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Covalent Adaptable Networks with Associative Siloxane Exchange Enabled by Amide-Based Internal Catalysis
NU2025-056
INVENTORS
John Torkelson*
Tapas Debsharma
Nathan Purwanto
Tong Wang
SHORT DESCRIPTION
A technology that introduces internally catalyzed siloxane dynamic chemistry in covalent adaptable networks (CANs) through amide-based catalysis to produce recyclable and reprocessable polymers with maintained cross-link density at elevated temperatures.
BACKGROUND
Replacing...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Materials, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes
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Efficient Polyester Hydrogenolytic Deconstruction via Tandem Catalysis
NU 2021-150
INVENTORS
Tobin Marks*
Yosi Kratish
SHORT DESCRIPTION
A solvent-free tandem catalytic process to selectively depolymerize common polyester plastics into their monomeric components, using air and moisture-stable catalysts.
BACKGROUND
A mechanism-based tandem catalytic approach enables the selective depolymerization of commodity...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Catalyst, Cleantech, Materials, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing, Sustainability
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes
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Method and Apparatus for Microfiber Capture
NU 2024-046
INVENTORS
Kyoo-Chul Park*
Chloe Ho
Leyun Feng
SHORT DESCRIPTION
An innovative microfiber capture device featuring a cage-like structure with multiple branches that efficiently collects microfibers from water.
BACKGROUND
Microfibers, a prevalent form of microplastic, challenge existing water treatment methods due to labor-intensive...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing, Cleantech, Manufacturing/Processing, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability
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Customized Filtration System for the Collection and Removal of Microplastics
NU 2019-203
INVENTORS
Kyoo-Chul Park*
Allison O'Donnell
Christian Machado
Youhua Jiang
SHORT DESCRIPTION
A cylindrical filtration system employing flexible, liquid-precoated wires to capture and remove emulsified microplastics and other solid particles from carrier liquids.
BACKGROUND
Effective separation of small solid particles, such...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Cleantech, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability
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Dissolvable Coating for Blended Fibers Textile Recycling
NU 2025-066
INVENTORS
Cecile Chazot*
Eleanor Grosvenor
Malachi Cohen
Gabrielle Wood
SHORT DESCRIPTION
This technology describes a method for mixed textile manufacturing, particularly elastane-based materials, with a biopolymer component that can be selectively dissolved for textile recycling.
Figure 1: Core-spun sheath...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Adhesive, Cleantech, Manufacturing/Processing, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing, Sustainable Materials
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes, Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability
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Biobased, catalyst-free non-isocyanate polythiourethane foams: Highly dynamic nature affords fast reprocessability, extrudability and refoamability
NU 2024-070
INVENTORS
John Torkelson*
Boran Chen
Yixuan Chen
Nathan Purwanto
SHORT DESCRIPTION
A series of biobased, catalyst-free non-isocyanate polythiourethane foams have been developed that incorporate dynamic disulfide crosslinks to enable rapid reprocessability, extrudability, and refoamability, delivering flexible foam materials with...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Cleantech, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability
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Biowaste-Based and Reproccessable Non-isocyanate Polythiourethane Networks
NU 2023-075
INVENTORS
John Mark Torkelson*
Boran Chen
Yixuan Chen
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Sustainable, biowaste-based, and non-toxic polyurethane networks that are mechanically strong and resistive to water.
ABSTRACT
Northwestern researchers have developed sustainable polythiourethane (NIPTU) networks, which may be used as substitutes for standard...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Adhesive, Cleantech, Environment, Manufacturing/Processing, Materials, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing, Renewable
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes
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Crosslinker for Recyclable Polymethacrylate Polymer Networks
NU 2022-018
INVENTORS
John Mark Torkelson*
Mohammed Abdulaziz Bin Rusayyis
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Polymethacrylate networks with unique crosslinking regime that enables full recovery of initial cross-link density after reprocessing
ABSTRACT
Northwestern researchers have developed a novel approach to improve the recyclability and reprocessability of...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Cleantech, Manufacturing/Processing, Materials, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing, Sustainability
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes, Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability, Physical Sciences > Engineering & Technology
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A Dynamic Cross-Linker for Recyclable Addition-Type Polymer Networks
NU 2020-153
INVENTORS
John Torkelson*
Mohammed Bin Rusayyis
ABSTRACT
Conventional permanently crosslinked polymer networks are used in an array of applications because of their excellent mechanical properties, high heat stability, and outstanding chemical resistance. Unfortunately, their lack of recyclability due to the presence of permanent...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Cleantech, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing, Sustainability
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Materials and Industrial Processes
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Recycling Polyurethane Networks for Monomer Recovery
NU 2020-045
INVENTOR
John Torkelson*
SHORT DESCRIPTION
A method to recycle and depolymerize polymer network substitutes for traditional cross-linked polymers
BACKGROUND
Polyurethanes (PUs) are among one of the most widely used polymers worldwide, with 2020 annual production estimated to be ~29 billion kg. The applications of PUs include elastomers,...
Published: 11/6/2025
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Inventor(s):
Keywords(s): Cleantech, Environment, Manufacturing/Processing, Polymer, Polymer Recycling and Reprocessing
Category(s): Physical Sciences > Energy & Sustainability
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