Undergraduate Students File Patent through Biomaterials Research
This article is also available in Showcase magazine, featuring leading-edge teaching and research at Trent.
Getting published in a journal, or receiving a patent for an invention, is very unusual at the undergraduate level. But Bruce Darling and Mark Baker accomplished both, as undergraduate students conducting research at the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research (TCBR). They are amongst a number of undergraduate students who have benefitted from unique research opportunities at the TCBR.
Mr. Darling and Mr. Baker were both recently part of a team that discovered a family of compounds which suppresses the gel point of biodiesel, making it more useable at lower temperatures.
Lowering the Carbon Footprint
“This discovery has profound implications, both commercially and environmentally,” says Dr. Suresh Narine, a professor in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry, and director of the TCBR. “Europe and other temperate countries are having difficulty meeting their biofuels target because biodiesel gels in cold weather. This fuel additive can increase the uptake of biodiesel and make a contribution towards lowering our carbon footprint.”
A patent was filed in April, naming Mr. Darling and Mr. Baker as co-inventors, along with other researchers. Both are also named as first authors in a paper to be published later this year. “It’s quite unique, especially for an undergraduate who has only spent one year on a project, to publish in a recognized journal,” says Professor Narine.
Mr. Darling, who was a fourth-year physics student at the time, credits Trent’s culture and small size with providing unusual opportunities for undergraduate students. “Trent students are able to develop one-on-one relationships with mentoring faculty,” says Mr. Darling. “This can lead to research projects that are usually undertaken at a higher level.”
Mr. Darling also points out that the TCBR exposes students to an exceptional research and learning environment. The TCBR is a 7,000 sq. ft., state-of-the art research and technology development facility that focuses on the creation of petro-chemical replacements and biomaterials, from lipids.
“The TCBR is a world-class facility,” says Mr. Darling. “It contains all the instrumentation necessary for researchers to conduct complete and thorough examinations. But more than that, undergrads work side-by-side with graduate students and professors and interact with industrial partners who are interested in the research. You can’t get that learning experience in the classroom.”
Mike Floros, currently a graduate student at Trent, adds, “At the TCBR you get access to lots of equipment and supplies. But you also get great support from staff and the chance to learn from experts in the field.”
Undergraduate Student Publication Addresses Artificial Joints Made from Petroleum
As an undergraduate student, Mr. Floros was published in the journal Polymer Degradation and Stability for his part in addressing the issue of human body rejection of products made from petroleum, such as artificial joints.
Mr. Floros collaborated with researchers from Brazil, using nanocellulose derived from bananas to create a product that has strength and durability.
Shawna Miles, a fourth-year chemical physics student describes the TCBR as “a scientist’s heaven.” As a third-year student, Ms. Miles received a NSERC grant to study why glassy, complex fluids, such as lubricants, don’t crystallize at certain low temperatures. Her research may make it easier to manipulate lubricants to increase their utility, which will have high impact in specialized uses, such as satellites.
Chris Anzenberger is a forensic science and chemistry student who received a NSERC grant in his third year to conduct research on waxes, which could lead to a patent. “I was given a great opportunity to join a research team which was looking at alternatives to petroleum-based waxes,” says Mr. Anzenberger. “This led to my work involving metathesis to research applications for new nonpetroleum waxes. The result could be the development of waxes which are environmentally-sustainable.”
Brandon Harilall is a University of Waterloo undergrad who is on a co-op placement at Trent. “Trent students have a close relationship with their professors,” observes Mr. Harilall. “There is a sense of teamwork in the lab which I’m happy to be part of.”
Working with the Who’s Who in Industry
Prof. Narine points out that it’s unusual to have an internal research centre at a university that is as well-equipped and which works closely with the who’s who of industry. It’s even more unusual for third and fourth-year undergraduate students to participate in leading-edge research. “Trent students have the opportunity, at an early stage in their academic careers, to be involved in projects of potentially significant impact on the environment and on commercialization of new business ideas, which could additionally lead to authorship, patents or other career opportunities,” says Prof. Narine.
Calling his time spent at the TCBR “an amazing experience,” Bruce Darling adds, “The lab becomes a classroom that you’re excited to go to everyday.”
