More grant funding goes to support biorenewable plastics research at Northland

September 21, 2012

Dr. Nick Robertson, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Northland College, has received additional grant funding to support research on polymer-based biorenewable plastics. The Research Corporation for Science Advancement awarded Robertson a Single Investigator Cottrell College Science Award (CCSA) in the amount of $35,000. Dr. Robertson's research, aided by Northland students, is one of only 40 projects nationwide funded through Research Corporation's CCSA Program in 2012.

"It's not like our research will go to market and make millions, such as big biodegradable name brands like NatureWorks," Robertson says. "But, if we can inch the field forward a little bit, then we can help take those first steps toward finding an economically feasible and ecologically sound alternative to using petroleum-based plastics."

Robertson and his students are developing new chemical reactions in the lab. He and his students are creating polymers, which are long molecular chains that comprise plastics. Robertson and Northland students Eric Krall and Diana Reader are conducting reactions with chemical building blocks that can be derived from castor beans to create biorenewable plastics. The two Northland seniors agree the research reinforces practical skills for them in their degrees of study as biology majors.

"This is awesome because this is the stuff we want to do later on in life with our education," Krall said. "This research experience sets the foundation for us in our careers."

"It's one thing to see it on a board, but it's another thing to put what we learn into play," Reader added.

The CCSA Program is the oldest initiative of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. The program has promoted basic research as a vital component of undergraduate education since its establishment in 1970. Dr. Robertson previously received support from the University of Minnesota Materials Research Facility Network to access cutting-edge laboratory space, supplies, and travel expenses for him and his student research assistants.

Robertson and former students produced two successful publications on their work, including one study titled "Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Polyesters via In Vacuo Dehydrogenation Polymerization of Diols." The report has been published in Macromolecular Rapid Communications. Former students David Hunsicker, Brian Dauphinais, and Sean McIlrath are co-authors of this publication. In addition, McIlrath co-authored "Bustin' Bunnies: An Adaptable Inquiry-Based Approach to Introducing Molecular Weight and Polymer Properties," which was published in the Journal of Chemical Education.