How Can Silicones Contribute to Sustainability? Dissolving Automobile Tires

The D’Arcy McGee Beacon Fellowship Lecture

Beacon Fellow: Michael Brook, Faculty of Science Chair in Sustainable Silicones, McMaster University Ontario
Host University: Technological University Dublin

• Topic: “How Can Silicones Contribute to Sustainability? Dissolving Automobile Tires”
• Date: Wednesday, March 10th
• Time: 14.30 GMT / 9.30 EST
• Duration: 1 hour

Mike’s talk will examine sustainability from a silicon chemist’s perspective. A brief introduction to implementation of Sustainable practices at McMaster, including an academic Minor, will be given. The majority of the presentation will examine how silicones – which we all use daily – can contribute to sustainability; a justification of this conclusion will be provided by examining both their good and bad points. Several examples of sustainable science using silicones will be provided, including the ability to take used automobile tires and convert them back to materials that, in turn, can be converted back to rubber. This talk is about how we all need to work harder to ‘close the loop’ with nature in all our activities. The event will conclude with a Q&A. Please find further details about Mike Brook and his work below. To join the live stream of this event, please click on this link.
Live captions generated via Otter.ai will be provided during the event. If any additional accommodations are required to participate, please contact blackwja@mcmaster.ca as soon as possible.

Michael A. Brook

Mike Brook is a Distinguished University Professor at McMaster University, Hamilton Canada. He is an expert in silicon, silica and silicone chemistry. He wrote the solely authored book Silicon in Organic, Organometallic and Polymer Chemistry (Wiley) in 2000 and won the F. S. Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society in 2016, the Macromolecular Science & Engineering Award, from the Chemical Institute Canada in 2017 and was a Canadian Killam Research Fellow in 2003-2004. His main interests revolve around the application of silicon chemistry to materials science, particularly in using greener processes to make silicone and improving their overall sustainability.

Ireland Canada University Foundation

The relationship between Canada and Ireland is strong, far reaching and deeply rooted in history. Based on firmly held shared values, both countries share a vision for a society which is inclusive and tolerant, supportive of individual liberty and considerate of its responsibility to future generations.
The ICUF was founded to make a positive contribution to society, through the promotion of such shared values, which it does through the organisation of scholarly exchange and related events, and the support of academic and research networks linking both countries.

The D’Arcy McGee Beacon Fellowship

From afar, a beacon provides light, guidance and hope in challenging times. The D’Arcy McGee Beacon Fellowship facilitates such critical connection over distance. This programme enables leading Irish and Canadian academics, researchers and thinkers to connect online, in a programme of activity designed to nurture and develop strong and fruitful collaborations which will enrich connections between our two countries.

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