KOCHI:
Researchers of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) have sparked a wave of innovation by developing a novel method for the recycling of used medical face mask to an engineering product. The use of single-use plastics during the pandemic surged the quantity of medical waste causing environmental and public health crisis round the world. At the same time, crisis also created challenges in creativity and innovation.
Dr. Prasanth Raghavan , Asso. Professor, Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology (PS&RT), CUSAT who guided the work explained that, the plastic fibers separated from used medical face masks that were collected from various sources can be blended with rubber to make polymer blends with high tensile strength, impact strength and thermal properties to utilize them high-performance engineering products such as car bumpers, dashboards, warplanes’ and submarine’s coatings to hide out from radar signals.The face masks were disinfected properly prior to the studies to ensure safety.
Deepthi Anna David and George Varghese P. J, who took the key role in this work, said that this would significantly reduce the cost of products made as well as control the pollution and health problems caused by careless discarding of the used medical face masks. Blending plastic fibers to rubber in the right way and in the right composition can tune the properties of polymer blends and this can be utilized based on the requirements of the products to be made.
Deepthi Anna David had presented the work in 33rd Kerala Science Congress which is an annual scientists’ gathering and was honored with the best paper award with the tag of ‘scientific social responsibility’. The work was done in collaboration with the Department of Coatings and Polymer Materials, University of North Dakota, USA and the scholars are continuing their research on further explorations to develop protective shields that can hide submarines and warplanes from radar using polymer blends made by combining the plastic fibers with rubber by the help of a compatibilizer.
Deepthi Anna David is currently pursuing her Ph.D under the supervision of Prof. (Dr.) P. M. Sabura Begum, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, and Dr. Prasanth Raghavan, Asso. Professor, Department of PS&RT, CUSAT. George Varghese P. J is an alumnus of PS&RT, CUSAT, and is currently pursuing his M. Tech at IIT, Patna.
