U.S.-Bulgaria Cooperative Research on Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing of Polymeric Materials from Natural Wastes

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9514149 Mark This U.S.-Bulgaria Cooperative Research award will study "Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing of Polymeric Materials from Neutral Wastes." The principal researchers are Dr. J. E. Mark of the University of Cincinnati, and Dr. B. S. Fakirov of Sofia University. Theoretical developments indicate that unusually good mechanical properties can be obtained by drying swollen networks of semi-rigid chains while they are in the deformed state. This approach was recently demonstrated for cellulosic esters and ethers and for some poly(n- alkylisiocyanates), yielding increases in Young's modulus and tensile strength by factors of 4 to 5. The proposed study aims at extension of these successful experiments to collagen in the form of highly-degradable gelatin. This material is particularly suited for the development of such techniques for a number of reasons, including: (1) possibility of production from natural wastes using very mild processing conditions; (2) water solubility; (3) biodegradability, with absence of pollution problems; (4) low cost; and (5) consumability as a food product. The expectation is to develop laboratory-scale technology for manufacturing gelatin fibers and films with improved mechanical properties potentially usable as commodity materials and goods. Depending on the results obtained, an attempt could be made to commercialize the optimized technology. This research in chemistry fulfills the program objectives of bringing together leading experts in the U.S. and Bulgaria to combine complementary efforts and capabilities in areas of strong mutual interest and competence on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutuality of benefit. ***