Closed-loop recyclable high-performance organic aerogel
Chang-lin Wang was awarded cum laude for his PhD thesis which successfully demonstrates the concept of 鈥渄esign for recycling鈥� in organic aerogels by developing materials with cleavable and dynamic covalent linkages, at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry on April 17th.
Chang-Lin Wang鈥檚 </em>thesis explores the design, synthesis, and recycling of sustainable organic aerogels, focusing on advanced materials for thermal insulation, environmental sustainability, and adherence to circular economy principles. Organic aerogels, renowned for their ultralight weight, high porosity, and excellent thermal insulation properties, face significant environmental challenges due to their reliance on covalently cross-linked, non-recyclable structures and petroleum-based feedstocks. His research introduces the concept of closed-loop recycling to create sustainable aerogels, enabling the recovery and reuse of building blocks through reversible chemical bonds.