Poster Session Abstracts
Title: Safer Thermosetting Resin Compositions Based on Bio-derived Phenols and Sugars
Authors: Kenneth Samuel Ogueri, Zarif Farhana Mohd Aris, and Dr. Ramaswamy Nagarajan
Abstract: As the first commercial synthetic resin, phenolic resins have played an indispensable role in the resin industry as a thermally stable, thermosetting binder with wide-ranging applications from construction materials (laminates), transportation to electronics. However, formaldehyde (a carcinogenic chemical), has posed formidable challenges to its production and use. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel bio-novolac phenolic resins using naturally occurring carbonyl containing sugars or sugar derivatives as substitute for formaldehyde and non-toxic phenolic compounds as replacement to petroleum-derived phenols. The new sugar-based resins were thermally cured with conventional cross-linker such as (Hexamethylenetetramine) and bio-based epoxies. Preliminary studies indicate that this new class of bio-based phenolic resins exhibit promising properties and have the potential to be used as an alternative to phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Title: ‘Greener’ Approaches to Material Science
Author: Dr. Ramaswamy Nagarajan
Abstract: The reduction and ultimate elimination of toxic chemicals from manufacturing processes and substitution using ‘greener’ and more sustainable alternatives is one of TURI’s important mandates. Our research effort demonstrates the possibility of replacing toxic materials in industrial applications such as non-halogenated flame retardants (FR), safer bio-based surfactants and formaldehyde-free thermosets.
A new class of polymeric FR additive based on a naturally occurring phenol has been developed using simple yet efficient ‘green’ polymerization strategies. We have also demonstrated the possibility of converting a fruit waste obtained from renewable resources into efficient biobased surfactants as detergent applications. A brief description of these projects will be presented.
Title: Synthesis of Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Copolymers for Coating Applications
Authors: Bin Tan, Kyla Emery, Dr. Margaret J. Sobkowicz
Abstract: This research aims to eliminate toxic solvents in polymeric coatings for paper and single-use, compostable packaging. The metrics for a successful coating include sufficient oil and water resistance and good surface properties. By tuning the polymer architecture, a wide range of coating properties can be accessed. In pursuit of this goal, biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and its copolymers were synthesized from bio-based monomers, such as 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid.
Additionally, stable latexes from these polymers were prepared by mini-emulsion method. Coatings were created from both polymeric latexes and bulk melts by a doctor blade coater. The results showed that good films were formed both from aqueous suspension and bulk melt, and film properties could be tuned by polymer structures. These results illustrate the potential of polymeric coatings to eliminate chlorinated solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typically used in the coatings industry. The coated paper can be used in durable, compostable packaging applications.
Title: Development of Pb-free and Halogen-free Nanosolder Paste for Electronics Assembly and Packaging
Authors: Evan Wernicki, Fan Gao, Dr. Gregory Morose, Dr. Zhiyong Gu
Abstract: When compared to their Pb-based counterparts, Pb-free solders and their associated high melting temperatures require additional energy consumption during reflow and can create reliability issues for electronic devices due to increased thermal stresses. Due to the melting temperature depression that occurs in particles smaller than 25nm, Pb-free nanosolder particles are strong replacement candidates. Size constraints also points to nanosolders as promising materials with decreasing feature sizes in electronics assembly and packaging processes. Here, Pb-free and halogen-free nanosolder enabled pastes are studied for use in electronics assembly and packaging applications. Tin/silver (Sn/Ag) nanoparticles (Ag 3.5 – 5 wt. %) were synthesized using a surfactant-assisted chemical reduction method in an aqueous environment. The nanosolder particles were then characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and DSC. Nanosolder pastes were prepared by mixing Sn/Ag nanoparticles with halogen-free flux of varying mass ratios. Nanosolder pastes with as high as 85 wt. % have been printed and reflowed on Cu substrates with processes imitating those used in current industry. In addition, composite pastes were prepared with commercially available micron-sized solders and as-prepared nanoparticles. As much as 5 wt. % Sn/Ag nanoparticles were added to microsolders to form the halogen-free composite paste. Wettability and intermetallic compounds formed with the substrate have been studied as well.
