Advanced Bioplastics for Sustainable Applications

这一研究伙伴关系将研究一种新型工程多糖的基本性质。它还将评估其在热塑性复合材料可持续产品开发中的应用。这种新材料是可再生的，因为它是由酶促蔗糖聚合产生的。因此，它有很大的希望，以协助开发新的塑料产品，有利于环境。研究的问题是对这种新型工程多糖的分子结构与其他聚合物混合的行为了解不足。由于缺乏对控制混合特性的了解，这种可再生材料无法在其他树脂中适当分散。由于混合不良，产品可能表现出脆性或过早老化。这种研究伙伴关系将产生积极的影响，通过创造下一代生物基塑料和树脂应用于包装，建筑和运输。因此，预计这里开发的新技术将减轻石化塑料对环境的有害影响，因为这种新型工程多糖是基于可再生原料的。此外，这项研究伙伴关系将支持培训高素质人才加入加拿大的劳动力队伍，并确保这项新技术转移到制造业，从而为可持续经济做出贡献。

This research partnership will investigate the fundamental properties a new type of engineered polysaccharide. It will also evaluate its application in the development of sustainable products for thermoplastic composites. This new material is renewable because it is produced by enzymatic polymerization of sucrose. Therefore it has great promise to assist in the development of new plastic products with benefits to the environment. The research problem is related to poor understanding about the behavior of the molecular structure of this novel engineered polysaccharide with respect to mixing with other polymers. The lack of knowledge about the characteristics controlling mixing prevent a proper dispersion of this renewable material inside other resins. As a consequence of poor mixing, products may exhibit brittle behavior or premature aging. This research partnership will have a positive impact by creating the next generation of biobased plastics and resins for application in packaging, construction and transportation. As result, it is expected that the new technology to be developed here will mitigate the detrimental effects of petrochemical plastics in the environment because this novel engineered polysaccharide is based on renewable feedstock. Moreover, this research partnership will support training of highly qualified personnel to join the workforce in Canada and assure that this new technology is transferred into manufacturing, thus contributing to a sustainable economy.