Research summary
Whether we realize it or not, many of the modern technologies, materials and medicines we depend on create pollution when they are produced. But green chemists are looking for ways to eliminate this pollution. While traditional pollution-prevention techniques capture pollutants before they escape, green chemists like Dr. Philip Jessop are redesigning chemical processes and products to avoid creating pollutants in the first place.
As Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry, Jessop is designing greener, more efficient materials, solvents and methods for chemical manufacturing to reduce the resources and energy used and the damaging pollutants produced. In particular, Jessop and his research team are focusing on recycling waste carbon dioxide and improving the efficiency of converting biomass to useful products.