At the UGA New Materials Institute, we believe that a material’s useful end-of-life should be considered at the design stage and that Green Engineering principles should be part of this process.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Evan White from the UGA New Materials Institute is a guest on the podcast Earthfeed.
Discover how the Bioseniatic℠ Laboratory at the UGA New Materials Institute is advancing environmental safety through germination studies. Germination studies assess a material’s toxicity and impact on soil and plant health. By using sensitive species like corn, which absorb nutrients efficiently and show clear signs of unhealthy growth, we follow the OECD/OCDE 208 guidelines to evaluate seedling emergence and growth. Germination studies are conducted after respirometry studies. Together, these tests provide essential insights into product safety and biodegradability. Watch our video to see the process in action.
A University of Georgia and University of Liverpool (UGA-UoL) collaborative faculty team has secured funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and UKRI Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for a project aimed at developing sustainable bioplastics. This achievement is a result of a collaborative effort with the UoL, showcasing the potential of international research partnerships in addressing pressing environmental challenges.
The project, titled Sustainable Bioplastics Prepared by Ultrasonic Treatment with Low CO2 Footprint, aims to revolutionize the production of bioplastics through advanced ultrasonic treatment methods. By significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions during the manufacturing process as well as energy consumption, the team hopes to provide a viable alternative biodegradable plastic to conventional plastic materials, contributing to global sustainability goals.
The international research team has been awarded approximately $863,000 from the EPSRC, while the NSF has committed $557,553 in support of the project, which commenced on September 1, 2024, and will conclude on August 31, 2027. This funding will enable researchers to explore cutting-edge techniques and materials in the field of sustainable technology.
Sergiy Minko (Nanostructured Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Franklin College and Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors, Georgia Power Professor of Polymer Science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences) from UGA will collaborate closely with Dmitry Shchukin (School of Physical Sciences) from UoL on this pioneering project. Together, they will leverage their expertise to investigate the efficacy of ultrasonic treatment in producing high-quality bioplastics that minimize environmental impact.
“The ongoing project is using different sources of biomass waste and side products of the agricultural, pulp and paper, and biofuel industries to improve the efficiency of biomass valorization,” Dr. Minko said. “The research program will resolve the challenges of converting quite complex composition and variable properties lignocellulosic biomass into bioplastics for food packaging, construction materials, fibers, and other commodity plastic applications.”
For more information on the project and ongoing updates, please see https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2422862.
This article originally appeared on the UGA Office of Global Engagement website: https://globalengagement.uga.edu/university-of-georgia-and-university-of-liverpool-research-team-receives-nsf-and-epsrc-funding-for-groundbreaking-sustainable-bioplastics-project/
Research teams from the University of Georgia New Materials Institute will conduct eight projects in 2025 for the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites, or CB2. The 2025 projects were selected at the group’s fall meeting by CB2’s Industry Advisory Board.
Student Profile: Imrie Ross
Imrie Ross worked an undergraduate in a research laboratory at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute. She talked to us about her experiences working at the UGA New Materials Institute and their impact on her education and career goals.
A pilot program co-managed by researchers from the UGA New Materials Institute to study curbside collection of food scrap and other organic waste in Athens-Clarke County resulted in more than 19 tons of collected material in three months, along with the community’s desire for more.
Congratulations to Brad Gilleland on receiving the 2024 Literary Award from the Association of Medical Illustrators at the group’s annual conference held last month. The Literary Award recognizes an AMI member who contributed an outstanding article to the Journal of Biocommunication, as judged by the journal’s editorial board. Gilleland is a coauthor on our manuscript published by the journal, “A Biologically Degradable and Bioseniatic™ Feedstock for the High-Quality 3D Printing of Medical Illustrations.”
