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The mission of the UMN Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP) is to broadly integrate and advance cutting-edge sustainable polymer research at the University of Minnesota, facilitate involvement of industrial and other partners, train students in the area of sustainable materials, and engage the public through initiatives led by the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy. CSP participants aim to design, prepare, and implement polymers derived from renewable resources for a wide range of advanced applications, and to promote future economic development, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the emergent area of biobased products.
Nearly all synthetic chemicals and materials are derived from crude oil. To wean ourselves from such “petroleocentric” economics, technology, and products, we must develop alternatives based on renewable resources as a means toward a sustainable future. For example, all common plastics have their origins in petroleum. While ubiquitous materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene are tremendously useful in, for example, automotive, packaging, and construction applications, non-renewable feedstocks render production of these materials unsustainable. The challenge of sustainability is to “meet human needs while preserving the earth’s life support systems1 and implementation of this “create without destroying” philosophy has reached paramount importance in national and global planning. Such sustainable polymers or “green materials” can be durable or degradable, can be used in applications from adhesives to packaging to building materials, and can be produced efficiently and economically with low environmental impact. These are the materials of tomorrow.
(1) There are many definitions of “sustainability” and “sustainable development”. For a recent and pertinent discussion, see: Holdren, J. P., “ Science and technology for sustainable well being,” Science 2008, 319, 424-434.”
Institute on the Environment awards $4.85 million to seven breakthrough projects including Sustainable Polymers: Tomorrow's Advanced Materials.
Recent profile of Professor Hillmyer's research published by the Institute of Technology: Environmental Impact:30 Billion Pounds & Counting
Address: Department of Chemistry, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0431 Phone: 612-625-7834 Email: hillmyer@umn.edu
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