Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Plastic-eating enzyme identified in wastewater microbes

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Plastic-eating enzyme identified in wastewater microbes:

Plastic pollution is everywhere, and a good amount of it is composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This polymer is used to make bottles, containers and even clothing. Now, researchers report in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology that they have discovered an enzyme that breaks apart PET in a rather unusual place: microbes living in sewage sludge. The enzyme could be used by wastewater treatment plants to break apart microplastic particles and upcycle plastic waste.

Microplastics are becoming increasingly prevalent in places ranging from remote oceans to inside bodies, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they appear in wastewater as well. However, the particles are so tiny that they can slip through water treatment purification processes and end up in the effluent that is reintroduced to the environment. But effluent also contains microorganisms that like to eat those plastic particles, including Comamonas testosteroni — so named because it degrades sterols like testosterone. Other bacterial species, including the common E. coli, have previously been engineered to turn plastic into other useful molecules. However, C. testosteroni naturally chews up polymers, such as those in laundry detergents, and terephthalate, a monomer building block of PET. So, Ludmilla Aristilde and colleagues wanted to see if C. testosteroni could also produce enzymes that degrade the PET polymer.

The team incubated a strain of C. testosteroni with PET films and pellets. Although the microbes colonized both shapes, microscopy revealed that the microbes preferred the rougher surface of the pellets, breaking them down to a greater degree than the smooth films. To better simulate conditions in wastewater environments, the researchers also added acetate, an ion commonly found in wastewater. When acetate was present, the number of bacterial colonies increased considerably. Though C. testosteroni produced some nano-sized PET particles, it also completely degraded the polymer to its monomers — compounds that C. testosteroni and other environmental microbes can use as a source of carbon to grow and develop, or even convert into other useful molecules, according to the team.

Next, the researchers used protein analysis to identify the key enzyme that gives this microbe its plastic-eating abilities. Though this new enzyme was distinct from previously described PET-busting enzymes based on its overall protein sequence, it did contain a similar binding pocket that was responsible for PET breakdown. When the gene encoding for this key enzyme was placed into a microbe that doesn’t naturally degrade PET, the engineered microbe gained the ability to do so, proving the enzyme’s functionality. The researchers say that this work demonstrates C. testosteroni’s utility for upcycling PET and PET-derived carbons, which could help reduce plastic pollution in wastewater.

The authors acknowledge funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, and the Bioenergy Technologies Office as part of the BOTTLE Consortium.

source:ACS

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : FDA Clearance for First 3D-Printed Porous PEEK Interbody System made with Invibio PEEK-OPTIMA

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Nvision Biomedical Technologies™ Secures FDA Clearance for First 3D-Printed Porous PEEK Interbody System made with Invibio PEEK-OPTIMA™

Nvision Biomedical Technologies™, San Antonio, Texas (USA) and Invibio Biomaterial Solutions™ (Invibio Ltd, part of Victrex plc, Lancashire, UK), today announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance of the first 3D-Printed PEEK Interbody System made from PEEK-OPTIMA™, a polymer from Invibio Biomaterial Solutions (‘Invibio’) and using the proprietary Bond3D additive manufacturing technology. 

The 3D-Printed PEEK Interbody System from Nvision Biomedical Technologies, a San Antonio-based medical device and implant manufacturer, was co-developed with Invibio Biomaterial Solutions. The system consists of Cervical and Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) spine devices, each incorporating extensive porous structures that have the potential to promote multi-directional bone ingrowth and improve device fixation, whilst also maintaining PEEK-OPTIMA’s inherent benefits in modulus and imaging.

The use of PEEK-OPTIMA™ - a material that has already been used in over 15 million implants - offers the benefits of mechanical properties closer to those of bone and also superior imaging capability than titanium implants, the latter allowing surgeons to more accurately monitor fusion progression. Nvision’s 3D-Printed PEEK Interbody System is a standout in the field of spinal devices as it is the first to combine PEEK-OPTIMA with the design freedom enabled by the Bond3D additive manufacturing technology to print solid and porous areas for bone ingrowth. 

Brian Kieser, CEO of Nvision Biomedical Technologies, commented “Our partnership with Invibio on this project showcases our commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical device innovation”. Kieser continued “This latest FDA clearance builds on a history of successful co-development between Nvision and Invibio, particularly in spine and foot-and-ankle devices. We are thrilled to introduce the 3D-Printed PEEK Cervical and ALIF lines, available in various footprints and lordotic angles, and all incorporating the same porous design features aimed at promoting bone ingrowth.”

