Researchers at Rutgers University, USA have made a new form of semimiconducting thin-film material containing graphene and polystyrene (PS). Although graphene known to be a zero bandgap semiconductor, yet for the first time such composites have been shown to be semiconducting. The composite, made using ordinary plastic processing techniques, could be attractive for low-cost printed electronics applications.  The authors concluded in their paper, "The reported scheme for fabricating semiconducting composite thin films from graphene and a commodity plastic could be useful for low-cost, macroscale thin film electronics" (Ref: G. Eda and M. Chhowalla; Nano Lett., 9 (2), pp 814-818, 2009)  

In the pursuit of a clean and an affordable power source, Prof. Adrian Kitai's group at McMaster University, Canada has developed a flexible solar cell technology which has the ability to bend the solar cells to fit the curved roof of a bus shelter.  In fact, a prototype for the bus shelter is located on the west side of University avenue between John Hodgins Engineering building and the Life Science Building in Toronto.

The flexibility comes from tiling a large number of small silicon elements into an array, and mounting them onto a flexible plastic sheet while connecting them via a proppietary method.  Each strip has 720 one centimeter square solar cells and generates upto 4.5 Watts of power.

More info available @ www.eng.mcmaster.ca/news/feature.html

Collagen is a versatile biomaterial and can reproduce the morphology of natural bone.  The problem is the poor structural consistency in the wet conditions. For the first time, a Spanish group of researchers led by Dr. Jose M. Lagaron used several cross-linking agents as potential alternatives in electrospun collagen nanofibers to avoid the poor water resistance on natural collagen (Ref:Sergio Torres-Giner et al., ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 1 (1), pp. 218 – 223, 2009).    

3D systems announced that its DuraForm® FR100 passes the flame, smoke, and toxicity tests for aircraft applications and has a UL 94 V-0 rating.  Applications could include aircraft parts such as cockpit and cabin composnents and direct manufacturing of parts for consumer products such as lighting, electronics and appliances. (Ref: Press release June 24, 2009: www.3dsystems.com)

When we go for an x-ray after a broken arm or a leg, we know x-ray will pass through the soft tissues and will show a clear image of our broken bone.  That was not the case for a molecule until now.  IBM researchers of Zurich research lab., Switzerland along with the scientists from Utrecht University, Netherlands managed to resolve the puzzle by using noncontact atomic force microscopy (known as AFM) to see the structure of pentacene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecule.  

Researchers demonstrated imaging of molecules with unprecedented atomic resolution by probing the short range chemical forces.  Experimental findings were corroborated by ab initio density functional calculations.

Pentacene is an organic molecule consisting of 22 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms measuring 0.14 nm.  How about observing other interesting molecules such as graphene, carbon nano-tube, DNA etc.  Exciting time for the surface scientists!

(Ref: L. Gross, F. Mohn, N. Moll, P. Liljeroth, and G. Meyer, Science 325 (5944), pp. 1110-1114, 2009)

At TECHTEXTIL 2009 in Frankfurt (June 16 - 18, 2009), Arkema is unveiling its 100% bio-sourced "green" technical polymers.  They are Rilsan PA 11, Pebax Rnew and Platamid Rnew.  The new Rilsan PA 11 is 100% biobased while keeping the unique set of properties such as soft touch, light weight, resistance to bacteria, wear, and abrasion. Pebax Rnew is the first engineering TPE made from renewable resources.  Likewise, Platmid Rnew is the first 100% biobased hotmelt adhesive. (Ref: www.fibre2fashion.com)

The self-assembling block copolymers could create an efficient way to fabricate ultra-high-density computer memory. 

University of Massachusetts at Amherst and University of Berkley (Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory), USA researchers found a way to coat  commercially available sapphire wafers to guiding the self-assembly of block copolymer microdomains into oriented arrays with quasi–long-range crystalline order over arbitrarily large wafer surfaces.  The approach discussed in their research paper is applicable to different substrates and block copolymers. This opens up a versatile route toward ultrahigh-density systems.

