing composition",
             spec->name);
     }
-    m_species[ba::to_lower_copy(spec->name)] = spec;
+    m_species[toLowerCopy(spec->name)] = spec;
     invalidateCache();
 }
 
 shared_ptr<Species> Phase::species(const std::string& name) const
 {
-    return m_species.at(ba::to_lower_copy(name));
+    return m_species.at(toLowerCopy(name));
 }
 
 shared_ptr<Species> Phase::species(size_t k) const
diff --git a/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp b/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
index 616afdffc..3814c759e 100644
--- a/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/PhaseCombo_Interaction.cpp
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ void PhaseCombo_Interaction::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::strin
                            "no thermo XML node");
     }
     XML_Node& thermoNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
-    if (!ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "phasecombo_interaction")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "phasecombo_interaction")) {
         throw CanteraError("PhaseCombo_Interaction::initThermoXML",
                            "model name isn't PhaseCombo_Interaction: " + thermoNode["model"]);
     }
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ void PhaseCombo_Interaction::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::strin
     // XML block
     if (thermoNode.hasChild("activityCoefficients")) {
         XML_Node& acNode = thermoNode.child("activityCoefficients");
-        if (!ba::iequals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(acNode["model"], "margules")) {
             throw CanteraError("PhaseCombo_Interaction::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown activity coefficient model: " + acNode["model"]);
         }
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ void PhaseCombo_Interaction::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::strin
             // Process a binary salt field, or any of the other XML fields that
             // make up the Pitzer Database. Entries will be ignored if any of
             // the species in the entry isn't in the solution.
-            if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySpecies(xmlACChild);
             }
         }
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ void PhaseCombo_Interaction::readXMLBinarySpecies(XML_Node& xmLBinarySpecies)
 
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < xmLBinarySpecies.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = xmLBinarySpecies.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         // Process the binary species interaction child elements
         if (nodeName == "excessenthalpy") {
diff --git a/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp b/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
index 1354e0ae3..137048a5d 100644
--- a/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/RedlichKisterVPSSTP.cpp
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ void RedlichKisterVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
                            "no thermo XML node");
     }
     XML_Node& thermoNode = phaseNode.child("thermo");
-    if (!ba::iequals(thermoNode["model"], "redlich-kister")) {
+    if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(thermoNode["model"], "redlich-kister")) {
         throw CanteraError("RedlichKisterVPSSTP::initThermoXML",
                            "Unknown thermo model: " + thermoNode["model"]
                            + " - This object only knows \"Redlich-Kister\" ");
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ void RedlichKisterVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
     // XML block
     if (thermoNode.hasChild("activityCoefficients")) {
         XML_Node& acNode = thermoNode.child("activityCoefficients");
-        if (!ba::iequals(acNode["model"], "redlich-kister")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(acNode["model"], "redlich-kister")) {
             throw CanteraError("RedlichKisterVPSSTP::initThermoXML",
                                "Unknown activity coefficient model: " + acNode["model"]);
         }
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ void RedlichKisterVPSSTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string&
             // Process a binary salt field, or any of the other XML fields that
             // make up the Pitzer Database. Entries will be ignored if any of
             // the species in the entry isn't in the solution.
-            if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
+            if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "binaryneutralspeciesparameters")) {
                 readXMLBinarySpecies(xmlACChild);
             }
         }
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ void RedlichKisterVPSSTP::readXMLBinarySpecies(XML_Node& xmLBinarySpecies)
     // Ok we have found a valid interaction
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < xmLBinarySpecies.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = xmLBinarySpecies.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         // Process the binary species interaction child elements
         if (nodeName == "excessenthalpy") {
diff --git a/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp b/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
index 8da62d5a7..fc4fddebb 100644
--- a/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/RedlichKwongMFTP.cpp
@@ -577,9 +577,9 @@ void RedlichKwongMFTP::initThermoXML(XML_Node& phaseNode, const std::string& id)
             // parameters
             for (size_t i = 0; i < acNode.nChildren(); i++) {
                 XML_Node& xmlACChild = acNode.child(i);
-                if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "purefluidparameters")) {
+                if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "purefluidparameters")) {
                     readXMLPureFluid(xmlACChild);
-                } else if (ba::iequals(xmlACChild.name(), "crossfluidparameters")) {
+                } else if (caseInsensitiveEquals(xmlACChild.name(), "crossfluidparameters")) {
                     readXMLCrossFluid(xmlACChild);
                 }
             }
@@ -602,11 +602,11 @@ void RedlichKwongMFTP::readXMLPureFluid(XML_Node& pureFluidParam)
     double b = 0.0;
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < pureFluidParam.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = pureFluidParam.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         if (nodeName == "a_coeff") {
             vector_fp vParams;
-            string iModel = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.attrib("model"));
+            string iModel = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.attrib("model"));
             getFloatArray(xmlChild, vParams, true, "Pascal-m6/kmol2", "a_coeff");
 
