New Project to Sustainably Recycle Polystyrene Waste into New Products

 VTT and its partners will explore in their two-year MoPo project how recycling of polystyrene could be substantially increased by reshaping its collection and handling. The goal is to convert waste into pure polystyrene or styrene monomers used in other plastics and chemicals.

Technically and Economically Feasible Solution

In the new MoPo project the target is to offer a technically and economically feasible solution to the recycling of polystyrene waste in Europe. VTT will explore the state of polystyrene production, consumption and recycling in Finland and in selected European countries. A logistics model for collecting polystyrene waste and methods for its mechanical and chemical recycling will be developed.

Polystyrene is typically used in its hard form and as a foam known as Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) when insulating or damping properties are needed. Both types can be mechanically recycled, which means they can be molded into new polystyrene products by melting the material. The amount of collected polystyrene waste is, however, quite small in Finland, so it usually ends up incinerated. The collection of EPS is especially challenging, as EPS takes up a lot of space for its weight and crumbles and stains easily.

New Thermochemical Recycling Methods

As not all polystyrene waste is suited for mechanical recycling, thermochemical recycling methods will be developed in the MoPo project as well. In thermochemical recycling polystyrene is pyrolyzed, i.e., heated in the absence of oxygen, and thus disintegrated into shorter polymer chains and even to styrene monomers. The resulting pyrolysis oil, upon purification, can replace oil fractions when producing for example aromatics, latex, polystyrene and carbon black. A method will also be developed to allow safe utilization of polystyrene waste containing flame retardants and other hazardous components.
Budget and Partners

The MoPo project led by VTT has a total budget of EUR 964 000, which will be covered by Business Finland, VTT and research and business partners: Aalto University, L&T, HSY, Finnfoam, PS Processing, CH-Polymers, Pohjanmaan Hyötyjätekuljetus and Suomen Uusiomuovi.

“Together with our partners we can develop the whole value chain involved in polystyrene recycling. We expect that the project will substantially increase recycling opportunities and create new businesses. Our goal is to lead the way in polystyrene recycling Europe wide,”Muhammad Qureshi, senior scientist says.

During the project, participants will demonstrate various processes such as separate collection of polystyrene waste, handling of polystyrene waste with a new kind of extruder developed at VTT, and mechanical and chemical recycling of polystyrene waste.

Source: VTT

New Nanocomposite Material to Prevent Malfunctioning of Electronics

 Scientists from South Ural State University in collaboration with colleagues from Belarus, India and China have created a composite material for nanoelectronics. The material can be used as a dielectric (insulating substance) in polymer capacitors. These devices store energy and may be used in the electronics of the future: They last longer, weigh less, have high strength and charge speed.

Unique Material for Nanoelectronics

The material created by scientists can improve the capacitors properties. Senior Researcher at the Nanotechnology Research and Education Center Aleksey Trukhanov says, “the composite was created on the basis of encapsulated nanostructures consisting of dielectric nanosized magnesium oxide (MgO) with a ferroelectric nanosized shell of barium titanate (BaTiO3). The addition of just three weight percent of these components in the polymer matrix increases the discharge current density by 187% thus demonstrating outstanding energy storage performance.”

Such research is relevant, since the rapid development of micro- and nanoelectronics requires new approaches and the development of new materials to reduce the size of functional components. A fundamentally significant result of this research is the development of new composite materials with improved dielectric characteristics, combining several technologies: core-shell - the technology of creating nanoparticles of dielectric MgO with a nanoscale shell from the ferroelectric BaTiO3, as well as the technology of dispersing these nanostructures in a polymer matrix.

Future of Functional Composites

During the "breakdown" of the dielectric, there will be no electric voltage and no charge injection from the electrodes. The new material will prevent malfunctioning of electronic systems. This was achieved by developing a new core-shell nanostructure and coating the shell with highly insulating magnesium oxide. The new nanoparticles significantly increase the strength of polymer nanocomposites, making them ideal materials for dielectrics.

“The results of our joint work will be used for controlling the electrical characteristics of functional polymeric materials of this class. At the moment, there are plans to continue research of functional composites with controlled properties. Currently, active research work is being carried out in the field of composite materials with magnetic fillers”, Aleksey Trukhanov adds.

