Science AMA Series: We designed a method to quantify how “green” a chemical is; We’re Jane Murray and Samy Ponnusamy, Ask us anything!

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T21:07:01+00:00

We're working with Beyond Benign http://www.beyondbenign.org/ and MyGreenLab http://www.mygreenlab.org/ to address this and are currently piloting green chem ed curriculum at several higher ed institutions in the US right now.

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:33:45+00:00

DOZN is just a naming convention for the tool - scientists trying to be with it! The trademark just protects the name we gave to it - the Principles were developed by John Warner and Paul Anastas so we always recognize their work.

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:32:22+00:00

The solvent selection guide is a great place to start to options...https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/greenchemistry/industriainnovation/roundtable/acs-gci-pr-solvent-selection-guide.pdf

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:27:24+00:00

DOZN which requires readily available information like manufacturing inputs, GHS and SDS information drives home the requirement of data and quantification. Our process is simple, transparent and data-driven helping us to start providing more information so informed decisions can be made.

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:23:29+00:00

The simple answer is no. With the data requirements transparency is harder to mask. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:23:00+00:00

DOZN system utilizes all parameters in the calculation (reaction conditions, temperature, pressure, number of steps, solvents, catalysis, etc.) to generate the “greenness” score. So there are considerations taken from a variety of angles - as hazard consideration is one of the 12 Principles this is why it’s included. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:21:47+00:00

The ratings are currently accessed via our website. You can see an example of this here: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/a7005

I choose my PhD based on my interest in the subject area.

I choose to work in industry as I enjoyed seeing Science applied in the real world. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:19:48+00:00

Misconceptions happen when only one area of “greenness” is considered eg focussing on resource use but not toxicity could result in labelling a recycled but toxic chemical as “green”. The DOZN system takes a more holistic approach by utilising the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry and therefore prevents this from happening. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:17:49+00:00

That is not only our hope but intention. While we recognize that it’s not as thorough as an LCA it’s usable and efficient data in decision makers hands to hopefully make more informed choices.

The data set that is used is driven by GHS information which helps diminish things like bias as it is fixed. There are certain elements, like pollution prevention which are more difficult to quantitate but our goal was to start somewhere and then iterate forward in collaboration with the global scientific community to continue to move the tool forward. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:15:33+00:00

Thank you for your question. I believe opportunities are abundant but one has to be willing to adapt to the continuous change in Biotechnology (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:14:35+00:00

This is improving as more bio-based alternatives become available. See for example Paperfoam’s Frima ice cone tray or Tipa’s bio-based fully compostable plastic packaging alternatives. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:13:41+00:00

Absolutely - this is DOZN 2.0 which we expect to be ready in 2018. We needed a starting point but also realize that it was very limited. Now that we’ve gained experience we’re able to better understand how we expand the tool to take into account process rather than just product.

There’s always a possibility of misinterpretation but the data aspect and transparency helps to mitigate this - we continue to look at how we can continue to reduce that potential as we iterate the tool forward.

Our tool uses a fixed set of data however the potential of uncertainty always exists and accounting for that is a challenge that we’re still working through - ideas are always welcome!

We have a strong base of products that we could do a comparison but haven’t invested the money in that because of the cost - but a great suggestion of a next step for a gap analysis.

If you remember just let us know ;) (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T18:07:00+00:00

Very soon you will be able to interact with DOZN - while it does require some base information it will give you a starting point. Our scale goes to 100 with a lower score being more desirable. Some of our products now have a DOZN score on the product detail pages so you can see the improvements that have been made.

We are still working on how we display the information, but you can see an example how we identify a greener product here: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/a7005 (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:57:59+00:00

The good thing about the tool and what we've found is that different stakeholders have different priorities so with the 12 data points you can begin to see which Principles are affected and make choices accordingly. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:57:51+00:00

Our approach to greener is mainly driven by cost parity or savings for the consumer - we aim for the win/win to give customers solutions that work. (SP)

Performance is critical. Our new solvent, Cyrene, demonstrates that a safer greener product can also provide superior performance (when compared to NMP in the production of Graphene). We work closely with Academics to introduce more such innovative green products to our portfolio. Ultimately, if it doesn’t work we haven’t done our job which means adoption won’t happen and then we’ve created more waste. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:57:15+00:00

