Articles tagged with "lignin"
Scientists 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