NSF Convergence Accelerator Track M: Nature Inspired Bio-manufactured Terminal Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Copolyesters

该项目汇集了来自生物基塑料制造商的科学家，工程师和员工的多元化，智力和技术驱动的团队，他们的共同目标是进一步开发和商业化基于聚（ω-羟基脂肪酸）的多功能可持续塑料系列，P（ω-HOFA）。这些聚合物的灵感来自角质聚合物网络，其功能是防水和保护叶子和水果，并由ω-HOFA构建块组成。 从数百万年来进化的角质结构中获得的见解提供了一种重新设计聚乙烯（PE）的方法，以扩展其在许多应用中具有高度价值的特性。乙烯具有长的亚甲基间隔基，这是PE的特征，同时沿着聚合物链引入基团沿着，这些基团可以通过化学或生物化学过程裂解。将亚甲基间隔基与易于裂解的基团组合产生提供PE和角质两者的期望特性的塑料。预期结果是P（ω-HOFA）和共聚物，设计用于下一个生命周期的再处理。工作重点将是研究计划的制定，团队的形成，导致一个概念验证和会议的培训和跨队列合作。该研究计划将通过收敛的研究方法提供概念证明。第1阶段的活动还将确定技能/能力方面的差距，以指导其他团队成员的选择。以下描述了将在第1阶段计划期间完成的任务。以甲基十四烷酸为原料，项目组将单体合成从1升放大到100升。这项工作将有助于深入了解第二阶段将开展的扩大规模活动。将在多个规模下进行下游加工（DSP）和单体纯化。 将进行聚合以提供原型材料。这些材料将用于将原型材料的物理机械性能与当前可生物降解生物塑料的物理机械性能进行基准测试。调查将评估P（ω-HOC 14：0）的化学和生物再循环。将进行系统级技术经济分析（TEA）和生命周期评估（LCA）。此外，劳动力发展计划的第一阶段参与者将启动活动，并制定详细的实施计划。 PI与整个项目团队协商进行全面审查，将确定所需的团队扩展。该奖项反映了NSF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。

This project brings together a diverse, intellectually and technically driven group of scientists, engineers, staff from a biobased plastic manufacturer unified by the common goal of further developing and commercializing a versatile family of sustainable plastics based on poly(ω-hydroxyfatty acids), P(ω-HOFAs). These polymers were inspired by cutin polymer networks that function to waterproof and protect leaves and fruits and consist of ω-HOFA building blocks. Insights from cutin structure, that evolved over millions of years, provide an approach to re-design polyethylene (PE) to expand its properties that have proved highly valuable in many applications. Cutin has long methylene spacers, a characteristic of PE, while incorporating groups along polymer chains that can be cleaved by chemical or biochemical processes. Combining methylene spacers with readily cleavable groups results in plastics that provide desirable characteristics of both PE and cutin. The intended result is P(ω-HOFAs) and copolymers that are designed for reprocessing for the next life cycle. Efforts will focus on research plan development, team formation leading to a proof-of-concept and meetings for training and cross-cohort collaboration. The research program will provide proof of concept through a convergent research approach. The activities during Phase 1 will also identify gaps in skills/capabilities that guide the selection of additional team members. The following describes tasks that will be completed during the Phase 1 program. Using methyl-tetradecanoic acid as the feedstock, the project team will upscale monomer synthesis from 1 L to 100 L. This work will provide insights into scale-up activities to be performed in Phase 2. Downstream processing (DSP) and monomer purification will be performed at multiple scales. Polymerizations will be performed to provide prototype materials. These materials will be used to benchmark the physico-mechanical properties of prototype materials to those of current biodegradable bioplastics. Investigations will assess the chemical and biological recycling of P(ω-HOC14:0). System-level techno-economic analyses (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed. Also, Phase 1 participants in the workforce development program will initiate activities and develop detailed plans for implementation. An overall review by the PI, in consultation with the full program team, will determine required team expansions.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.