Graduate student Aaron Guan (MIE) has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship, after beating out students from across Canada at the AUTO21 TestDRIVE competition in Mississauga, Ont.

The national competition showcased leading-edge automotive technologies developed in part by Canadian university graduate students. AUTO21 provides funding to 38 R&D projects at 46 universities across the country.

Guan’s win is thanks to his work in developing an alternative to today’s petroleum-based plastics found in car parts. His solution is a biodegradable plastic that is strengthened by shrimp and crab-shell fibres.

“The world is facing a crisis – plastic is everywhere, we can’t live without them, and since it’s primarily derived from oil, we are running out. We have to find an alternative,” said Guan, who is working under Professor Hani Naguib (MIE) in the Smart & Adaptive Polymer Lab (SAPL) at U of T.

The use of seafood shells may sound peculiar to some, but as Guan explained, the shells’ fibre, called chitin nanowhiskers, provide a higher mechanical strength than conventional plastics found in auto parts. “And shells are already going to waste, so it’s a great way to make use of something that would normally be thrown away,” he added.

Going into the competition on February 1, Guan wasn’t expecting to win. “My expectation was that I’d get a free lunch and three minutes of face time. But after I presented, I did feel like I did quite well,” he said.

“Congratulations to Aaron Guan on his much-deserved first place win and scholarship,” said Professor Jean Zu, Chair of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. “He is an example of how our MIE graduate students are working to make a positive and lasting impact in the manufacturing industry.”