NewsFlash
The marriage between two interwoven networks polyethylene glycol & polyacrylic acid  creates networks of hydrogel (Duoptix) for future Artificial Cornea
For the first time shape memory polymer is activated remotely using magnetism by Dr. Andres Lendlein at the Institute for Polymer Research in Teltow, Germany

If central nervous system is damaged very little can be done to repair the damage.  However, one day neurons could be repaired or regenerated using biomimetic polymers.  Scientists have combined neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) into novel biodegradable polymers having a flexible backbone that could be implanted to repair damaged central nerves. (Ref: C.B. Gumera, & Y. Yang; Advanced Materials, 19 (24), pp. 4404-4409, 2007)
Sir Henry Kroto, a Nobel prize winner for Chemistry in 1996 has launched a "Nanotechnology" course at CPD centre of Oxford University, UK

Scientists from Simon Fraser University (Canada) developed a coordination polymer that is among the most birefringent solids ever observed.  Usually, birefingent optical components are made of calcite (0.17).  While Daniel B. Leznoff's team produced a highly birefringent coordination polymer that could be tailored for optical applications.  (Ref: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 46, pp. 8804-8807, 2007)  
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and Naval research Lab. in Washington creating plastic lens that mimic octopus vision
The search for alternative energy has reached a momentum.  Solar energy is at the forefront.  Prof. Frechet and Dr. Thomson review comprehensively polymer-fullrene composite cells in a recent article - a must read for researchers in the solar world (Ref: B.C. Thompson, and J.M. Frechet; Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 47 (1), pp 58-77, 2008) .
To improving mechanical properties of polyimide nanofibers, researchers used electrospinning technique and made high performance copolyimide (Ref: S. Chen et al.; Nanotechnology, 19 (1), 2008)  

Opalux, a Toronto (Canada) based company commercializing photonic-crystal technology (P-Ink) for E-paper.  P-Ink technology delivers brighter colours since each pixel could be tuned to develop any colour in the visible spectrum. The technology is becoming reality as a result of fruitful scientific collabolaration between University of Toronto, Canada and the University of Bristol, UK researchers (Ref. A.C. Arsenault, D.P. Puzzo, I. Manners & G.A. Ozin; Nature Photonics 1, pp. 468-472, 2007).     
Engineered Drilling Solutions Inc., Calgary (Canada) is ready to hit the road by combining rubber crumbs and oil soaked rock cuttings

A coating process technology, INFINTM was presented at Wood-Plastics and Natural Fiber Composites show in Baltimore, MD.  The process involves surface treatment followed by UV curable coating, virtually in any colour. (Ref: www.paintablecomposites.com - Press release, Oct. 08, 2007)    
Hitachi High Tech. America has unveiled the highest performance Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in the world
ExtrusioVinyl & Plastics Co. a Quebec extruder uses new patented technique to reproduce wood grain coloration on plastic window blinds

