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

该项目汇集了来自一家生物塑料制造商的不同的、智力和技术驱动的科学家、工程师和员工团队，他们的共同目标是进一步开发基于聚(ω-羟基脂肪酸)，P(ω-HOFA)的多功能可持续塑料家族并将其商业化。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树叶和水果，并由ω-HOFA积木组成。从角质结构的洞察，经过数百万年的演变，提供了一种重新设计聚乙烯(PE)的方法，以扩展其已被证明在许多应用中具有极高价值的性能。角质具有长的亚甲基间隔，这是PE的特征，同时沿着可被化学或生化过程切割的聚合物链结合基团。将亚甲基间隔基与容易裂解的基团相结合，可以得到既具有PE特性又具有角质特性的塑料。预期的结果是P(ω-HOFA)和共聚物，专为下一个生命周期的后处理而设计。工作重点将放在研究计划的制定、团队组建导致概念验证以及培训和跨队列协作的会议上。该研究计划将通过融合的研究方法提供概念证明。第一阶段的活动还将确定技能/能力方面的差距，以指导额外团队成员的选择。以下内容描述了在第一阶段计划期间将完成的任务。使用甲基十四酸作为原料，项目团队将把单体合成的规模从1 L提高到100L。这项工作将为第二阶段将要实施的放大活动提供见解。下游加工和单体提纯将在多个规模上进行。将进行聚合以提供原型材料。这些材料将被用来对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-HOC14：0)的化学和生物循环。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与整个计划团队协商后进行的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。

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.