The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Seminar Series, “Advancing the Sustainability of Thermosets: Recycling and Redesign” Presented by Dr. Baoming Zhao

About the event

Advancing the Sustainability of Thermosets: Recycling and Redesign

Presented by Dr. Baoming Zhao, Staff Scientist, Composite Materials and Engineering Center, WSU

Abstract:

Plastics play a vital role in our daily lives; however, their widespread use raises concerns about their environmental impact. While substantial progress has been made in recycling many thermoplastics (e.g., plastics with codes #1 and #2), recycling thermosetting plastics (e.g., those used in wind turbine blades) remains a significant challenge. Their crosslinked network structures make them non-meltable and highly resistant to chemical processing. Furthermore, the production of these plastics relies heavily on petrochemicals, exacerbating their environmental footprint. This presentation will highlight our efforts to improve the sustainability of thermosetting plastics in three key areas: 1) recycling and reusing commercial thermosets and their composites; 2) developing environmentally friendly thermosets from renewable feedstocks; and 3) designing thermosets with inherent recyclability.

Biography:

Dr. Zhao is currently a Staff Scientist in the Composite Materials and Engineering Center at WSU. He obtained his B.S. degree in Materials Chemistry from Nankai University and his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from WSU. For his doctoral studies, he worked under the guidance of Prof. Alex Li, focusing on the design, synthesis, and application of photo-switchable fluorophores. Over the past five years, Dr. Zhao has dedicated his research to enhancing the sustainability of plastic materials in Prof. Jinwen Zhang’s group.