Research progress provided polymeric materials to undergo its own repair process.  The repair process could be either automatic or by external stimuli.  This could be a one time process or a repeatable process.  Authors review focuses interesting examples on known polymer systems. (Ref: S.D. Bergman & F. Wudl, J. Mater. Chem. 18, pp. 41-62, 2008)
A collaborative team from University of Chicago used "selective withdrawal" technique to coating pancreatic islets with a thin polymer that allows the transport of glucose and insulin but protects the islets Small, 3, (4), pp. 683-690 (2007) 
BASF is constructing its Ecoflex biodegradable plastic plant at Schwarzheide, Germany
Prof. Gruner of UCLA predicts that carbon nanotube films for transparent and plastic electronics are ready for product development (J. Mater. Chem., 2006, 16, 3533 - 3539) 
Scientists at the Rensselaer Polytech Institute, New York  created the "nano-skin"  where Polydimethylsiloxane provides nest to billions of carbon nanotubes 
Scientists from Purdue Univ., Northwestern Univ., and Univ. of Southern California have fabricated fully transparent nanowire transistors for flexible electronics (Nature Nanotechnology, 2, pp. 378-384, 2007)
The fashon show at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing in Toronto (summer 2006) highlights the diversity of  biodegradable Ingeo fabric (polylactide)
Cascade (Canada) introduces BioxoTM containers that degrades within 3 years unlike traditional polystyrene foam containers (Pulp & Paper Canada, March 19, 2007)
Scientists at the University of Toronto invented an infrared-sensitive plastics that can turn sun's power into electrical energy
Scientists from Univ. of Bayreuth (Germany) and Ciba Speciality Chem (Switzerland) have developed "Designer" nucleating agent for Polypropylene (Macromolecules, 3688-95, 2005)
NIST reasearchers of polymer division has developed a novel "cold zone" annealing method for block copolymer films.  Scientists note that the ability to quickly process polymers with inaccessible order-disorder transition temperatures suggests that zone annealing could be a route toward more robust nanomanufacturing methods based on block copolymer self-assembly (Ref: B.C. Berry, A.W. Bosse, J.F. Douglas, R.L. Jones, & A. Karim; Nano Lett., 7 (9), pp. 2789-2794, 2007)  
Tefa, a Cambridge company got FDA approval to use natural polyester (from genetically modified bacteria) as biopolymer suture - most likely application being abdominal closures (MIT, TechTalk, April 4, 2007).
Plasticstrends brings you articles by eminent scientists and industry experts. It does not just make an impact, but makes a difference.
Researchers from Univ. of Akron and RPI, have developed 4 times stickier tape using carbon nanotubes to mimic thousands of Gecko's hairs on its footpad.  They have shown for the first time a macroscopic flexible patch that can be used repeatedly with peeling and adhesive properties better than the natural gecko foot (A. Dhinojwala et al.; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., June 19, 2007).   
By reinforcing PLA with kneaf fiber, NEC and UNITIKA attained the highest biomass ingredient ratio out of all bioplastics that are currently used in electronic products 
The future of polymers from renewable resources - a journal issue that discusses on the production and properties of renewable resource polymers and future research directions (Polymer Reviews, 48 (1), 2008) 
For the first time, Penn State chemists directly synthesizes polymer-silver bromide nanoparticles composites that could be used as antimicrobial coatings (J.Am.Chem.Soc., 2006, 128, 9712)
A team of scientists led by Prof. Friedrich at the Humboldt Univ of Berlin in Germany identified genes that could produce varities of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of biodegradable plastics (Nature Biotechnology, 24, 1257-1262, 2006)
Two surfaces stick together, separate, and stick together again on demand.  "Intelligent" adhesion mechanism revealed by a group of University of Sheffield, UK researchers (Ref. M. Geoghegan et al. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, online published July 23, 2007)
Univ. of Delware (USA) researchers have triggered self-assembly in a novel biomaterial (peptide based) that may be useful for the delivery of cells to target biological sites in tissue regeneration. (Ref. J.P. Schneider, D.J. Pochan, L. H-Butterick et al. Proc. National Acad. of Sci. 104 (19), pp. 7791-7796, 2007) 
Dr. Liu of Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reviews the new issues and challanges when polymers are used for structural or functional purposes in Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)  Ref: C. Liu; Advanced Materials, 19 (22), pp. 3783-3790 (2007).  

