Dr. Allen’s research interests fall in the area of polymer chemistry, in particular environmental remediation and renewable resources. Presently, the group is focusing upon plastics. While plastics are generally condemned for their destruction of the natural environment, Dr. Allen’s group hopes to create biodegradable polymers that are able to replace traditional LDPE and HDPE in plastic bottles and grocery bags. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are therefore being modified with aryl substituents and H-bond donors and acceptors. These modifications to the polymers are intended to increase the tensile strength of the otherwise very brittle systems, as well as improve their thermal properties. Of particular interest is what the effect of each modification will be upon the polymer viscosity and elasticity.
