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 Research Analyst:<br />
Katie Nguyen<br />
Contributing Editors:<br />
Sam Borton & Corrie A. Harris, M.A., M.B.A.<br />
Undergraduate Project Managers:<br />
Sydney Lobato and Taylor Grace<br />
Undergraduate Lab Researchers:<br />
Son Lab: Anderson Wey and Jamie Hall<br />
Krueger Lab: Sami Streb<br />
Global Development Lab Portfolio Manager:<br />
Corrie A. Harris, M.A., MBA<br />
Hunt Institute Affiliates:<br />
Dr. David Son and Dr. Paul Krueger<br />
Southern Methodist University | Lyle School of <strong>Engineering</strong><br />
Hunter and Stephanie Hunt Institute <strong>for</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> & Humanity<br />
Global Development Lab<br />
Summer 2020 - 2021<br />
WHERE ENGINEERING & CHEMISTRY INTERSECT FOR BROADER IMPACT<br />
NGUYEN, KATIE
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