Institute for Cooperative Upcycling of Plastics Research Highlights

Synthetic Lubricants Derived from Plastic Waste and their Tribological Performance

Upcycling of an untapped feedstock is showcased as economically feasible

A Second Life for Polyolefins as Biodegradable Surfactants

This catalytic deconstruction of polyolefins, using Earth-abundant Zr catalyst and Al reactants, into valuable, biodegradable surfactant and detergent precursors, provides an economically and environmentally sustainable end-of-life for single-use plastics.

Catalytic Upcycling of Waste Polyolefins to High Value Liquid Alkylaromatics

Discovery of a new catalytic route to convert various polyethylene grades directly to alkylaromatic liquids

Design of a Processive Catalyst for the Upcycling of Polyethylene

Processive catalysis can advantage rates and improve selectivity in upcycling processes

Catalyzing the Transformation of Waste Plastics into Value-Added Products

Selective catalytic hydrogenolysis provides high-quality, value-added liquid products from polyethylene

Modeling Polyethylene + Ethylene → Propylene with Tandem Metathesis + Double Bond Isomerization Catalysts

New tools reduce massive ensemble of rate equations involving multiple catalysts into an easily solved Fokker-Planck equation and closed form rate expressions.