PhD from Clemson University. Student Afreen Sultana is working to design higher-barrier, biodegradable, paper-based packaging enhanced with cellulose nanocrystals from the proliferating kudzu plant.
This effort earned him a $25,000 grant from Hitachi High-Tech America Inc. to support his research and completion of his doctorate in food technology.
Nearly 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated globally each year, of which only about 9% is recycled, according to the Organization for International Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Paper-based packaging shows promise as an environmentally friendly, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The problem is that paper is permeable to liquids, water vapor and gases. Current cardboard packaging often relies on synthetic polymer coatings to protect its contents. Recycling these materials can be difficult and expensive.
Sultana is working to strengthen starch-based coatings by using cellulose nanocrystals extracted from the invasive kudzu plant to improve the resistance of paper packaging to liquids and gases. For starch, Sultana extracts pearl millet, a summer hay crop that is inexpensive to grow. She will analyze the materials at the molecular level using state-of-the-art equipment at Clemson’s Electron Microscopy Center to refine these biofilms.
Sultana studies under the supervision of Professor Scott Whiteside in the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences. Whiteside noted that Sultana has published nine research publications over the past three years and has successfully worked closely with packaging industry partners on sustainable packaging research.
“This is an excellent investment by Hitachi in a bright and creative young scientist who I believe will continue to be a very productive researcher,” Whiteside said.
Feng Chen, acting chairman of the department, added: “The development of sustainable and innovative packaging materials is currently a hot topic in universities and will have a significant impact on the packaging industry. Dr. Whiteside and Afreen’s current study on the development of starch-based biodegradable packaging materials is one of the possible solutions to reduce the use of non-environmentally friendly plastics, which not only will meet the needs of contemporary consumers, but will also keep our planet cleaner and safer. .”
Hitachi High-Tech America established the scholarship in 2014 to support a graduate student using the Clemson University Electron Microscopy Facility conduct research as part of their doctoral studies. Sultana is the 10th recipient and the first from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
“As a company committed to supporting sustainable solutions for the future, Hitachi is excited to support Afreen Sultana’s research using materials science to secure our food supply,” said Lorena Ferry, vice president and director General Manager of Hitachi High-Tech America. “This is exactly the type of investigation our electron microscopes are designed for, and we are thrilled that Clemson has assembled a state-of-the-art research facility with Hitachi microscopes.” We congratulate Afreen Sultana on her achievements and look forward to her future research.
Hitachi was instrumental in both the development of Clemson University’s electron microscopy facility in the mid-1990s, as well as its steady growth to become one of the premier academic electron microscopy facilities in the country. For example, the facility has added several new Hitachi electron microscopes in recent years, which are among the global company’s most advanced machines. Additionally, Hitachi has a staff member on site to ensure that advanced equipment is operating in optimal conditions.
“I greatly appreciate our long-standing collaboration with Hitachi. These types of partnerships help Clemson raise its research and teaching offerings at the graduate level,” said Tanju Karanfil, Clemson’s senior vice president for research, scholarship and creative endeavors. “This facility provides a unique platform not only for Clemson faculty to innovate, but also for local industries who also frequently use our equipment and expertise in their research and development efforts. Our students, on the other hand, are able to study with the latest technologies available anywhere in the world, making them highly sought after candidates upon graduation.
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