Tom Zink, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Nvision Biomedical Technologies, added “We’re constantly looking at new ways to equip surgeons with the opportunity to get the best outcomes for their patients. Leveraging this cutting-edge PEEK additive manufacturing platform through Invibio enables us to take a more innovative approach in the design process and address previous limitations.”

Dr. Steven Lee, MD a spine and orthopedic surgeon gave a clinical end-user perspective, stating - “These new interbody devices, conceived from the collaboration of Nvision and Invibio, will allow me to further improve the quality of care and surgical outcomes that I can provide to my patients.

Nvision and Invibio collaborated in the development of the 3D-printed PEEK Interbody System, with Invibio carrying out development of the PEEK-OPTIMA and Bond3D technology platform, performance testing early in the process, and eventually filing a new master file (MAF) with the FDA to support this and future regulatory submissions.

John Devine, MD of Invibio said “The proprietary BOND3D advanced manufacturing process used in this device is available through Invibio to allow device companies to realise their innovative designs. Being able to access this process is a breakthrough for device companies because it allows much greater design freedom that would not otherwise be possible with conventional manufacturing methods”. Devine continued, “The combination of solid and highly intricate porous PEEK-OPTIMA structures within the Nvision system allows for potential bone ingrowth to achieve fixation while maintaining the inherent benefits of PEEK-OPTIMA for imaging and bone-like modulus.”

Nvision and Invibio remain committed to continuous innovation in the medical device field, with future focus aimed at expanding the applications of 3D printed PEEK technology to meet the growing needs of surgeons and patients worldwide.

source:Invibio Biomaterial Solutions

KINECO ACQUIRES 100 % SHAREHOLDING CONTROL OF KINECO KAMAN SUBSIDARY

6th October 2024- Goa-based Kineco Limited (KINECO), a leading manufacturer of advanced composite products for the aerospace, defense, and railway sectors, has announced the acquisition of an additional 49% equity stake in its subsidiary, Kineco Kaman Composites India Private Limited (Kineco Kaman), from the U.S.-based J.V. partner Kaman Aerospace Inc. This transaction makes Kineco Kaman a wholly owned subsidiary of Kineco Limited.

Kineco Kaman was founded in 2012 as a joint venture between Kineco and Kaman Aerospace, with the aim of addressing the growing demand for advanced composite parts and sub-assemblies for the aerospace and defense industries in both India and globally. Over the past 12 years, the company has earned a strong reputation for manufacturing complex composite components and sub-assemblies used in aerospace, defense, and space applications. The company has received multiple Gold Supplier awards for excellence in quality and 100% on-time delivery from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Kineco Kaman has also been a preferred supplier for major Indian defense and space programs, including ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan missions, as well as defense helicopter and combat aircraft programs.

Shekhar Sardessai, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Kineco Limited, expressed his appreciation for the long-standing partnership with Kaman Aerospace, highlighting the company’s consistent performance and world-class capabilities. “In over a decade of partnership with Kaman, we built a company that has demonstrated global competitiveness and credibility in the aerospace industry. We are deeply grateful to Kaman Aerospace for their unwavering support and trust throughout the years,” Sardessai remarked.
Sardessai also emphasized that this acquisition aligns with the company’s strategic focus on deepening its presence in the aerospace and defense sector and will be value accretive to the company in the medium to long term.
He added, Kineco now plans to integrate all of its aerospace & defence businesses into a single SBU to be branded as “Kineco Aerospace & Defence’.
This unification strategy coupled with full control of the SBU, will now position Kineco to pursue more ambitious growth targets.

source:KINECO

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : CARBON NANOTUBES DERIVATIVES

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Plastics are stronger and lighter thanks to carbon nanotubes derivatives

Reducing the environmental impact caused by plastics can be addressed through different strategies, such as the manufacture of more durable plastics or recycling. In general, there are two main types of plastics. The first is thermoplastics, which can be melted and molded to form other objects, although their mechanical properties weaken if they are melted several times. And the second, thermosets, do not melt at high temperatures, since the chains of the polymers that form them are intertwined by chemical bonds.

Thermoset plastics have advantageous properties compared to thermoplastics. They tend to have a higher resistance to impact and mechanical stress, although they are also more brittle. Epoxy resin, silicone or melamine are examples of thermoset plastics, commonly used in construction. To make these plastics stronger, engineers add reinforcement materials such as carbon fibers. They are already used to manufacture objects such as motorcycle helmets or sports equipment, which are very durable although they cannot be easily recycled.

