This week, Northern Exposure welcomed Dr. Mahdi Vaezi, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and director of NIU’s Bioplastics Laboratory, for a talk exploring how circular biocomposites can be developed from regional residues. Dr. Vaezi’s presentation offered an inside look at how sustainable materials move from research to real-world application.
Dr. Vaezi began by introducing the NIU Bioplastics Lab, which was originally established in the 1970s and revitalized in recent years by Dr. Vaezi to address contemporary environmental challenges. The lab focuses on feasibility and research studies that transform plastic waste and agricultural byproducts into usable forms such as pellets and filaments. A key portion of the talk focused on manufacturing and processing techniques, including injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, blow molding, and many more. These methods allow researchers to test how biodegradable materials perform under real production conditions rather than just in theory.
Dr. Vaezi also emphasized the importance of mechanical testing and material characterization. Using ASTM- and ISO-compliant equipment, the lab evaluates tensile strength, impact resistance, puncture resistance, and tear resistance, and other aspects that ensure safety and quality of products. Additionally, environmental and regulatory compliance testing, along with barrier and shelf-life testing, further ensure that these materials can safely be used in consumer-facing products.
Throughout the talk, Dr. Vaezi passed out examples of some of the products the lab has been working on, such as completed projects of soy-based spoons and forks, ongoing development of edible clear plastic films, and flexible and structural hemp materials. More products in the works include edible SPI-CNF spray coatings and green PCBs. Together, these projects highlight the lab’s commitment to creating materials that are not only environmentally responsible but also commercially viable.
Dr. Vaezi also shared with us some of the recent news from the bioplastics lab incudinng a recent visit from Illinois U.S. representative Darin LaHood and a CNN video. Dr. Vaezi’s presentation offered a compelling reminder that sustainability is not a single breakthrough moment, but a long-term process. And for any students, graduate or undergraduates, interested in working with the lab, feel free to reach out to Dr. Vaezi; they are always looking for more hands on deck and minds to pick.