Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith is a Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University, affiliated with the College of Science. He serves as the Academic Access Advocate and leads research focused on sustainable materials science, particularly in developing composites from industrial and agricultural waste. His laboratory is located in Hunter Hall, and he maintains active collaborations across chemistry, environmental engineering, and materials science.

Smith’s research emphasizes upcycling post-consumer plastics, plant oils, and fossil fuel byproducts into durable composites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. His work integrates green chemistry principles to address environmental challenges while advancing polymer design. Key themes include sulfur-based polymerization, lignin valorization, and cross-industry waste integration.

His publications span 20+ years, with recent focus on high-strength composites, flame-retardant formulations, and waste-to-materials strategies. While specific grants or awards are not listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained innovation in sustainable materials engineering. He collaborates with industry partners to translate academic findings into real-world applications.

Labs and teams: Smith’s research group operates within the Hunter Hall Chemistry Laboratory, focusing on polymer synthesis, thermal analysis, and materials characterization. His team explores interdisciplinary solutions for environmental sustainability through advanced material science.