Georgia Tech Renewable Bioproducts Institute

???Reducing Carbon in Buildings with Plant-Based Insulation??? This month, we sat down with recent graduate Elyssa Ferguson?(M.S. ME, 2024)?to learn more about her experience at Georgia Tech, and the research she conducted under the direction of?Dr. Akanksha Menon and in collaboration with Dr. Kyriaki Kalaitzidou and Dr. Joe Bozeman. Elyssa’s work focused on carbon reduction in buildings. Buildings are responsible for about 40% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions each year. Although buildings try to lower their operational carbon footprint, a lot of carbon still comes from the materials used to build them. This is called "embodied carbon," and it makes up more than half of the emissions in energy-efficient buildings. Insulation is the second highest source of embodied carbon in homes, right after concrete. Making insulation materials like extruded polystyrene (XPS) releases a lot of carbon and contributes to climate change, so scientists are developing eco-friendly alternatives. Plants are a great option because they absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. Their natural structure makes them good for insulation that can reduce both operational and embodied carbon. Elyssa’s research focused on manufacturing insulation from industrial hemp and kenaf plant fibers, mixed with polylactic acid (PLA) and cellulose diacetate (CDA) binders and investigated how different amounts of binders and densities affected the fiber properties and insulation performance. The manufacturing process, which was inspired by nonwoven fabric production, reduced energy and water usage and trapped air inside the insulation that helped it perform better. Fiber characterization involved different methods like thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal conductivity (k) of the samples was measured using a technique called the modified transient plane source (MTPS). The plant-based insulation worked just as well as commercial insulation, with?k?values between 0.037 and 0.043 W/m-K. Although additional development is required to meet safety standards like flammability, this plant-based insulation shows a lot of promise for reducing carbon in buildings. Elyssa credits her exceptional learning experience with the opportunity to work with world class Georgia Tech researchers, including talented members of the Renewable Bioproducts Institute.?To learn more about this specific body of research, visit?https://lnkd.in/eYCcZ3gX ? #WomensHistoryMonth #GeorgiaTech Elyssa F. Akanksha Menon, Ph.D. Kyriaki kalaitzidou Joe Bozeman III, PhD, CEM

We are thrilled to share the opening of the "Pathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women" art installation! This stunning tribute, honors the remarkable achievements of Georgia Tech women throughout history. The installation features nearly 3,000 mirrored tiles, each telling the story of alumnae, students, faculty, and staff who have made a lasting impact. Designed by Merica May Jensen, a proud Georgia Tech alumna, this dynamic space will inspire our community and future generations to continue making significant contributions to science, technology, and beyond. Join us in celebrating the incredible women who have shaped Georgia Tech and continue to drive progress. #WomensHistoryMonth #GeorgiaTech

For many decades, the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (and before that the Institute of Paper Science and Technology) has funded graduate fellows through an endowment made possible by a group of generous donors. This program has resulted in the education and training of scores of researchers in pulp, paper, biorefining, and related renewable products. Many of the program's recipients have become leaders in industry, academia and national laboratories. I'm sharing a new story highlighting the program and some of its past and current fellows. https://lnkd.in/evgeyJP4

Come for a night of family fun at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking. This event is organized in collaboration with the Paper Girls Show. This drop-in style event will feature a papermaking station, winter themed origami activities, and a stop-motion paper animation station.?Paper Girls Show?videos and stop motion animations will be shown throughout the event. Additionally, the Paper Museum’s special exhibition?Build It: create with cardboard!?will be open for interactive fun. Visitors can try their hand at arranging a marble run, using a cardboard decoder to discover hidden information in the gallery, take selfies using cardboard props, build hand-cranked movable cardboard automatons, as well as making personal cardboard creations of their own design.?All minors are?required to be accompanied by an adult during the program. Register now! https://lnkd.in/e73fwVaP #familyfun #papermaking #origami #papermuseum #holidayfun

RBI's Carson Meredith is the 2024 recipient of the Andrew Chase Award from the AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers Forest and Plant Bioproducts Division. Carson?will receive the award at the Annual AIChE Meeting in San Diego California,?later this month. The award recognizes Carson's research in nanocellulose chemical modification, composites, and cellulose-based renewable barrier coatings, which has resulted in seven patent applications, one commercial license, and ongoing research projects with six companies, reflecting the impact these advancements are making. His group recently reported the first successful recycling and reuse of nanocellulose gas barrier films and achieved one of the lowest water vapor barrier coatings derived from cellulose to date.?#renewablebarriercoatings #nanocelluloseresearch https://shorturl.at/U8i3H

Ulrika Egertsdotter, a principal research scientist at Georgia Institute of Technology’s?Renewable Bioproducts Institute, plays a key role in supporting the Georgia forestry industry. Through her work, she helps Georgia tree growers propagate new plants that provide higher-quality wood products and offer greater resilience to climate change.? https://shorturl.at/6qdR1 #georgiaforestryindustry #climatechangeresilience #naturalfeedstock

https://lnkd.in/epXs6u8F

RBI's Patricia Stathatou, along with Christos E. Athanasiou have developed a sustainable, cost effective method to clean water.

I'd like to thank TAPPI Nano 2024 for the opportunity to speak at the conference last week in Atlanta.