Isfahan Scientists Develop PEEK-based Nanocomposite Powder for Aerospace Industry

Researchers at Isfahan University of Technology have developed a poly (ether ether ketone) /silica polymeric nanocomposite in powder form by mechanical alloying for aerospace industry applications. They claimed PEEK as advanced engineering polymer with excellent chemical resistance and high favorable erosive and frictional behavior. Scientists revealed that the main objective of this project was to develop a method for the synthesis of polymeric base nanocomposites so that the product is prepared in powder form.

However, extremely low solubility in common solvents and high melting temperature (about 340° C) created problems for them to use common methods which, lead to the discovery of new procedure. Reinforcing nanoparticles were distributed and dispersed into the polymeric matrix by means of solid state processing and high energy ball milling (for 15 hours).

One of the research team members, Mehdi Hedayati concluded that molecular destruction won't evolve in the polymeric structure if the process parameters are adjusted. Also, an appropriate distribution and dispersion of nanoparticles in polymeric matrix is achieved by modification of surface chemical behavior of silica nanoparticles. Hedayati further said that they held good negotiations with Iran airplane manufacturing industries (HESA) and a contract with the novel industries department of the Ministry of Industries and Mines which, is in the final stages of endorsement.

Symphony Supports EU Commission's Proposal Investigate on Plastic Waste Problem in the Environment

Symphony Environmental Technologies, specialists in controlled-life, Oxo-biodegradable plastic technology has welcomed the announcement by the EU Environment Commissioner, Janez Potocnik to investigate the problem of plastic waste in the environment.

The announcement, which came at a meeting of EU Environment Ministers in Brussels, included the intention of the Commission to launch an impact assessment and "the possibility of a Europe-wide ban on plastic bags".

In response to the announcement, Michael Stephen, Deputy Chairman of Symphony, said: "We welcome the Commissioner's intent to look into "all options", because the EU currently has no policy for plastic waste which gets into the land or sea environment and cannot realistically be collected for recycling or anything else. We look forward to introducing him to d₂w Oxo-biodegradable technology as a valuable tool for future policy. d₂w is no more a solution to plastic waste than catalytic converters are a solution to air pollution, but both technologies have an important contribution to make. Education also has a role to play, but it is unrealistic for the foreseeable future to think that there will be no plastic waste in the environment. There is no evidence whatsoever that biodegradable plastic of any kind encourages littering."

d₂w additive included at manufacture turns ordinary plastic at the end of its useful life into a material with a different molecular structure. At that stage it is no longer a plastic and has become a material which is inherently biodegradable in the open environment in the same way as a leaf. Approximate timescale for degradation can be set at manufacture as required.

Last month the UK Environment Agency published an LCA which recognised the environmental benefits of plastic bags, including those made of Oxo-biodegradable plastic, and Symphony does not believe that an EU ban on all types of plastic carrier-bags would be justified.

"The Commissioner's announcement is timely given the profusion of national schemes aimed at reducing the amount of plastic waste in the environment, some of which were rushed through and are based on confused scientific knowledge and the wrong technical norms. These should be replaced by a regulatory framework that is long-term, pan-European, realistic and sustainable."

FDA-approved Minimally Invasive PEEK Spinal Implants

Xiphos™ posterior interbody medical devices from Austin, Texas-based minimally invasive spinal implants supplier DiFUSION Technologies Inc. has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Xiphos™ device is made using Zeniva® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin from Solvay Advanced Polymers. The modulus of this biomaterial is kept quiet close to that of natural bone and offers chemical inertness, toughness, fatigue resistance and possesses radiolucent properties for X-ray; Zeniva® PEEK in medical implants can also be used as an alternative to metals such as titanium. The PEEK rod is used with supplemental internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine. Xiphos comes in variety of implant shapes and sizes as per patient anatomy and surgical need. The company plans to use Zeniva PEEK for future non-antimicrobial products too.

Boston Utilizes Teijin's BIOFRONT™ Heat-resistant Bioplastic to Make Eco-friendly Eyeglasses

Teijin Limited has announced that eyeglass frames made of its BIOFRONT highly heat-resistant bioplastic will be used in the JAPONISM series of eyeglasses by Boston Club Co., Ltd., a Japan-based globally active eyeglass maker. The eyeglasses will be marketed by Boston Club and sold in its directly owned shops in Tokyo and other retail stores nationwide from mid May. Boston Club expects to sell 2,000 pairs of the environmentally friendly eyeglasses annually.

BIOFRONT, a type of bioplastic, is produced from plant-based feedstock. It has a melting point of at least 210° C, which is significantly higher than that of conventional polylactide (PLA) bioplastic. BIOFRONT also is highly resistant to bleaching and bacteria, has good hydrolytic stability and achieves semi-crystallization in just 20-25% of the time required by conventional PLA, making it an excellent choice for many molded-plastic applications.

In 2009, Teijin Limited and Teijin Chemicals Limited, in collaboration with Tanaka Foresight Inc., which manufactures and sells approximately 60% of all plastic eyeglass parts in Japan, successfully developed eyeglass frames made from BIOFRONT. BIOFRONT eyeglass frames are currently available in the Katherine E Hamnett line of ethically and environmentally sound fashion.

