Page 18 - Plastics News July 2021

FEATURES

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friendly foam alternative

An Indian-American student has won a prestigious award for developing an eco-friendly foam alternative,
which was motivated by the impact of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

ho would have thought passion and enthusiasm, and I encourage them to continue
:that a day would come to seek innovative ways to tackle complex environmental
wherein student would take FKDOOHQJHV µ
inspiration from one of the EPA’s Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability Award provides funds
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disasters to make an project Design Expo. The Expo features the university and
for developing alternate college student teams participating in EPA’s P3: People,
sustainable material.
Prosperity and the Planet program, which encourages
Sohi Sanjay Patel, a sophomore innovative designs applying STEM concepts to address
at a Texas high school, was environmental challenges. “The students who competed
declared the winner of the in Regeneron ISEF this year conducted their research
Patrick H Hurd Sustainability Award at the 2021 virtual under unique circumstances, given the current pandemic.
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 7KHLU GHGLFDWLRQ WR FRQGXFWLQJ VFLHQWLÀF DQG HQJLQHHULQJ
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the impact of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy in India when Public, the virtual 2021 Regeneron ISEF showcased the
over 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas had leaked LQQRYDWLYH SURMHFWV RI ÀQDOLVWV IURP FRXQWULHV
from a pesticide plant. regions and territories who compete for approximately
$5 million in awards and scholarships. Since 2009, EPA
MIC gas is a main raw material for the manufacturing
of polyurethane foam, which is used for insulation and has participated in the ISEF by recognizing a project
as a cushioning material in a wide variety of products. that demonstrates a commitment to environmental
Her work titled Scalable and Sustainable Synthesis of a sustainability and stewardship with the EPA Patrick H.
Novel, Bio-Based Polyurethane Foam System Incorporating Hurd Sustainability Award.
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with greener components for the making of polyurethane. Ameli, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical
In particular, she has developed two novel biochemicals and Materials Engineering, and Xiao Zhang, associate
using nontoxic waste products to create a polyurethane professor in the Gene and Linda School of Chemical
foam more sustainably. Engineering and Bioengineering have also developed an
environmentally-friendly, plant-based material that for
Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science
and Publisher of Science News, said, congratulations to Sohi WKH ÀUVW WLPH ZRUNV EHWWHU WKDQ 6W\URIRDP IRU LQVXODWLRQ
Sanjay Patel on winning the Patrick H Hurd Sustainability ,Q WKHLU ZRUN WKH :68 WHDP FUHDWHG D PDWHULDO WKDW LV
Award and to Charlotte Michaluk who was selected to made of about 75 percent cellulose nanocrystals from
wood pulp Researchers have been working to develop an
UHFHLYH KRQRXUDEOH PHQWLRQ E\ WKH 86 (QYLURQPHQWDO environmentally friendly replacement for polystyrene
Protection Agency at the 2021 Regeneron International foam, or Styrofoam. The popular material, made from
6FLHQFH DQG (QJLQHHULQJ )DLU ´7KH VWXGHQW ÀQDOLVWV LQ WKLV petroleum, is used in everything from coffee cups to
year’s ISEF are applying science, technology, engineering
and math concepts in remarkable ways to help protect materials for building and construction, transportation,
human health and the environment, and their projects and packaging industries. But, it is made from toxic
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Orme-Zavaleta. “Despite a challenging academic year, I QDWXUDOO\ DQG FUHDWHV SROOXWLRQ ZKHQ LW EXUQV :KLOH RWKHU
researchers have created other cellulose-based foams.
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Plastics News July 2021 18