MATH 21
Up-cycling of Waste Cotton into Bioplastics Winter 2025

Class Details

The pressing concerns of plastic pollution have spurred considerable interest in biomass-based products sourced from sustainable and renewable origins, offering attributes such as recyclability, compostability, or biodegradability. Cotton, being the purest form of cellulose found in nature, presents a promising avenue for exploration. Annually, the cotton industry generates substantial quantities of gin waste and low-quality cotton fibers, typically unsuitable for fabric production. The course will provide students with an overview of developing bioplastic materials (i.e., films and aerogels), especially from waste cotton, to effectively curtail the carbon footprint and mitigate the detrimental impacts of synthetic plastics. We will begin by addressing critical issues surrounding plastic pollution before delving into interesting topics such as bioplastics; cotton fibers (journey from field to fabric); chemical insight into cellulose; transforming waste cotton into bioplastics through dissolution; and functionalization, characterization, and applications of bioplastics. Additionally, a brief overview of water-soluble bioplastics and their benefits and applications will be provided. Students will demonstrate their understanding through class discussions and will either deliver a 10-minute class presentation and submit a 5-page report, exploring and analyzing the ideas and topics covered during the lectures.
The Class: Format: lecture
Limit: 15
Expected: 15
Class#: 1182
Grading: pass/fail only
Requirements/Evaluation: Class participation; 5-page paper and a presentation
Prerequisites: CHEM 101 or permission of instructor
Enrollment Preferences: The instructor aims to attract a diverse group of students interested in acquiring foundational knowledge in the development of bioplastics from sustainable natural resources
Unit Notes: Sumedha Liyanage has academic research expertise on converting plant-based polymers into bioplastics, specifically targeting various industrial applications and has a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science (Fiber & Biopolymers and FTIR imaging)

Class Grid

Updated 3:37 pm

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