• June 2025: Genesis, Jean, and Michael join our group as undergraduate researchers. They will be working with us during the summer and are supported by different programs (PRACTICE-REU, UB SURP, and an NSF data science project). Welcome! [link] [link] 

• June 2025: Prof. Aurora gives a talk at the Plastics In Composites and Lightweighting 2025, SPE Flexible Packaging Division.  [link] 

• May 2025: Prof. Aurora gives a talk at the FlexPackCon 2025, SPE Flexible Packaging Division.  [link] 

• May 2025: The first review paper of our lab, "Process Systems Engineering Approaches for Sustainable Plastics Management" has been accepted for publication in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research.  [link] 

• April 2025: Our scientific papers, "A fast computational framework for the design of solvent-based plastic recycling processes" and "Screening green solvents for multilayer plastic film recycling processes," have been accepted for publication in Computers & Chemical Engineering.  [link] [link]  

• April 2025: Prof. Aurora is profiled in CBE News. [link]

Read more about our news: [link]

Our group aims to develop computational tools that provide insights into the design of sustainable products and technologies. Our methodological work focuses on four broad topics: (1) multi-scale process design, (2) technology pathway analysis, (3) sustainable supply chains, and (4) environmental and social justice. 

Our research interests include:

• Mathematical Modeling and Optimization

• Process Design and Systems Engineering

• Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment 

Potential applications: Plastics Recycling, Waste Management, Clean Energy Technologies, Food, Pharmaceuticals, and Textiles Manufacturing 

Read more about our research: [link]

• A. C. Munguía-López, X. G. Sánchez-Zarco, and A. Owusu-Boateng (2025). Process Systems Engineering Approaches for Sustainable Plastics Management, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. In Press. Open Access: [link].

• U.M. Ikegwu, P. Zhou, R.C. Van Lehn, V.M. Zavala, and A.C. Munguia-Lopez (2025). A Fast Computational Framework for the Design of Solvent-Based Plastic Recycling Processes. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 199, 109148  [link]. Preprint available [link]

• A.C. Munguia-Lopez, D. Goreke, K.L. Sanchez-Rivera, H.A. Aguirre-Villegas, S. Avraamidou, G.W. Huber, and V.M. Zavala (2023). Quantifying the Environmental Benefits of a Solvent-Based Separation Process for Multilayer Plastic Films. Green Chemistry, 25(4):1611-25. [link]

• A.C. Munguia-Lopez, V.M. Zavala, J.E. Santibanez-Aguilar, and J.M. Ponce-Ortega (2020). Optimization of Municipal Solid Waste Management using a Coordinated Framework. Waste Management, 115, 15-24. [link]

Read more about our publications: [link]