Novel, Transient, Thermal Barcode System for Highly Accurate, High-Speed, Automated Plastics Sorting

The overarching goal of this project is to develop a novel and transformative sorting technology, Transient Thermal Barcode (TTB) technology, that can rapidly and efficiently sort all 7 types of plastics cost-effectively. The TTB technology is based on molecular fingerprinting integrated with machine learning, AI, and robotics and can identify polymer/plastics-based textiles and apparel not presently recycled.

This project seeks to reduce primary feedstock by 1.46 million metric tons (MMT) of PP and LDPE, reduce energy consumption by 48.5 PJ energy reduction, and decrease emissions by 1.6 MMTCO2e.