RSI Research Seminar
Join us every other Monday at noon for lunch and a 30-minute research talk, presented by Resnick Sustainability Institute Graduate Fellows and Caltech researchers funded by the Resnick Sustainability Institute. To see the full schedule of speakers, visit the RSI Research Seminar web page. Seminars currently take place in a hybrid format, both in-person (Jorgensen building first-floor conference room) and via Zoom. For more information and to get the Zoom login info, please reach out to [email protected]
Algae-based Biocomposites: A Sustainable Alternative for Structural Applications
Biocomposite materials have emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials used in packaging, furniture, and construction. However, achieving the necessary mechanical and thermal properties in such biocomposites often requires the incorporation of synthetic components, which compromises the ecological integrity of the final system. In this talk, we will show a novel carbon-negative feedstock that can be used to design fully bio-based material compositions. Additionally, we have developed a waste-free manufacturing process utilizing additive manufacturing techniques. This nascent material technology utilizes microalgae reinforced with agricultural waste products to produce biocomposite materials with superior mechanical properties compared to other biocomposites containing microorganism cells as matrices. The proposed structural biocomposite is expected to exhibit tunable mechanical properties and undergo natural biodegradation. Moreover, these biocomposite components can be recycled or reused in alternative fields after completing their initial service life. Microalgae, which are available in abundant quantities worldwide, can consume significant amounts of CO2. They can be cultivated on land unsuitable for agriculture or obtained as byproducts of wastewater treatment facilities. Thus, microalgae provide a compelling option for meeting the increasing material demands for carbon-negative materials in the construction industry.