polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Mushroom-derived materials could offer benefits for developing nations in Africa A research team from the University of Bristol has suggested that mycelium composites could offer a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials and help address socio-economic and environmental challenges in Africa. Mycelium composites are a class of materials based on mycelium – the roots of mushrooms. These versatile materials, which have gained popularity in Europe and the US in the past decade, are produced by harnessing the ability of fungi to grow by feeding on organic biomass – eliminating the need for high-end manufacturing processes. In fact, mycelium composites can be grown almost anywhere – even at home – without the need for extensive expertise or advanced equipment. The organic biomass used for the basis of mycelium composites are often obtained from agricultural, agro-industrial, and forestry waste streams. There is a wide range of applications for my...

National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers have developed a transmissive thin scintillator using perovskite nanocrystals, designed for real-time tracking and counting of single protons. The exceptional sensitivity is attributed to biexcitonic radiative emission generated through proton-induced upconversion and impact ionisation. The detection of energetic particles plays an important role in advancing science and technology in various fields, ranging from fundamental physics to quantum technology, deep space exploration and proton cancer therapy. The increasing demand for precise dose control in proton therapy has fuelled extensive research into proton detectors. One promising approach to enable proton counting during radiotherapy involves the development of high-performance thin-film detectors that are transmissive to protons. Despite advancements in silicon-based, chemical vapour deposition, diamond-based, and other types of proton detectors in recent years, a fundamental cha...

Arkema has increased its global manufacturing capacity for Pebax® elastomers by 40% at its Serquigny plant in France. This expansion supports its customers’ strong growth, in particular in the sports and consumer goods markets. Used in Sports Equipments, Electronic and Medical Devices: Arkema has started its new Pebax® elastomer unit at the Serquigny plant in France. This new unit is designed with the latest advancements in industrial processes. It can produce both the bio-circular Pebax® Rnew® and classical Pebax® elastomer ranges. These advanced materials are used in sports equipment such as running shoes, soccer shoes and ski boots. Other uses are in electronic devices, and specialty markets such as antistatic additives and medical devices. "We are excited to start the production of this expansion in our Pebax® elastomers capacity. This represents a great opportunity for us to meet growing demand in existing and new app...

TotalEnergies converts feedstocks from plastic waste into circular polymers at its polypropylene plant in La Porte, Texas. The La Porte plant is one of the world's largest polypropylene sites. It will produce sustainably certified polymers. These polymers will be suitable for a wide range of applications, including food grade packaging. Patented Pyrolysis Technology Processes Mixed Plastic Waste The petrochemical feedstock was provided by New Hope Energy's ISCC+ certified advanced recycling facility in Tyler, Texas. The feedstock was converted into monomers at the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals (BTP) facility. It is a 60/40 joint venture between BASF and TotalEnergies. BTP facility is based in Port Arthur, Texas. The monomers were then transformed into circular polymers at TotalEnergies' plant in La Porte, Texas. Both the La Porte and BTP facilities received their ISCC+ certification in 2022. TotalEnergies and New Hope Energ...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share 3 REASONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER PEEK FOR HIGH PRESSURE POLYMER SEALS 1.STRENGTH: PEEK seals can withstand pressures up to 30 ksi (207 MPa). This is due to PEEK’s combination of high strength and high modulus.  The three different grades of PEEK: Virgin PEEK,30% Glass fiber reinforced PEEK, and 30% Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK. Tensile Strength: 14 ksi,18.9 ksi, 31 ksi Tensile Modulus:507 ksi,1600 ksi,3050 ksi 2.OPERATING TEMPERATURE: High pressure applications often go hand in hand with extreme temperatures. Fortunately, PEEK offers a wide operating temperature range. It works for cryogenic applications down to -100°F and still retains its key mechanical properties in temperatures up to 450°F.  3.CHEMICAL RESISTANCE : Another reason for  PEEK ’s popularity in high-pressure applications involves its chemical resistance. Many times these same high-pressure environments involve harsh or caustic chemicals that can ...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share If a relatively high Mw grade flows from thin to thick, as shown in the picture, and if the time needed to fill the thick section is way shorter than the average polymer relaxation time, the polymer will not be able to reach its higher viscosity (corresponding to higher thickness/lower shear-rate). I am assuming here the polymer reached equilibrium low viscosity in the thin section, say for instance because it is much longer. Any pressure prediction not accounting for transient rheology would then overpredict the pressure to fill.Of course the diverging flow will further complicate the situation and mess with the molecular orientation created in the thin section, but to what extent ? Since this is more of a reasonable "conjecture", don't take this for granted, and discuss or share your opinion in the comments. There are hundreds of Rheology papers on the "4:1 contraction flow". Not sure I have ever seen any on the..."1:4 expansio...

Overmolding polycarbonate with liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is commonly used to produce respiratory masks and other medical devices requiring molded-in seals. Now, Covestro has developed Apec® 2045 – a copolycarbonate with the highest heat resistance. It enables molders and medical OEMs to significantly slash production time and cost. This does not sacrifice quality, performance or appearance. Supports Close- and Open-loop Recycling: "We work closely with our healthcare customers and recognized that we could offer a polycarbonate made for highest curing temperatures in silicone over-molding, helping them more than double production volumes in the same amount of time due to shorter cycle times," said Pierre Moulinie, Global Healthcare Technology lead, Covestro LLC. Apec® 2045 copolycarbonate also offers other important benefits for this market. These include: Durability: Tough engineering plastic with the highest heat resistance in the medical polycarbo...