Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : ULTRAMID T6000 GRADE FOR EV APPLICATIONS

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

BASF launches innovative Ultramid® T6000 grade for electric vehicle applications

BASF’s newly developed flame retardant (FR) grade of Ultramid® T6000 polyphthalamide (PPA) is now used in terminal block application. This upgraded solution replaces non-FR material, enhancing safety for the inverter and motor system in electric vehicles (EVs).

Ultramid T6000 bridges the gap between traditional PA66 and PA6T, offering superior mechanical and dielectric properties, particularly in humid conditions and at elevated temperatures. Its easy processing and low corrosion on tools make it the preferred choice for complex automotive applications. With its wide range of pre-color options, including vibrant shades, Ultramid T6000 enhances aesthetic flexibility while maintaining high performance standards.

"As safety becomes increasingly vital in the design and material selection for metal components in EVs, such as wiring terminals and busbars, BASF is committed to developing innovative solutions for the EV industry. Our goal is not only to meet today's design needs but also to equip our customers with the tools to develop cutting-edge technologies that address future technical requirements and safety standards," said Eng Guan Soh, Vice President, Business Management Engineering Plastics, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.

The FR grade of Ultramid T6000 is specifically designed for EV applications, offering exceptional high strength ideal for terminal block use. This innovative material enhances the durability of electrical systems in new energy vehicles by withstanding thermal shock from -40°C to 150°C for 1,000 cycles and provides excellent electrical isolation for terminal blocks and high voltage busbars, significantly improving safety on the vehicle's 800V platform. A standout feature is its non-halogenated flame retardant, which minimizes the risk of metal corrosion and meets stringent safety standards, ensuring protection for vehicle occupants in the event of a fire.

Additionally, its remarkable strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability allow for the creation of complex designs that can endure the rigors of automotive assembly, while also facilitating the integration of multiple functions into single components, ultimately simplifying assembly and enhancing space efficiency in EVs.

source:BASF

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : EPA begins evaluating Five Chemicals

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

EPA Begins Process to Prioritize Five Chemicals for Risk Evaluation Under Toxic Substances Control Act

 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is beginning the process to prioritize five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the nation’s premier chemical safety law. If, during the 12-month long statutory process, EPA designates these five chemicals as High Priority Substances, EPA will then begin risk evaluations for these chemicals.

EPA plans to prioritize the following chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):

Acetaldehyde (CASRN 75-07-0),

Acrylonitrile (CASRN 107-13-1),

Benzenamine (CASRN 62-53-3),

4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) (CASRN 101-14-4), and

Vinyl Chloride (CASRN 75-01-4).

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA has made significant progress implementing the 2016 amendments to strengthen our nation’s chemical safety laws after years of mismanagement and delay. Today marks an important step forward,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Moving forward to comprehensively study the safety these five chemicals that have been in use for decades is key to better protecting people from toxic exposure.”

“Most vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which poses significant health and environmental problems that have been known for over 50 years. This is one of the most important chemical review processes ever undertaken by the EPA. I applaud the EPA for launching this review,” said Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Regional Administrator.

This step is consistent with a commitment from the Biden-Harris Administration to understand and address environmental and toxic exposures as part of the Cancer Moonshot’s mission to end cancer as we know it, and as progress on delivering environmental justice.

Going forward, EPA expects to initiate prioritization on five chemicals every year, which will create a sustainable and effective pace for risk evaluations. Prioritization is the first step under EPA’s authority to regulate existing chemicals currently on the market and in use – to evaluate whether health and environmental protections are needed.

source:EPA

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : CIRCULAR RECYCLING

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

I recently attended a presentation where many "passes" of processing of a PP were examined to understand the issues related to "circular recycling" where the same polymer would go around the circle of manufacturing, shredding and reprocessing possibly...forever.

There was no mention however of a very important and critical factor : additives consumption.

With almost no exceptions (PVDF might be one), all plastics are compounded into pellets with various additives, particularly to protect the polymer from oxidation and other degradation paths during processing (high T, high shear stresses, long residence times,...).

The bulk of these additives are actually "consumed" during processing (for instance to capture free radicals and terminate reactions).

As a result, sending the material into an endless loop without replenishing the compound with fresh amounts of additives will always lead to quick degradation and loss of properties.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry can be used to perform a standard test (Oxidation Induction Times Test, in short :OIT) on PP to assess the loss of additives and help define a reformulation strategy.

So in conclusion, NO, you cannot just reprocess a polymer many times without reformulating appropriately.

Any studies on recycling that do not account for this are basically useless and not representative of the future needs of our industry where regulations are moving fast towards mandatory increasing recycling fractions to be used in production, particularly in Automotive with recent Eu rules.

source: Vito leo

CRRC releases prototypes of CR450 high-speed train

The prototypes of CR450 high-speed EMU (electric multiple unit) were unveiled in Beijing. With a test speed of 450 km/h and a commercial operating speed of 400 km/h, the CR450 will become the fastest high-speed train in the world once it enters service.

