A team of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded a $745,000 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore sustainable alternatives to the synthetic textiles used in fast fashion.
- This project is one of 16 projects funded under NSF’s Convergence Accelerator programme, Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges, which aims to converge advances in fundamental materials science with materials design and manufacturing methods.
The Project: The team would be led by Helen Zha, assistant professor in the Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
- Zha and the team will develop processes for manufacturing renewable fossil-free yarns, dyes, and leather-like fabrics made from fungi, plants, and artificial nature-inspired proteins.
- The team will also develop leather alternatives using the same ingredients, since current leather manufacturing is not sustainable.
- Zha will work with Daniel Walczyk, professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering; Johnson Samuel, associate professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering; Kenneth Simons, associate professor of economics; and Mattheos Koffas, Dorothy and Fred Chau ʼ71 Career Development Constellation Professor in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering.
- Walczyk and Samuel will develop new manufacturing processes for hemp and mycelium-based materials that incorporate artificial silk protein as an additive.
- Simons will examine the dynamics of industrial organisation and technological change.
- Koffas and Zha will engineer microorganisms to produce artificial silk proteins and textile dyes.
What They Said:
Materials sustainability is currently one of the biggest challenges facing society. While research in my lab works to address a broad range of technological challenges such as materials for enhanced drug delivery or tissue regeneration, reducing recalcitrant waste and developing new materials that are made from renewable resources are also top priorities.
— Helen Zha
Assistant Professor
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The Convergence Accelerator is a relatively young NSF program, but our unique program model is focused on delivering tangible solutions to address societal and economic challenges. We are excited to have selected teams focused on developing use-inspired solutions to address complex societal and economic challenges.
— Douglas Maughan
Head, Convergence Accelerator
National Science Foundation