The material developed by SUSU scientists can be used in capacitors for "green" energy, electric transport and medical equipment.

Source: South Ural State University

Study Unveils Wood-based Degradable Material for Lightweight 3D Pri

 A viscous biopaste that is easy to process, solidifies quickly and is suitable for producing even complex structures using the 3D printing process has been developed by a research team headed by Prof. Dr. Marie-Pierre Laborie from the Chair of Forest Biomaterials at the University of Freiburg. The wood-based biodegradable synthetic could potentially be used in lightweight construction, amongst other things.

Alternative Way to Use Lignin

Lignin strengthens the cell walls of plants and causes them to turn woody (lignify) – a mechanism that helps plants to protect themselves against wind or pests. It is a waste product from paper manufacture and largely incinerated to produce bioenergy.

“This is why we’re researching into alternative possibilities for making better use of this raw material in future,” says Laborie. As a result, the team started to reexamine a combination of materials which was already investigated in the 1980s by an American research team. In this system, liquid crystals based on cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, ensure not only the strength but also the good flow properties of the biopaste.

The other component, lignin, can ‘stick together’ the microstructure in the process of creating the biosynthetic. Its orientation subsequently determines the characteristics of the biosynthetic: for instance, it can respond more rigidly or more flexibly, depending on the direction from which the force comes.

Trials to Test Waste as Raw Material

Further research work will be necessary until industrial application is possible, for example as a composite in lightweight construction. Until now the team has used exceptionally pure lignin which is produced in a pilot biorefinery at the Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes (CBP) in Leuna – whether the waste product from the paper industry can also be directly processed still has to be researched.

The characteristics of the biosynthetic can also be varied in many ways, for instance by chemically processing or varying the components: Trials to date have used lignin from beech trees – if it is obtained from other plants it will have slightly different material characteristics such as different liquid crystals, even though they are all based on cellulose. The optimal quantity ratios also differ depending on the planned application. In addition, the researchers will soon be testing an entirely different possible use: the quality of soil can be analyzed with the help of the bio-based material. This takes place by studying the degradability of lignin and cellulose in various types of soil.

Source: University of Freiburg

Boom Supersonic, Rolls-Royce collaborate on Overture aircraft engine

 Boom Supersonic (Denver, Colo., U.S.) an aerospace company building the world's fastest civil aircraft, and leading industrial technology company, Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.), announced on July 30 an engagement agreement to explore the pairing of a Rolls-Royce propulsion system with Boom's composite-intensive flagship supersonic passenger aircraft, Overture. Boom’s XB-1, the world’s first independently-developed supersonic jet, makes extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites, as detailed in its blogs, “The big 3 components of supersonic aircraft” and “Going the distance: Materials made for supersonic”.

Boom says the goal of the new agreement is to work together to identify the propulsion system that would complement Boom's Overture airframe and will involve teams from both companies collaborating in engine-airframe matching activities for the aircraft. The teams will also examine certain key aspects of the propulsion system including an investigation for whether an existing engine architecture can be adapted for supersonic flight, while Boom's internal team continues to develop the airframe configuration.

"We've had a series of valuable collaborations and co-locations with Rolls-Royce over the past years to lay the groundwork for this next phase of development," says Blake Scholl, Boom founder and CEO. "We look forward to building on the progress and rapport that we've already built with our collaboration as we work to refine Overture's design and bring sustainable supersonic transport to passenger travel."

Boom notes that the priorities of this engagement are informed by Boom and Rolls-Royce's shared commitment to sustainability. Both companies recognize that supersonic passenger travel has to be compatible with a net-zero carbon future, and the two teams will work together to address sustainability in Overture design and operations. Boom admits that overcoming the technological challenges of supersonic flight provides a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation sustainably.

"We share a strong interest in supersonic flight and in sustainability strategies for aviation with Boom," says Simon Carlisle, director of Strategy at Rolls-Royce. "We're now building on our valuable experience in this space as well as our previous work together to further match and refine our engine technology for Boom's Overture."

