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Integrating Biopolymers, Chitin, and Ionic Liquids for Sustainable Material Innovation
Integrating Biopolymers, Chitin, and Ionic Liquids for Sustainable Material Innovation
My research focuses on leveraging biopolymers to develop high-value products, chemicals, and fuels while promoting their environmental and economic benefits. Achieving success in this field requires advancements in material performance, scalability, and disruptive technologies to overcome challenges related to economics, life-cycle sustainability, and supply chains. Major research thrusts include:
Biotechnology – Developing biomaterials for medical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Functional Materials – Creating advanced composites from bio-renewable resources and bio-waste to enhance sustainability.
Separations – Implementing novel strategies to refine value-added products from biomass efficiently.
CHITIN
Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide on Earth, after cellulose, with an estimated global production of around 0.15 megatons per year. It is primarily sourced from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, which are abundant in marine ecosystems and are often considered waste byproducts. This makes chitin a sustainable and renewable resource, which can help address environmental issues related to waste management.
Chitin and its derivatives, such as chitosan, have shown great promise in biomedical applications. They can be used in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and as antimicrobial agents. Understanding chitin’s biological interactions and its potential for functionalization is key to advancing these applications, particularly in creating biocompatible materials. Chitin has potential as a renewable source of bio-based materials for use in biodegradable plastics. By studying the processing and modification of chitin, we can develop new, sustainable materials that are both effective and environmentally friendly, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels.
IONIC LIQUIDS
Ionic liquids (ILs) consist of both organic and inorganic ions, with electrostatic interactions between them. The diversity of ions in ILs is further complicated by the fact that there is no single characteristic that applies to all ILs, except for their melting point. As a result, no single model can comprehensively describe the entire family of ILs. Ionic liquids serve as an ideal medium for a wide range of engineering applications, from solvents to biological compounds. My research has focused on studying the fundamental properties of IL systems and their structure-property relationships, including stoichiometric ILs, non-stoichiometric ILs, proton transfer room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) systems, and eutectic mixtures. I have also worked on the preparation of energetic materials in IL form for advanced propulsion systems in space and missile applications, with funding from US AFOSR and NASA. Additionally, I have explored the use of ILs to improve the delivery and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Ultimately, my work has led me to focus on the use of ionic liquids in the processing of biopolymers, an area I am currently developing further.
I am particularly interested in potential development of technological solutions to societal challenges, such as finding a solution to "plastic catastrophe."
I am particularly interested in potential development of technological solutions to societal challenges, such as finding a solution to "plastic catastrophe."
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