How 3D printing technology could enable digital files to physical products, sent via internet and fabricated at the time and at a chosen place could disrupt existing business models for product distribution.  An interesting discussion presented by Phil Anderson and Cherie Ann Sherman that needs attention for plastics product manufacturer (Ref: International Journal of Technology Marketing, 2 (3), pp. 280 - 294, 2007). 
Dept. of Agriculture scientists in Beltsville, MD (USA), are developing a process to use chicken feathers as feedstock for plastics
BP (Innovene) and Metabolix are focusing on switchgrass based PHA (bioplastics)
Tokyo researchers claim that further development of electronic sheet (plastics MEMS)  could allow hundreds and thousands of devices to communicate with each other without wire and could challange Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless technologies.  (Ref: T. Someya, T. Sekitani et al, presented at IEEE Intn. Electron Devices meeting, Washinton DC Dec. 10, 2007)
Solvay reveals a true polyphenylene thermoplastics (Primospire) for applications replacing metals using breakthrough technology from Mississippi Polymer Technolgies (MPT).
Prof. Chou and Prof. Thostenson of Delware Univ., USA using a network of carbon nanotubes as sensors embedded within composite materials to detect and identify damages in the composite structure (Advanced Materials, 18 (22), pp. 2837-2841 (2006).
GraphitestrengthTM C100 multi-walled carbon nanotube brings Nanoledge to partnering with Arkema
Researchers from Germany (GKSS, Memoscience) and USA (MIT) have created light-induced grafted polymer networks with shape memory effects (Nature, 879-882, 2005)
New development in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) by Carnegie Mellon researchers could change plastics making (to appear in PNAS, October 17, 2006).
For the first time Lanxess uses commercially its ABS/PA blend (Triax) to make the front fenders of the new BMW 3 series E92 vehicles while reducing its weight
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnique Institute (RPI), USA developed a new method that allows a self-assembled molecular nanolayer to become a powerful nanoglue by "hooking" together any two surfaces that normally don't stick together.  Applications could include nanoelectronics, computer chip manufacturing, coatings for turbines and jet engines (RPI News, May 16, 2007). http://news.rpi.edu
DuPont Engineering Polymers with Canadian Morph Technologies Inc., Integran Technologies Inc. and PowerMetal Technologies reveal new patented technology in MetaFuseTM nanometal/polymer hybrids that challanges conventional plastic/metal hybrid technology.  The proprietary process uses ultra high-strength nanometal to components made of DuPont Engineering Polymers to create lightweight, performance based products while giving flexibilty to the product designers. (Ref: News Release, DuPont Engineering Polyemrs, Wilmington, Delware, Oct. 24, 2007)   
The Gabler Thermoform of Germany introduces flexible machinery concept to produce complex design parts while reducing its cost

Polymer Vision, a spin-off from Philips Electronics, The Netherlands is getting ready to produce a foldable electronic reader (Readius) in the 2nd half of 2007.
Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. of Houston continues to develop and bag a large number of small diameter carbon nanotubes
Andreas Lendlein's group synthesized degradable shape-memory  polymer networks intended for biomedical applications.  Synthesized polymer networks are semicrystalline at room temperature (Ref. A. Lendlein et al. Biomacromolecules, 8 (3), pp. 1018-1027, 2007) 
Virginia Commonwealth University, USA researchers have created a polymer that loves water when dry and resists water when wet (Langmuir, April 26, 2005)
Small components for notebook PCs and mobile phone could be made by Fujitsu's (Japan) castor oil based biopolymer (principal component polyamide-11) and expected to hit the market by 2008
Japanese researchers has developed photo-X-linked nitroxide polymer cathode-active materials via a wet, printable, and rollable process resulting to an organic-based flexible paper battery (T. Suga, H. Konishi, and H. Nishide, J. of Chemical Communications, Web edition Feb. 12, 2007).
Programing polymer from “Dual shapes” to “Triple shape” by heat (PNAS, 103 (48) 18043-18047, 2006) comes from the work of scientists from MIT, Cambridge (USA) and GKSS Research center, Teltow (Germany)
Halloysite nanotubes (HNTTM) from NaturalNano could be used to develop materials with unique functionality e.g., flame retardance and antimicrobial properties (Press release Rochester, NY, May 2nd, 2007)
A research collaboration between the University of Southampton, UK, the pharmaceutical company Merck and the German Institute for Polymers, both in Darmstadt, has developed a photonic crystal film that shimmers from virtually every angle. Not only it can be mass-produced cheaply because it's partly self-assembling but production of high-quality low-defect single-domain flexible polymer opals opens up a range of decorative, sensing, security and photonic applications (Ref. O.L. Pursiainen, J.J. Baumberg, H. Winkler, B. Viel, P. Spahn, & T. Ruhl; Optics Express, 15 (15), pp. 9553-9561, 2007)  
 
  
GE Plastics touts its HPPC (High Performance Composite) technolgy by displaying Chevy Volt Concept car at the Detroit Auto show of 2007. By using thermoplastics based composites, the HPPC technolgy enhances production cycle while reduces the weight.
Prof. Zussman and Dr. Gendleman of Technion Israel Institute of Technology reported as diameter of nylon nanofibers reach a critical diameter, stiffness abruptly increase ( Nature Nanotechnology, 2, pp. 59-62 (2007).  
A group of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Applied Materials, Transfer Devices, Inc., and Polyset Co. Inc., have made a novel and yet quick drying polymer called polyset epoxy siloxane (PES) that may render a new generation on-chip nanoimprinting lithography technology. 

