Mariappan Parans Paranthaman

Mariappan Paranthaman: Pioneering Sustainable Innovation with Tire Waste

Mariappan Paranthaman, a renowned inventor and researcher based in Knoxville, TN, has gained wide recognition for his contribution to sustainable innovation with waste tires. With 37 registered patents under his name, Paranthaman has been a key player in the field of electrochemistry and materials science over the last two decades.

One of his latest patents, which has caught the attention of industry players and environmental advocates alike, centers around the use of waste tires to create carbon supports for oxygen reduction catalysts. This invention provides a practical solution to address the mounting environmental challenge posed by waste tires. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, around 290 million scrap tires are generated every year in the US alone.

The method devised by Paranthaman involves a series of steps that begin with pyrolyzing rubber to produce carbon black, which is then activated using an alkali anion compound to provide an activated tire-derived carbon support. Finally, the activated carbon-based supports are loaded with platinum cubes to provide an electrocatalyst. The innovation has been described as a breakthrough in the field of energy storage and conversion, transforming waste tires into valuable resources.

Paranthaman's other invention focuses on the production of biofuels with novel salts impregnated tire-derived carbon catalysts. This development enables the production of biofuels in a more environmentally friendly manner, enhancing the carbon efficiency of the process. The invention makes use of a porous carbon composite impregnated with a salt, which serves as a catalyst. The novelty lies in the use of tire-derived carbon composite, which is more sustainable than traditional carbon sources and provides cost savings.

Paranthaman's extensive research experience also includes work with UT-Battelle, Inc. and the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. His achievements have not gone unrecognized, resulting in several accolades and honors, including R&D 100 Award, Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Excellence in Technology Transfer Award, and the ORNL Distinguished Inventor of the Year Award.

Paranthaman worked alongside Tolga Aytug and other colleagues, further demonstrating his collaborative spirit and commitment to advancing science and innovation. With his dedication to sustainable innovation and tireless pursuit of improving energy storage and conversion processes, Paranthaman proves to be a formidable force in the field of materials science.

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