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MSU-IIT's Center for Sustainable Polymers hosts symposium at an ACS-GCI conference in USA

Jun 21 2024

The Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP) at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) made a resounding impact at the 28th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 

This conference, spearheaded by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute (GCI), is the longest-running event of its kind, bringing together renowned researchers, scientists, educators, policymakers, and industry professionals to discuss the latest innovations in sustainable chemistry and engineering.

Recognizing the significance of this opportunity, MSU-IIT, through its CSP, sent a team comprising researchers, project leaders, and select members of the administration, headed by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo. Their mission was not only to participate as presenters but also to organize a symposium titled "Bio-based Polymers: Green and Sustainable Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Polymers."

The symposium boasted an impressive lineup of top-tier scientists from around the world, with the keynote address delivered by Dr. Bradley Olsen from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Olsen's presentation on "Materials Bioeconomies" shed light on global and local perspectives regarding the end-of-life performance evaluation of commonly used polymer materials.

Other distinguished speakers included Engr. Roger Dingcong from MSU-IIT's CSP, who discussed advancements in coconut oil-based rigid polyurethane foam as an environmentally friendly substitute for petroleum-derived polymers. Dr. Paul Doll from Dow Chemicals addressed the challenges of commercializing sustainable bio-based polymers for paint, while Dr. Hongying Zhou from PPG Industries, Inc. explored bio-based materials in coating and adhesive development. Additionally, Dr. Sandip Singh from the University of Kansas showcased high-performance renewable adhesives derived from corn cob lignin and amino acids.

The symposium drew a full house of scientists and industry experts, highlighting the growing interest and commitment within the scientific community to finding sustainable polymer alternatives. Engaging discussions followed each presentation, fostering knowledge exchange and exploring potential collaborations.

The symposium concluded with a collaborative discussion among participants, speakers, and organizers,  emphasizing the importance of continued research and development in bio-based polymers and the need for international partnerships to advance sustainable solutions. These interactions laid the groundwork for future partnerships and initiatives aimed at promoting green and sustainable chemistry.

The MSU-IIT CSP researchers also made significant contributions to the broader conference. Dr. Ronald Bual, Chairman of the Chemical Engineering and Technology Department and Project Leader at CSP, presented his groundbreaking research on developing scaffold materials from tilapia skin through decellularization. This study piqued the interest of renowned biopolymer experts and highlighted the potential for utilizing fish waste in biomedical applications, such as wound healing.

Additionally, Engr. Roger Dingcong Jr. highlighted milestones achieved in developing coconut oil-based rigid polyurethane foam, emphasizing the novel reaction mechanism and thermo-kinetic simulation used to optimize the formulation for various industrial applications. Meanwhile, Engr. Marionilo Labrares Jr. presented a poster on optimizing decellularization processes for sustainable biopolymer production.

The successful organization and impactful presentations by MSU-IIT's CSP team have opened new avenues for collaboration and learning. Following the conference, Dr. Bradley Olsen graciously extended an invitation to the MSU-IIT team to visit MIT’s Chemical Engineering Laboratories. This visit, facilitated by the connections made at the conference, included a tour of state-of-the-art labs and discussions on potential collaborative research, particularly in thermo-kinetic modeling and sustainable chemical processes.

This experience underscored the importance of global networking and knowledge exchange in advancing scientific research. The MSU-IIT CSP team returned with a renewed vision and inspiration to further their work in sustainable polymers, bolstered by the cutting-edge insights gained from their visit to one of the world’s leading research institutions. Their contributions reflect the growing global commitment to sustainable and green chemistry, promising a brighter and more sustainable future.

 

-Contributed News

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