Biodegradation and Bioremediation
Skip to: Compostability, Toxicology
Compostability
Faculty: Vijay Vaidynathan
In order to study and develop new bio-plastics and enhance the degradation of bio-plastics, Dr. Vaidyanathan has teamed up with Dr. D’Souza to design and develop an automated multiunit composting system (AMUCS). The AMUCS was designed and constructed in accordance to the American Society for Testing and Materials standard D5338-98. As a result of the synergy with the new hires, Dr. Vaidyanathan expects to be able to conduct research and propose projects in the area of biodegradation and its monitoring and enhancement. Development of the AMUCS has led to the following capabilities at UNT:
- UNT has the ability to determine the compostability of polymers under ASTM standards
- UNT has the ability to optimize the conditions of compostability to tailor kinetics of material degradation with composting environment via electronic monitoring and control systems
- UNT is able to monitor real time material degradation and develop a model for structural breakdown to determine when a material degrades.
Toxicology
Faculty: Aaron Roberts
The Roberts laboratory carries out research on the characteristics of materials that lead to increased environmental impact, specifically fate and toxicity. Collaboration between the Roberts laboratory and others cluster members in materials synthesis and design will allow for efficient identification, evaluation, and remediation of material characteristics that result in undesirable environmental outcomes. This will further promote the sustainability of newly developed bio-products by ensuring that they are biocompatible and ecologically safe. Visit Dr. Roberts's lab