Polymer Circularity in Sustainable Energy

Prof. Sabu Thomas is a globally renowned scientist and one of the leading researchers in polymer science and nanotechnology. He currently serves as Professor of Polymer Science & Engineering and was the former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. Prof. Thomas is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on polymer blends, nanocomposites, green materials, and sustainable polymers. Dr Bruno Ameduri leads the “Fluoropolymers and Energy” team at the Polymer Department of the Institute Charles Gerhardt in Montpellier, France. His main interests focus on the synthesis and the characterization of fluorinated monomers, including cure site monomers and telechelics, telomers, and copolymers for various applications such as F-surfactants, elastomers, coatings, and polymers related to energy (fuel cell membranes, polymer gel electrolytes for Li-ions batteries, electroactive materials and PV). Dr. Jince Thomas is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, Canada. He previously served as an Assistant Professor (on contract) at the International and Inter- University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, where he was later awarded the Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Postdoctoral Fellowship. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University. Dr. Thomas has contributed to a collaborative Indo- Malaysian research program with Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, and has held visiting research positions at Ariel University in Israel and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. He is the author and co- author of numerous peer- reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. His research focuses on polymeric membranes,electrolytes, polymer nanocomposites, and electrochemical energy systems, with a strong focus on computational simulations to support materials design and performance evaluation Dr. Martin George Thomas is a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute Charles Gerhardt, University of Montpellier, CNRS, France. Dr. Thomas works in the area of recycling and reuse of fluoropolymers being used in membrane applications. Prior to joining the University of Montpellier, he worked as a Research Engineer in Selenis Specialty Polyester Solutions, Italy. Dr. Thomas has completed his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of polymer science and engineering. He earned his PhD in the domain of polymer materials science/physical chemistry at the University of Pau, France, where he focused on marine-based bio-polymer-based materials. During his undergraduate and master programmes, he has undertaken research internships under the supervision of Prof. Manfred Stamm at the Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF Dresden), Germany, and the University of Maastricht under the guidance of Prof. Sanjay Rastogi in the Netherlands, respectively.

• 1. Fundamentals of Polymer Chemistry2. Global Challenges in Polymer Waste Management3. Regulatory Frameworks and Policies for Polymer Recycling4. Technological Advances in Polymer Sorting and Separation5. Advancing Polymer Reuse. Mechanical and Chemical Recycling Methods6. Advances in Chemical Depolymerization for Electroactive Polymers7. Recycling and Reuse of Polymers in Photovoltaic Technologies8. Recycling and Reuse of Polymers in Fuel Cells9. Recycling of Polymers in Space Energy Systems10. Recycling and Reuse of Conductive Polymers11. Recycling and Reuse of Fluoropolymers in Battery Technologies12. Polyvinylidene Fluoride. Recycling and Reuse in Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Technologies13. Sensing Technologies. Recycling and Reuse of Silicone Rubber14. Recycled Polyurethanes. Applications in Renewable Energy Technologies15. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Reuse and Recycling in Solar Technologies16. Degradation and Recycling of Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes for Fuel Cells17. Nafion. Circular Strategies for Recovery, Recycling, and Reuse in Energy Applications18. Polymer Binders in Battery Electrodes. Sustainable Recovery and Recycling Strategies19. Upcycling of Polymer Waste into High-Value Energy Products20. Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Polymer Recycling for Energy Solutions21. Case Studies on Polymer Recycling Projects in the Energy Sector22. Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling Up Polymer Recycling Infrastructure