BCGC Portfolio

Green Chemistry Initiative Report

Link to Report

Greener Solutions 2024: Alternatives to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Hair Conditioners

Final Presentation

Final Report

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), like behentrimonium chloride (BTAC) and cetrimonium chloride (CTAC), are commonly used in hair conditioners to make hair smooth, glossy, and easier to comb. However, these compounds pose significant health and environmental risks. L'Oréal is working on finding safer, more biodegradable alternatives, but this is a challenge across the industry.

The goal is to find...

Greener Solutions 2024: Safer Alternative Coatings for Slow Release Fertilizers

Final Report

Final Presentation

In partnership with Tidal Vision, this project looks at the challenges of creating sustainable and effective fertilizers that can boost agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental harm. Current synthetic fertilizers, especially nitrogen-based ones, cause major environmental issues like greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and soil damage. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) could help by...

Greener Solutions 2024: Safer Preservatives for Laundry Detergents

Link to Final Report

Link to Final Presentation

Link to Preservative Safety Index Data

This project provides recommendations for finding safer preservatives for laundry detergent, hand soap, and dish soap, aiming to replace phenoxyethanol. It looks for alternatives that are just as effective, or even better, but with fewer health and environmental risks....

Greener Solutions 2023: Safer Alternatives to Flame Retardants in Firefighter Stationwear

In partnership with the International Association of Firefighters, this team examined safer alternatives to halogenated flame retardants used in firefighter stationwear.

Final Presentation

Final Report

Greener Solutions 2023: PVA in Laundry Sheets with ECOS

In partnership with ECOS, this student team examined potential alternatives to PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) in laundry detergent sheets.

Final Presentation

Final Report

Greener Solutions 2023: Safer Foaming Agents For Athletic Shoe Midsoles with Nike

In partnership with Nike, this student team was tasked with identifying safer alternatives to Azodicarbonamide (ADCA) used as a blowing agent to create foams in the midsole of athletic shoes.

Final Presentation Slides

Final Report

Green Materials Innovation Challenge 2023: Hair Relaxers

In this first cohort of Berkeley Changemakers Green Materials Innovation undergraduate course, student teams partnered with Black Women for Wellness to investigate safer alternatives to sodium hydroxide & phthalates in hair relaxers.

Recording of webinar

Recording of Final Presentations

Final reports (undergraduate course):...

Greener Solutions 2022: PFAS-free Fire Fighting Turnout Gear

Students were challenged to identify safer alternatives to the PTFE laminate moisture barrier currently approved by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971 Standards, which certify firefighter turnout gear. The student team was partnered with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), a labor union made up of firefighters and scientists, representing firefighters and paramedics in the United States and Canada.

Final Report and...

Greener Solutions 2022: Moisture Barrier for Seaweed-based Poly Mailers

This project focused on identifying potential strategies that Sway, a San Francisco Bay Area startup developing seaweed-based films, could implement to enhance the moisture resistance of their seaweed-based poly mailers, while also maintaining optimal mechanical performance, biodegradability, and compostability.

Final Report Final Presentation Slides...