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

开发一种具有优异性能和多种回收和降解途径的可用于制造的生物聚合物，可以加速以石化为基础的遗留聚合物的置换，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。该项目将研究部分从大麻中提取的材料在电子制造和医疗设备中的应用。原料大麻的普遍供应通过缩短供应链和减少供应链脆弱性使制造商受益，并通过减少有毒材料的产生、运输和处置而使社会受益。与通过发酵食物来源(如玉米)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。劳动力发展计划包括引导学生从中学开始到在制造业找到第一份工作的参与战略。初中和高中的推广活动旨在提供灵感和积极的实践经验，以吸引学生进入STEM和制造业。Additive Manufacturing Experience(AMX)计划为高中生提供从行业专业人员那里学习实践制造技能的机会，这些技能可用于寻找第一份工作。通过研究和课程培训将为本科生和研究生在可持续制造领域的未来职业生涯做好准备。这个项目将研究两种不同性质的大麻衍生二醇单体与几种二元酸的结合。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不同的聚酯，并扩展结构-性能关系的基础知识，以进一步改进性能指标。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。将确定制造方法的加工参数，包括熔融加工、3D打印和绿色溶剂的溶液加工。由于电子产品可能是一个市场切入点，调查人员将研究聚合物对易腐蚀金属的保护性能，以及影响复合油墨中分散状态和由此产生的机械性能和导电性的因素。将对热再加工和解聚回收进行表征，以实现聚合物的环形性，降解研究将确定在环境中的安全性。用于医疗设备和环境传感器的印刷电子产品将提供示范设备平台，利用这些材料的独特特性来吸引行业采用。这个未来制造奖得到了技术、创新和伙伴关系委员会以及数学和物理科学委员会中的化学和材料研究部门的支持。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.