polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Hermann Emil Fischer-Nobel prize 1902 Emil Hermann Fischer, more commonly known as Emil Fischer, was an eminent German organic chemist. He received the 1902 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his influential research regarding purines and sugars. Fischer followed Baeyer to Munich in 1875 as an assistant, becoming a Privatdozent (unpaid lecturer) in 1878, and an assistant professor in 1879. During his time in Munich Fischer continued his research on hydrazines. Together with his cousin Otto, Fisher demonstrated that rosaniline and related dyes were derivatives of triphenylmethane. Three years later, having now a reputation as an excellent organic chemist, Fischer accepted the position of Professor and Director of the Chemistry Institute at Erlangen in 1882, later accepting a similar position in Würzburg in 1885. During this time, Fischer began his research on the active constituents of tea, coffee and cocoa (caffeine and theobromine). His research led him to reali...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Plastic is everywhere. And many products we use in everyday life, such as cutting boards, clothes and cleaning sponges, can expose people to tiny, micrometer-wide plastic particles called microplastics. Now, chewing gum could be added to the list. In a pilot study, researchers found that chewing gum can release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece into saliva and potentially be ingested.  The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics. Our goal is not to alarm anybody,” says Sanjay Mohanty, the project’s principal investigator and an engineering professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). “Scientists don’t know if microplastics are unsafe to us or not. There are no human trials. But we know we are exposed to plastics in everyday life, and tha...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Grilamid TR : Grilamid TR is the trade name for EMS-GRIVORY’s family of amorphous polyamides based on cycloaliphatic and aromatic blocks. Careful selection of the monomers results in stellar transparency threaded in the family’s DNA. The latest addition to this comprehensive product range is Grilamid TR FE 11292. This is the first transparent polyamide worldwide which can be repeatedly sterilised at temperatures of 134 °C using steam sterilisation processes, well-suited for use in medical applications. Grilamid TR product line combines optical clarity with high-performance attributes: • Brilliant transparency • Excellent fatigue resistance • Superior dynamic strength • High chemical resistance • Extraordinary environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) • Low specific gravity • Minimal water absorption • Long-term thermal stability • Barrier resistance to O2, N2, and CO2 • High impact strength at low temperatures • Exceptional dimensional stability • Outstan...

At its highly anticipated annual summit, Airbus reaffirmed its determination to shape the future of aviation with cutting-edge hydrogen technology. The company shared significant updates to its strategic vision, including plans for a revolutionary single-aisle aircraft expected to launch in the latter 2030s, as well as advancements in the ZEROe project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at driving hydrogen-powered aviation forward. Bruno Fichefeux, Airbus’ Head of Future Programmes, highlighted the importance of hydrogen in the company’s sustainability strategy, stating, “Hydrogen remains central to our commitment to making aviation greener. Our commitment is steadfast, even as we refine our roadmap. Much like the automotive industry’s transformation through electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered fuel cell aircraft have the potential to redefine air travel while complementing the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels. A Visionary Hydrogen Aircraft Concept One of the summit’...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share I praised the incredible power of Dynamic Rheology to study polymer flow behaviour and the polymer molecular structure. To be totally fair, I have to also acknowledge the equally valuable power of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA or DMTA). The principle is strictly the same, with an in-phase and out of phase response. The test is however conducted on solid samples (tension, torsion, bending...) and is most useful in a Temperature sweep approach, ideally from cryogenic temperatures up and above Tg. The data produced (in addition to the Tg value) can help assess the damping characteristics of the polymer for NVH aspects for instance. The observation of multiple sub-Tg transitions is of great spectroscopic interest to understand molecular motions and segmental movements. These transitions are the key reason for toughness observed below Tg in many polymers, a performance aspect we rely upon everyday in our plastic parts. Subtle plasticizing or anti-plasticizing ...

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, exhibited at Enforce Tac 2025 in Germany from February 24–26. It showcased its expanding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber solutions for body armor, helmets, and hard armor panels, including its lightest hard ballistic materials, Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332. Visitors experienced the future of personal protection firsthand at the Dyneema® booth in Hall 9, booth number 9–650. Up to 30% weight savings: Dyneema® is committed to helping protect the men and women responsible for keeping communities around the world safe. With a fully integrated product portfolio aimed at protecting the whole person, Dyneema® offers outstanding ballistic protection at drastically reduced weights. Applications that incorporate Dyneema® ballistic material, such as ballistic helmets, soft armor vests, hard armor plates/inserts, and armor for vehicle and platform protection, can help provide defense against both legacy and emerging threats. Dy...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Scientists Engineer Bacteria To Break Down Microplastics Found In Wastewater: Microplastics — the ubiquitous tiny plastic particles that are the result of the breakdown of plastic water bottles, packaging and synthetic clothing fibers — can run through wastewater treatment plants, making their way into the environment. Researchers have engineered bacteria that is commonly found in the treatment plants to break down microplastic pollution before it has a chance to persist in the environment. “Wastewater treatment plants are one of the major pathways for microplastics to enter the environment. In general, microplastics are contaminants of global concern that pose risks to ecosystems and human health,” the authors wrote in the study. “With a focus on wastewater, a major pathway for microplastics to enter the environment, this study demonstrates a proof of concept for engineering environmental...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share How AuREUS Solar Panels are Changing Renewable Energy The AuREUS  solar panel is a groundbreaking UV-absorbing solar panel technology designed to revolutionize renewable energy. Unlike conventional  solar panels that rely on direct sunlight, AuREUS can generate electricity even under cloudy conditions, expanding solar power applications to windows, walls, and even clothing. This revolutionary invention was developed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, an engineering student from Mapúa University in the Philippines. His work on AuREUS earned him the prestigious James Dyson Sustainability Award, recognizing its potential to reshape solar energy systems for urban environments. With the ability to harvest ultraviolet (UV) light that penetrates through cloud cover, AuREUS offers a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional solar panels, making clean energy more accessible in diverse setti...