One area the research team continues to investigate is the potential impact on forests if the manufacturing of this bioplastic is scaled up . While the process currently uses wood byproducts in manufacturing , the researchers say they are keenly aware that large-scale production could require usage of massive amounts of wood , which could have far-reaching implications on forests , land management , ecosystems and climate change , to name a few .
Yao says the research team has already begun working with a forest ecologist to create forest simulation models , linking the growth cycle of forests with the manufacturing process . She also sees an opportunity to collaborate with people who work in forest-related fields at YSE — an uncommon convenience .
“ It ’ s not often an engineer can walk down the hall and talk to a forester ,” says Yao .
Yao , an emerging scholar in the field of industrial ecology , joined the YSE faculty last year . Her research examines the environmental and economic impacts of emerging technologies and industrial processes ., integrating interdisciplinary approaches from the fields of industrial ecology , sustainable
" We ’ ve developed a straightforward and simple manufacturing process that generates biomass-based plastics from wood , but also plastic that delivers good mechanical properties as well .”
— Yuan Yao , assistant professor of industrial ecology and sustainable systems
engineering , and systems modeling to develop techniques that promote more sustainable engineering approaches and policies .
Written by Josh Anusewicz joshua . anusewicz @ yale . edu
MARCH 2021