Circularity Through Redesign: Creating New Polymer Systems that are 100% Biobased and Recyclable

Dr. Srikanth Pilla

Professor,
Clemson University

Seminar Information

Seminar Series
Mechanics & Materials

Seminar Date - Time
February 2, 2023, 11:00 am
-
12:15

Seminar Location
von Karman-Penner Seminar Room
EBU2, Room 479
IN PERSON ONLY


Abstract

Polyurethanes rank among the 6 th most produced plastic globally and carry significant risks to health and safety due to the use of isocyanates in the polymer composition. In addition, polyurethanes are some of the least recycled materials due to their crosslinked nature precluding typical thermal processing techniques. To address these issues and enable a sustainable and circular design to polyurethane synthesis, a biobased and non-isocyanate route has been innovated that introduces chemical linkages capable of dissociation post-synthesis for chemical recycling. Lignin, as a highly abundant by-product of the paper pulping industry, is utilized as an alternative feedstock to create the non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs). While only a few examples of NIPU foams can be found in the scientific literature, the lignin-based foams described here can be synthesized with flexible and rigid properties as well as a 100% biobased nature. As lignin is typically used in the formulation of rigid polymers and foams, the foams presented here are the first to demonstrate flexible properties and densities near commercial materials. The raw materials of the composition can be recovered after chemical recycling of the foams using a high-pressure hydrolysis technique. The recycled precursors are demonstrated capable of reuse in second generation foams enabling a circular lifecycle. The presentation also highlights Pilla Research Group’s journey in advanced composites: ‘Atoms to Autos’ that bridges fundamental science with applied engineering to enable sustainable technologies transforming the mobility industry.

 

Speaker Bio

Dr. Srikanth Pilla is the ExxonMobil Employees Chair in Engineering at Clemson University. He is also the Founding Director of Clemson Composites Center, Director of DOE-EFRC “AIM for Composites”, and the Director of the Automotive Engineering Certificate Program. Pilla earned his doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a postdoctoral training from Stanford University. Prior to joining Clemson, Pilla worked as an Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Pilla’s research interests are in the fundamentals and applications of sustainable and lightweight functional materials and manufacturing. Pilla has co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed archival publications. His research is supported by NSF, DOE, USDA, DOD, and NASA, besides several foundations and industries including automotive OEMs, and their suppliers. Pilla currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of SAE International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, Energy, Environment and Policy. Pilla’s efforts in research and engineering education have garnered him numerous awards, including the 2022 DOE-VTO Team Award, 2021 US EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, 2021 Innovision’s Sustainability Award, 2019 Composites Educator of the Year Award, 2018 SC Governor’s Young Scientist Award, 2017 Stefan Pischinger Young Industry Leadership Award, 2017 SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, and 2016 Robert J. Hocken Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award from SME. He has supervised over 50 graduate students and postdocs, and many undergraduate students. Four of his former team members now hold faculty positions are the University of Texas-El Paso, Cleveland State University, Clemson University and Amasya University.