At IMDEA Nanociencia, the Chemistry of Low-Dimensional Materials group, led by Emilio Pérez, is investigating a strategy to strengthen recyclable plastics in a collaboration with the company Nanocore. The plastic studied is a 'covalent adaptable network', whose molecular structure is similar to that of a thermoset plastic but with the particularity that it incorporates covalent– strong – bonds but at the same time reversible between polymer chains. Specifically, they work with imines, whose bonds are dynamic: can be broken by water or temperature, and re-arrange. The novelty of the study lies in the use of a derivative of carbon nanotubes that have a ring molecule around them - mechanically interlocked carbon nanotubes MINTs. The ring molecules are attached to the carbon nanotube mechanically, not chemically, so the bond between the two is very strong, but at the same time allows a certain movement of the molecule along the nanotube. The researchers have equipped the ring with two anchor points (two amines) so that they covalently bond with the polymers. In this way, the nanotube becomes a structural part of the polymer network.

Putting rings on nanotubes: a simple and very effective strategy

Carbon nanotubes are essentially a sheet of graphene rolled up on itself. To join a nanotube with other molecules, it is possible to do so directly by covalent bonds which break the tube a little, add defects and weaken it. The strategy pursued by the researchers uses the mechanical bond – a ring molecule around the nanotube – to integrate the nanotubes into the polymer lattice, preserving all their properties, and maximizing the load transfer from the matrix to the reinforcement. In other words, it cannot be done better.

The concept is simple: by surrounding the nanotube with a ring, the agglomeration of these fibers that makes the reinforcement less effective is prevented. In addition, polymer interaction sites are provided in the ring, which improves stress transfer. Adding only 1% nanotubes by weight to the polymer mixture achieves a 77% improvement in Young's modulus, and a 100% improvement in tensile strength. Remarkably, the mechanical properties of this reinforced plastic remain intact after being melted down and recycled up to 4 times.

The mechanical properties of this reinforced plastic remain intact after being melted down and recycled up to 4 times.

In engineering, the Law of Mixtures indicates that the properties of a compound are the mixture of the properties of the original materials, according to their proportion. The study led by the Madrid researchers confirms that this is only the case when there is an efficient transfer of mechanical stress between both compounds, at the nanoscopic level. In their work, the researchers have achieved maximum efficiency in transferring mechanical stress from the polymer to nanotubes, the strongest material. Nanotubes have a Young's modulus of 1TPa, 5 times harder than steel, being a much lighter material. Adding more nanotubes to the plastic does not make it stronger, as the nanotubes begin to agglomerate and lose efficiency. The key to success lies in the covalent bond between the nanotubes and the polymer.

It all started with an ERC grant

The story of this scientific result begins in 2012, when researcher Emilio Pérez received a prestigious 'Starting' grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to develop an innovative idea: putting molecular rings on carbon nanotubes. With this grant of 1.5 million euros, Pérez consolidated his research group at IMDEA Nanociencia institute. For 5 years, they created mechanical bonds between ring molecules and carbon nanotubes and studied their properties, although without yet focusing on their possible applications. In 2017, Pérez received a call from Nanocore ApS, a Danish company pioneering the transfer of results to the materials production market. They also intended to modify carbon nanotubes, from a biochemical approach. They began collaborating together on a year-long project, and then obtained an ERC 'Proof of Concept' grant that promoted the experiments. In 2020 they would sign a contract of more than 3 million euros to work together on the reinforcement of plastics with carbon nanotubes.

 A myriad of applications

The collaboration with Nanocore continues to explore all the most commercially relevant polymers that can be reinforced. Producing plastics almost as strong as carbon fibers, which can be melted down and recycled, is a dream. A before and after, which can firmly contribute to a new, greener and more sustainable scenario. Pérez explains: “Producing lighter structures, such as cars, planes, etc., would mean considerable fuel savings.” Manufacturing with less material and ensuring recyclability draws a promising horizon.

This work has been carried out at IMDEA Nanociencia and is partially funded by the Severo Ochoa Seal of Excellence awarded to IMDEA Nanociencia (CEX2020-001039-S).

source:IMDEA NANOCIENCIA

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Marie Curie-The Nobel prize in 1911

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Marie Curie, née Skłodowska-The Nobel prize in 1911

Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who became the first woman to win a Nobel prize. Along with her husband Pierre, she discovered two elements: polonium and radium. She also carried out pioneering research into radioactivity.