The CR450AF and CR450BF models, produced by CRRC Sifang and CRRC Changchun respectively, boast five key improvements: increased speed, advanced safety, energy efficiency, enhanced comfort, and intelligent technology.

The CR450 is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains currently in service, which operate at speeds of 350 km/h. A lighter weight is crucial for high-speed trains. The CR450 has cut its weight by over 10 percent compared to the CR400, thanks to the adoption of new materials such as carbon fibre composites and magnesium alloys, as well as the topology optimisation technique.

The CR450’s development represents China’s venture into new and unexplored aspects of the high-speed train industry. CRRC says the R&D team of the CR450 has performed more than 100 experiments to explore how different parameters of the train are affected by the rising train speeds. They have gathered data features in different speed contexts and operating environments such as bridges, tunnels, and curves, laying a robust groundwork for the development of the CR450 high-speed train.

source: CRRC/jeccomposites.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : LSU RESEARCHERS CREATE LOW-COST METHOD TO RECYCLE PLASTIC

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

LSU researchers have created a new, low-cost way to break down plastic, a potential breakthrough that could save billions of dollars and eliminate billions of tons of plastic pollution.

Getting plastics to the recycling plant is only half the battle. The other half is reusing that plastic waste to create new products,” said James Dorman, program manger with the U.S. Department of Energy and former LSU Chemical Engineering professor. “Some estimates show as much as 95 percent of plastics in the U.S. ends up in landfills and incinerators. Our process breaks down commercial plastics, including polystyrene and high- and low-density polyethylene, so recycled material can be seamlessly integrated into new products.

Dorman and LSU Chemical Engineering Professor Kerry Dooley use electromagnetic induction heating along with special magnetic materials and catalysts to break down different types of plastic.

Electromagnetic waves melt the plastics from the inside out, which requires far less energy. Dorman and Dooley’s process also produces only small amounts of unwanted byproducts such as methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, unlike conventional recycling. The conventional method of melting plastic waste, pyrolysis, requires high temperatures and produces gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Dorman and Dooley’s method works at lower temperatures and offers more precise control of the breakdown process. Their method can be tailored to handle food residues and other contaminants that help limit plastics recycling. For example, recyclers commonly send plastic containers that still contain food yogurt for example to the landfill because the residue taints the recycled material.

Most plastic starts with fossil fuels. Refiners heat oil and natural gas to “crack” the large molecules into smaller molecules, among them ethylene and propylene. Those chemicals are the building blocks used to make a variety of plastics. By linking the monomers, plastics manufacturers create a long chain molecule called a polymer, or a plastic.

 “Our extraction process retains key, core monomers, so they can be reinserted into the polymerization process,” Dorman said. “For example, we can pull the ethylene from the polyethylene during recycling and use it to make new polyethylene.”

Ethylene and propylene are extremely valuable. The global market for ethylene alone is estimated at $150 billion.

“By recycling these chemicals, we can help reduce the need for new fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions Dooley said. “Basically, our extraction process helps clean up the environment and creates a way to make money from what was once trash.”

This breakthrough in plastic recycling is a crucial step in our Scholarship First Agenda mission to build a research platform for energy resilience.

source:Louisiana State University

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : New paper batteries biodegrade in six weeks, offers safer energy storage

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

With a production cost at just 10% of lithium-ion batteries, Flint’s innovation aims for global scalability.

Flint, a Singapore-based company specializing in the development of sustainable energy solutions, is making waves in the world of battery technology with its cutting-edge paper batteries.

These batteries promise to deliver impressive advantages over traditional energy storage options, thanks to their flexibility, lightweight design, safety, and eco-friendly features. 

At CES 2025, Flint introduced this pioneering technology, which has the potential to change the way we store and use energy.

What makes paper batteries unique?

Flint’s paper batteries are a type of quasi-solid battery, utilizing an innovative hydrogel ring that acts as both a separator and an electrolyte within a piece of paper. This setup differentiates it from conventional lithium-ion batteries by replacing toxic and geopolitically sensitive materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, with safe and sustainable alternatives such as zinc and manganese.

According to a representative from the company, “Our battery has the unique ability to be lightweight, flexible, and adaptable in shape, offering not just safety but also a significantly lower cost than traditional lithium-ion options.”

The hydrogel-based design also contributes to the battery’s ability to biodegrade completely within six weeks when buried in soil, leaving no harmful residues behind. 

This characteristic makes paper batteries a more sustainable option compared to conventional batteries, which can take decades to degrade and pose significant environmental risks.