Title: Evaluation of Styrene-Free Resins and Glass Fiber Composites
Authors: Andrew Wysocki, Laura Babcock, Dr. Christopher J. Hansen
Abstract: Unsaturated polyester resins form the backbone of the domestic consumer composite products industry. Typical polyester resins are composed of 35-50 volume percent styrene monomer. Styrene offers excellent mechanical properties at an economically competitive price. However, styrene is a volatile organic compound (VOC), classified as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP), respiratory tract irritant, a possible carcinogen, and has been identified as a “chemical of high concern” by the Minnesota Department of Health. Prior efforts have focused on mitigation of these exposure routes primarily via engineering controls, such wax additives, metering equipment, and increased ventilation.
Here, a hazard reduction-oriented approach is pursued to evaluate commercially available styrene-free resin formulations. In conjunction with the University of Minnesota’s Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP), manufacturers of styrene-free resins were identified as candidates for this work. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to closely match standard industry cure cycles. The mechanical performance, fabrication cycle, and production cost requirements are compared and contrasted with industry standard styrene based resin materials.
Title: Epoxidized linseed oil based thermosets for high-performance composites
Authors: C. Kuncho, W. Li, J. Moeller, Prof. D.F. Schmidt, Dr. E. Reynaud
Abstract: This study aims at processing and characterizing bioderived resins for high-performance composites applications such as wind turbine blades. Ongoing efforts have shown that inexpensive, non food-crops derived and commercially available epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) can be converted to robust epoxy networks through a variety of chemistries. In particular, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of anhydride hardeners as curing agents. We are currently preparing glass-fiber reinforced composites, and have demonstrated that it is possible to produce rigid, strong, void-free panels with these new biobased resins as well.
The overall research effort aims at identifying optimal composition and process parameters and produce composition-properties relations enabling the design of minimally toxic bioepoxies for a range of high-performance applications.
Title: Green Chemistry, In Search of Greener Materials and Ultimately, A Design for the Environment
Author: Alison Kan
Abstract: We are living and breathing the world of chemistry. With the advancement of technology, most of us are living richer lives. With these advancements, we may also be causing a number of side effects, such as global warming and the pollution of natural resources.
Many countries are introducing new legislation to restrict materials that are hazardous to our health and our environment. Every time a material is restricted or banned, manufacturers rush to come up with new materials to replace the material that was banned. Very often the newer materials are found to cause other health and environmental problems. In some cases, the newer material may be more harmful than the one that it replaced.
What should we be considering when we design a new material to replace others that were restricted or will be restricted? Do we have a holistic approach to consider all aspects of a material as it will affect our health and the environment?
Title: Design for Safer Nanotechnology
Author: Dr. Greg Morose
Abstract: Nanoparticles have been incorporated in hundreds of different types of products, and the novel properties of nanomaterials offer great promise to provide new technological breakthroughs. However, nanotechnology is an emerging technology which has potential health and safety risks throughout its product life cycle. The health risk of a nanoparticle is a function of both its hazard to human health and its exposure potential. It is prudent for companies to try to mitigate the potential risks of nanoparticles during the design stage rather than downstream during manufacturing or customer use. The intent of this poster is to propose five design principles for product designers to use during the design stage for products that contain nanoparticles. By using these design principles, the health risk of the nanoparticle may be mitigated by potentially lowering the hazard and/or the exposure potential of the nanoparticle. These proposed design principles are largely untested and are offered as an initial framework that will require more testing, validation, and refinement.
