APROPOS K

Technological progress would be inconceivable without modern materials and there is no doubt at all that plastics are among the most versatile materials that exist. It is impossible to imagine the world as we know it without plastics. The “Apropos K” highlights issues of particular interest, focussing on plastics in everyday life – including special case studies – and providing historical background information, with in-depth descriptions that are understandable to non-experts too.

Overview: Apropos K

New material captures carbon dioxide

11/10/2019

The captured CO2 can be converted into plastic and other useful organic materials.

Combination of wood fibers and spider silk create a new kind of polymer

19/09/2019

Achieving strength and extensibility at the same time has so far been a great challenge in material engineering: increasing strength has meant losing extensibility and vice versa. Now Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland researchers have succeeded in overcoming this challenge, inspired by nature.

Making polyurethane degradable gives its components a second life

16/09/2019

Polyurethane waste is piling up, but scientists have a possible solution: They have developed a method to make polyurethane degradable. Once the original product's useful life is over, the polymer can easily be dissolved into ingredients to make new products such as superglue.

Making More Plastics Recyclable

03/09/2019

To date, it is nothing but the wishful thinking of many plastics recyclers: that recyclability is taken into account right from the very beginning of a product’s life cycle, at the product design stage. A new project aims at making this dream come true.

Artificial heart valves: new coating procedure could reduce risk of thrombosis

31/07/2019

A research team from materials science has developed a method of connecting plastics which enables completely new applications. For example in heart valves, to which hardly any blood adheres.

Wireless microengine made from a twisted polymer fibre

18/07/2019

A highly efficient, micro-sized motor-cum-energy storage system has been presented in the journal ‘Science’. The ‘microengine’ is made from polymeric micro-fibres, which are stiff at room temperature. When heated, the fibres become elastic and can be twisted – like a model aeroplane powered by a rubber band....

Innovative materials with carbon fibres made from algae

15/07/2019

In combination with granite or other types of hard rock, carbon fibres make possible all-new construction and building materials. Theoretical calculations show: If the carbon fibres are produced from algae oil, production of the innovative materials extracts more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it sets free.

Porsche launches low-volume production with bio-based materials

09/07/2019

Automaker Porsche is leveraging the benefits of organic materials in automotive manufacturing applications. The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport features body parts made of natural-fiber composite materials ...

Plastic water bottles may one day fly people cross-country

18/06/2019

A research group led by Washington State University scientists has found a way to turn regular plastic waste products into jet fuel.

Yoghurt in plastic tubs

20/05/2019

Light, stable, safe and simple to transport: these were the main requirements that the yoghurt packaging was supposed to satisfy. On 10. May 1963, Meierei-Zentrale Berlin presented its new, square tub made of plastic. In doing so, it pioneered a convenient way to eat yoghurt that had been unknown until then.