New Materials Institute research teams to conduct 8 projects for CB2 in 2025

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.

The projects involving faculty and students from the UGA New Materials Institute are:

• Optimization of Thermoplastic Biocomposites with Natural Fibers — Breanna Urbanowicz, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Nataraja Yadavalli, a senior research associate in the Urbanowicz Laboratory; with Ali Amiri and Chad Ulven, of North Dakota State University.
• Scoring Card for Environmental Performance of Bio-based — Ke “Luke” Li, an associate professor of environmental engineering, and Jason Locklin, a professor of chemistry and biochemical engineering who serves as director of the UGA New Materials Institute.
• Understanding and Enhancing Biodegradation of PLA Blends in Various Environments, led by Kenan Song, an associate professor of environmental engineering.
• Development of Coating Materials from Biopolyester and Nanofibrillated Cellulose with Improved Water Vapor and Oxygen Barrier Properties, led by Suraj Sharma, a professor of polymer, fiber and textile sciences.

Four projects launched in 2024 were extended for another year:

• Disintegration Behavior Spectrum, led by Dr. Branson W. Ritchie, a distinguished research professor who directs the Infectious Diseases Laboratory and serves as director of Technology Development & Implementation for the UGA New Materials Institute.
• Compatibilization of PLA and PHA blends for Improved Properties, led by Grant Crane, an assistant research scientist in the Locklin Group.
• The Role of Bioplastics in the Pharmaceutical Industry, led by Jason Locklin and Michael Broich, a postdoctoral student from the Locklin Group.
• Developing Vegan Leather Alternatives with Persimmon and NFC-Chitosan Hydrogel Coatings: A Natural and Innovative Approach, led by Suraj Sharma.

The research teams are comprised of UGA NMI-affiliated faculty, graduate students, and mentors from IAB member companies; some teams include faculty and students from other CB2 research sites.

About CB2

CB2 is an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center and is funded, in part, through the National Science Foundation. Representatives from CB2’s industry partners comprise an Industry Advisory Board that meets twice a year to review progress on current projects and, to pitch and assess new proposals. IAB members share in the research and development costs, as well as in the intellectual property developed; additionally, IAB representatives work directly with university faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students to develop technologies that can be rapidly adopted by industry. The program provides hands-on training while ensuring funds and projects are focused on rapid development of tools needed by industry to further sustainability goals. Students and university researchers work under the mentorship of industry scientists and product developers from some of the biggest names in industry, including: Amazon, John Deere, ADM, Cargill, Kimberly-Clark, 3M, BASF, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sherwin-Williams, AkzoNobel, Danimer Scientific, NatureWorks, Hyundai, MARS, Green Dot Bioplastics, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Medtronic, Leistritz, the North Dakota Corn Council. Projects are funded through IAB membership fees, with Center/Site support funding provided by the NSF. CB2’s four search sites are located at North Dakota State University, Iowa State University, Washington State University, and the University of Georgia.