Title: Getting the Lead Out of Electronics: The New England Lead-Free Electronics Consortium
Author: Dr. Greg Morose
Abstract: The use of lead poses significant hazardous occupational exposure to workers in the electronic products industry, and also causes environmental challenges at the end of product life. The costs for investigating and evaluating the various lead-free electronic materials and manufacturing processes can be prohibitive for an individual company to undertake alone. Consequently, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) and the University of Massachusetts Lowell formed the New England Lead-free Electronics Consortium as a collaborative effort of New England companies spanning the electronic products supply chain to help move the industry towards lead-free electronics. The Consortium is a working collaboration of industry, government, and academia. A major benefit is that contributions by the various consortium members made the research initiative cost effective. Many consortium members, especially smaller companies, could not have undertaken the effort as a sole entity due to funding constraints. The Consortium has been successful in researching, identifying, developing, and testing lead-free materials and processes to address the challenges of assembly, rework, and long-term reliability challenge of lead-free electronics.
Title: Bactericidal effects of essential oils on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
Authors: Rachel Di Angelo and Dr. Nancy Goodyear
Abstract: Plant essential oils are used in cleaning and personal care products for their purported ability to kill bacteria without caustic chemicals such as bleach. Essential oils are highly complex mixtures that vary in composition depending on the geographic plant source and the extraction process. We are investigating the disinfection effectiveness of four oils from different sources on two common pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The oils tested included lime, lavender and thyme oils from two sources and tea tree oil from four sources. For E. coli, all oils achieved a ≥5.00 log reduction except for one source of lime oil, which achieved a 3.38 log reduction. For S. aureus, only thyme oil (both sources) achieved a ≥5.00 log reduction. All other oils achieved <2.00 log reduction. Additional testing is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of undiluted plant essential oils as well as diluted in various products.
Title: Contamination and sanitization of bulk refillable liquid soap dispensers
Authors: Hagir Mohamed and Dr. Nancy Goodyear
Abstract: Bulk refillable soap dispensers have demonstrated microbial contamination in several studies. The mechanism of contamination is unclear. Possible sources include the hands of users or janitorial staff refilling the dispensers. In this study, we will test 6 soap dispensers by filling them with preservative-free soap contaminated with K. pneumoniae, sampling the soap periodically, and then re-contaminating them when bacteria are no longer recoverable. To date we have tested two wall dispensers, the refillable Bobrick B-4112 and the cartridge-based Sloan SJS-1000. Bacteria were recovered from both dispensers on days 1 and 2, and from the Bobrick dispenser on day 6, but not after that up to 17 days. Following re-contamination on day 21, bacteria were recoverable from both dispensers for up to 47 days. We hypothesize that the second contamination allowed biofilms to form in the dispensers, allowing the bacteria to survive significantly longer. Testing is underway on additional dispensers.
Title: The effectiveness of 5 commercially available steam devices for cleaning and disinfection
Authors: Kathleen Tenaglia, Alicia Melvin, Heidi Wilcox, Dr. Jason Marshall and Dr. Nancy Goodyear
Abstract: Steam devices may by safer alternatives to chemical cleaners and disinfectants, however their effectiveness must be determined. In this study, we compared five commercially available steam devices for cleaning bathroom, kitchen, and simulated fecal soils on polycarbonate, ceramic, and stainless surfaces, and for disinfecting two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) on stainless steel. Only one device met the minimum for effective cleaning (≥85% soil removal) for all soil/surface combinations. The other four failed the bathroom soil-ceramic combination and three devices failed additional combinations (see table). Overall, the ceramic surface proved the most difficult to clean, and the bathroom soil the most difficult to remove (see data tables). All 5 devices were able to completely eliminate 5.00 logs of E. coli and S. aureus from a stainless steel surface. Further testing should be performed to fully characterize the cleaning and disinfection effectiveness of these devices.
Title: Safer alternatives to traditional disinfectants: Do they work?
