Michael Timko

Chemical Engineering
Professor
EDUCATION
BS Chemical Engineering Ohio State University Honors and Distinction 1998
MS Chemical Engineering Practice Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2001
PhD Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2004
Postdoc Harvard University 2004-2006
Expert Bio

Professor Timko studies the environmental and engineering aspects of clean energy technologies, with a specific emphasis on liquid transportation fuels. His work involves studying the fundamental chemical engineering science – including transport, phase behavior, and reactor design – to develop new technologies for converting under-utilized energy resources into fuels and chemicals. His work on a project exploring the feasibility of turning plastic waste from waterways into fuel to power the waste cleanup was profiled by WGBH and NBC Boston. He also is involved in analysis of technology to increase polystyrene recycling.

Research areas/Expertise
biofuels
clean energy
renewable energy
Renewable Fuels
Fuel refining and desulfurization
green chemistry.
thermodynamics
Reaction engineering
waste-to-energy technologies
sustainability
Energy
Carbon emissions/greenhouse gas emissions
Green energy
Clean Technology
Climate Tech
PFAS

Media Coverage

See More Media Coverage
Recycling Today
Chemical engineers in US, UK analyze polystyrene recycling process

“Our analysis finds polystyrene to be an ideal candidate for a chemical recycling process.” – Professor Michael Timko on the study he authored with colleagues from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the University of Bath. The analysis found a simple and scalable technology could increase the viability of recycling products like food packaging and packing peanuts. WPI authors include Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis and PhD students Elizabeth Belden (’24) and Madison Reed. This analysis was also reported on in Plastics Today, Recycling Today, and The Business Magazine.

For media inquiries please contact:

Colleen B Wamback Associate Director, Public Relations

Colleen B Wamback
Director of Public Relations

Jon Cain Senior Public Relations Manager

Jon Cain
Senior Public Relations Manager

Steven Foskett,

Steven Foskett
Public Relations Manager

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