LSU Engineering, BASF Partnership on Display in Sustainable Living Lab
September 20, 2022
BATON ROUGE, LA – Five years ago, the LSU College of Engineering and BASF officially
opened the BASF Sustainable Living Laboratory in Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Since then,
research conducted in the lab has ranged from developing a portable water filtration
system using visible light from the sun to creating new functional polymers and nanoscale
composites for healthcare, energy, environmental, and other industrial applications.
The lab, which was funded by a $1 million donation from BASF, is the first of its kind at LSU and in the Southeast region. The innovative space promotes problem-based teaching.
“BASF, through its partnership with LSU and the creation of the BASF Sustainable Living Lab, is driving sustainable solutions to improve quality of life for the world’s growing population,” said Jerry Lebold, BASF senior vice president and Geismar general manager. “Our long-standing relationship with LSU is a great example of the successful partnerships BASF creates in the communities in which we operate and the lab demonstrates how we can work together to meet global needs.”
Not only does the lab bear BASF’s name, it was also constructed using BASF products. The flooring, paint, and ceiling are all made by the company, and the space features a state-of-the art communication system that enables virtual participation through webcasting technology.
Researchers chosen to reside in the lab must meet several key criteria, including research designed to meet sustainable solutions as defined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, independent funding for their research, and a STEM educational outreach plan for the local schools and community.
“The BASF Sustainable Living Laboratory provides an outstanding example of how industry and academia can work together to make a meaningful difference,” said John Flake, chair and professor in the Cain Department of Chemical Engineering. “The projects related to clean water and polymer recycling aren’t just important to BASF or LSU; they represent critical needs for the planet. I am grateful for both the research and teaching that is enabled by the lab.”
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, NJ, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,700 employees in North America and had sales of $25.9 billion in 2021. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.
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Contact: Joshua Duplechain
Director of Communications
225-578-5706
josh@lsu.edu