Bioproducts Science and Technology

Catalog description

This course investigates fundamental aspects of biorenewable polymers (bioproducts) and ties their underlying chemical structure to macroscale properties. These bioproducts are created from biologically derived, renewable industrial feedstocks such as wood, cotton, grasses, and bast fibers (e.g. jute, hemp, kenaf, sisal, etc.). The course begins with an overview of descriptive organic chemistry that is relevant to biorenewable polymers. Students will build on this knowledge to identify, compare, and contrast various industrially relevant plastics. Material science of polymers, including determining molecular weights and measuring mechanical properties of bioproducts is then investigated. These properties are relevant to compare the performance of existing plastics with emerging bioproducts. A survey of the several classes of synthetic and natural polymers, fibers, and composites is the focus of the third unit in the class. Final course subjects include manufacture of soft materials and their decomposition to form recalcitrant waste and microplastics. These will be discussed in the context of 21st-century western culture predicated on the existence of cheap and disposable plastic products, and how design and deployment of new bioproducts could eliminate plastic waste, reduce the environmental impact of plastics, and enhance the economics of industrial biorefining.