Articles tagged with "lignin"
Scientists turn wood waste into glowing material for TVs and phones
Researchers from Yale University and Nottingham Trent University have developed an eco-friendly, light-emitting material derived from lignin, a natural polymer and abundant by-product of the wood pulping and paper industry. This new material offers a sustainable alternative to conventional photoluminescent substances used in display technologies like TVs and smartphones, which typically rely on toxic metals and complex, polluting manufacturing processes. By combining lignin with the amino acid histidine and using only green solvents such as water and acetone, the team created solid-state materials that fluoresce under UV light with tunable properties, while minimizing environmental impact. The glowing effect arises from a process called Excited State Proton Transfer (ESPT), where lignin’s phenolic groups absorb UV light and act as photoacids, transferring protons to histidine molecules within the material. This interaction, revealed through computational modeling, enables efficient, metal-free light emission, with some materials continuing to glow briefly after the UV source is removed. The study highlights lign
materialssustainable-materialsligninphotoluminescent-materialsgreen-chemistryeco-friendly-electronicsdisplay-technologyNew wood-based sodium-ion batteries to power microcars and forklifts
Researchers in Germany have developed a novel sodium-ion battery using wood waste, specifically lignin, as a sustainable raw material for the negative electrode. The project, called ThüNaBsE, involves the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, with funding from the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund. By thermally treating lignin—a polymer abundant in wood and typically considered industrial waste—the team produces hard carbon, a porous material ideal for reversible sodium-ion storage. This approach aims to avoid critical metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, while also minimizing or eliminating fluorine content in the battery components. The battery’s positive electrode uses environmentally friendly Prussian Blue analogs, iron-based compounds known for their non-toxicity and availability. Early laboratory tests demonstrated stable performance over 100 charge-discharge cycles without significant degradation, with a goal of reaching 200 cycles for a 1-Ah full cell by project completion. The
energysodium-ion-batterieswood-based-batteriessustainable-materialsligninbattery-technologyelectric-vehiclesScientists create eco-friendly plastic from plants and captured CO2
Scientists at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed an innovative, eco-friendly polyurethane made from lignin—a natural polymer found in plant cell walls—and captured carbon dioxide. This new plant-based plastic maintains the strength, heat resistance, and flexibility typical of conventional polyurethane but avoids the use of toxic isocyanates, hazardous chemicals traditionally required in polyurethane production. The process uses fewer steps, consumes less energy, and produces a biodegradable material from renewable resources, offering significant environmental and health benefits. The resulting lignin-based polyurethane is also easier to process, dissolving readily in solvents, which enhances its scalability and commercial viability compared to other biomass-derived plastics. This advancement builds on previous work by the team exploring lignin’s potential in sustainable polymers, expanding its application from polycarbonate to the more widely used polyurethane. Supported by Florida State University’s resources and funding from the U.S. Army Research Office and South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, the research represents a promising step toward greener manufacturing
materialssustainable-plasticspolyurethanelignincarbon-dioxide-utilizationbiodegradable-polymersgreen-chemistryWood film boosts EV battery safety and extends cycle life by 60%
Researchers have developed a lignin-based film separator derived from wood that significantly enhances the safety and longevity of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly for electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics. This wood-based separator remains dimensionally stable at temperatures up to 300°C (572°F), outperforming conventional polyethylene and polypropylene separators that suffer from thermal shrinkage and instability. The lignin film prevents internal short circuits and thermal runaway, reducing fire risks, while also extending battery cycle life by 60%, meaning the battery can be charged and discharged many more times before degrading. The lignin separator is produced using a solvent-free dry process, which is environmentally friendly and scalable, generating no waste or emissions. Made from lignosulfonate—a natural polymer byproduct of pulping and biorefinery—the film is thin (about 25 micrometers) yet effective at maintaining battery stability. This sustainable manufacturing approach not only reduces environmental impact but also leverages abundant natural materials without additional processing. Overall
energylithium-ion-batteryelectric-vehiclesbattery-safetysustainable-materialsligninbattery-technologyInventWood is about to mass produce wood that’s stronger than steel
materialsSuperwoodcelluloseligninconstructioncarbon-impacttensile-strengthWith a Technology License from MIT and NREL in Hand, Comstock Fuels Aims to Produce Jet Fuel from Lignin
energybiomasssynthetic-fuelaviation-fuelrenewable-resourceshydrocarbonslignin