Sichuan chemist scoops first IULTCS Young Leather Scientist Award
The first recipient of the Young Leather Scientist Award, presented by the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS), has been awarded to Dr Yunhang Zeng from Sichuan University of China.
Her proposal relates to a better understanding of enzymes which IULTCS says is an area of great practical interest for the leather industry.
Entitled ‘Investigation of mass transfer and action mechanism of enzymes in unhairing and bating processes using fluorescence tracing’, the research aims to establish an appropriate method for directly observing the transfer of enzymes in skin/hide materials, and to find the conditions for effective transfer and reaction of enzymes in animal pelts. The results may guide tanneries to improved application of enzymes in leather making.
Yunhang Zeng received her PhD in leather chemistry and engineering in 2013 and works in the National Engineering Laboratory for Clean Technology of Leather Manufacture at Sichuan University. She focuses on research of enzyme and has published articles on enzymes in JALCA and made presentations at IULTCS congresses.
Dr Luis Zugno, chairman of the ULTCS Research Commission (IUR), said: “We are delighted with the submissions, but unfortunately have only one YLSA Award. We do plan to issue another grant for 2016, and details will be provided later this year.”