Acetate is commonly used for the plastic parts of eyeglasses, but contact with cosmetics or hair-styling products can bleach the material. Acetate also tends to warp under high heat, and in some cases it can cause skin rashes. PLA has been used for nose pads because its antibacterial properties help to prevent rashes, but conventional PLA has not been used for parts such as frames and temples because of insufficient heat resistance.

Specialty Insulation Foamed Tanks Maintain Low Temperature for LNG

In Gwangyang, Korea, pipes in a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank terminal are now been insulated using specialty foam Basotect® from BASF for the first time. LNG gas needs to be stored and temporarily liquefied at low temperature, hence proper insulation of such pipes is very critical. The foam also protects pipes from high temperature conditions and provides flame retardancy too. Basotect's base material makes it flame-retardant and can be used at up to 240°C while retaining its properties over a wide temperature range. Basotect has an open-cell foam structure made from melamine resin, which is a thermoset polymer. This makes it lightweight foam (9g/l) due to which even heavy pipes can be easily moved if needed during inspection purposes and re-installed when through.

Injection-molded Cleaning Spray Bottle: Simple to Use - Complex in Structure

Replenish Bottling Founder Jason Foster developed 'Replenish', a household cleaning product. It is packaged in an intelligent and reusable spray bottle system which comprises of a two-part arrangement. Concentrate is stored in a reservoir of the pod that, when pushed, reaches the base of the bottle; here the unit of concentrate gets mixed with water. The delivery mechanism that connects the injection-molded bottle with injection blow-molded pod is more complex. The pod contains enough concentrate for four bottles of cleaner. The pods and bottle are made of Eastman Eastar™ copolyester.
Wowing industry with its smart functionality and pleasing aesthetics, the innovation has been declared as the finalist for the '2011 Edison Best New Product' Awards. Replenish also won the 'Alice Best New Product of 2010'.

Samsung Launches Eco-friendly Android Smartphone made Using Recycled Plastics

Sprint unveiled several progressive initiatives building on Sprint's environmental leadership in the wireless industry, including upcoming availability of the stylish Samsung Replenish™ from Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile). Samsung Replenish, an Android touch QWERTY smartphone enabled with Sprint ID, will be available on May 8 at the affordable price.

Sprint is waiving the $10 monthly premium data add-on charge for Samsung Replenish to make it easier for customers to make eco-friendly buying decisions. In addition, the Earth-friendly Samsung Restore™, first available from Sprint in 2010, will be offered to Virgin Mobile USA customers without an annual contract beginning on April 18.

"We want to make it as simple as we can for our customers to go green with a robust selection of products and competitive pricing," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. "Samsung Replenish is as green as we could make it with more than 80 percent recyclable materials, housed in partially recycled plastics, energy efficient and built with fewer environmentally sensitive materials. As if this is not enough incentive, we are also lowering the monthly rate for this phone by $10 for new or existing customers so it pays for itself within just five months."

With four eco-friendly phones launched to date, Sprint has made available the most green devices and accessories of any U.S. wireless carrier. Marking another U.S. first, an optional solar charging battery cover will be available for Samsung Replenish. The solar battery cover and an Eco-cover made from Naturacell will be available for purchase on May 8.

Earth-friendly yet Powerful

Samsung Replenish, Sprint and Samsung Mobile's first eco-friendly Android smartphone boasting access to more than 150,000 apps in Android Market™, is partially built with recycled plastics and recyclable packaging making it the ideal choice for the environmentally conscious consumer who needs the latest technology. The phone will also be enabled with Sprint ID, which lets customers personalize their device instantly with eco-friendly focused apps and mobile content.

"We are excited to expand our portfolio of eco-friendly devices to now include the Samsung Replenish with Sprint, Samsung's first Android-powered eco-friendly phone, and the Samsung Restore with Virgin Mobile," said Dale Sohn, President of Samsung Telecommunications America. "Both the Replenish and Restore offer an impressive feature set with hardware made from recycled materials and eco-centric packaging, giving customers the option to have an eco-friendly phone without having to compromise features and functionality."

It has the following impressive eco-credentials:

• Reduced environmentally sensitive materials (RoHS compliant, free of intentionally added polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), phthalates and beryllium)
• Energy efficient, with a charger that meets the EC Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency of External Power Supplies, Version 4, as well as a visual alert for full charge
• Casing includes 34.6 percent post-consumer recycled plastic content (the highest level in our eco-portfolio) and 82 percent of the device is made from recyclable materials
• Fully recyclable packaging that incorporates 80 percent post-consumer waste material and uses soy inks
• Includes a postage-paid envelope to recycle your old phone and promotes a virtual user guide available on the Sprint website

Sprint also recently announced the availability of the newest Sprint ID pack, the Green ID pack. This ID pack offers Sprint customers using select Android devices, including Samsung Replenish, the opportunity to personalize their phone with an unmatched eco-focused Android experience that provides mobile content to live green, shop green, recycle and more.

Sprint's new Green Sprint ID pack provides instant personalization in a single download with apps, widgets and mobile shortcuts on the user's device, and it features apps from eco-conscious favorites such as Green America and the National Audubon Society. Started recently owners of select Sprint devices, including Samsung Transform™, Samsung Epic™ 4G* and Samsung Galaxy Tab™, can load the Green ID pack onto their device. Samsung Replenish will offer the Green ID pack when it launches on May 8. Like all other Sprint ID packs, the Green ID pack is free to download with Sprint's Everything Data plan.