FMRG: Eco: Circular manufacturing of sustainable bioplastics from hemp-derived building blocks

开发一种具有特殊性能和多种回收和降解途径的可制造的生物聚合物，可以加速取代基于石化产品的传统聚合物，最终减少温室气体排放，并限制对人类和环境有害的微塑料的扩散。该项目将研究部分来源于大麻的材料，用于电子制造和医疗设备。原料大麻的普遍可用性通过缩短供应链和减少供应链脆弱性使制造商受益，并通过减少有毒物质的产生、运输和处置使社会受益。与通过食物来源（如玉米）发酵产生的其他生物聚合物相比，大麻提供了一种不与食物竞争的原料。劳动力开发计划中还包括了从中学开始引导学生进入制造业寻找第一份工作的参与战略。初中和高中外展旨在提供灵感和积极的实践经验，以吸引学生学习STEM和制造业。增材制造体验（AMx）项目为高中生提供了从行业专业人士那里学习动手制造技能的机会，这些技能可以在找到第一份工作时发挥作用。通过研究和课程的培训将为本科生和研究生在可持续制造业的未来职业生涯做好准备。本项目将研究两种具有不同性质的大麻衍生二醇单体与几种二羧酸的结合。各种组合将产生具有广泛可调性能的生物基聚酯。这项工作将合成几种聚酯变体，并扩展结构-性能关系的基础知识，以进一步提高性能指标。结构加工知识将从熔体粘度、结晶速率和溶解度等特性中获得。加工参数将确定制造方法，包括熔体加工，3D打印和绿色溶剂的溶液加工。由于电子产品是一个可能的市场切入点，研究人员将研究聚合物对腐蚀金属的保护性能，以及影响复合油墨分散状态和由此产生的机械性能和导电性的因素。热后处理和解聚回收将被描述为使聚合物具有循环性，降解研究将确定其在环境中的安全性。用于医疗设备和环境传感器的印刷电子产品将提供演示设备平台，利用这些材料的独特特性来吸引行业采用。该未来制造奖由技术、创新和伙伴关系理事会以及数学和物理科学理事会的化学和材料研究部支持。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Developing a manufacturing-ready biopolymer with exceptional properties and multiple routes to recycling and degradation could accelerate the displacement of legacy polymers based on petrochemicals, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the proliferation of microplastics that are dangerous to humans and the environment. This project will investigate materials partially derived from hemp for applications in electronics manufacturing and medical devices. The general availability the source material, hemp, benefits manufacturers by shortening supply chains and reducing supply chain vulnerabilities and benefits society by reducing the generation, transportation, and disposal of toxic materials. Contrasting with other biopolymers that are generated through the fermentation of food sources (e.g. corn), hemp provides a feedstock that does not compete with food. The workforce development plan includes engagement strategies to guide students starting from middle school to securing their first job in manufacturing. Middle school and high school outreach is designed to provide inspiration and positive, hands-on experiences to entice students toward STEM and manufacturing. The Additive Manufacturing Experience (AMx) program provides opportunities for high school students to learn hands-on manufacturing skills from industry professionals that can be leveraged in finding a first job. Training through research and coursework will prepare undergrad and grad students for future careers in sustainable manufacturing.This project will investigate two hemp-derived diol monomers with differing properties in combination with several dicarboxylic acids. The variety of combinations will result in bio-based polyesters with widely tunable properties. This work will synthesize several polyester variations and to expand the fundamental knowledge of structure-property relationships to further improve performance metrics. Structure-processing knowledge will be derived from characterizations such as melt viscosity, crystallization rate, and solubility. Processing parameters will be determined for manufacturing approaches including melt processing, 3D printing, and solution processing from green solvents. As electronics are a likely market entry point, the investigators will study the protective properties of the polymers for corrodible metals and the factors that affect the dispersion state and resulting mechanical properties and electrical conductivity in composite inks. Thermal reprocessing and depolymerization recycling will be characterized to enable circularity of the polymer, and degradation studies will determine safety in the environment. Printed electronics for medical devices and environmental sensors will provide demonstration device platforms that leverage the unique properties of these materials to attract industry adoption.This Future Manufacturing award was supported by the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate and the Division of Chemistry and Division of Materials Research in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.