Authors: Dr. Nancy Goodyear
Abstract: Safer alternatives to traditional chemical disinfectants are desirable, however their effectiveness must be determined. The disinfection laboratory at UMass Lowell tests a wide range of purportedly safer alternatives. Examples include: steam and other chemical-free approaches, plant essential oils, do-it-yourself recipes with common household products, hydrogen peroxide and others. Testing can be performed following manufacturers’ instructions exactly or under likely “real world” conditions where users fail to follow instructions for dilution, contact time, etc. A variety of bacteria can be tested, as well as bacteria mixed with soils.
Title: FY 16 Company Research
Author: TURI, see Pam Eliason for more information
Abstract: Massachusetts industry partners for the FY16 academic research program include Raytheon, Savogran, ITW Polymers Sealants North America and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. Details about each company's specific research needs are provided.
Title: Connecting Companies with Greener Chemistry Alternatives: Government Technical Assistance and Outreach Efforts
Authors: MA Office of Technology and Technical Assistance (OTA)
Abstract: The Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) works directly with companies, either onsite or over the phone. This collaboration often leads to conferences or workshops to provide companies with the latest developments or techniques concerning green chemistry. This poster outlines the outreach efforts of OTA, including recommendations to companies, conferences and workshops, demonstration events, and case studies.
Title: Green Chemistry Success: OTA Initiates Partnership to Promote Green Manufacturing and Foster Economic Development
Authors: MA Office of Technology and Technical Assistance (OTA)
Abstract: OTA through its technical assistance efforts saw the potential to incorporate green chemistry by the textile industry and proposed a project that would produce printers capable of printing fabrics using a bank of stationary print heads and ultraviolet or electron beam curable inks and print textiles at least 45 inches wide and at speeds of more than 200 feet per minute. OTA located partners at area universities and Massachusetts textile manufacturers to develop and test the technology and the John Adams Innovation Institute awarded OTA $150,000 to investigate high speed digital printing using wide-format printers and radiation–curable materials. The project successfully demonstrated the ability to print and cure at 200 feet per minute on cotton with all four inks: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
Title: The Cleaning Laboratory at TURI: Alternatives Assessment for Surface Cleaning
Author: Dr. Jason Marshall
Abstract: There are no "silver bullets" for identifying alternatives to standard cleaning solutions. The Cleaning Laboratory at TURI uses a systematic methodology of discrete performance evaluations tailored to the particular situation at hand. Each step can narrow the field of alternatives: select based on past performance and current safety considerations; test chemical action in isolation; test chemical action during mechanical agitation. Critical to the successful selection of alternatives is on site pilot testing with employees who are responsible for the cleaning operation and testing with parts directly from the production line.
Title: Preliminary Economic Analysis of Biobased Lignin-like Flame Retardants
Authors: Thomas J. Klement and Dr. Ryan M. Bouldin
Abstract: Flame retardants are required for the production of a multitude of commercial and consumer products. Many of these flame retardants are highly toxic and environmentally persistent. This study presents an initial economic feasibility analysis of bringing biomimetic, potentially biodegradable and renewable flame retardant materials to market. These materials are designed to resemble small segments of lignin. While lignin itself is flammable, these smaller mimics offer excellent thermal stabilities, high char yields, and low heat release capacity. They may also carry the potential for lower health risks when compared to halogenated flame retardants. While these properties may make bio-based flame retardants a scientifically viable alternative, this study presents some of the inherent economic challenges of bringing new biobased alternatives to market.
Title: Magnetic Silica Supported Copper: A Modular Approach to Aqueous Ullmann-type Amination of Aryl Halides
Authors: R B Nasir Baig and Rajender S. Varma
Abstract: A novel one-step procedure for the synthesis of magnetic silica supported copper catalyst has been developed, which can be readily prepared in gram quantities in aqueous media. It catalyzed the amination of aryl halides and the desired reactions proceeded smoothly to deliver the corresponding aryl amines in very good yields. Because of the magnetic nature of the catalyst, it could be separated using an external magnet, which eliminates the requirement of catalyst filtration after completion of the reaction, an additional attribute of the catalyst.