polymerguru

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share I praised the incredible power of Dynamic Rheology to study polymer flow behaviour and the polymer molecular structure. To be totally fair, I have to also acknowledge the equally valuable power of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA or DMTA). The principle is strictly the same, with an in-phase and out of phase response. The test is however conducted on solid samples (tension, torsion, bending...) and is most useful in a Temperature sweep approach, ideally from cryogenic temperatures up and above Tg. The data produced (in addition to the Tg value) can help assess the damping characteristics of the polymer for NVH aspects for instance. The observation of multiple sub-Tg transitions is of great spectroscopic interest to understand molecular motions and segmental movements. These transitions are the key reason for toughness observed below Tg in many polymers, a performance aspect we rely upon everyday in our plastic parts. Subtle plasticizing or anti-plasticizing ...

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, exhibited at Enforce Tac 2025 in Germany from February 24–26. It showcased its expanding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber solutions for body armor, helmets, and hard armor panels, including its lightest hard ballistic materials, Dyneema® HB330 and Dyneema® HB332. Visitors experienced the future of personal protection firsthand at the Dyneema® booth in Hall 9, booth number 9–650. Up to 30% weight savings: Dyneema® is committed to helping protect the men and women responsible for keeping communities around the world safe. With a fully integrated product portfolio aimed at protecting the whole person, Dyneema® offers outstanding ballistic protection at drastically reduced weights. Applications that incorporate Dyneema® ballistic material, such as ballistic helmets, soft armor vests, hard armor plates/inserts, and armor for vehicle and platform protection, can help provide defense against both legacy and emerging threats. Dy...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share Scientists Engineer Bacteria To Break Down Microplastics Found In Wastewater: Microplastics — the ubiquitous tiny plastic particles that are the result of the breakdown of plastic water bottles, packaging and synthetic clothing fibers — can run through wastewater treatment plants, making their way into the environment. Researchers have engineered bacteria that is commonly found in the treatment plants to break down microplastic pollution before it has a chance to persist in the environment. “Wastewater treatment plants are one of the major pathways for microplastics to enter the environment. In general, microplastics are contaminants of global concern that pose risks to ecosystems and human health,” the authors wrote in the study. “With a focus on wastewater, a major pathway for microplastics to enter the environment, this study demonstrates a proof of concept for engineering environmental...

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share How AuREUS Solar Panels are Changing Renewable Energy The AuREUS  solar panel is a groundbreaking UV-absorbing solar panel technology designed to revolutionize renewable energy. Unlike conventional  solar panels that rely on direct sunlight, AuREUS can generate electricity even under cloudy conditions, expanding solar power applications to windows, walls, and even clothing. This revolutionary invention was developed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, an engineering student from Mapúa University in the Philippines. His work on AuREUS earned him the prestigious James Dyson Sustainability Award, recognizing its potential to reshape solar energy systems for urban environments. With the ability to harvest ultraviolet (UV) light that penetrates through cloud cover, AuREUS offers a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional solar panels, making clean energy more accessible in diverse setti...