XQ Wang graduates from UGA Aspire Fellows program
UGA Professor XQ Wang, who is a faculty member in the UGA New Materials Institute, was among eight faculty members to complete the UGA Aspire Fellows program this year.
Utilizing peanut oil to create a high-value alternative oil for timber oils and coatings
The Georgia Peanut Commission continued funding for a New Materials Institute project to use peanut oil in timber oils and coatings.
Microplastics, Macro Problems: How Tiny Plastics Impact our Health
How do plastic particles from our clothing, cars, packaging and more get into marine and other environments? What do we know about their potential impact on environmental, animal and human health?
Jay Brandes, a professor of marine sciences based at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and a faculty member at the New Materials Institute, recently discussed micro- and nanoplastics and their impact on people, animals and our planet. Dr. Brandes spoke to a live audience during an Evening at Skidaway.
Watch this video of Dr. Brandes’s talk to learn more about microplastics.
3 UGA NMI faculty recognized at 2025 Research Awards
Three UGA New Materials Institute faculty members were recognized at 2025 Research Awards at the University of Georgia.
Handa named Regents’ Entrepreneur by University System of Georgia Board of Regents
Dr. Hitesh Handa has been named a Regents\\\’ Entrepreneur by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Spore-bearing biocomposite TPU is a promising alternative elastomer for manufacturers
A spore-bearing biocomposite thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a promising alternative elastomer that could be used to manufacture popular items such as footwear, phone cases and automotive parts, according to a new study from a team that includes researchers from the UGA New Materials Institute.
National Academy of Inventors’ 2025 Inductees Include 4 Faculty Members from the UGA New Materials Institute
Four of eight University of Georgia researchers selected for induction into the National Academy of Inventors are faculty members affiliated with the UGA New Materials Institute, including its director. Jason Locklin, Sergiy Minko, Suraj Sharma and Keenan Song, all faculty affiliated with the UGA NMI, will be inducted as NAI Senior Members in June, bringing UGA\’s total number of Senior Members to 24.
Power-to-protein technology could help relieve drought-related famine and food insecurity
Famine and food insecurity in Ethiopia and similarly stricken areas could be mitigated through power-to-protein technology (PtP), according to a recent study from an international research team, including faculty affiliated with the University of Georgia New Materials Institute.
UGA New Materials Institute seeks funding for sustainability project
Our project aligns with the mission of foundations and businesses dedicated to advancing U.S. manufacturing, strengthening the U.S. steel industry, and promoting sustainability. Your support would help reduce environmental impact by replacing environmentally persistent plastic wheelies with durable, ecofriendly metal alternatives.
New isotope ratio mass spectrometry system gives UGA SkIO an edge in assessing ocean health
The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) recently installed a new, advanced isotope ratio mass spectrometry system which offers enhanced capabilities for evaluating critical measures of ocean health.
The Thermo ScientificTM DELTATM Q Light Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer was installed in the Skidaway Institute Scientific Stable Isotope Laboratory (SISSIL), which is directed by Jay Brandes, a professor of marine sciences at SKiO and a faculty member in the UGA New Materials Institute. The spectrometer offers unprecedented precision in evaluating solids and complex mixtures like amino acids or DNA for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur stable isotope content. The system reduces sample size requirements and introduces cutting-edge capabilities, including the first liquid chromatography interface of its kind installed in the United States.
At SkIO, this state-of-the-art technology is already being applied to critical research areas such as dissolved organic matter cycling, oceanic carbon cycling, and fish migratory patterns. Stable isotopes, often called the “magnifying glasses” of environmental science, allow researchers to uncover secrets about nitrogen sources and eutrophication, food webs, and ecosystem health.
The new spectrometer was funded by a $404,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
Click on the link below to learn more about how this transformative technology is advancing marine science research, or to reach out to Dr. Brandes to inquire about SISIL and its services.