Building greener materials
Our world is blessed and cursed with innovations based in macromolecular science and engineering that have provided plastics that now exceed 600 billion pounds per year across the globe. These plastics enhance the quality and quantity of our lives while accumulating in our environment. Biology provides both the inspiration as well as an expanded toolbox for the design of renewable monomers and polymers to address the problem of plastic waste and enable a circular plastic economy.
The Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing will integrate the concepts of green chemistry and sustainable engineering practices across the continuum of materials innovation to provide the products we need for a sustainable life. Efforts will utilize additive manufacturing processes and focus on multiphase systems. The center will embrace a “molecules to manufacturing to marketplace” paradigm to catalyze innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Director
Tim Long
Tim Long’s interests span structure-property-processing relationships for polymers with a focus on multiphase systems. His most recent research efforts address the need for tailored advanced macromolecules for advanced manufacturing (3D printing), including vat photopolymerization, direct-ink-write printing, selective laser sintering, powder bed fusion, and extrusion. This research has led to new families of engineering polymers, photo-reactive polymers, tissue scaffolds and enzyme delivery systems.
Meet our center’s experts
Our center is supported by a knowledgeable team of researchers, staff and visionary leaders who are at the leading edge of their fields.
Contact
For questions about collaborations and center administration, please contact:
Support the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing
Integrating green chemistry and sustainable energy to create innovative, sustainable materials.