As a result of this collaboration, Boom and Rolls-Rouce expect to make significant progress toward finalizing Overture’s aircraft configuration and propulsion system. 

Source:BOOM SUPERSONIC

Hexagon granted funding by the US department of energy

Hexagon has been granted USD 2.6 million (approx. NOK 24 million) in initial funding by the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) to research how carbon fiber and composite structure can be optimized to reduce hydrogen and natural gas storage tank costs.

Hexagon’s research project was chosen following a competitive selection process and the DOE has announced funding opportunities for a total of 18 projects that support H2@Scale’s vision for affordable hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and use.

H2@Scale is a DOE initiative that supports innovations to produce, store and utilize hydrogen across multiple sectors. 

Rick Rashilla, SVP Research & Development in Hexagon, says

We are excited to be selected for funding by the DOE. The funding will enable our team to deep dive into the details of how we can reduce tank costs without compromising on safety. This is an important step towards a large-scale acceptance of zero and low emissions vehicles. We look forward to working with our teammates at the National Labs and in the industry to accomplish a step change in cost reduction, and we are pleased that our competence, experience and potential have been recognized by the DOE.

Projects that receive the funding will fuel the next round of research, development, and demonstration activities under H2@Scale’s multi-year initiative to fully realize hydrogen’s benefits across the U.S economy.

Funding negotiations and work scope definition with the DOE is expected to be completed by Q3 2020.

China releases first draft standard for Type 4 Hydrogen Composite Cylinders

China releases its draft national standard for Type 4 Hydrogen Composite Cylinders, 35 MPa and 70 MPa. "Fully-wrapped carbon fiber cylinder with a plastic liner for the on-board storage of compressed hydrogen as a fuel for land vehicles."

China's hydrogen fuel cell industry is moving forward full speed ahead. This standard is based on ISO 19881-2018 with some key improvements for safety. The ISO standards for on-board fuel containers, CNG and hydrogen, are largely self-certified by the cylinder manufacturer with minimal involvement of independent inspection agencies. The ISO standards in general do not address periodic retesting and reinspection.

The China standard, on the other hand, adds controls for safety. Most of the factory processes must be automated to prevent human workers from making changes. Regular inspections and periodic requalification are addressed. And Inspection Agencies are involved at the time of qualification testing and for production and shipping of each production batch as well.

This standard is written in Chinese language, of course. Feel free to contact me for more information.

Seaweed Extract Outperforms Remdesivir in Blocking COVID-19

An extract from seaweed has outperformed Remdesivir in ousting COVID-19 during cellular tests, according to new research. 

The research is part of a larger body of research investigating a 'decoy strategy' against viruses such as COVID-19. This strategy works by urging the virus to 'latch' onto decoys rather than healthy human cells, where it then becomes trapped, neutralized and eventually destroyed. 

In the case of COVID-19, the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 attaches onto a molecule on the surface of human cells known as the ACE_2 receptor. Once attached, it then inserts its own genetic material inside the cell so it can begin to replicate. Usage of the right decoy would mean that SARS-CoV-2 may be 'distracted' away from human cells and, instead of being able to replicate and cause havoc in the human body, be destroyed. Previous findings have shown thta the strategy works in ousting other viruses like Dengue, Zika and Influenza A. 

For the present findings, researchers from the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute tested antiviral activity in five compounds. These were three variants of heparin (a common blood thinner) and two fucoidans, extracted from seaweed. All five compounds are long chains of sugar molecules. 

The researchers conducted a dose-response study known as an EC50 with each of the compounds against SARS-CoV-2 in mammalian cells. In the end, they found that seaweed extract RPI-27 had significantly better antiviral effects than Remdesivir. While Remdesivir has an EC50 value of 770 nanomolar, RPI-27 had an EC50 value of around 83 nanomolar (the lower the value, the better). 

"What interests us is a new way of getting at infection," says Professor Robert Linhardt, one of the study's authors. "The current thinking is that the COVID-19 infection starts in the nose, and either of these substances could be the basis for a nasal spray. If you could simply treat the infection early, or even treat before you have the infection, you would have a way of blocking it before it enters the body." 

 Sources: Science Daily, Earth.com