The purpose of this paper is to sketch the environmental engagement among ACS chemists, in particular through the lens of membership figures, for the 1960-1990 period. I will argue that this history should not be forgotten.
This inaugural edition of the Sustainable Chemistry Investment Report offers real-time insights into the innovation ecosystem supporting the commercialization of products and services that deliver high performance without harm to people or the planet. Trends can be identified to monitor, evaluate, and help position startups and investors alike for optimum benefit. However, tracking investment in sustainable chemistry presents unique challenges.
The Washington Science Teachers Association (WSTA) in partnership with the Washington Department of Ecology is committed to teaching in ways the support our environment in terms of green chemistry and sustainable design.
This report resulted from the event, "Scaling Sustainable Chemistry for an Industrial Transformation Forum and Roundtable," held in August 2024.
Three specific areas were addressed in the event and are summarized in the report:
1. Scaling Technologies: The development of new chemicals and processes is a fundamental task that has critical challenges for scaling.
Chitin, the most abundant aminopolysaccharide, can be found in the exoskeleton of crustacean shells, a major waste product of the fishing industry. The water-soluble derivative of chitin, chitosan, acquired through a process of deacetylation affords derivatization and processability of this natural biopolymer. Traditionally, deacetylation processes utilizing harsh chemical conditions and high energy inputs limiting scalability and sustainable practices. Furthermore, these methods result in depolymerization, presenting low molecular weight fragments.
This work focuses on the development of sustainable strategies for carbon capture and utilization (CCU), a key technology for mitigating global warming by using CO₂ as a renewable carbon source.
Here we explored the role of quaternary ammonium salts in enhancing CO₂ capture and activation with NaBH₄. The presence of these salts resulted in both shorter reaction times and improved efficiency.
The sustainability of agricultural practices is increasingly critical amid environmental challenges. While effective, traditional soil-based agricultural methods often contribute to soil degradation and resource depletion. The earth’s topsoil has eroded by 50% during the last 150 years. In addition to this, soil has also been affected by agricultural practices. These effects include compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation, and soil salinity [1].