PES offers advantages over benzocyclobutene and polyimide materials that are typically used as redistribution layers deposited onto silicon wafers to ease signal propagation delay and protect the surface.  It cures at 165°C, about 35% cooler than those materials, and has <0.2% water uptake rate, less than the other materials. Further, PES has the abilty to be used as a thin polymer film for UV on-chip nanoimprint lithography - a quicker transition to the newer litho process by triming several stages from production and packaging. (Ref. Pei-I Wang et al., J. Vacuum Science and Technology B. : Microelectronics and nanometer Structures 26 (1), pp. 244-248, 2008).

Researchers from Case Western Reserve IUniv., and Louis Stokes Cleveland DVA Medical Center (USA) have developed a series of polymer nanocomposites that replicated the Sea cucumber design  and displayed similar chemoresponsive mechanical adaptability.

Using rigid cellulose nanofibers to a rubbery ethylene oxide epichlorohydrin as a host polymer scientists made a stiff network which softens when water permeates between the two materials. (Ref. C. Weder et al. Science, 319 (5868), pp. 1370-1374, 2008) 

  
Researchers at the Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have been able to grow crack and reheal the polymer surface as many as 7 times. The self-healing material consists of an epoxy polymer deposited on a substrate that contains a 3-dimensional network of microchannels. The work could provide a solution to the heat buildup problem in microelectronics chips (K.S. Toohey, N.R. Sottos, J.A. Lewis, J.S. Moore, S.R. White, Nature Materials, June 10, 2007)
Univ. of Illinois at Urbana Champaign scientists review current status and roles played by polymers in the design of delivery nanocarriers for cancer therapies (Ref. R. Tong, and J. Cheng,  Polymer Reviews, 47 (3), pp. 345-381, 2007).
NIST scientists report new gas sensors patterned with nano-porous, conducting polyaniline film (JACS, April 2005)
Instead of propylene oxide (petrochemical based), Dow plans to use glycerin to make propylene glycol renewable or PGR (Chemical & Engineering News, March 20, 2007)   
Prof. Youngblood's group at Purdue university designed polymer brushes creating Stimuli-Responsive surfaces for wide ranging applications such as oil-repellent, self-cleaning, and antifog surfaces (Ref: Advanced Materials, 19 (22), pp. 3838-3843, 2007). 
Konarka Technologies, USA keeps adding new products to the market by utilizing photovoltaic fabric that converts sunlight into electricity
Motorola scientists are planning to bring carbon nanotube displays to the market over today’s flat panel TVs
Researchers at McMaster Univ., Canada led by Prof. Ray Lapierre claims that they have harvested light absorbing nanowires from reusable substrates and embedded the particles in flexible polyester film (Ref: Technology Review, Feb. 06, 2008) 
The alkyl linkage at the single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) and Nylon 6, 10 interface exihibit 160% higher modulus, 160% higher strength, and 140% higher toughness (Nano Letters, March 31, 2007 web edition)
Northwestern University researchers have synthesized NO- releasing derivatives of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) that are stable at room temp. can form the basis of NO-releasing textiles, rubber and plastics (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, pp. 3786-3787, 2007) 
When polymer composites are used in structural applications, carbon nanotube additives could be used as simple diagnostic tool to find out the extent of fatigue induced damage and delamination growth around the stress concentrations.  The work was done by the Rensselaer Polytechnique Institute (RPI, USA)researchers. (Ref: W. Zhang, V. Sakalkar, and N. Koratkar; Applied Physics Letter, 91, pp. 133102-133104, 2007)  
