Abstracts
Sponsor: Mehmet Dik
Christine Ortiz, Ph.D. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Vu-Anh Le '25 | Ha Noi, Viet Nam |
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Mathematics
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Life Cycle Assessment of Biodegradable Plastic Packaging Subject to Comprehensive Organic Sorting
Vu Anh Le (1,2), David Zoro (1,3), Mike Waggoner (3), Christine Ortiz (1)
(1) Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139 (2) Department of Biology, Beloit College, Beloit, WI 53511 (3) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105 USA
Organic waste decomposition in landfills is a major contributor to approximately 14% of methane emissions in the United States. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the world’s energy is consumed in the production of plastic packaging. A comprehensive solution that addresses both issues by reducing energy-intensive packaging and reusing organic waste could yield substantial environmental benefits. This paper introduces a potential remedy named "The Big Green Loop" (BGL). In the BGL approach, high-performance organic packaging is created from organic waste diverted away from landfills. This value chain is made possible through recent advancements in organic waste valorization and cutting-edge packaging technology developed in collaboration with our industry partner, Corumat, Inc. This innovative packaging technology allows the creation of high-performance packaging using as little as one-third of the materials required by competing technologies. Prototypes have already been successfully produced using organic waste sourced from landfill diversion. This paper provides a systematic analysis of each step within the BGL process value chain, offering calculations of environmental impacts across various scenarios and scopes. Our calculations estimate that sourcing organic waste diverted from landfills, replacing conventional packaging with reduced environmentally friendly materials, and facilitating the diversion of additional organic materials through improved value chain economics can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and potentially yield other positive environmental effects.
**Keywords: Life Cycle Impact Assessment, Organic Sorting, Biodegradable Plastic
Sponsor: Mehmet Dik
Quoc-Hung Le (Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Reso)
Vu-Anh Le '25 | Ha Noi, Viet Nam |
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Mathematics
|
Monitoring Subsidence Trends in Vietnamese Underground Water Exploitation Zones using InSAR Analysis
Quoc-Hung Le (1), Vu-Anh Le (1,2)
(1) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Hanoi, VN 100000 (2) Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Beloit College, Beloit, WI 53511
Land subsidence is an escalating concern in Vietnam, particularly in urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and the Mekong Delta region. A 2019 report by the Copernicus EMS program highlights trends in ground subsidence, using InSAR technology. Subsidence rates vary spatially and in intensity, with hotspots in certain areas. Techniques like deep boreholes and traditional methods are employed to monitor subsidence in the Mekong Delta region. The project aims to delineate, assess, and monitor subsidence using InSAR technology in key regions. Results indicate diverse subsidence patterns from 2007 to 2010, with varying levels across different provinces. Notably, certain regions experience higher subsidence funnel centers. However, while the SBAS-INSAR technique ensures accurate monitoring, natural and human-induced factors must be considered during data acquisition, affecting actual subsidence rates. Despite challenges, this technique offers reliable insights into the complex phenomenon.
Keywords: InSAR technique, subsidenc
