University Calendar

Physics Colloquium - Is it ok to eat out of plastic containers? - Margaret Elmer-Dixon

Margaret Elmer-Dixon
Assistant Professor of Physics at MSOE

Title:
Is it okay to eat out of plastic containers?

Abstract:
Plastic is everywhere. As the scientific community tackles the detection and remediation of plastic-contaminated environments, we still don’t have a physical understanding of what happens to plastic as it ages. In 2022, our group showed that plastic undergoes surface restructuring during induced aging that introduces new optical properties into previously inert samples. Since then, we have developed several techniques to interrogate these evolving plastic surfaces. Here we will discuss new probe techniques for optically inactive materials and see how these detection methods inform us about the material we are studying.

Location:	Youngchild 115
Sponsor:	Physics
Contact:	Physics
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