UA’s Rogers Wins Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge for Enviro-Friendly Method of Producing Textiles and Plastics

An effort led by a UA chemist has demonstrated a new way to dissolve and use cellulose – found in the cell walls of trees and other plants – in producing environmentally friendly materials that UA researchers say have potential for the automotive, packaging and textile industries.

Dr. Robin Rogers, Distinguished University Research Professor of Chemistry and director of UA’s Center for Green Manufacturing, was recently presented the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2005 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, in recognition of the new technology. Rogers is the nation’s academic winner of the annual award, and he will join with four winners from industry.

“We can make advanced materials where the bulk of the material would be cellulose, and we can do it through a low-energy, solution-processing route,” said Rogers, who is leading the effort which has already led to the awarding of two patents and has four more pending..

Full Story — Green Chemistry