Born Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw on 7 November 1867, Marie moved to Paris in 1891 to study physics, chemistry and maths at the University of Paris, where she earned two degrees, supporting herself through her studies by tutoring in the evenings. There she met Pierre Curie, who worked at the university, and they married in 1895. The couple set up a joint laboratory in a basement, building their own equipment for their experiments. At the time no one knew about the effects of radioactivity on the body, so they handled the elements they used in their research without any of the precautions or protective clothing we would use today. Marie even kept vials of what she was working on in her pockets or her desk drawers. More than 100 years after their discoveries, the couple’s notebooks are still so radioactive they have to be kept in lead-lined boxes and handled only while wearing protective clothing.

1898 was a busy year for the couple. Marie had been investigating the unusual properties of pitchblende, a black mineral that is rich in uranium. Two years earlier Henri Becquerel had discovered that uranium salts gave off rays that could penetrate objects in a similar way to the newly discovered X rays, but Marie had noticed that pitchblende gave off much more of what she later called radioactivity than would be expected if uranium alone was to blame.

Excited by Marie’s work, Pierre stopped his own research into crystals to help her grind down tonnes of the mineral in search of an answer. That July, the couple announced the discovery of the element polonium, which they named after Marie’s native Poland. But it still didn’t explain all of the radiation seen in pitchblende. Then, on 26 December, they announced the discovery of a second new element: radium. It took Marie another 12 years before she could isolate pure metal radium from pitchblende and definitively prove its existence.

The couple’s work on radioactivity won them a share of the Nobel prize in physics in 1903, alongside Becquerel, making Marie the first woman to win a Nobel prize. It almost didn’t happen – the Nobel committee wanted to honour only Pierre and Becquerel, but Pierre, alerted in advance, complained and Marie’s name was added. She also won the Nobel prize in chemistry, in 1911, for the discovery of radium and polonium, and the isolation of radium. With this she became the first person to win two Nobel prizes. She is still the only person to have won two Nobels in two different scientific fields.

source:New Scientist/Nobel Prize Organization

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Toray Launches High Performance Poly Ether Sulphone composites

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Toray Advanced Composites announces launch of high-performance Toray Cetex® PESU thermoplastic composite material

Toray Advanced Composites, a leading innovator in advanced material technology, today announces the launch of Toray Cetex® TC1130 PESU thermoplastic composite material. This high-performance thermoplastic composite material is specifically engineered to address the growing need for lightweight and environmentally sustainable materials in aircraft interior applications, offering significant benefits to the aerospace industry.

Suited for monolithic and thermoplastic-based sandwich panel constructions, Toray Cetex® TC1130 PESU (PolyEtherSulphone) continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite enables the creation of mono-material sandwich structures when combined with core materials of the same chemistry. Compared to materials currently used, this not only achieves additional weight savings and cost-effective post-processing, but also ensures fully recyclable homogeneous sandwich structures. Additionally, Toray Cetex® TC1130 offers excellent fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) performance, outstanding impact resistance, and toughness, which are essential for demanding interior applications.

“We are excited to share our latest product development with the world,” states Marc Huisman, Director Research and Development, Toray Advanced Composites Europe. “As a leading material supplier, we understand the challenges faced by the aerospace industry to achieve full circularity. We’re proud to continue our long legacy of material technology innovation by bringing this latest generation of sustainable material solutions to market.”

Toray Advanced Composites’ global technical and commercial teams are ready to support immediate demand for Toray Cetex® TC1130.

credit: Toray/jeccomposites.com

Ingevity to present and exhibit Capa® polycaprolactone at the FEICA European Adhesive and Sealant Conference and EXPO 2024

Ingevity Corporation will participate in the FEICA European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO 2024 in Noordwijkerhout, the Netherlands,. The company will launch Capa® L, the next generation of sustainable and innovative polycaprolactone polyols for polyurethane adhesives that can be used in flexible food packaging, construction and industrial applications.

“The latest generation of Capa polyols provides formulators with the performance and sustainability benefits they are seeking,” said Ingevity senior vice president and president, Advanced Polymer Technologies, Steve Hulme. “We’re excited to debut our newest Capa polyol technology, Capa L, which offers liquid products at room temperature, an enhanced rate of biodegradation and is food contact compliant in the EU.”

Ingevity’s advanced polymer technologies business is the global leader in caprolactone technology and innovation, with a 50-year history of improving performance in a wide variety of end-use applications. Ingevity supplies Capa products into multiple markets, largely helping formulator and applicator customers make tougher, more durable, flexible and resistant products with more sustainable end-of-life solutions.

FEICA is a multinational association representing the European adhesive and sealant industry. Its annual trade show and technical conference is dedicated to serving as a global business platform and educational forum for the adhesive and sealants industry, offering essential insights into the key issues affecting the industry.

source:Ingevity