Riley Sullivan, an undergraduate in the Madia Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics, showcased his research at the Pittcon Conference and Exposition on March 5 in Boston, MA. His poster, “Activated Carbons from Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) Nut Husks: Synthesis and Characterization,” explores the development of activated carbon biochar from hickory nut husks, offering a sustainable approach to wastewater contaminant removal.
“This research demonstrates how natural, renewable materials can be used to develop cost-effective solutions for environmental challenges,” Sullivan said. “It’s exciting to contribute to the growing field of green chemistry and sustainable water treatment.”
Pittcon, the world’s leading annual conference and exposition on laboratory science, typically attracts around 10,000 attendees from academia, industry, and government across 90 countries worldwide. Presenting at the conference provided Sullivan with the opportunity to share his findings with experts in chemistry and environmental science. His work was conducted under the mentorship of Sanda Andrada Maicaneanu, a distinguished professor in the CBP Department.
Sullivan’s research highlights the potential of biochar materials in environmental remediation, and he hopes to further explore their applications in future studies.