polymerguru

The researchers from Toyohashi University of Technology have found that cathode composites made by combining a sulfur active material and carbon nanofiber (CNF) developed using an electrostatic assembly method shows high discharge capacity equivalent to the theoretical capacity of sulfur and maintained high capacity after repeated charge-discharge cycles. All-solid-state lithium sulfur batteries using sulfur-CNF composites and electrochemically stable Li 2 S-P 2 S 5 -LiI solid electrolytes synthesized by liquid phase process showed better results. Low-cost Sulfur-carbon Composite It is required that a sulfur active material and a carbon material are appropriately combined for making high-performance all-solid-state lithium sulfur batteries. Conventionally, sulfur-carbon composites were synthesized by mechanical mixing, liquid mixing using a special organic solvent and complicated methods, in which sulfur is combined with a porous carbon material with a high specific surface are

Lubrizol Engineered Polymers  has announced that their  ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A powder TPU  has passed skin sensitization and cytotoxicity tests in accordance with ISO 10993-5 and 10993-10. This enables ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A to be a valuable material solution for product designers exploring 3DP for end-use applications that require skin contact. This achievement builds on Lubrizol’s long legacy of developing innovative materials safe for use in skin contact applications – from consumer products to medical devices – and reflects Lubrizol’s ongoing mission to improve lives. Broad List of Benefits Skin contact suitability is the latest attribute to round out a broader list of benefits that ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A brings to applications, including high levels of flexibility, durability, impact and chemical resistance, and energy rebound. Commercially available, ESTANE® 3D TPU M95A is certified for use on the HP Jet Fusion™ 4200 series 3D printing solution – the only TPU certified as such

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have created a new, rubber-like material with a unique set of properties, which could act as a replacement for human tissue in medical procedures. The material has the potential to make a big difference to many people's lives. New Risk-free Adaptable Material Based on Nanostructuring In the new study, the Chalmers researchers developed a material consisting solely of components that have already been shown to work well in the body. The foundation of the material is the same as plexiglass, a material which is common in medical technology applications. Through redesigning its makeup, and through a process called nanostructuring, they gave the newly patented material a unique combination of properties. The researchers' initial intention was to produce a hard bone-like material, but they were met with surprising results. Soft, Flexible and Extremely Elastic Material “ We were really surprised that the material tu

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new, high-precision method for 3D-printing small, soft objects. The process, which takes less than 30 seconds from start to finish, has potential applications in a wide range of fields, including 3D bioprinting. Making Tiny Objects with Precision and Resolution It all starts with a translucent liquid. Then darker spots begin to form in the small, spinning container until, barely half a minute later, the finished product takes shape. This groundbreaking 3D-printing method can be used to make tiny objects with unprecedented precision and resolution – all in record time. The team has set up a spin-off, Readily3D, to develop and market the system. The system is currently capable of making two-centimeter structures with a precision of 80 micrometers, about the same as the diameter of a strand of hair. But as the team develops new devices, they should be able to build much bigger objects, potentially up to 15 centimeters. “ The process could also be

A team of researchers from Montana State University is developing methods to infuse polymers with particles called nanocrystals that are made from cellulose, a primary component of plants. Whereas many regular plastics can combust when subjected to fire or very intense heat, the nanoparticles are designed to limit the flames and prevent their spread. Cellulose: The Building Blocks for Chemical Technologies By processing wood pulp of other plant matter using special chemical reactions, cellulose molecules become building blocks for chemical technologies that operate at the nano scale, which concerns things as small as one-billionth of a meter. Because the particles are so tiny, a relatively small volume of them can be mixed throughout a much larger amount of polymer. When the particles are coated in zinc oxide, a common ingredient found in many sunscreens, the zinc oxide's fire-resistant properties are imparted to the plastic. Nanocrystals for Fire-safety and Light-

Kinetrex Energy, EDL and South Side Landfill celebrated the completion of the Indy High BTU plant at the Indianapolis South Side Landfill. The plant, which will be fully operational March 20, will convert landfill methane gas into approximately 8 million gallons of pipeline-quality renewable natural gas each year, and in the process, reduce greenhouse gas air emissions in Central Indiana, develop a local renewable resource and lower fuel costs. Indy High BTU is the largest biomethane plant in Indiana. “This is an exciting day for our city,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We are pleased to see Kinetrex Energy, a homegrown-Indianapolis company, spearheading the effort to provide cleaner, renewable fuel for transportation across the Midwest.” With construction now complete, Indy High BTU will begin supplying Kinetrex Energy with renewable natural gas, which Kinetrex will turn into LNG and sell to Midwest transportation fleets. Kinetrex recently announced a six-year agre

IDI Composites International is introducing a new thermoset composite material delivering critical performance benefits for the "new energy vehicles" market. Deployed in electric vehicle (EV) new energy vehicles (NEV) applications, Flamevex is a flame-resistant lightweight composite. Flamevex has been used on battery packs, which have passed the stringent Chinese Standard GB/T 31467.3 test, commonly known as the China bonfire test. This new thermoset, offers designers a strong, lightweight and cost-effective alternative to steel and aluminum materials traditionally used to enclose battery packs in EVs and NEVs. EV and NEV designers have long faced the dilemma of balancing flame resistance, strength and light weighting requirements as they develop solutions for critical applications like the vehicle battery enclosure. Battery packs take up significant space in vehicle designs and must offer dimensional strength as well as resistance to flame and high temperatures. St