National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Post

🌟 Exciting Update from the Field! 🌟 This past week, I had the remarkable opportunity to represent the A-state Engineering Technology Program at a recruiting event held at Alma High School, attended by several local schools. As the degree’s student representative and the President of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, I'm thrilled to share insights into our program's unique interdisciplinary approach, which stands at the intersection of multiple engineering domains. Our program is distinctive not just for its academic offerings but also for its real-world impact. A prime example is the engineering project I had the pleasure to showcase – a direct outcome of my research under the guidance of Dr Rajesh Sharma. Our research delved into the inefficiencies of traditional plastic recycling processes, emphasizing the alarming decline in recycling rates in the United States. The solution? A groundbreaking initiative right on campus – bypassing the logistical hurdles associated with large scale recycling by collecting, shredding, recycling, and manufacturing plastic goods all on campus. The showcased prototype - a recycling bin lid inspired by Bigbelly trash compactor bins - separates the bottle lid from the rest of bottle and shreds it with a high-resistance wire shredding system of my design. This innovation not only slashes maintenance needs compared to conventional methods but also significantly boosts storage efficiency, easing the load on waste management teams. This project is a step towards solving the global plastic crisis, offering students hands-on experience in tackling genuine manufacturing challenges with solutions that truly make a difference. It's a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. I couldn't have reached this stage without the incredible dedication and innovative minds of my teammates, Ramsey Brower and Eli Casey. Their contributions have been pivotal in turning our ideas into a tangible solution. Special thanks to our Dean Abhijit Bhattacharyya for fostering an environment where ideas can flourish into impactful solutions. Our journey doesn't stop here – we're already on to developing Stage B, aiming to transform collected materials into products that fulfill community needs. #EngineeringTechnology #Sustainability #Innovation #RecyclingRevolution #ManufacturingEngineering #StudentLeadership

How can organizations collectively save $13 million dollars and reduce carbon emissions by a whopping 147,000,000 pounds? Ask the 2023 winners of our Carbon Reduction Challenge, whose projects could do just that. Students from Georgia Tech and other universities stepped up to research, pitch, and implement changes that can be a win-win for the planet and the bottom line. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gGsQ86_C - - - #carbonreductionchallenge #sustainablefuture #sustainablebusiness #innovation

BASF and the University of California, Berkeley , recently celebrated 10 years of fruitful collaboration through the California Research Alliance (CARA). During CARA’s Spring Review, a panel of experts from across industries, academia, and government agencies discussed the complexities of sustainability. They recognized that while many major corporations have promised to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, this target may be more symbolic than achievable. However, they expressed optimism, emphasizing that we currently possess crucial ingredients to address this global challenge: passionate individuals, disruptive technologies, and significant financial backing. Ultimately, they conveyed confidence in our ability to confront and overcome hurdles. What inspires your hope for the future of sustainability? #sustainability #collaboration #innovation #netzero #environmentalprotection #climatechange

On World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, let's explore the crucial intersection of Material Science Engineering. 🌍 Materials innovation is key to building sustainable solutions – from eco-friendly packaging to energy-efficient materials reducing environmental impact. As engineers, let's harness the power of materials science to pave the way for a more sustainable future. 🌱💡 #WorldEngineeringDay #SustainableDevelopment #MaterialScienceInnovation

Future Innovation Fridays: Pioneering a Plastic-Free Ocean This Future Friday, we dive into the groundbreaking strides made in the battle against microplastics! At Circular Stream Engineering, we're always on the lookout for revolutionary ideas that marry scientific curiosity with engineering excellence. This week, we spotlight an awe-inspiring innovation: a novel method to 'cook' away microplastics from water, promising a cleaner future for our oceans. Okay, maybe not 'cook' away but still an 'egg-tastic' idea! Researchers at Princeton Engineering have innovatively used egg whites to create an aerogel that effectively removes salt and microplastics from seawater. This lightweight, porous material, formed by freeze-drying and heating egg whites, demonstrates a new, cost-effective approach to water purification. Highlighting the simplicity and efficiency of using everyday materials, this breakthrough has the potential to significantly impact environmental sustainability and water filtration technology. Harnessing the power of research and out-of-the-box engineering, scientists have developed a technique that could transform our approach to preserving marine ecosystems. It's not just about the breakthroughs; it's about the minds behind the magic - dedicated researchers turning the tides of environmental sustainability. Why does this matter to you? Because every innovation brings us a step closer to a sustainable planet. It's a testament to human ingenuity and the impact of relentless scientific discovery. Let's celebrate the engineers and researchers paving our way to a greener tomorrow. Read this week's blog: https://lnkd.in/guM5Zqc2 ✍ Emma Menebroker Read the Princeton article: https://lnkd.in/gzEUC_ZH #FutureFridays #InnovationInAction #SustainableEngineering"

