Research
In my research, I am most excited about researching the environmental and health impact of material processes from current products to make more sustainable materials in the future.
In my research, I am most excited about researching the environmental and health impact of material processes from current products to make more sustainable materials in the future.
Currently I measure the amount of power input in various simulated situations to wear down larger plastics and generate MPs using a machine generated at Duke. (NIST publication link)
Currently I measure the amount of power input in various simulated situations to wear down larger plastics and generate MPs using a machine generated at Duke. (NIST publication link)
The scope of my dissertation encompasses abrasion of a range of plastics that are widely used in consumer products. These include High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Poly lactic acid (PLA), Nylon, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Overall, this project will help comprehend and provide instrumental initial data to understand generation rates MPs and NPs from larger scale plastics and reduce these plastic particle’s pollution into both the environment and consumer’s homes and bodies. This project will also investigate properties of plastics that lead to MP and NP production and help develop new plastic materials in order to reduce their accumulation in the environment.
The scope of my dissertation encompasses abrasion of a range of plastics that are widely used in consumer products. These include High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Poly lactic acid (PLA), Nylon, and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Overall, this project will help comprehend and provide instrumental initial data to understand generation rates MPs and NPs from larger scale plastics and reduce these plastic particle’s pollution into both the environment and consumer’s homes and bodies. This project will also investigate properties of plastics that lead to MP and NP production and help develop new plastic materials in order to reduce their accumulation in the environment.
- Quantify the generation rate of microplastics from various plastics (without nanofillers) used in consumer products with various power inputs
Publication: From bottle to microplastics: Can we estimate how our plastic products are breaking down?
- Quantify the effect of nanofillers (MWCNT and Ag NPs) on the generation of microplastics from a commonly used single use plastic PETG
- Measure the effects of weathering (real and simulated) conditions on microplastic generation before and after abrasion occurs
Publication: Coming
- Model the release of microplastics generated from abrasion in aquatic environments using input abrasion rates
Publication: Coming