Novel copolymer membranes may improve hydrogen purification efficiency according to researchers at the University of Texas and Research Triangle Institute (Science, January 2006)
By controlling chain conformation of a semiconducting polymer while encapsulating it within the aligned nanopores of a silica host, scientists have shown how to get novel and desirable optical properties.  Applications of this work could include LED type displays such as cell phones, laptops, palm pilots etc. (Ref: S. Tolbert, B.J. Schwartz et al. Nature Nanotechnology, Published Online: Sept. 16, 2007) 
A joint group of scientists (Korea) used triboelectric separator to separate PVC, PET, and ABS.  The new designed separator also found PP and HIPS to be the most effective materials for a tribo-charger in the separation of PVC, PET & ABS (Ref: C-H Park et al. Environ. Sci. Technol.  Web release: Nov. 30, 2007)  
Researchers at the Univ. of Arizona and at Nitto Denko Tech Corp., CA (USA) used a common polymer processing technique to produce a new polymer based material that not only encodes information using electric fields but also preserve an image for hours and produce very bright lights. (Ref: MIT's Technology review, Feb. 08, 2008) 
For the 1st time, using ionic liquids researchers from Yamaguchi Univ. (Japan) reported a novel depolymerization technique for 6-nylon.  The researchers touts that this would open up a new field in ionic liquid chemistry as well as plastics recycling (A. Kamimura and S. Yamamoto; Organic Letters, 9 (13), pp. 2533-2535, 2007). 
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon Univ. in Pittsburgh developed a novel method where block copolymers self-assemble with a precise interface on a treated substrate providing a simple way to manufacture plastics electronics products (G. Sauve & R.D. McCullough, Advanced Materials, 19 (14), pp. 1822-1825, 2007).  
Recent advances in the use of CNT for photocurrent generation are highlighted.  A critical evaluation are made by authors for flexible, transparent, and large area organic photovoltaic devices. (Ref: V. Sgobba and D.M. Guldi, J. of Materials Chemistry; 18, pp. 153-157, 2008) 
NanoHorizons Inc. of USA adds silver nano particles to keep the odor away from urethane and nylon textiles
DuPont uses its bio-PDO (propanediol) to make "Sorona" when glass reinforced can challange engineering plastics
Europe's first glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) road bridge near Dresden (Germany) is made by Fiberline Composites
Chitosan from shrimp creates high tech bandages that stop bleeding in 30 seconds are developed by Hemcon Inc. of Portland, Oregon
Princeton Univ (USA) researchers have developed a low-cost fracture-induced structuring technique that produces very high quality gratings repeatedly as long as the polymer film is firmly adhered to the two wafers.  The development by Prof. Stephen Chou's group opens up an economically feasible process for patterning microchips (Ref: L.F. Pease, P. Deshpande, Y. Wang, W.B. Russel & S.Y. Chou; Nature Nanotechnology, 2, pp. 545-548, 2007).  
DuPont released its Fusabond® coupling agent for wood-polyethylene composites
Soy-based polyol could provide Lear Corp., the automotive supplier a greener alternative in head restraint, armrests, and seat cushions
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (USA) scientists uses chromium (II) chloride in ionic liquid solvents to convert glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a versatile intermediate for polyesters with a yield near 70% (H. Zhao, J.E. Holladay, H. Brown, & Z.C. Zhang; Science, 316 (5831), pp. 1597-1600 (2007).  
Inventors G. Bourne & S. Thornton of Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Maple Grove, MN) disclosed in a recent patent (U.S. Patent 7275640) that a 1st compartment stores a medical device while a second compartment stores an anti-microbial agent.  When the medical device is ready to use, anti-microbial agent flows from the 2nd compartment to the first, imparting anti-microbial properties to the surface of the medical device. 
