Engineering Technologies for Renewable and Recyclable Materials

Jithin Joy is Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Newman College, Thodupuzha, India. He is engaged in doctoral studies in the area of nanocellulose-based polymer nanocomposites. He has also conducted research work at Clemson University, South Carolina, USA. He is a co-editor of the books titled Natural Rubber Materials: Volume 2: Composites and Nanocomposites, and Micro- and Nanostructured Polymer Systems: From Synthesis to Applications, published by Apple Academic Press. In 2010, Mr. Joy received a prestigious research fellowship administered jointly by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the University Grants Commission of the Government of India. He has publications in international journals and conference proceedings to his credit. He is a co-author of several books chapters, peer-reviewed publications, and invited presentations in international forums. He received his MSc degree in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University. Maciej Jaroszewski, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Head of the High Voltage Laboratory at Wroclaw University of Technology in Wroclaw, Poland. He received his MS and PhD degrees in high voltage engineering from the same university in 1993 and 1999 respectively. Dr. Jaroszewski was a contractor/prime contractor of several grants and a head of grant project on "degradation processes and diagnosis methods for high voltage ZnO arresters for distribution systems" and is currently a contractor of a key project co-financed by the foundations of the European Regional Development Foundation within the framework of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy. His current research interests include high-voltage techniques, HV equipment diagnostics, HV test techniques, degradation of ZnO varistors, and dielectric spectroscopy. Praveen K. M. is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Saintgits College of Engineering, India. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering Sciences at the University of South Brittany (Université de Bretagne Sud) – Laboratory IRDL PTR1, Research Center "Christiaan Huygens," in Lorient, France, in the area of coir-based polypropylene micro composites and nanocomposites. He has published an international article in Applied Surface Science and has also presented poster and conference papers at national and international conferences. He has also worked with the Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Mahatma Gandhi University, India; and the Technical University in Liberec, Czech Republic. His current research interests include plasma modification of polymers, polymer composites for neutron shielding applications, and nanocellulose. Sabu Thomas, PhD, is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and Founding Director of the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He is also a full professor of polymer science and engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences of the same university. The research activities of Professor Thomas include surfaces and interfaces in multiphase polymer blend and composite systems; phase separation in polymer blends; compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends; thermoplastic elastomers; phase transitions in polymers; nanostructured polymer blends; macro-, micro- and nanocomposites; polymer rheology; recycling; reactive extrusion; processing–morphology–property relationships in multiphase polymer systems; double networking of elastomers; natural fibers and green composites; rubber vulcanization; interpenetrating polymer networks; diffusion and transport; and polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has supervised 68 PhD theses, 40 MPhil theses, and 45 Masters thesis. He has three patents to his credit. He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. Very recently, Professor Thomas received the MRSI and CRSI medals for his excellent work. A proflic author with an H index of 81, he has published over 750 peer-reviewed research papers, reviews, and book chapters. Reza Haghi, PhD, is a research assistant at the Institute of Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. Dr. Haghi has published several papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and has published several papers in conference proceedings, technical reports, and lecture notes. Dr. Haghi is an expert in the development and application of spectroscopy techniques for monitoring hydrate and corrosion risks and developed techniques for early detection of gas hydrate risks. He conducted integrated experimental modeling in his studies and extended his research to monitoring system to pH and risk of corrosion. During his PhD work at Heriot-Watt University, he has developed various novel flow assurance techniques based on spectroscopy as well as designed and operated test equipment. He received his MSc in Advanced Control Systems from the University of Salford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.

Recycling of Materials and Reduction of Waste. Chemical Recycling of Polyurethane Foams: A Review. Importance of Reusing and Recycling Electronic Wastes. Products from Clothing Waste. Recycling Solid Waste by Co-Processing. Feedstock Recycling of Automobile Shredder Residue. Modification and Reuse of Polyvinyl Chloride Using Polyaniline and Conducting Fillers. Recyclability of EPDM Rubber by Chemical Modification. Wetting Studies as Enablers for Recycling and Reuse of Microfluidic Devices. Proposal for Recycling Organic and Inorganic Materials in an Ecological Park. Removal of Mercury (II) Using Immobilized Papain: Experiment, Modeling, and Optimization. Studies on Effect of Coconut Pith on Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Based on Recycled Polypropylene/Reclaimed Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber Composites. Calcium Lactate as a Promising Coagulant for the Pre-Treatment of Lignin Containing Wastewater. Preparation and Characterization of Wood-Plastic Composite by Plastic Waste and Saw Dust. Recycling of PVC Waste by Fabrication of NBR-PVC Blend.