Polymer professor awarded CenTiRe research funds for sustainable tire recycling project
Dr. Toshikazu Miyoshi
Dr. Toshikazu Miyoshi, a professor in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, and his research assistant, Marziyeh Shabani, have been awarded $122,114 in research funding from the Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe). The grant supports a new two-year project launching in August 2025 under CenTiRe’s Sustainability Thrust Area.
The project, titled “Smart Devulcanization of End-of-Life Tires: Enhanced Interface Along with Mechanical Properties in SBR Compound,” addresses a pressing global challenge — how to recycle waste tires into high-performance rubber materials.
Marziyeh Shabani
The research focuses on "smart devulcanization," a process that selectively breaks the chemical bonds in vulcanized rubber without damaging the main polymer chains. This allows end-of-life tires to be reused in new rubber compounds without sacrificing performance. The ultimate goal is to reduce reliance on virgin rubber by integrating recycled material that meets or exceeds current performance standards.
Miyoshi’s proposal outlines four key research objectives:
- Selective devulcanization using non-thermal ultrasonic processing
- Development of new chemical agents to aid the devulcanization process
- Blending recycled and new rubber to optimize mechanical performance
- Advanced testing to evaluate structural integrity and selectivity of the process
By advancing both the chemistry and processing methods for tire recycling, this project has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of discarded tires. If successful, it could enable the reuse of up to 50% recycled material in new rubber products, paving the way for a more sustainable tire industry.
About CenTiRe
The Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe) is a university-industry consortium dedicated to advancing pre-competitive research in tire materials, physics, testing, manufacturing and sustainability. Supported by global tire manufacturers, material suppliers, vehicle makers and test equipment providers, CenTiRe operates through two leading research institutions: Virginia Tech and 麻豆果冻传媒影音. Virginia Tech specializes in tire and vehicle mechanics, dynamics and road simulation, while 麻豆果冻传媒影音 is internationally recognized for its expertise in polymer science and engineering. CenTiRe projects are guided by industry members and carried out by university faculty and graduate students, ensuring research outcomes are relevant and transferable to member organizations.
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Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.