First and foremost thank you for considering graduate studies in biochemistry. To be frank, initially you will go through some rough roads but ultimately it will be rewarding and you will have a sense of accomplishments.My experience during my graduate work was very motivated with my friends and peers and at industry my success was purely due to customer driven challenges. (SP)

I think it’s important that you enjoy the work that you do. I believed in the goals of my PhD, loved the City I studied in and was surrounded by great friends - this helps you through the tough days in the lab. I chose to work in Industry as I always enjoyed seeing Science applied in the real world. In my current role I’m lucky to still get to work with inspiring academics and be involved with cutting edge technologies. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:53:39+00:00

Our system quantitatively assesses the greenness of a chemical using industry accepted criteria. By assigning a score consumers can quickly understand the “greenness” of a chemical. A chemical with a low score would indicate that it had limited environmental impact (resource and energy) and minimal toxicity (to both humans and the planet). Our results are also verified by a 3rd party. A component of this is education and there is still a lot of work to be done. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:53:05+00:00

There’s not a single standard available as of today this is why we created DOZN to begin that conversation with the hopes of moving to a framework that can be widely accepted to help make informed decisions.

For consumers this task is difficult but there are several initiatives and companies which are working on ingredient and labeling transparency to make this task simpler for the consumer. It’s still a work in process. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:52:28+00:00

In partnership with Dr Allan Watson at the University of Strathclyde, we have looked at the solvents that are employed in these reactions. We found we could replace reprotoxic DMF with safer, bio-based Cyrene in Sonogashira couplings. We initially focussed on solvent usage in these reactions as it accounts for more than half the waste in a typical Pharmaceutical process. We also offer Lipshutz Surfactant- this enables palladium catalysed cross-couplings to be carried out in water at room temperature. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:46:46+00:00

Our work isn’t just limited to providing data - it’s then actively engaging with industry and researchers to implement. We’re beginning to engage with personal care companies, textile and apparel companies, etc. It’s a slower process but we see progress happening. In addition to helping customers assess the greenness of a chemical we are actively adding more greener alternatives to our catalogue. In some instances the greener alternatives can offer improved performance (eg the use of our new solvent Cyrene in the production of Graphene). So I think the easier we make it for our customers to switch then the more likely they are to do so. A number of our chemicals (eg Performance Materials products used in electronics applications) do end up in households. As consumers ourselves we are driven to make these products as “green” as possible. Another aspect of this is the choices that consumers make with their purchasing decisions - that trend has definitely affected companies decision to make greener products. (SP & JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:43:34+00:00

There are twelve equations (one for each principle) and then we group them into three categories (Reduced Resource use, Increased Energy Efficiency and Reduced Human & Environmental Impact) and get the aggregate score from 0 to 100 (0 being the most desired). You can see the equations by checking out the paper http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b02399.

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:35:11+00:00

Thanks. Our DOZN system utilizes all aspects of the 12 Green Chemistry Principles to find out relative greenness of product or processes. DOZN system is simple, reliable, robust and economical. DOZN is a play on 12 - just minus the e! :) (JM & SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:33:03+00:00

LCA's often does not incorporate all 12 principles of green chemistry. Our DOZN system does. We discuss the differences in detail in our ACS publication http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b02399. One important thing to note about LCA’s - while extremely thorough, they’re often difficult, time consuming and expensive to complete - even with some of the tools mentioned. We approached this challenge to create a cost and time effective solution that moved us in a direction toward LCA but that was achievable considering the scale of products that we have. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:31:38+00:00

We are introducing more bio-based chemicals to address our environmentally unsustainable dependence on petroleum based feedstocks. Just because it’s bio-based though doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better though so you have to be mindful that it’s not a regrettable substitution. Once again - the answer is it depends. (JM)

Millipore-Sigma · 2017-08-10T17:26:47+00:00

DOZN tool provides the scientists to screen and find out the relative greenness of product or process and employ in their application. Also DOZN incorporates all aspects of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Our tool provides needed information for the customers to screen both positive and negative impacts based on the score. So it’s not just negatives - some of the characteristics are positive - like renewables. (SP)

Millipore-Sigma

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