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Process for Depolymerizing Recycled Polystyrenes

­Executive Summary Each year, billions of lbs of polystyrene and styrene copolymers are discarded as waste and very little is recycled. While some technologies have attempted pyrolysis in fluidized bed reactors or solvent processes to convert the polystyrene back to monomer, high costs, long process times and a myriad of reaction products have...
Published: 11/3/2021   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan, Vikash Kumar
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment, Materials

Rapid Process for Depolymerizing Recycled PET

­Executive Summary Each year, billions of lbs of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) are discarded as waste. While some of the material is separated, recycled and incorporated into new materials, the degradation of the polymers back to their original monomers (a.k.a. chemical recycling) remains prohibitive...
Published: 11/2/2021   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment, Materials

Recombinant Protein for Rare Earth Element Binding

Executive Summary Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential materials used in advanced technologies such as electronics, process catalysts, magnets, batteries and MRI contrast agents. Although used in small quantities for each application, they end up in surface water and soil during mining, processing and waste disposal. This presents growing environmental...
Published: 10/29/2021   |   Inventor(s): Harvey Lee, Connor Grady, Assaf Gilad
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Medical, Biotechnology, Environment, Test and Measurement

Process for Recycling Mixed Polyurethanes

­Executive Summary Polyurethane ridged and flexible foams are used in a wide variety of applications in the automotive, industrial and consumer sectors. Since these polymers are crosslinked networks, recycling them for further use remains a challenge. MSU researchers have developed a novel, non solvent based process for processing mixed polyurethanes....
Published: 10/18/2021   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Materials, Environment

Novel Chain Extenders for Recycling Polyesters

­Executive Summary Polyesters comprise a significant portion of plastics entering landfills. One issue that limits their recycling is natural degradation during melt processing which lowers their molecular weight and melt viscosity. Reactive chain extenders are often used to build back the molecular weight of the polyester, however, their use can...
Published: 10/18/2021   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Advanced Materials, Environment, Packaging

Polyazacrown-based Materials for Mercury Capture

Executive Summary Coal burning plants emit significant amounts of mercury to the environment, which is harmful to humans. A variety of processes are currently used to mitigate mercury emissions, but there is a need for more effective approaches. MSU researchers have developed a new polymer and method of synthesis for binding to mercury ions and removing...
Published: 10/21/2020   |   Inventor(s): Mikhail Redko, James Jackson, Volodymyr Tarabara, Julian Taurozzi
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment, Materials, Energy

Mesoporous MFI-Zeolite Catalysts for Aromatics Production

Executive SummaryThere is a need for a green, renewable, and sustainable route to produce chemicals currently made from petrochemical feedstocks. MSU researchers have developed a new catalyst system for converting biomass to aromatics. The aromatics can be further transformed into downstream chemicals such as terephthalic acid, which can be used in...
Published: 10/16/2020   |   Inventor(s): Shantanu Kelkar, Christopher Saffron, Thomas Pinnavaia, Robert Kriegel
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment, Agricultural

Chemical Recycling of Polylactic Acid

Executive SummaryA new environmentally friendly process developed at Michigan State University derives clean-use plastics from contaminated Polylactic Acid (PLA). This new method of recycling PLA yields clean-use plastics using inexpensive green solvents and lower temperatures.Description of TechnologyCurrent chemical recycling of PLA uses toxic solvents...
Published: 8/30/2017   |   Inventor(s): Rafael Auras, Fabiola Iniguez-Franco, Maria Rubino, Herlinda Soto-Valdez, Daniel Holmes, Susan Selke, Xiaoyi Fang
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment

Efficient Hydrocyclone for Liquid-Liquid Separation

Executive SummaryDue to environmental concerns, discharge of water from oil and gas industries is required to maintain oil levels between 10 – 30 ppm. Complying with these standards leads to significant expenses for the industry. A new hydrocyclone design developed at MSU makes it possible to exceed these requirements while being much more cost-effective...
Published: 3/14/2017   |   Inventor(s): Abdul Motin, Andre Benard, Volodymyr Tarabara
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment

Real-Time 3D Modeling Of Watersheds

Executive SummaryGroundwater is the most extracted raw material in the world. As such, it is crucial that companies and governments are able to understand exactly how their use of groundwater affects the immediate area. Visualizing where groundwater is located, how chemical contaminants affect groundwater over time, and predicting how weather will affect...
Published: 1/30/2017   |   Inventor(s): Shu-Guang Li, Huasheng Liao
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Agriculture, Environment, Biotechnology, Analytical Instruments, Computer Software, Data Processing/Analysis
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