Join us to discover how the rapid development of bio-based thermosets is transforming polymer science – live on 27 September

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Thermosetting polymers, or thermosets, have played an important role in all our lives due to their high performance, excellent dimensional stability and processability. Whilst they have traditionally depended on non-renewable fossil resources, in recent years there has been a rapid development of thermosets made from renewable bioresources including lignin, a natural substance derived from wood waste. By adding elements like methoxy groups and dimethyl substitutions, it has been shown that lignin-based materials can be made much tougher than traditional ones, giving them great potential for more versatile and environmentally friendly plastics.

In this hour-long, interactive webinar, our expert speakers will guide you through recent advancements in the development of bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) thermosets. You will learn how lignin-derivable bisguaiacols (lignin-derivable bisphenols) are being harnessed to create NIPU networks with enhanced mechanical properties and improved sustainability. Our speakers will discuss the potential applications of these findings for the future of sustainable polymer science.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with pioneering scientists to explore cutting-edge research that could revolutionise the field of bio-derived thermosets and help create a more sustainable chemical industry.

Our speakers

 

Portrait headshot of LaShanda Korley

LaShanda T J Korley

LaShanda T J Korley is a distinguished professor of engineering in the departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, US. Korley is the director of the Energy Frontier Research Center – Center for Plastics Innovation and also the co-director of the Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials. She received a bachelor’s in chemistry & engineering from Clark Atlanta University, US, as well as a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, US. Korley completed her doctoral studies at MIT in chemical engineering. Her innovative research programme utilises a bioeconomy framework or the nexus of biologically inspired and sustainable principles for the molecular design, manufacture, and valorisation of functional polymeric systems, including thermoplastics, networks, composites, and gels.

 

Portrait headshot of Thomas Epps III

Thomas H Epps, III 

Thomas is the Allan & Myra Ferguson distinguished professor of chemical & biomolecular engineering at the University of Delaware, US, with a joint appointment in materials science & engineering. His research interests include soft materials from biobased and plastic waste feedstocks, polymeric materials for bio-separation and ion-conduction membranes, polymer composites for toxic agent remediation, nanostructured assemblies for targeted drug delivery and gene therapy, and polymer films for nanotemplating. He is director of the Center for Research in Soft Matter & Polymers, director of the Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials and deputy director of the Center for Plastics Innovation. Thomas is also co-founder and chief scientific officer of Lignolix, Inc – a company focused on the valorisation of biomass. 

 

About our sponsor

 

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TA Instruments is a division of Waters Corporation, the world leader in manufacturing industry-leading systems for thermal analysis, rheology, microcalorimetry and mechanical analysis. We offer innovative and reliable instruments that help scientists in top laboratories test the physical properties of their materials. Our instruments contribute to leading discoveries in materials science, medicine, electronics and other areas of science devoted to improving our world.

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Waters Corporation is a global leader in analytical instruments and software that has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for more than 65 years.View full profile

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