Durability and safety features

When asked about the safety and durability of paper batteries, Flint’s spokesperson highlighted how their technology excels in real-world conditions. 

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which can pose a risk of leaking, burning, or even exploding under extreme conditions, paper batteries have been rigorously tested to withstand burning, cutting, piercing, and bending. These tests confirm the battery’s ability to function safely, even under harsh physical stress.

Flint’s paper battery has passed numerous safety benchmarks, making it one of the safest battery technologies on the market. “Our battery is engineered to endure much harsher conditions without any adverse effects,” said the spokesperson. “This is a crucial advantage, especially when compared to conventional batteries, which can be hazardous if damaged.”

Energy output, scalability, and environmental benefits

In terms of energy output, paper batteries offer a capacity of 600 milliampere hours per unit, which is enough for a variety of consumer and industrial applications. While this is currently lower than lithium-ion batteries, Flint is working on improving performance to meet the demands of more power-intensive devices. The paper batteries are also scalable, and the company plans to begin mass production with a pilot facility in Singapore later this year.

Furthermore, the environmental impact of paper batteries is minimal. The use of readily available, non-toxic materials such as zinc and manganese ensures that the battery has a minimal impact on both human health and the environment.

In response to questions about the environmental costs of production, the representative explained that the company avoids materials that are often associated with geopolitical conflicts, making paper batteries a more stable and eco-friendly alternative.

The biodegradability of the paper batteries also sets them apart from many other emerging technologies. When buried in soil, the battery decomposes within six weeks, releasing no toxic chemicals. This feature offers a clear advantage over traditional batteries, which can leach harmful substances like cadmium or lead into the environment.

A game changer for various industries

Flint is focused on making paper batteries adaptable for a wide range of industries, with plans to target sectors that require versatile and safe energy storage solutions. The company believes that its batteries could be used across everything from consumer electronics to industrial applications.

“We’re not limited by industry. Our battery can be customized to fit any sector that needs energy storage,” said the spokesperson.

This adaptability, coupled with the company’s focus on cost-efficiency, makes paper batteries an attractive alternative to more conventional technologies. While current production costs are around 10% of those for lithium-ion batteries, they are actively working on scaling up production to reduce costs further and increase the availability of their innovative batteries.

Flint has also recently raised US$2 million in seed funding, which will help accelerate the company’s efforts to bring paper batteries to market. “This funding milestone represents years of technical breakthroughs, and now, with real-world applications on the horizon, we are laser-focused on delivering our solutions to market,” said Carlo Charles, Founder and CEO of Flint.

The company’s ambitious expansion plans include the establishment of a pilot production facility in Singapore, with future facilities slated for China, India, the US, and Vietnam. By the end of the year, it aims to have the first commercial-scale paper batteries rolling off production lines, further solidifying its place in the battery innovation space.

source: Interesting Engineering/Flint

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Removing microplastics with engineered bacteria

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Researchers altered bacteria found in wastewater treatment, where microplastics can enter environment

Microplastics can go right through wastewater treatment plants, and researchers have engineered bacteria commonly found in there to break down this pollution before it can persist in the environment.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo added DNA to several species of bacteria found in wastewater, allowing them to biodegrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic found in carpet, clothing and containers for food and beverages.

PET plastics take hundreds of years to degrade in the environment. Over time, they break down into microplastics, pieces of plastic less than 5 mm long, which enter the food chain. Chemicals in these plastics are associated with insulin resistance, cancer and decreased reproductive health.

“Think of these bacteria that already exist in water systems to clean up microplastics as biorobots that can be programmed to get the job done,” said Dr. Marc Aucoin, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. “Microplastics in water also enhance the spread of antibiotic resistance, so this breakthrough could also address that concern."

The researchers use a natural process referred to as “bacterial sex,” where bacteria share genetic material with each other when multiplying. It enables the introduction of a new trait into the target bacteria, giving them the ability to break down microplastics.

“As next steps, we will use modelling to understand how well the bacteria transfer the new genetic information under different environmental conditions and thus how effectively they can break down the plastics,” said Dr. Brian Ingalls, a professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics. “The long-term vision is to break down microplastics in wastewater treatment plants at scale.”

While the researchers will start with wastewater facilities, they also hope to find ways to clean up the plastic waste accumulating in oceans.

"We will assess the risks of using engineered, plastic-eating bacteria in the natural environment" said Aaron Yip, a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering. "Right now, microplastic degradation in wastewater treatment plants is a safer application to target. Many of these facilities are already designed to neutralize bacteria in wastewater, which would kill any engineered bacteria prior to discharging water back into the environment.”

The study, “Degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics by wastewater bacteria engineered via conjugation," appears in Microbial Biotechnology.

source: University of Waterloo

https://youtu.be/ZTdKqa19cpY