Innovating solutions to plastic pollution: Atharwa Thigale breaks it down.
Atharwa became infatuated when his father, a chemical engineer, brought him to work at the chemical plant. He began puzzling out the process of how the chemical reactions he did in his school lab in a small beaker could be carried out in a huge scale reactor. Growing up in a home with a mother who is a chemistry teacher and a dad who is a chemical engineer, he was immersed in conversations around chemistry, processes, production, and safety.
As an undergraduate student at the prestigious Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai in India, Atharwa learned the basics of how chemical processes and production worked. Academically, while he was fascinated with specialty chemicals education, he was also interested in conventional chemical engineering and technology. During his time at ICT, he explored the potential of the chemical industry to impact everyday life, while also gaining a deep appreciation for the critical importance of safety in chemical production. Atharwa participated in multiple internships, including assisting a group of industrial researchers in synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts and refining the process of removing dye from wastewater using membrane technology.
For his academic accomplishments, he was awarded the Dyestuff Manufacturers Association of India Award for Excellent Overall Performance and the J. S. Sarna Gold Medal for achieving the highest GPA in his program. In recognition of his research contributions, he received an award for his presentation at the 2018 International Conference on Materials and Engineering Sciences and earned second prize in the 'Industry Defined Problems Competition' for his innovative and multi-faceted approach to recovering monoethylene glycol and salt from the aqueous stream of a pigmentation process.
As an undergraduate, Atharwa studied from the textbook Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, co-authored by two RPI faculty members - Professors H.C. Van Ness and M.M. Abbott. The department's global academic influence left a strong impression on him. Additionally, he has long admired and been inspired by Prof. Shekhar Garde, Dean of the RPI School of Engineering and a distinguished alumnus of ICT Mumbai. These connections, along with his growing passion for research, solidified his belief that RPI was the ideal place to develop as a researcher and innovator.
At RPI, Atharwa has continued to demonstrate the same enthusiasm for problem-solving that defined his academic journey in India. Currently, he is working with Dr. Sangwoo Lee to address the global plastic pollution problem. “His work explores low-energy pathways to break down persistent polymer chains into high-value products,” said Sangwoo Lee. Shockingly, nearly 80% of plastics are not recycled, leading to significant environmental and health risks globally. Atharwa is working on a solution to this crucial problem by using super acids to break down polystyrene, which is commonly used in Styrofoam cups, food packaging, and automotive parts, and is highly resistant to degradation. He mapped out the chain-cracking mechanism of the polystyrene and developed a computational model to validate the team’s experimental results, comparing them with traditional degradation methods. This process is relatively quicker and produces high-value byproducts such as benzene, which has a high potential for upcycling for pharmaceuticals, dyes and intermediates, perfumes and fragrances, pesticides, and other products.
Beyond his dissertation work, Atharwa has contributed to several interdisciplinary projects. He is investigating novel degradation strategies for polyfluoroalkyl substances, "forever chemicals", studying block copolymer micelles for the formation of photonic fluids and crystals, and collaborating on the development of new polystyrene-based membranes for virus and sterile filtration with Professor Georges Belfort’s group. He has also worked with Professor Helen Zha’s group on rheological studies of hydrogels made from silk derivatives. [AT2] Atharwa has taken full advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities at Rensselaer and is contributing to multiple research groups.
Mentoring undergraduate students has been a particularly rewarding part of his Ph.D. experience. His efforts are appreciated by his students and faculty alike, as he received the 2022 Philip A. Groll Best Teaching Assistant Award.
Atharwa has also been involved in numerous non-academic pursuits. In India, he successfully managed the logistics and coordination of a marathon with nearly 4,000 runners. He served as the liaison between experienced professionals from various fields within Rotaract, an international volunteer service organization (NGO), and a group of young adult students, facilitating the sharing of valuable experiences and guidance. Through Rotaract, he participated in various service projects focused on raising awareness about blood and organ donation. He was also a part of multiple beach cleanup drives, where the presence of plastic in natural environments became a motivating factor for Atharwa to pursue research in plastic upcycling.
Continuing at RPI, Atharwa served as a graduate senator, advocating for graduate student mental health and well-being, especially for incoming and international students. He has been involved with efforts to strengthen the sense of community among graduate students and provide social support on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, Atharwa is deeply involved in cultural and community activities. He led a large team in organizing a traditional Dhol-Tasha performance at New York State’s first-ever Diwali celebration in Albany, proudly showcasing the culture of Maharashtra, his home state in India. Previously, he also served as Vice President of the Graduate Indian Students’ Association, helping organize campus events like Diwali and Holi to bring students together through cultural celebrations. He is an avid cricket player and has won several tournaments with his team, the Rangers. Atharwa shared that a quote from his favorite cricketer M.S. Dhoni, “The process is more important than the results. If you take care of the process, you will get results,” has kept him motivated throughout his PhD journey.
After completing his Ph.D., Atharwa is excited to pursue a career in industry, particularly in polymer materials development or semiconductor manufacturing. He’s passionate about translating lab-scale innovations into real-world technologies that can have a broad impact.
“What excites me most about my work is its potential to create meaningful impact, from developing sustainable materials and advancing recycling technologies to supporting cleaner solutions for public health and the environment. I hope my research contributes to a future where plastic waste becomes a valuable resource rather than a growing problem,” said Atharwa.
