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December 10, 2024
A Breakthrough in Sustainable Plastics: Ocean-Friendly and Biodegradable
Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have developed a groundbreaking plastic that promises to revolutionize sustainability. This innovative material combines the strength of conventional plastics with the ability to biodegrade in seawater, addressing the critical issue of microplastic pollution.
Conventional biodegradable plastics like PLA fail to break down in water, contributing to microplastic accumulation in oceans and soils. Aida's team tackled this challenge by creating supramolecular plastics held together by reversible salt bridges. Using two ionic monomers—sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium-based compounds—they formed strong, flexible polymers. The key was a “desalting” step, which removed excess salt ions, yielding a durable yet ocean-degradable material.
The new plastic is customizable, non-toxic, and recyclable. It can degrade completely in soil within 10 days, enriching it with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. In salt water, the plastic's structure destabilizes, breaking down into biodegradable components without leaving harmful residues. Initial tests recovered over 90% of the raw materials, showcasing excellent recyclability.
This breakthrough material offers versatile applications, from hard, scratch-resistant plastics to flexible, rubber-like variants. It is particularly promising for industries like 3D printing, medical devices, and environmental packaging.
“With this new material, we have created a family of plastics that are strong, stable, recyclable, and environmentally safe,” says Aida. By addressing the limitations of traditional plastics, this innovation paves the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Learn more about this topic here.
Conventional biodegradable plastics like PLA fail to break down in water, contributing to microplastic accumulation in oceans and soils. Aida's team tackled this challenge by creating supramolecular plastics held together by reversible salt bridges. Using two ionic monomers—sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium-based compounds—they formed strong, flexible polymers. The key was a “desalting” step, which removed excess salt ions, yielding a durable yet ocean-degradable material.
The new plastic is customizable, non-toxic, and recyclable. It can degrade completely in soil within 10 days, enriching it with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. In salt water, the plastic's structure destabilizes, breaking down into biodegradable components without leaving harmful residues. Initial tests recovered over 90% of the raw materials, showcasing excellent recyclability.
This breakthrough material offers versatile applications, from hard, scratch-resistant plastics to flexible, rubber-like variants. It is particularly promising for industries like 3D printing, medical devices, and environmental packaging.
“With this new material, we have created a family of plastics that are strong, stable, recyclable, and environmentally safe,” says Aida. By addressing the limitations of traditional plastics, this innovation paves the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Learn more about this topic here.
December 23, 2024
Novel Battery Enclosure Designs for evtol and EV Batteries
Novel Battery Enclosure Designs for evtol and EV Batteries
The growing demand for lightweight, flame-retardant (FR) battery enclosures in electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is driving significant innovations in injection and compression molding techniques. These high-volume manufacturing processes enable the efficient production of durable, thermally protective components that are critical to modern electrification platforms.
At the North American Battery Show, a collaboration between Forward Engineering, SABIC, and Engel showcased a cutting-edge injection-molded battery enclosure. The design features a three-piece structure, including an injection-molded cover and tray, combined with a structural steel underbody panel. The top cover employs a sandwich structure, where an FR Stamax polypropylene (PP) layer is molded between two organosheet layers. This approach delivers a lightweight solution with enhanced thermal and mechanical performance.
Compression molding is also making strides. Cannon Ergos demonstrated a fiberglass/phenolic resin battery enclosure cover, made using wet compression molding. This method ensures exceptional fire resistance, meeting stringent safety standards while keeping the component lightweight. Innovations are further supported by additive manufacturing technologies for rapid prototyping. For example, KraussMaffei utilized large-format 3D printing with carbon fiber/ABS materials to produce prototype battery covers for design validation. These initial parts enable quick testing before transitioning to large-scale molding processes.
These advancements in injection and compression molding cater to the high-volume demands of the EV and eVTOL markets. By combining lightweight composites with scalable manufacturing, these techniques are driving the next generation of thermally protective and efficient battery enclosures. Learn more about this topic here.
At the North American Battery Show, a collaboration between Forward Engineering, SABIC, and Engel showcased a cutting-edge injection-molded battery enclosure. The design features a three-piece structure, including an injection-molded cover and tray, combined with a structural steel underbody panel. The top cover employs a sandwich structure, where an FR Stamax polypropylene (PP) layer is molded between two organosheet layers. This approach delivers a lightweight solution with enhanced thermal and mechanical performance.
Compression molding is also making strides. Cannon Ergos demonstrated a fiberglass/phenolic resin battery enclosure cover, made using wet compression molding. This method ensures exceptional fire resistance, meeting stringent safety standards while keeping the component lightweight. Innovations are further supported by additive manufacturing technologies for rapid prototyping. For example, KraussMaffei utilized large-format 3D printing with carbon fiber/ABS materials to produce prototype battery covers for design validation. These initial parts enable quick testing before transitioning to large-scale molding processes.
These advancements in injection and compression molding cater to the high-volume demands of the EV and eVTOL markets. By combining lightweight composites with scalable manufacturing, these techniques are driving the next generation of thermally protective and efficient battery enclosures. Learn more about this topic here.
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