iGlide R plastic bearing (reinforced nylon) from Igus Inc. wins the Design News 2004 Best product of the year award
Medical Comparator card, a unique tool that speeds up the plastic materials selection process for a cross-section of medical applications 
Nanotube ink: Rensselaer scientists develop new alternative for desktop printing of Carbon Nanotube Patterns 
Researchers at Aurora Flight Sciences have developed a polymer filled swelling hemostat made of a polymer fiber mesh encased in spandex fabric (Ref: MIT's Technology Review news: November 27, 2007)
Japanese scientists created the first example of a polymer quasicrystal, an ordered pattern that never repeats (plastic mosaic). K. Hayashida et al. Phys. Rev. Lett., 98, 195502 (2007) 
Plastic Logic reveals 150 ppi SVGA flexible active-matrix display technology in Frankfurt (Plastic Electronic 2006, Frankfurt, Germany)
"In-mold Adjustable Rheological Control" (iMARC), a "tuneable" version of the Melt Flipper technology is now available from Beaumont Technologies Inc., USA
High Impact Technologies (HIT) and Rhino Linings, USA develops polyurethane based sealing technology (BattleJacket) for military fuel tanker
Gene therapy using viruses as carriers or vectors is an active area of current research.  MIT researchers have used biodegradable polymers that enables transfection of human cells.  This work has shown the potential of degradable and biocompatible polymers as non-viral gene carriers (Ref: J.J. Green, D.G. Anderson, R. Langer et al. Advanced Materials, online Sept. 6, 2007)  
Fujitsu of Japan touts first bio-based polymers for mobile phone
Insert’s linear cyclodextrin coaining polymers can form complexes with compounds ranging in size from small molecule drugs to nucleic acids for improved therapeutic effects (Press releases, Pasadena, California, May 08, 17, 2007)
Dr. P. Wadganokar (NCL, Pune) of India and Prof. Y. Gnanou (Univ. of Bordeaux) of France synthesized a  totally soluble in non-polar media dicarbanionic initiator from cashew nut shell liquid.  The initiator is very efficient to make SBS triblock copolymers having well defined polybutadiene telechelics with 91% of 1,4 PB units (CSIR NEWS, March 30, 2007, pp.90-91) 
Univ. of Alberta researchers used ozonolysis to make polyols from Canola oil for polyurethane plastics sheets (X. Kong & S.S. Narine; Biomacromolecules, 8, pp. 2203-2209, 2007). 
How polymers are revolutionizing hair care products - Prof. Lochhead of Univ. of Southern Mississippi details in an interesting review article (Ref. R.Y. Lochhead and A. Cox; Happi, November issue, 2007)
Prof. Marek Urban of the Univ. of Southern Mississippi, reviews "Intelligent Polymeric Coatings; Current and Future Advances" (Polymer Reviews, 46, 329-339, 2006)
The Boeing 777 used 9% composites by weight, compared to 50% for the Boeing 787. Based on the specific area of Boeing 787, different matrix resin including bismaleimide is used (Doug Smock, Design News, May 15, 2007). 
Prof. James Baker and his colleagues of University of Michigan (USA) have nanoengineered dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (AuDENPs) that could kill tumor cells.  In fact, AuDENPs may serve as a general platform for cancer imaging and therapeutics (Small; 3 (7), pp. 1245-1252, 2007).
Researchers at the Institute of Polymer Processing, the University of Akron developed a novel method for the continuous dispersion of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix using an ultrasonically assited twin screw extrusion process (A.I. Isayev et al., May 6-11, ANTEC 2007, Cincinnati, USA).
Bayer touts it's next generation soft thermoplastic polyurethanes, Desmopan® 600

