{"id":32759,"date":"2021-04-26T16:33:55","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T15:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=32759"},"modified":"2021-04-26T16:33:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T15:33:55","slug":"revolutionary-zinc-oxide-development-could-have-a-global-environmental-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/04\/26\/revolutionary-zinc-oxide-development-could-have-a-global-environmental-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Revolutionary zinc oxide development could have a global environmental impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

Engineers have developed a sustainable way of making zinc oxide, a key ingredient in many products like sunscreen, batteries, tyres, and sensors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new technique, developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London, is cost effective and much better for the environment\u00a0 as it requires 95% less energy than the current method.<\/span><\/p>\n

The team was led by<\/span> Dr Kyra Sedransk Campbell<\/span><\/a> from the University\u2019s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. She and<\/span> Jason Hallett<\/span><\/a>, a professor in Sustainable Chemical Technology at Imperial College, co-supervised Ph.D student<\/span> Francisco Malaret<\/span><\/a> for this project.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dr Campbell explained that her focus in her research is how to make the world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI can see how much of a global environmental impact we can make, which matters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I spend my whole career on that, then I will feel that I have done something good, which is something that drives me to do scientific research.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The new process of making zinc oxide uses a \u201cone-pot\u201d method, compared to the traditional method which uses a 900C furnace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Campbell explained: \u201cYou add in the ingredients and change the environment and conditions around it. We use a lower temperature, water-based process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn’t have the same energy input requirement, so it\u2019s better for the environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt\u2019s not complicated or expensive either, meaning we can produce it in large quantities, which is a hugely important factor when it comes to costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to make a better quality product at a lower price point, and that’s where our technology shows to be significantly better than it\u2019s competition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In personal care products, such as sunscreens, it is essential to make a cost effective ingredient for products. Zinc-based sunscreens are currently very expensive, and cheaper sunscreens contain chemicals that are harming marine life. The aim to make a higher quality zinc oxide crystal at a lower price point is beneficial, as most people are unable to afford high-end products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The three scientists have now launched a spin-out company<\/span> Nanomax<\/span><\/a> to commercialise the technique. The company is currently patent-pending but has already had discussions with many reputable companies, such as<\/span> Tata<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> Liberty<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Campbell\u00a0 explained: \u201cWe want to work with companies to deliver this new method, but similarly we can work with them to help produce high quality products. We\u2019ve started on this with sunscreen manufacturing; had some interest with new zinc-based batteries, and we are engaging with Dunlop for their tyres.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe\u2019re now part of the Imperial Venture Mentor Scheme. We have two mentors who are helping us navigate this next phase of the company, which is to scale-up in delivery and find partners.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all well and good developing a method but if you don\u2019t take it to a commercial place then it won\u2019t actually make a global impact.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The company is focused on manufacturing the active zinc oxide ingredient, as well as reducing the impact manufacturing has on the environment by replacing outdated technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe actually formed the company so we could do a<\/span> Climate-KIC<\/span><\/a>, which is a competition for clean energy companies. We came in second place in England.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Campbell explained that her team of researchers are using the process on recycled zinc, meaning no significant environmental footprint. Nanomax will be working alongside companies like<\/span> British Steel<\/span><\/a> by separating the zinc out of their waste stream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She said: \u201cAny process requiring a new material has an impact on your entire environmental footprint. So, we\u2019re trying to change it. We\u2019re not mining anything new for our process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is talking about the manufacturing of new sunscreen, which is so important. But the bigger picture is that the process itself has the potential to deliver this circular economy, and the process can be used for other materials too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Engineers have developed a sustainable way of making zinc oxide, a key ingredient in many products like sunscreen, batteries, tyres, and sensors. The new technique, developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London, is cost effective and much better for the environment\u00a0 as it requires 95% less energy than the current […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":33250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[99,473,475,104,476],"class_list":["post-32759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","tag-environment","tag-imperial-college-london","tag-sunscreen","tag-university-of-sheffield","tag-zinc-oxide"],"yoast_head":"\nRevolutionary zinc oxide development could have a global environmental impact - Sheffield Wire<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/04\/26\/revolutionary-zinc-oxide-development-could-have-a-global-environmental-impact\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Revolutionary zinc oxide development could have a global environmental impact - Sheffield Wire\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Engineers have developed a sustainable way of making zinc oxide, a key ingredient in many products like sunscreen, batteries, tyres, and sensors. 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