(Ref: S. Park, B Kim, S.W. Hong, U. Jeong, T. Xu, and T. P. Russell; Science, 323 (5917), pp. 1030 – 1033, 2009)

Researchers from Uppsala University (Sweden) prepared a novel nanostructured high-surface-area electrode material that could be used for energy-storage applications.  This material is made of cellulose fibres extracted from Cladophora algae (collected at sea) coated with a 50 nm layer of polypyrrole.  Conductive polymers can be used in many applications such as electrochemically controlled ion-exchange membranes, energy storage devices, etc.  Current drawbacks however, are insufficient functional charging rates and the cycling stabilities for any practical applications.

This study reported that the composite conductive paper material have a specific surface area of 80 m² g⁻¹ and batteries based on this composite material can be charged with currents as high as 600 mA cm⁻² with only 6% loss in capacity over 100 subsequent charge and discharge cycles.  Seemingly, this material could as well be used in smart packaging and other paper-based products and textiles.  Indeed, quite a feat in the field polymer paper battery.

(Ref:  G. Nyström, A. Razaq, M. Strømme, L. Nyholm, A. Mihranyan Nano Letters, published in the web Sept. 09, 2009 DOI: 10.1021/nl901852h)

A group of scientists from Univ. of California (USA), Univ. of Laval (Canada), and South Korea reported fabrication of solar cells with 6% of power conversion effeciancy.  They have used alternating copolymer in bulk heterojunction composites with the fullrene derivative. This work of good engineering could provide the future direction of plastics solar cells. (Ref: K. Lee, M. Leclerc, A.J. Heeger et al; Nature Photonics, pp. 297-302, 2009)

CO2 as a raw material for polymer production, Norner Innovation embarked on an ambitious project with the support of Norwegian Resaerch Council.  Previously Prof. Coates group at Cornell Univ. had shown developing CO2 based polymers. (Ref: www.norner.no)

If any new technology could easily produce potable water from salty water, fresh water scarcity that is looming over our planet could be put on halt.  This is what NanoH₂O is aiming for its advanced thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane technology.
      
NanoH₂O is advancing the work of Professor Eric Hoek of UCLA’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.  Polymer membrane technology in the desalination process is not a new one. The problem however, is in the increased production of water.  Increased production means to achieve enhanced membrane permeability but this allows too much salt to escape.  The other issue is to stop bacteria to flourish in the membrane known as fouling.  Dr. Hoek developed a polymer nanocomposite membrane using zeolite nanoparticles dispersed in one of the 2 monomer solutions by the interfacial polymerization process.  The idea of introducing nanoparticles was to increase the water permeability (preventing the salty ions) while changing the surface membrane properties to avoid fouling.  The process is known as Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO).  Dr. Hoek went further by adding traces of silver onto the nanoparticles.  Silver compounds are well known for their antimicrobial properties.

NanoH₂O’s TFN membrane is expected to increase the production from 6,000 to 7,500 gallons/day/8”membrane to 12,000 gallons/day.  Since the size and the shape of the TFN membrane would remain the same, desalination plants could retrofit the membranes conveniently.  
No wonder NanoH₂O becomes a Global Cleantech 100 clean technology company.

(Ref: NanoH₂O Press release; Los Angeles, California, September 9, 2009 www.nanoh2o.com)

To follow more on Prof. Hoek’s recent work, see references below:
                 
E.M.V. Hoek et al., “Influence of Solute-Membrane Affinity on Rejection of Uncharged Organic Solutes by Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis Membranes,” Environmental Science & Technology 43 pp. 2400-2406 (2009).

E.M.V. Hoek et al., “Effect of Mobile Cation on Zeolite-Polyamide Thin Film Nanocomposite Membranes,” Journal of Materials Research 24, pp. 1624-1631 (2009).

A.K. Ghosh, and E.M.V. Hoek, “Impacts of Support Membrane Structure and Chemistry on Polyamide-Polysulfone Interfacial Composite Membranes,” Journal of Membrane Science 336, pp. 140–148 (2009).

E.M.V. Hoek et al., “Influence of Feed Water Temperature on Separation Performance and Organic Fouling of Brackish Water RO Membranes,” Desalination 239, pp. 346-359 (2009).

E.M.V. Hoek et al., “Influence of Feed Water Temperature on Inorganic Fouling of Brackish Water RO Membranes,” Desalination 235, pp. 44–57 (2009).


