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Advantages of plastics in general
Advantages of plastics in general
Biodegradable plastic essay
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Bio based plastics
Bio based plastics are those plastics which are fully or partially made up from biological resources. History
The first bio-based plastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was discovered in 1926 by a well known French researcher, Maurice Lemoigne,. The significance of Lemoigne’s discovery was overlooked for many decades, in large part because, at the time, petroleum was inexpensive and abundant.
The rise of molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology after that time further spurred research, so at the beginning of the 21st century the structures, and applications for numerous types of bio-based plastics had established.
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However, improvements in metabolic and genetic engineering have produced strains of microbes and plants that may significantly improve yields and production capabilities on the other hand reducing overall costs of product. These factors, when added to increasing oil prices and growing environmental awareness, may expand the market for bio-based plastics in the future. Process Natural bio-based polymers
These types of polymers are prepared by living beings, basically in the way in which they are at the last utilized.some examples are;
• Polysaccharides
•
rapid development of polymer chemistry after World War II a host of new synthetic fibers
The Soylent team is hopeful that they can create a “Soylent-producing ‘superorganism’: a single strain of alga that pumps out Soylent all day.” By completely automating agricultural production, we are solving world hunger, lowering chances of resource wars, therefore making the world a better place. The development of synthetic foods is a movement. There are many nutritional issues, both around the world and in this country, and synthetic foods are a viable solution to our problem. People are obese, overweight, diabetic, or malnourished because healthy food is too expensive.
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. (2004, August 11). Environmental Roadmapping Initiative. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from Plastics Impacts, Risks and Regulations: http://ecm.ncms.org/ERI/new/IRRPlastics.htm
The synthesis of polymers starts with ethylene, (or ethene). Ethylene is obtained as a by-product of petrol refining from crude oil or by dehydration of ethanol. Ethylene molecules compose of two methylene units (CH2) linked together by a double carbon
There is also debate on how much better biodegradable plastics are in the first place. This is because as biodegradable plastics break down, they break up into smaller and smaller pieces, but never quite disappear. This leaves the potential that the plastic would continue entering the food chain. But although biodegradable plastics aren’t perfect, they are still much safer than standard plastic and present a much lower risk. In addition, by making the shift to ban single use plastics, research towards better plastic alternatives will speed up and better solutions will become available. Over time, these new alternatives to plastics may spread to other items that aren’t single use, making an even greater impact on the health of humans and the
Ever since I began studying science and mathematics at all levels of educations I have always had an interest in the production of useful materials. In the growing turmoil of today; a world full of global warming and diminishing resources, questions often arise in my mind such as, "can we make a more efficient, more durable and a renewable resource that will overshadow fossil fuels? and have less of an impact on our environment?" Up to now, I have not found a solution to these questions and answering these questions is a personal aspiration of mine which I aim to fulfil by achieving a degree in Chemical engineering and eventually I will contribute to the field in my own unique way. The debate surrounding sustainable energy fascinates me, having recently learned from personal research I have understood what an authoritative role chemists and chemical engineers play in the industry at the present time and how, by working as a team, they contribute to an improved future for the whole world. However, one of the main reasons that has single-mindedly driven me this far to want to study chemical engineering is a book I have read, “Beyond the Molecular Frontier: Challenges for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” While reading this book, I had solidified my understandings of what chemical engineering is all about. Also, one of the main processes mentioned was polymerisation and is something I already study in A-level chemistry, it is something that not only interests me, but is a personal career aspiration of mine. Reading this book gave me a determination to be the person who helps improve the future of the industry and provide an answer to the questions I always ask myself by studying this degree.
In addition, the plastics have shown to generate more damage to the environment in the long-term than any other sources of energy. So, it becomes our responsibility to preserve the environment creating mass awareness. The practice of bio-plastics are an environment friendly method, which doesn’t use the landfills while recycling and deposition, but it is also not that convenient method because the cost of manufacturing bio-plastics are much higher than ordinary method. This directly indicates that the cost of minimizing the waste, the cost of human health and environmental pollution is much higher than the production of
Polymer-Polyethylene is partially crystalline as well as amorphous because it has crystalline and amorphous regions. Also it has linear chains so this is the simplest structure compared to a branched or network chain. This can be of an advantage to it over other types of materials as its good toughness and elongation makes it very significant in the engineering industry as it can be moulded or extruded into shape...
Tillman, Gerngoss U., and Slater C. Steven. "Making Packaging Greener – Biodegradable Plastics." Biodegradable Plastic News. 2 Aug. 2007 <"Background Press Information." Background Press Information. 28 July 2007 .>.
Plastics are a product that was intended to stay on land; although they have been entering oceans at a startling rate, affecting the environment dramatically. Pol...
Although companies across the globe continue to produce multiple polycarbonate #7 plastic products with BPA, more is being noticed about the adverse health effects to humans can be harmful. Testing on mice has proven that some exposure to BPA can be linked to Cancer and neurological disorders. In countries which have banned the use of BPA in different products, would agree that this chemical is toxic and dangerous. However, as long countries like the United States, who do not currently support banning BPA countrywide due to limited scientific data to back all claims, BPA will continue to be a global issue which continues to be hidden in the dark and a mystery globally
The majority of people do not recycle plastic bottles; therefore, the bottles continue to accumulate on the ground. Out of every ten water bottles used, only two end up being recycled. At a minimum, it takes four hundred and fifty years for the plastic to biodegrade; some scientist even hypothesizing that it will take a thousand years before the plastic will completely break down. Thankfully, sixteen year old Daniel Burd discovered a microorganism that rapidly decomposes plastic products forty-three percent within six weeks. Because of Burd’s major breakthrough further research is being conducted to discover the byproducts of theses microorganisms and their metabolism. Other chemical forms can increase the momentum of decomposition of plastic, but they are harmful to the rest of the earth’s ecosystem. Hopefully Burd’s microorganism and research will eventually lead to their widespread use in decomposing massive amounts of plastic bottles, but until then, plastic bottles take up as much as twenty-fo...
These fragments absorb all the toxins that pollute waterways, contaminate soil, and sicken animals (which are then consumed). Plastic trash also absorbs organic pollutants such as BPA. They take centuries to decompose while sitting in landfills, amounting to billions of environmentally poisonous time bombs. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used to create polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are found in a wide range of products, but food and drink containers are the most concerning.
My main aim during my undergraduate studies was to get an overview of the various fields in chemical engineering and identify a field of interest in which I could pursue my research career. Because of their vast applications, Materials & Polymer Sciences, in general, have attracted m...