Cougar Cage sets stage for researchers to reduce plastic waste

Everyday polylactic acid waste chemically broken down into monomers which is then transformed into 3D printable resin. Courtesy of Yu-Chung Chang
Everyday polylactic acid waste chemically broken down into monomers which is then transformed into 3D printable resin. Courtesy of Yu-Chung Chang

Post-doctoral research associate Yu-Chung Chang and his team won $50,000 to explore chemical recycling on May 10 at Cougar Cage, hoping to reduce plastic waste in landfills and oceans.

Cougar Cage is an event, like “Shark Tank,” where researchers pitch their project to a panel of judges, who determine if it will benefit the environment and humanity. Researchers also explain how funding can further propel their project, Chang said. [Read more…]