From Plants to Moldable Plastics
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Collier, Harvest L.
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
Chemistry Polymer Development Fund
Abstract
The goal of this project is to transform soybean oil into commercially viable thermoplastic polymers. Soybean oil, derived from soybean plants, is a renewable resource that is already produced in large quantities. The research project seeks to convert soybean oil derivatives into polycarbonates. We are specifically looking at the development of a polycarbonate preparative process that can be scaled up with minimum variations from the small-scale development process. A primary focus on experimental conditions including catalysts, co-monomers, physical reaction parameters along with the chemical and physical characterization of reaction products will be included in the initial phase of this research.
Biography
Tamala Morris is a second year undergraduate Chemical Engineering Major. On campus she is apart of the Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir. Tamala is from St. Louis MO. During her free time she enjoys scrap booking. Tamala plans on pursuing a career in Chemical Engineering upon graduation.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Presentation Date
12 Apr 2006, 9:00 am
From Plants to Moldable Plastics
The goal of this project is to transform soybean oil into commercially viable thermoplastic polymers. Soybean oil, derived from soybean plants, is a renewable resource that is already produced in large quantities. The research project seeks to convert soybean oil derivatives into polycarbonates. We are specifically looking at the development of a polycarbonate preparative process that can be scaled up with minimum variations from the small-scale development process. A primary focus on experimental conditions including catalysts, co-monomers, physical reaction parameters along with the chemical and physical characterization of reaction products will be included in the initial phase of this research.
