(UB)
University at Buffalo (UB)
Initiative for Plastics Recycling
Research and Innovation
A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation supported center

Thomas Thundat

PhD

T. Thundat.

Thomas Thundat

PhD

Thomas Thundat

PhD

SUNY Distinguished Professor
Chemical and Biological Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Research Topics

Novel portable and standoff chemical and biological sensors for applications in health, environment, and safety; clean energy harvesting technologies; instrumentation for energy efficiency and sustainability

Biography Research Teaching Latest News Publications

Latest News

  • UB scientists invent ‘transient thermal barcodes’ to improve plastic recycling
    6/18/26

    A UB research team, including by Amit Goyal, Thomas Thundat, and Kunal Singh, CBE PhD student, is developing a “three-dimensional transient thermal barcode” system that could rapidly identify plastics for recycling. 

  • Scientists invent ‘transient thermal barcodes’ to improve plastic recycling
    6/18/26

    Heat-based signatures rapidly distinguish between common commercial plastics; could help address global pollution.

  • Study: New device and method detect percentage of recycled plastic in plastic products
    3/23/26

    University at Buffalo researchers aim to provide regulators and others a quick and reliable way to assess sustainability claims.

  • Study: New device and method detect percentage of recycled plastic in plastic products
    3/21/26

    UB researchers have developed a new device and method that can measure the amount of recyclable materials in plastic. 

  • Grants support $2.75 million effort to develop advanced recycling technologies
    11/3/25

    Projects include creating new uses for discarded tires, and establishing a testbed for advanced sorting technologies.

  • Thundat named SUNY Distinguished Professor
    5/18/23

    Thundat is an internationally renowned scholar known for developing micro- and nanomechanical chemical and biological sensors.

  • Keysite Challenge
    11/22/22
    Congratulations to Yaoli Zhao, Patatri Chakraborty and  Vishali Maheshkar for winning the Keysight  Innovation Challenge 2022 at Keysight Technologies.