Building a clean-energy future, brick by brick – Clark University

Report on Sustainable Development Research at the D’Arcy Laboratory

Introduction

This report outlines the foundational research conducted by the student research team under the direction of Professor Julio D’Arcy, the Carl J. and Anna Carlson Endowed Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The laboratory’s work is situated at the intersection of material science, engineering, and chemistry, with a primary focus on developing technologies that address global challenges in renewable energy, climate change, and health. The research aligns directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

Core Research Areas and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The laboratory’s projects focus on the development and study of synthetic polymers and organic semiconductor nanoparticles. This research is supported by a $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER Award. The primary objective is to create polymers with high electrical conductivity for a range of sustainable applications.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

A significant portion of the research is dedicated to innovating energy storage solutions integrated into common infrastructure, contributing to sustainable energy systems and resilient urban environments.

• Smart Bricks: Development of red bricks, utilizing their native iron oxide (rust), as energy storage devices. A polymer, Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) or PEDOT, is polymerized on the brick’s surface, enabling it to function as a battery. This addresses the need for decentralized, affordable energy storage.
• Micro-Supercapacitors: Research into creating tiny batteries from conducting polymers grown on carbon fiber paper. This technology supports the development of energy-efficient smart wearables and contributes to advancements in portable energy storage.
• Lightweight Batteries: The study of nanoparticles facilitates enhanced ion transport, enabling rapid charging and the development of lightweight batteries for applications in sustainable transportation.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The laboratory is developing materials with direct applications in public health, sanitation, and medical technology, aiming to improve health outcomes and ensure access to clean water.

1. Antibacterial Surfaces: Research is underway to create self-sterilizing tiles by applying smooth polymer coatings to masonry. The interaction between the polymer, a power source, and the iron oxide in the bricks initiates a Fenton reaction, producing peroxide radicals that effectively kill bacteria and superbugs. This directly supports SDG 3 by promoting hygiene in critical environments like hospitals and kitchens.
2. Atmospheric Water Harvesting: A project focuses on polymer films of polypyrrole, which form nanotube structures capable of attracting and storing atmospheric water. This technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water in arid regions, directly addressing SDG 6.
3. Biomedical Applications: The synthesis of spherical, nanometer-sized PEDOT particles via aerosol vapor polymerization is being explored for biomedical uses. Due to their size and safety profile, these nanoparticles could be used to enhance MRI imaging, contributing to improved medical diagnostics under SDG 3.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure & SDG 4: Quality Education

The lab’s work not only fosters technological innovation but also serves as a critical training ground for the next generation of scientists, promoting quality education and building capacity for sustainable industrial development.

• Advanced Manufacturing Processes: The team is developing a novel method using aerosol vapor polymerization to produce organic semiconductor nanoparticles rapidly and efficiently. This innovation addresses a commercial need and contributes to sustainable industrial processes.
• Student-Led Research and Development: The laboratory provides extensive hands-on experience for 17 undergraduate and graduate students. They are involved in all stages of research, from designing and building reactors to conducting experiments and preparing journal articles, embodying the principles of Quality Education (SDG 4).

Conclusion: Societal Impact and Future Outlook

The research conducted in Professor D’Arcy’s lab demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing critical global challenges through scientific innovation. The development of conductive polymers and nanoparticles has far-reaching implications for multiple sectors. By embedding sustainability into foundational materials like bricks and polymers, this work has attracted significant interest from industry and investors. The successful implementation of these technologies promises a substantial societal impact, contributing directly to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a more sustainable and resilient future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article discusses research with direct applications to human health. This includes developing “self-cleaning tiles that kill superbugs” for hospitals, creating “antibacterial coatings” for operating rooms and kitchens, embedding “micro-batteries in clothing to monitor your health,” and improving medical imaging through “semiconductor nanoparticles to improve MRIs.” These innovations aim to create healthier environments and improve medical technology.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The article emphasizes the educational aspect of the research lab, which involves “17 undergraduate and graduate students.” It highlights that students are “gaining hands-on, career-ready experience and preparing to publish journal articles.” The funding of students through various fellowships (Weiller, Murdock, Penn Family) and the mentorship provided by graduate students to undergraduates further underscore the commitment to high-quality scientific education and training.

