Where Engineering & Chemistry Intersect for Broader Impact
Currently, many biodegradable products in the market are bio-based, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, and are focused on conventional plastic applications. This approach to production of biodegradable plastics, however, is facing mounting challenges due to high cost, weaker performance, and environmental issues. In addition, several biodegradable plastics have proven to break down quickly under specific, simulated environmental conditions, but they may not be effectively degradable under natural conditions. As a result of these challenges and many more, there exists a gap in the market. Our Project Affiliates, Dr. Son and Dr. Krueger, aim to bridge this gap by pursuing a biodegradable plastic that better addresses the aforementioned challenges, investigating a prototype plastic with predictable degradation and mechanical properties. In the spirit of interdisciplinary innovation, they seek to develop a joint chemical and engineering approach to biodegradable plastics for broader impact.
Currently, many biodegradable products in the market are bio-based, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, and are focused on conventional plastic applications. This approach to production of biodegradable plastics, however, is facing mounting challenges due to high cost, weaker performance, and environmental issues. In addition, several biodegradable plastics have proven to break down quickly under specific, simulated environmental conditions, but they may not be effectively degradable under natural conditions. As a result of these challenges and many more, there exists a gap in the market.
Our Project Affiliates, Dr. Son and Dr. Krueger, aim to bridge this gap by pursuing a biodegradable plastic that better addresses the aforementioned challenges, investigating a prototype plastic with predictable degradation and mechanical properties. In the spirit of interdisciplinary innovation, they seek to develop a joint chemical and engineering approach to biodegradable plastics for broader impact.
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undergraduate researcher, Sami Streb, working in Dr. Krueger’s lab.<br />
Networks<br />
were prepared by mixing Anderson’s and Jamie’s monomers in the mold and heating at<br />
80°C <strong>for</strong> two hours. Network preparation was successful; however, the cured plastics<br />
adhered too strongly to the mold and had to be peeled out, resulting in de<strong>for</strong>mation of the<br />
plastic (Figure 6).<br />
Figure 6: Circular mold (left) and plastic (right)<br />
Sami prepared a mold out of silicone, which proved to release the plastic much<br />
easier. We recently prepared a “dog bone” shaped sample <strong>for</strong> mechanical testing in the<br />
Krueger lab (Figure 7).<br />
Figure 7: Dog bone-shaped plastic in a silicone mold<br />
WHERE ENGINEERING & CHEMISTRY INTERSECT FOR BROADER IMPACT<br />
NGUYEN, KATIE
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