Richard Venditti

Bio

Richard Venditti is the Elis-Signe Olsson Professor in Pulp and Paper Science and Engineering in the Forest Biomaterials Department at NCSU. He has 28 years of experience in research in the areas of renewable materials from plants, the bioeconomy, paper recycling, and environmental LCA. His research and teaching is involved in developing effective systems to transform renewable plant based resources into sustainable products. Venditti uses environmental life cycle analysis to guide and analyze research in bioproducts. He is currently heading a multi-organization research project to understand the fate of microparticles from laundering in the environment. He also is heading a $2.75 million dollar project on diversifying the bioeconomy workplace. Venditti received a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, was named a TAPPI Fellow in 2012, and was named a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Environmental Science in 2009. He has over 190 peer reviewed publications and three patents.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF INTERESTS:

Our research group has investigated microfiber generation through laundering for a variety of fabric types including different fabric finishes. We utilize a lab scale simulated laundering device and household laundering devices. We have a FQA that can do automated evaluations of microfibers and also a SEM with EDS for characterization of fibers. We have also evaluated the biodegradability in lake, sea, and wastewater treatment plants of microfibers, plastics and other materials. We have determined the impact of microfibers on the microbiome of lake and sea water. We have developed educational activities for citizen science experiments for K-12 students.

go.ncsu.edu/venditti

Publications

• Aquatic Biodegradation of Poly(beta-Hydroxybutyrate) and Polypropylene Blends with Compatibilizer and the Generation of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Biodegradation , JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (2023)
• Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Premium and Ultra Hygiene Tissue Products in the United States , BIORESOURCES (2023)
• Environmental sustainability perception toward obvious recovered waste content in paper-based packaging: An online and in-person survey best-worst scaling experiment , RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING (2023)
• Innovation in lignocellulosics dewatering and drying for energy sustainability and enhanced utilization of forestry, agriculture, and marine resources - A review , Advances in Colloid and Interface Science (2023)
• Observing Microplastics in the Environment through Citizen-Science-Inspired Laboratory Investigations , JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION (2023)
• Redesigning the appearance of recycled containers for packaging applications: The effect of paper waste physicochemical properties on the performance of paperboards with obvious recycled content , PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE (2023)
• Survivability of Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC 14208) and Listeria innocua (ATCC 51742) on lignocellulosic materials for paper packaging , HELIYON (2023)
• Using Activity Theory to understand the interactions of a university interdisciplinary team of scientists and science educators , STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION (2023)
• A Statistically Designed Evaluation of Nanocellulose, Refining and Cationic Starch on the Properties of Linerboard from Recycled Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) , BIORESOURCES (2022)
• Carbohydrate-based nanostructured catalysts: applications in organic transformations , MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY (2022)