Linzixuan (Rhoda) Zhang and colleagues from the Jaklenec Lab developed a biodegradable alternative to microplastics commonly used in health and beauty products. These new microparticles, made from poly(β-amino ester) polymers, are designed to dissolve in the stomach, making them safe for ingestion and ideal for applications like vitamin and nutrient delivery in food fortification. The research addresses both environmental concerns—by replacing persistent microplastics—and global health challenges, such as micronutrient deficiencies.

To support this work, the team utilized high-performance computing resources at the MIT SuperCloud and Lincoln Laboratory Supercomputing Center, both part of the MGHPCC consortium. These computational tools enabled the modeling and simulation of particle behavior under various conditions, accelerating the design and testing process. The project showcases how shared supercomputing infrastructure can drive innovation in sustainable materials science and public health.