3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   The research addresses the global challenge of water scarcity. One student’s work focuses on polymer films with applications for “atmospheric water harvesting” and “water purification.” The article explicitly states this could benefit “areas of the world that need clean drinking water.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring the availability of clean water.

4. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   A central theme of the research is renewable energy and energy storage. The lab is working on developing “red ‘smart bricks’ charged to provide electricity,” which function as energy storage devices. The research also aims to “lower costs for energy storage in devices” and enable the development of “lightweight batteries for transportation applications.” This work contributes to creating more efficient and accessible clean energy solutions.

5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   The article is fundamentally about scientific innovation and its potential industrial applications. Professor D’Arcy’s lab is described as a “material science, engineering, and chemistry lab” developing “state-of-the-art technology.” The research on “organic semiconductor nanoparticles,” “synthetic polymers,” and new manufacturing methods like aerosol polymerization, funded by a “$500,000… National Science Foundation CAREER Award,” is a clear example of enhancing scientific research to foster innovation and upgrade technological capabilities.

6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The research on “smart bricks” and adding “sustainability into construction materials” like steel or concrete directly contributes to the development of sustainable infrastructure for cities. The idea that “construction materials are going to make you live longer, or… be able to store energy in bricks” points toward creating more resilient, self-sufficient, and sustainable urban environments.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

  The development of “self-sterilizing brick tiles” and “antibacterial coatings” that “kill superbugs” is a direct technological approach to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, a significant global health risk.

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

  The lab provides students with “hands-on, career-ready experience” in advanced chemistry, material science, and engineering. This training, which includes conducting research, publishing articles, and presenting at events like “ClarkFEST,” equips them with highly relevant technical skills for future careers in science and industry.

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

  The research into polymer films for “atmospheric water harvesting” and “water purification” aims to create new technologies to generate clean drinking water. The article notes this could “benefit areas of the world that need clean drinking water,” directly addressing the goal of universal access.

• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

  The foundational research on energy-storing bricks and lightweight batteries, funded by a major national grant and attracting interest from “hundreds of private companies, global investors, and journalists,” represents an effort to advance and disseminate clean energy technology that could be scaled up for widespread use.

• Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers.

  The entire lab’s work, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a direct embodiment of this target. It focuses on foundational scientific research (“synthesis of organic semiconductor nanoparticles”) with the goal of creating commercially viable products that “manufacturers want,” thereby upgrading technological capabilities.

• Target 11.c: Support least developed countries… in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials.

  While not exclusively focused on least developed countries, the research on turning a common and local construction material like brick into a “smart” energy storage device provides a model for creating sustainable and resilient buildings. This innovation could be adapted globally to make housing more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 3 (Health):

  The effectiveness of the antibacterial materials is an implied indicator. The article mentions the formation of “peroxide radicals that are so good at killing organisms like bacteria.” Progress could be measured by the percentage reduction of bacterial colonies on these surfaces compared to standard materials.

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Education):

  The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators: the number of students involved in research (“17 undergraduate and graduate students”), the number of research fellowships awarded to students, and the number of publications and presentations (“published by Nature Communications,” “presented twice at ClarkFEST”).

• Indicators for SDG 6 (Water):

  An implied indicator is the efficiency of the water collection technology. Progress could be measured by the volume of clean water generated per unit of material over a specific time period through “atmospheric water harvesting” or purification processes.

• Indicators for SDG 7 (Energy):

  The article implies several performance metrics. For energy storage, this includes the energy capacity of the materials (e.g., kWh stored per brick) and charging speed (“rapid charging”). For conducting polymers, a direct indicator is mentioned: “We want to make a polymer that conducts electricity. The more it conducts, the better.”

• Indicators for SDG 9 (Innovation):

  Clear indicators are provided, including the amount of research funding (“$500,000, five-year National Science Foundation CAREER Award”), the number of scientific publications, and the level of commercial interest (“hundreds of private companies, global investors”). The development of faster production methods is also a key metric, as one student aims to increase nanoparticle production from “a hundred particles in one run” to “200 or 300.”

• Indicators for SDG 11 (Cities):

  An indicator for progress would be the successful integration of energy storage capacity into standard construction materials. This could be measured by the energy density (e.g., watt-hours per cubic meter) of materials like bricks, steel, or concrete.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: clarku.edu