Carnegie Mellon University

close-up of yellow substance in vial in laboratory

August 17, 2015

'Yellow chemistry' turns sulfur waste into plastics

Research by alumnus Jeff Pyun: New chemical recipe could turn sulfur waste into key ingredient for lighter, cheaper electric car batteries

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Jeff Pyun (S'2002) and a team of collaborators have mixed up a chemical recipe for sulfur-based plastic, and they’ve already used it to make everything from toys and lenses to a 45 record. But, ultimately, they're thinking of much bigger applications with this new class of plastics. Their new chemical recipe could turn sulfur waste into key ingredient for lighter, cheaper electric car batteries.

Watch the National Science Foundation video: 'Yellow chemistry' turns sulfur waste into plastics.