Researchers at New York's Polytechnic University Turn Plastic into Biodiesel

Energy Resource, March 21, 2007

ENERGY RESOURCE-21 March 2007-Researchers at New York's Polytechnic University Turn Plastic into Biodiesel(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Researchers at Polytechnic University in New York have bioengineered a fuel-latent plastic that can be converted into biodiesel and will use a $2.34 million award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to help commercialize the technology as a new source of green energy.

Professor Richard Gross, director of Polytechnic University's National Science Foundation (NSF) Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules (CBBM), developed the new bioplastic using vegetable oils. He also partnered with DNA 2.0, a biotechnology company specializing in gene synthesis, to develop enzymes that can both synthesize and break the fuel-latent plastic down into biodiesel after its use.

"We showed DARPA that we could make a new plastic from plant oils that has remarkable properties, which includes being tougher and more durable than typical polyethylenes. Additionally, the bioplastic can be placed in a simple container where it is safely broken down to liquid fuel," said Dr. Gross.

The next phase of the research will entail developing a more efficient low-cost process for both manufacturing the bioplastic and converting it into biodiesel. The personal generation of biodiesel is an important step in developing green technologies and reducing waste.

For DARPA, the process of converting biogengineered fuel-latent plastics into biodiesel is of interest since the U.S. military can use this technology on the frontline.

"Military units generate substantial quantities of packaging waste when engaging in stationary field operations. If we can turn this waste into fuel, we will see a double benefit - we will reduce the amount of waste that we have to remove, and we will reduce the amount of new fuel that we must deliver to the units," said Khine Latt, program manager for DARPA's Mobile Integrated Sustainable Energy Recovery program.

"Polytechnic University has a long history of innovation, and we are confident Professor Gross' research will revolutionize how we produce and consume biofuels," noted Jerry M. Hultin, president of Polytechnic University. "Gassing up at the pump could be part of the past thanks to the possibility of this research."

To learn more about The Power of PolyThinking, visit www.poly.edu.

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