Post by Kunal Singh, PhD

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 that our work on “three-dimensional transient thermal barcodes” for improved plastic recycling has been featured by University at Buffalo News. https://lnkd.in/g_6paUar Our research demonstrates a new mid-infrared and thermal-imaging-based approach for identifying common waste plastics through their unique, time-dependent heat signatures. By converting molecular absorption into a measurable thermal response, this work moves toward a cost-effective, scalable, and industrially relevant approach for high-speed, standoff plastic identification on recycling conveyor belts. The technology has demonstrated the ability to identify all six common commercial plastics—PET, PP, PS, HDPE, LDPE, and PVC—as well as black plastics, which remain a major challenge for many current sorting technologies. I am deeply grateful to my mentors and co-authors, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 and 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁, for their guidance, encouragement, and scientific leadership throughout this work. Their vision and support have been instrumental in advancing this idea from an initial concept toward a practical sensing platform. I would also like to sincerely acknowledge the 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at the University at Buffalo, as well as the 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, for supporting this research. I am also thankful to the entire Center team for the valuable discussions during our bi-weekly meetings, which helped strengthen the work. I am proud to be part of a team working at the intersection of advanced sensing, custom instrumentation, and sustainable materials management. We hope to further develop this technology toward real-world industrial implementation and contribute to cleaner, more efficient plastic recycling. #PlasticRecycling #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #MidInfrared #ThermalImaging #MaterialsScience #RecyclingInnovation #UniversityAtBuffalo #NYSDEC #EngineeringResearch