Prof. Jenekhe of Univ. of Washington in Seattle and Prof. Watson of Univ. of Kentucky in Lexington have developed a new ambipolar polymer that can perform faster in polymer circuit than those were made in the past.  This type of polymer is a not a new one.  However, researchers demonstrated the novelty in the speed at which charges move through a semiconductor by using a donor-acceptor type copolymer. The promise is a possible faster printable circuits.  Ref: F.S. Kim, X. Guo, M.D. Watson, & S.A. Jenekhe: Advanced Materials, Published online August 11, 2009

An effective way to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is through the plants.  Braskem S.A. is using sugarcane as feedstock to produce ethanol.  Production of ethylene through the catalytic dehydration of ethanol is the core of the technology.    This bio-based polyethylene not only provides an alternative to commodity plastics based on fossil feedstocks but also reduces carbon footprint.

(Ref: A. Morschbacker, J. Macromolecular Sci., Part C: Polymer Reviews, 49, pp.79-84, 2009)

Neo-PLA fiber gets all the attention since it has high thermal resistance and can be processed by high pressure dyeing.  Industrial uses of neo-PLA such as in car sheets or textiles are on the rise.  This bio-based polymer could compete with poly(butylene terephthalate), an engineering plastics. A consortium of Japanese companies are developing neo-PLAs consisting of stereo-block PLA that would provide a wide range of properties not attainable with PLA only.

(Ref: M. Kakuta, M. Hirata, and Y. Kimura, J. Macromolecular Sci., Part C: Polymer Reviews, 49, pp.107-140, 2009) 

Plastic Logic reveals 150 ppi SVGA flexible active-matrix display technology in Frankfurt (Plastic Electronic 2006, Frankfurt, Germany)

Prof. Helmuth of Vienna University of Technology, Austria reported a novel layer-by-layer deposition/oxidation process for plastic transistors that could open up new vista for plastics electronics (Ref: H. Hoffmann, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Published on-line Feb. 6, 2009).

It is costly & challanging to separate aromatic hydrocarbons from aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures. Researchers from Shanghai (China) made a porous 3D polymer using a flexible 1D polymer made from metal units attached to salen ligands, known as metallsalen.  The uniqueness of the polymer is that it could recognize the guest molecule through host-guest interactions and thereby separating aromatics with high selectivity from aliphatic mixtures.

The future lies not only separating hydrocarbon mixtures in the refining process but also to recycle the polymers without adsorption and losses.(Ref: Y. Cui et al. Chemical Communications, pp. 2118 - 2120, 2009)

If you are a researcher in the field of polymer nanocomposites, you might wish to read this article by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg researchers for reference.  How nanometer resolution could assist you to assess the fundamental and yet an accurate information of the polymer matrix morphology as well as the filler and the adhesion between them.
(Ref: R. Adhikari, and G.H. Michler; Polymer Reviews, 49 (3), pp. 141-180, 2009)

Federal German Printing Office(Bundesdruckerei GmbH) has developed a technology with Bayer MaterialScience AG's
Innosec Fusion®,that can color-personalize high-security cards made of the polycarbonate films Makrofol® with a
photo and signature of the holder.  Innosec Fusion® process uses digital printing process that yields particularly high color brilliance.
 

This process is innovative since the color print image is created inside the card and cannot be tampered with without destroying the laminated film structure.  In other words, cards produced (ID cards & passports) using this process are difficult to counterfeit.
Until now, it has only been possible to apply black-and-white “print images” to the inside of polycarbonate cards using laser engraving.