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology & Seoul University have reported the development of polymer nanoparticles that could detect cancer cells through MRI and fluoroscence imaging tests. 

Combining drug delivery and imaging the response in unique nano-sized packages show a great promise for future cancer treatment (Ref: T.G. Park etal., Advanced Materials 20, pp. 478-483, 2008). 
Japanese scientists have made a novel class of polyelectrolyte gels bearing tetra-alkylammonium tetraphenylborate as a lipophilic and bulky ionic group swell in some nonpolar organic solvents up to 500 times their dry size [T.Ono, T. Sugimoto, S. Shinkai & K. Sada, Nature Materials 6, 429 - 433 (2007)].

The new polymer, halogen free antiflammable polyphosphonates containing bishydroxydeoxybenzoin (BHDB), developed by Richard Farris, Bryan Coughlin, and Todd Emrick is getting attention from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NIST and the US Army (In the Loop, UMass, Amherst, May 30, 2007). The synthesis of the polymer was reported earlier by R.J. Farris et al.  in  Macromolecules, 39 (18), pp. 5974-5975 (2006)

Hacettepe Univ. (Turkey) researchers summarizes the main advances on the synthesis, structural phenomena, unique properties, and application areas of copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). Z. Rzaev, S. Dincer & E. Piskin Progress in Polymer Science, 32 (5), pp. 534-595 (2007) 
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Aspects of Electron Beam (EB) Processing of Polymers
Written by Indranil Banik   
May 02, 2008 at 12:18 PM

                      Of the many ways one can modify traditional polymers, electron beam irradiation (EBI) is one of the most attractive technique to the scientific and the industrial community, since it can profoundly affects the molecular structure providing polymeric materials with unique properties1-5.

                       The process has revolutionized the application of polymeric material in diverse areas including sterilization of medical devices, pollution control (treatment of sewage and sludge), food preservation, curing of cable insulations, manufacture of heat-shrinkable polymers, in orthopaedics, tire manufacturing and on1-4, 6,7.

                       The process is carried out with electron accelerators (EA) that provide energies between 75 eV and 10 MeV2,8,9. The radiation interacts with the polymeric material, knocking-off labile atoms from the polymer to generate radicals1, 2 on the carbon backbone of the polymer.

These radicals initiate reactions such as polymerization (e.g. curing of coatings), and cross-linking. Polymerization is possible with monomers having chemical unsaturations and proceeds through free-radical initiated addition reactions. Cross-linking results when two polymeric-radicals unite.

 

The target of the article is to summarize applications of the EB process to polymeric materials, describing the important benefits, how the process is quantified, how the best results can be achieved, current application trends and where the future lies.
Read more...
The Role of Molecular Architecture in the Development of new Melt-Processable Fluoropolymers
Written by Nafaa Mekhilef   
Jan 01, 2008 at 10:00 AM

                       Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a material of choice in the chemical process industry (CPI) for many reasons such as high resistance to harsh chemicals combined with its stability against UV light and heat, high electrical resistance and its high purity.  These properties make it a good material for insulating electrical wires, especially ones that get hot during it's use.  PVDF is used in the manufacturing of thick wall pipes, fittings and other components used in the transportation and storage of aggressive chemicals. In fact, high purity of PVDF allows its use in the semi-conductor business for transportation and storage of ultra-high purity water.
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TEN THOUSAND BEERS
Written by George Schmitt   
Nov 09, 2007 at 08:46 PM

                              Each year, Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) honors outstanding contributors to our field with the International Award.  Recently, such men as Alan MacDiarmid (Nobel Laureate), Chris Macosko, Glenn Beall, and Greg McKenna, among others were so recognized.  Well forty or so years ago, the International Award was bestowed on an equally illustrious group.  There were Paul Flory (Nobel ), Herman Mark, Gulio Natta (Nobel), Arthur Tobolsky, Charles Overberger, (later ACS president), and Turner Alfrey, to pick out a few. During the '40s to the '60s,the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now Polytechnic Institute of New York) was a center of polymer/plastics activity.  Herman Mark, before Hitler an I.G. Farbenindustrie research director, headed up PIB's Polymer Institute.  He drew Alfrey, Overberger, and Tobolsky to the  Institute's staff.  I was fortunate enough to be a student under these three men, and to spend more than a few evenings after class having a beer or two with them in a bar conveniently across the street from PIB.

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Aug 10, 2007 at 09:51 PM
                 Organic and Printed Electronics - Past, Present, and Future
                            by Gene Kim, Cookson Electronics, Georgia, USA                   
                         
                        This site is all about plastics.  Polymers are the backbone of plastics.  The giants of the molecular world.  They can be built from simple molecules.  Understanding polymers' behaviour and building it accordingly is a fascinating science.  Only the education of polymers in young and brighter minds could open up new material ideas and technologies for a brighter tomorrow.  Our mission is to bring plastics education and its news to everyone.
Welcome to PlasticsTrends
Written by Webmaster   
Mar 13, 2006 at 12:00 AM
        
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