Improving Sorting of Polyolefins for the Circular Economy

Due: May 1, 2025

$82,764

Description

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is the rapid, workhorse technique used by recycling facilities for sorting of plastics, yet as currently used it is insensitive to variations in molecular architecture reducing its use for sorting chemically similar polymers such as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene and polypropylene. To overcome this challenge, we have previously shown that utilizing machine learning, real-time NIR measurements can be correlated to molecular architecture sensitiv...

Award Ceiling$82,764

Eligible Applicants- PostDoc

Additional Eligibility Information

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender identity, or national origin. Education and Experience Applicants must have earned a Ph.D., Sc.D., M.D., D.V.M., or academically equivalent research doctorate before beginning tenure. The Fellowships Office makes NRC Research Associateship awards at the postdoctoral and senior researcher levels. Postdoctoral Associateships:Applicants must have held the doctorate for less than five years as of the application deadline. Senior Asso...

Funding TypefellowshipCategories of Funding Activity- Materials Science- Engineering- Environmental Science

Grantor Contact InformationDebra J Audus - debra.audus@nist.gov, 301 975 4364; Sara Orski - sara.orski@nist.gov, 301 975 4671Grantor Emailrap@nas.eduOther Grantor InformationThe NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP) are prestigious postdoctoral and senior research awards designed to provide promising scientists and engineers with high-quality research opportunities at federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. Conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Fellowships Office since 1954, these programs offer a comprehensive research experience through a rigorous selection process. The programs aim to: 1) Offer promising postdoctoral and senior scientists/engineers the chance to pursue self-directed research aligned with sponsoring laboratories' goals, 2) Enhance comprehensive research efforts of participating laboratories, 3) Provide recent doctoral graduates a platform for focused research collaboration with permanent laboratory staff, and 4) Foster professional growth by providing opportunities to gain skills, experience, and connections with leading scientists, ultimately enhancing career prospects in academia, industry, or government research roles. The programs provide mentorship, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to influence government policy.

Additional InformationLocation: Gaithersburg, MD Additional URLs:

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rap/nrc-research-associateship-programs

https://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/fellowships/afrl

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02290

https://www.nationalacademies.org

https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/D13308589A09EC935FA87723EB963103495DB429AE7F?noSaveAs=1

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/rap/for-applicants

Supporting Linkhttps://ra.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/opportunity.aspx?LabCode=50&ROPCD=506421&RONum=C0942