Merging science and systems thinking to make materials more sustainable

🎓 Student Spotlight: Bethany Guin from Clemson University 🏫 Home Institution: Clemson University 📚 Background Info: Bethany is a rising senior in Chemistry with a minor in Microbiology. She has been dedicated to working on chemical recycling, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of environmental science. 🔬 Research Scope: Bethany's research focuses on combining chemically recycled PET with biobased monomers to create thermoplastic matrices with lower carbon intensity and environmental footprint. This work is a significant step towards sustainable material science. 🤝 Cross-Disciplinary Work: Thrust III (PI: James Sternberg) + Thrust I (PI: Michael Carbajales-Dale ) Relevance to AIM EFRC: By combining chemically recycled PET with biobased monomers, Bethany's work aims to create thermoplastic matrices with lower carbon intensity and a reduced environmental footprint. This innovative approach not only enhances the sustainability of composite materials but also aligns with the AIM EFRC’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly materials. The E3 Framework: Economy, Energy, and Environment: This research greatly supports the E3 framework by: Economy: Valorizing waste plastic and providing incentive to drive recycling rates Energy: Potentially lowering the energy required for new material synthesis through recycling processes. Environment: Promoting a circular lifecycle for biobased polymers, minimizing plastic waste, and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. 🤝 Supported by AIM for Composites EFRC (funded by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, under grant #DE-SC0023389). U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), University of Delaware, Clemson University, Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, Clemson Automotive Engineering, The Ohio State University, Brown University, University of Florida, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory #TeamThursday #MaterialScience #Innovation #GreenChemistry #PET #recycling #sustainability #Innovation #ResearchImpact #AIInnovation #Research #Engineering #UDel #BlueHensForever #Hengineers #ClemsonUniversity

Join us for Enterprise Tuesday on 14 May. The topic is 'Innovating for the Earth - pioneering sustainable materials now'. Humanity's quest for better materials has evolved from stone tools to plastics and beyond. At the next Enterprise Tuesday on 14 May, we delve into the forefront of sustainable material innovation where #entrepreneurial spirit meets #environmental stewardship. Discover how cutting-edge developments are paving the way for materials that not only out-perform their predecessors but do so with a minimal ecological footprint, highlighting the critical role of innovation in our sustainable future. Register soon to secure your place > https://lnkd.in/eDhafVYw Cambridge Judge Business School University of Cambridge IE Cambridge (Innovation & Entrepreneurship) Cavendish Laboratory - Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge Materials Science Johnson Matthey The Francis Crick Institute KEW Technology CUTEC - Cambridge University Technology and Enterprise Club Cambridge University Entrepreneurs Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge The Bradfield Centre Paragraf® The Royal Society UK Research and Innovation Ann Davidson Clare Bannister Luther Phillips Jack Davies Dr Rebecca Myers Dr Ghina M. Halabi Stelios K. Matthew Grimes #materialscience #graphene #semiconductors #innovation #sustainability #EntTues #networking

Below is a picture of a terrible life decision - when I was younger, I knowingly tattooed the recycling logo on my wrists to demonstrate my commitment to recycling and sustainability. What better way to virtue signal that I am an eco-warrior than with a highly visible (and painful) tattoo. I assumed that people would know what this was - after all, the three chasing arrows is a universal symbol for recycling across the world.... or so I thought. My first clue was when family visiting from another country had no idea what that symbol meant. While embarrassed, it sparked my curiosity as a fledgling researcher - is the recycling logo as universal as I first thought? In one of my very first studies that I conducted, I explored this question, and the results were shocking: 65+% of First Generation Ontarians (born outside of Canada) did not know what that symbol meant. In fact, many of the terms and symbols that we commonly use in conversations about waste and sustainability were not recognized by study participants. We erroneously assume that because we understand what these thing mean, others will as well.... but sustainability does not have a universal language. It was a valuable lesson that I learned very early on in my career, and one that is a guiding principle in my research today. Sustainability messaging has to be culturally relevant and curated to address the needs, experiences and understanding of a given audience. Original study findings can be found here: Soc. Sci. 2016, 5(2), 23; https://lnkd.in/g6AmVJUN #recycling #P&E #communication #sustainability #environmentaljustice #waste #garbage #YorkU #EUC #education

⭐ 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐧 "𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚" (𝟖) 👩🎓 As a conscious individual pursuing my doctoral research in #conscious capitalism, today, I am redirecting the attention from a theoretical scholarly discussion to #practical action by amplifying my voice on promoting the reduction of #plastic usage. In this pursuit, I have made a conscious effort to minimize plastic consumption in my everyday life, aligning with the principles of my research topic. By simply publishing groundbreaking research papers and participating in policy meetings and conferences convened to address global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, #carbon emission, etc. will not solve the problem. Rather, the solution to all the problems begins with our #responsibility as we all serve as a catalyst for change. The true progress will happen when we embody the principles of #sustainability in our everyday lives and become conscious of our actions. This is not about abandoning our academic pursuits, but we need to give practical application to our scholarly work. Therefore, by bridging the gap between theory and practice, we can bring a significant impact both within and beyond #academia. #consciouscapitalism #socialresponsibility #plasticpollution #academia #sustainability #phdlife #researchforchange #leadingbyexample #consciousliving #environmentadvocacy #saynotoplastic