Engineering alumna Kat Knauer is revolutionizing plastic recycling as Chief Technology Officer of the BOTTLE™ consortium, earning recognition as one of Chemical & Engineering News’ 2025 Talented Twelve for her groundbreaking work in chemical recycling and circular economy plastics

New synthesis method eliminates hazardous chemicals while creating high-performance sustainable polymers

Hoyong Chung’s laboratory at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has demonstrated a breakthrough method for producing polyurethane using lignin from plant cell walls and carbon dioxide, eliminating the need for toxic isocyanates in the manufacturing process.