             if (iModel == "constant" && vParams.size() == 1) {
@@ -641,12 +641,12 @@ void RedlichKwongMFTP::readXMLCrossFluid(XML_Node& CrossFluidParam)
     size_t num = CrossFluidParam.nChildren();
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < num; iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = CrossFluidParam.child(iChild);
-        string nodeName = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.name());
+        string nodeName = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.name());
 
         if (nodeName == "a_coeff") {
             vector_fp vParams;
             getFloatArray(xmlChild, vParams, true, "Pascal-m6/kmol2", "a_coeff");
-            string iModel = ba::to_lower_copy(xmlChild.attrib("model"));
+            string iModel = toLowerCopy(xmlChild.attrib("model"));
             if (iModel == "constant" && vParams.size() == 1) {
                 setBinaryCoeffs(iName, jName, vParams[0], 0.0);
             } else if (iModel == "linear_a") {
diff --git a/src/thermo/SpeciesThermoFactory.cpp b/src/thermo/SpeciesThermoFactory.cpp
index 85cff86cd..f70e67240 100644
--- a/src/thermo/SpeciesThermoFactory.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/SpeciesThermoFactory.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ SpeciesThermoInterpType* newSpeciesThermoInterpType(const std::string& stype,
     double tlow, double thigh, double pref, const double* coeffs)
 {
     int itype = -1;
-    std::string type = ba::to_lower_copy(stype);
+    std::string type = toLowerCopy(stype);
     if (type == "nasa2" || type == "nasa") {
         itype = NASA2; // two-region 7-coefficient NASA polynomials
     } else if (type == "const_cp" || type == "simple") {
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ static SpeciesThermoInterpType* newAdsorbateThermoFromXML(const XML_Node& f)
 
 SpeciesThermoInterpType* newSpeciesThermoInterpType(const XML_Node& thermo)
 {
-    std::string model = ba::to_lower_copy(thermo["model"]);
+    std::string model = toLowerCopy(thermo["model"]);
     if (model == "hkft" || model == "ionfromneutral") {
         // Some PDSS species use the 'thermo' node, but don't specify a
         // SpeciesThermoInterpType parameterization. This function needs to
@@ -399,10 +399,10 @@ SpeciesThermoInterpType* newSpeciesThermoInterpType(const XML_Node& thermo)
         }
     }
 
-    std::string thermoType = ba::to_lower_copy(tp[0]->name());
+    std::string thermoType = toLowerCopy(tp[0]->name());
 
     for (size_t i = 1; i < tp.size(); i++) {
-        if (!ba::iequals(tp[i]->name(), thermoType)) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(tp[i]->name(), thermoType)) {
             throw CanteraError("newSpeciesThermoInterpType",
                 "Encountered unsupported mixed species thermo "
                 "parameterizations, '{}' and '{}'", tp[i]->name(), thermoType);
diff --git a/src/tpx/utils.cpp b/src/tpx/utils.cpp
index 447782894..553f7104e 100644
--- a/src/tpx/utils.cpp
+++ b/src/tpx/utils.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ namespace tpx
 {
 Substance* newSubstance(const std::string& name)
 {
-    std::string lcname = boost::algorithm::to_lower_copy(name);
+    std::string lcname = Cantera::toLowerCopy(name);
     if (lcname == "water") {
         return new water;
     } else if (lcname == "nitrogen") {
diff --git a/src/transport/LiquidTranInteraction.cpp b/src/transport/LiquidTranInteraction.cpp
index f89a9ba99..07539c2a6 100644
--- a/src/transport/LiquidTranInteraction.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/LiquidTranInteraction.cpp
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ void LiquidTranInteraction::init(const XML_Node& compModelNode,
     for (size_t iChild = 0; iChild < compModelNode.nChildren(); iChild++) {
         XML_Node& xmlChild = compModelNode.child(iChild);
         std::string nodeName = xmlChild.name();
-        if (!ba::iequals(nodeName, "interaction")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(nodeName, "interaction")) {
             throw CanteraError("TransportFactory::getLiquidInteractionsTransportData",
                                "expected <interaction> element and got <" + nodeName + ">");
         }
diff --git a/src/transport/TransportData.cpp b/src/transport/TransportData.cpp
index ae5d33270..dccaa1886 100644
--- a/src/transport/TransportData.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/TransportData.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ void GasTransportData::validate(const Species& sp)
 {
     double nAtoms = 0;
     for (const auto& elem : sp.composition) {
-        if (!ba::iequals(elem.first, "E")) {
+        if (!caseInsensitiveEquals(elem.first, "E")) {
             nAtoms += elem.second;
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp b/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
index 98be9da5e..7c953be46 100644
--- a/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/TransportFactory.cpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ void TransportFactory::deleteFactory()
 LTPspecies* TransportFactory::newLTP(const XML_Node& trNode, const std::string& name,
                                      TransportPropertyType tp_ind, thermo_t* thermo)
 {
-    std::string model = ba::to_lower_copy(trNode["model"]);
+    std::string model = toLowerCopy(trNode["model"]);
     LTPspecies* sp;
     switch (m_LTRmodelMap[model]) {
     case LTP_TD_CONSTANT: