Plastic is an amazing material because it’s so durable. Plastic is a persistent challenge because it is so durable. Both are true… and conflicting.
Such is the juncture where Naba Kalita works.
“The most challenging – and interesting – aspect of my work is identifying parameters for biomaterials that not only perform well during use, but also degrade efficiently and safely at the end of their life cycle,” he explained.
Kalita joined the NRRI team as a Biomaterial Research Scientist in October, 2024 to lead installation and commissioning of a new Biodegradation Lab at NRRI Duluth. His work focuses on balancing material performance with environmental sustainability.
“We want to ensure that new materials do not introduce unforeseen ecological risks,” Kalita added. ”These are the key scientific and practical challenges that drive my research.”
Europe to the U.S.
He came to NRRI from “across the big pond” working at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom developing sustainable materials. He completed his post-doctoral research as a Fellow in the Polymer Technology Division at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. His focus there was on biodegradation, biopolymer processing and enzyme-embedded biopolymers.
“My broad field of study is the preparation of biodegradable materials that are chemically and organically recyclable, researching their environmental fate, and reducing plastic waste in ecosystems,” said Kalita. “My analytical abilities include advanced quantitative respirometry and biomaterial characterization.”
Building & Collaborating
Kalita’s new research lab will concentrate on the compostability and environmental impact of new biomaterials. With collaborators across the University of Minnesota system and with national lab partners, he is developing new testing protocols and translating findings into practical solutions. He leans on the expertise of chemists, engineers and data scientists.
The new Biodegradation Lab will have a cutting-edge, fully automated respirometer that can analyze test samples in soil, compost and water. It will also have incubators and an autoclave for pressurized sterilization. The team started up the respirometer in a temporary space in May.
“This lab will be a useful tool across the University of Minnesota system as it is a unique and dedicated biodegradation lab,” said Kalita. “We have future plans to upgrade the laboratory to “biosafety level 2” for working with microbes that can degrade plastics.”
Kalita is especially appreciative of the engineering expertise of colleague Kory Jenkins to get this lab up and running.
“His expertise and knowledge helped me a lot to understand various procedures and protocols that are required to be followed while setting up a new laboratory at UMN,” said Kalita. “This behind-the-scenes technical assistance allowed me to focus on and accelerate the lab’s preliminary operational launch setup.”
Off Hours
Making the jump to a new country might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it suits Kalita.
“I have a deep love for travel and cultural exchanges,” he said. “My keen interest in history has taken me through various European, Japanese, and ancient Indian cities, exploring and reliving the cultural past the world has gone through.”
But when not in a lab, you might find him in a kitchen cooking spicy foods such as mutton (lamb) dishes.