AEI Prep Taiwan

Break PET plastic down into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol ... in SPAAAAACE.

Explore Our Project

Project Abstract

Our 2026 iGEM project is intended for deployment to space to allow recycling of materials in space. Because in space, nobody can hear you call for the recycling truck ... and fresh raw materials are expensive.

The Problem

Currently astronauts haul very expensive plastic containers into space, use them once, and jettison them through the nearest airlock.

Our Solution

We use GMO yeast to make enzymes, and those enzymes break the plastic down into chemicals that can make new plastic filament for 3D printing.