Biopolymer biodegradation and lifetimes

Project description

Building on our established research program in polymer degradation and biopolymer biodegradation, this project will explore the effect of additives and environmental pollutants on biopolymer degradation through:

1. Production of a range of model biopolymeric materials such as PHA, PLA, PCL and so on, extruded with different additives or sorbed with different representative pollutants.
2. Lab-based biodegradation studies using Oxitop CO2 evolution vessels, BMP methane emission, and other environmental simulators.
3. Field based studies in soils, riverine and marine environments, looking at in-situ effects in practice. This will take advantage of the two-country nature of this project, looking at sites in India and Australia for comparison.

A wide range of analyses will be conducted of the changes in the polymers over time, including microbial characterisation of the resulting biofilm and environment, SEM and TEM surface analysis, mechanical properties, porosity through micro-CT and polymer material characterisation (mol wt, thermal properties and so on).

Outcomes

The outcomes will include:

1. A deeper understanding of the factors that control biopolymer biodegradation.
2. Better predictive models of biopolymer lifetimes in the environment.
3. A cross-comparison of biopolymer degradation in different global regions.
4. Guidance for the appropriate use of additives in biopolymer production.

Essential capabilities

Some training in polymer science or engineering, Good mathematics competency.

Desireable capabilities

Matlab or equivalent modelling expertise, some basic microbiology training.

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

BSc (HonsIIA minimum) or BEng.

Additional information for applicants

note: i-students must have own scholarship to apply (CSIR, UCG-NET, etc)

Candidate Discipline

Biopolymer Biodegradation Lifetimes.