(Ref: Press release, Leverkusen, July 29, 2009 Bayer MaterialScience AG)

Unidym is a startup based in Menlo Park, California and has extensive knowledge in developing and marketing carbon nanotube (CNT) based materials for electronics industry. Lately they have been developing CNT-based transparent conductive films for the touch panel, display, and solar industries.  Primarily to replace the brittle and expensive indium tin oxide (ITO) coated films.  Another benefit as a high transparency anti-static film for the display industry is to reduce yield loss associated with electrostatic discharge and particles. (Ref: www.unidym.com)

One could reduce the healthcare costs by cutting medical complications after an operation or by quickly healing the wounds.  The team of researchers from MIT tried to do just that by characterizing  interactions between one type of glue to tissues from rat’s heart, lung, liver, and dudenum.  The objective is to develop a platform of adhesive materials. (Refs: N. Artzi, T. Shazly, A.B. Baker, A. Bon, E.R. Edelman; Advanced Materials Online 2 June 2009, E.A. Thompson, MIT News release July 9, 2009)

Authors decribe using conductive thermoplastic/metal hybrid materials how some of the manufacturing steps could be integrated into the injection molding process. (Ref: W. Michaeli, and T.G. Pfefferkorn; Polym. Eng. Sci.; 49 (8), pp. 1511–1524, 2009)

Univ. of California & Stanford Univ researchers developed unique capacitors by spraying a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) between two pieces of plastic and sandwitching a gel eletrolyte within them. SWCNTs served as both electrodes and charge collectors. This work provides the foundation for the bright future of printable charge storage device. (Ref: Y. Cui, G. Gruner et al. Nano Letter, ASAP article, April 6, 2009)

Di Gao, a chemical and petroleum engineering professor at the university of Pittsburg Swanson School of Engineering, reports a nanoparticle-based coating that thwarts the build up of ice on solid surfaces and that can be easily applied. 

His team treated aluminum plates with silicone resin solutions that had been combined with silica nanoparticles (20 nanometres to 20 micrometres in size). As described in Langmuir Letter, DOI: 10.1021 these plates not only were able deflect supercooled water (-20°C) in lab tests, but the team was also able to demonstrate the performance of coatings containing 50 nanometer particles that would not support ice build up in freezing rain where untreated parts of the surface became encrusted in ice.


In a recent artcle, researchers from Braskem S.A., and University of Campinas reviewed how the concept of biopolymers and bioplastics emerged, where these industrial developments are taking place, and what trends are expected in the near future.

(Ref: A. U.B. Queiroz and F.P. Collares-Queiroz, J. Macromolecular Sci., Part C: Polymer Reviews, 49, pp.65-78, 2009)

Non-toxic NUVADERM™ liquid bandage that utilizes poly(urea-urethane) liquid emulsion polymer provides a non-toxic, hydrophobic, elastomeric coating that gives a barrier against moisture and yet permeable to oxygen.  It’s an one component easily sprayed or could be applied by brush.  Once in contact with the air, the liquid bandage becomes solid and keeps moisture & dirt from entering the wound site.    

(Ref: Press Release: August 05, 2009 Chesson Labs, NC, USA)

Researchers from Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus (Ohio), analysed effects of filler size on crystallization rate and it’s content, effects of clarifiers and others on the final properties of the injection molded PLA parts.  Mr. Corey Linden presented the work in SPE’s GEPEC 2009 conference in Florida.

(Ref: C. Linden GEPEC 2009 Proceedings, Feb. 25 – 27, Orlando, Florida) 

Scientists from academics and OPV manufacturers including Konarka Technologies, Luna Innovations, Plextronics and Solarmer Energy met to discuss the challenges, such as lifetimes of OPV cells and their efficiency levels.  Intertech Pira organized the Organic Photovoltaics 2009 in Philadelphia, USA. Conference summary is available at
http://www.printedelectronicsnow.com/articles/2009/05/organic-photovoltaics-2009-examines-gains-in-opv-t

Vitra, the Swiss furniture manufacturer, showcasing Vegetal in “Salone Internazionale del Mobile”, Milan, Italy.  Vegetal chair is a seat shell that looks like branches of different thicknesses woven together.  It is made of BASF’s plastic Miramid^® using Gas Injection technology (GIT) process. Specifically, the grade used B3EG3 GIT.  These are specially optimized for GIT and meet the high surface quality requirements & colorations for indoors and outdoors.  Six different colors are expected to be available by mid-2009. (Ref: BASF news release, P-09-210, April 17, 2009)  

Whether it is LED TV, or minimally invasive catheter, or anti-vibration protective work gloves, they all have one thing in common: the polymer resins.  Designers are continuing their creativity utilizing plastics. (Ref: Plastics News, August 10, 2009)