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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the unique geometric properties of the biodegradable prototype plastic. Compatibility with<br />
3D printing methods would help to facilitate biodegradable plastic’s replacing of other less<br />
desirable materials, especially given its rapidly growing adoption and application <strong>for</strong><br />
manufacturing both prototype and production components. The lab is developing a 3D<br />
printing technology (extrude and cure additive manufacturing, or ECAM) that can<br />
simultaneously print and cure thermoset polymers such as those considered in this<br />
project.<br />
Another significant opportunity <strong>for</strong> the biodegradable plastic industry is an application<br />
towards alleviating medical waste. Focusing on both producing better-quality medical<br />
supplies and reducing the end-of-life waste associated with such products, this<br />
application works toward both the third UN SDG “to ensure healthy lives and promote<br />
wellbeing <strong>for</strong> all at all ages” and the fourteenth UN SDG, which aims “to conserve and<br />
sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.” [1]<br />
In order to address this challenge, our team of multidisciplinary students and subject<br />
matter experts have been working diligently to develop a biodegradable plastic with<br />
more desirable characteristics and predictable degradation properties that could both<br />
address medical waste and potentially be used in 3D printing. The remainder of<br />
this report will provide a market analysis of biodegradable plastics, a discussion of their<br />
applications, and updates from the labs progress in their research.<br />
WHERE ENGINEERING & CHEMISTRY INTERSECT FOR BROADER IMPACT<br />
NGUYEN, KATIE
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