This is our time: Working on biodegradable plastics

AI model

Polymers are the building blocks of plastic. Milad Golkaram’s team has created polySCOUT, a machine-learning program to develop new biodegradable polymers. ‘Our AI model predicts the chemical structure of whatever polymer we want. So, if you need a material with certain properties, you enter those properties into the model, and then the model produces a chemical structure for a suitable polymer.’

Already in use

TNO is already using it in the field, such as in our collaboration with Senbis, a textile manufacturer. The aim is to develop biodegradable synthetic textile fibres. Milad: ‘The synthetic textiles we use a lot today produce microplastics that enter the water cycle, eventually ending up in our food and drink. Ideally, you want these microplastic particles to break down before they enter our bodies.’

Pushing boundaries

There are often a lot of questions when it comes to biodegradable plastic. Is it strong enough? Is it sustainable? Is it scalable? How long does it last? Is it toxic? Is it affordable? The polySCOUT model can answer these, Milad explains. 'We are creating something unique, pushing the boundaries of science and technology in this field. That’s what I’m proud of.'

Immediate result

PolySCOUT also saves a lot of time. Milad: ‘Back when I was studying, we had to go into the lab to develop new polymers. It was a matter of trial and error, a process that can take years. With machine learning, our model learns more and more about the properties of polymers. It can recognise correlations faster than people can, and draw conclusions from them. This means you actually get the desired result almost immediately.’

‘Some are sceptical about the use of AI, or think it’s too complicated. They are always positively surprised when we show them what we can do with polySCOUT. As a result, we now have several companies who want to work with us, especially in the Netherlands. Getting a foothold in the rest of Europe is our next challenge.’

Putting the puzzle together

Milad’s work on polySCOUT brings together his three biggest motivations: polymer science, sustainability, and AI. ‘I’m very proud to be part of a team of experts. It is like putting a puzzle together: everyone brings their own in-depth knowledge from an array of fields. We complement each other and help each other. Maybe that’s why TNO is the only organisation I know that’s doing it this way. It is very interdisciplinary.’