Research

Dr. Richard A. Gross, at the time the Herman F. Mark Professor of Polymer Science at Polytechnic and the NSF-BBM center's director

One area of focus within Tandon/Polytechnic's sustainability research portfolio is the development of environmentally friendly plastics. In 2006, a team of Polytechnic researchers, working in collaboration with major bio and chemical companies such as Johnson and Johnson and Estee Lauder, had been developing novel polymer materials and manufacturing processes aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal. This research was itself taking place within Polytechnic’s Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules (NSF-BBM), the first center of its kind, run in collaboration with and funded  by the National Science Foundation since 2000. According to a news article on the subject released by Polytechnic, this center depends on collaboration and resource sharing, as “The NSF-BBM has two programs for private industry participation. The “core” program consists of cooperative research, whereby companies pool their financial investment in the center to gain access to a larger research program. Companies that have more specific research needs may elect the “non-core” program, where research is carried out directly between one company and the NSF-BBM center at Polytechnic University.” (Polytechnic University). Tandon/Polytechnic has always been at the forefront of polymer science, and this project illustrates both the prestige and influence of the school among major players in the space, as well as how social impact is a clear facet of that work. As the work of the Polymer Lab prior to the 21st century had not typically been sustainability-focused, this also illustrates how Tandon/Poly has been evolving and aligning its historic strengths with its modern goals.

A diagram of the innovative RFD desalination method pioneered by the Tandon researchers

When talking about sustainability, a central topic is the discussion of various aspects of water resource management. One socially critical research initiative at Tandon/Polytechnic focuses on developing energy efficient methods for desalinating seawater into potable water. The desalination research was conducted by a collaborative team from NYU Tandon and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, within NYU’s DC-MUSE (Decarbonizing Chemical Manufacturing Using Sustainable Electrification) initiative, which is “committed to advancing research activities that diminish the environmental impact of chemical processes through the utilization of renewable energy.” (NYU Tandon). By leveraging expertise across disciplines, these research efforts aim to protect and preserve our precious resources for future generations and solve the global resource crisis faced by millions. As with the Polymer Lab, Tandon/Poly's modern research in this area builds on its roots. George Bugliarello, President of Polytechnic from 1973-1994, co-authored a 1974 book on the topic titled Computer Systems and Water Resources, in which he discusses the various ways that computer technology that was emerging at the time would be key in managing water resources going forward. In the introduction, Bugliarello and his co-author F.J. Gunther acknowledge that the book is "the first attempt, to the best of [their] knowledge—at assembling information and examining some of the  principal issues" (Bugliarello and Gunther). Even in the 70s, Tandon/Poly was one of the first and leading sources of insight into the water aspect of natural resource management, and paved the way for their own future community members as well as outside parties to build meaningful innovations in the field, such as with the desalination research.