Page 83 - Plastics News July 2024

IN THE NEWS

to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, complex, customized shapes with precise control
or electric fields. These materials are finding appli- over material properties.
cations in fields like biomedicine, sensors, and soft
robotics. Recent advances in 3D printing include the devel-
opment of multi-material printing, which enables
Thermo-responsive polymers, for instance, can un- the combination of different polymers with varying
dergo reversible phase transitions at specific tem- properties in a single print. This capability is par-
peratures. A well-known example is poly(N-isopro- ticularly useful in creating complex medical devices,
pylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which is soluble in water at such as prosthetics and implants, where different
room temperature but precipitates out of solution parts of the device require different mechanical
when heated above its lower critical solution tem- properties and biocompatibility.
perature (LCST). This property makes PNIPAM useful
in drug delivery systems, where it can release drugs Another exciting development is the use of advanced
in response to the body’s temperature. techniques like electrospinning and 3D bioprinting
to create polymer-based scaffolds for tissue engi-
Another intriguing development is the use of light- neering. These scaffolds can support the growth of
responsive polymers in the creation of self-healing cells and tissues, offering promising solutions for
materials. These polymers contain molecular bonds regenerative medicine and organ transplantation.
that can break and reform when exposed to light, 6. Polymer Recycling and Circular Economy
allowing the material to repair itself after damage.
Such self-healing polymers have potential applica- As the world grapples with the environmental im-
tions in coatings, electronics, and even structural pact of plastic waste, advancements in polymer
materials. recycling and the circular economy are becoming

4. Nanocomposites increasingly important. Researchers are developing
new methods to efficiently recycle and upcycle poly-
Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate na- mers, transforming waste materials into valuable
noparticles into a polymer matrix, significantly en- products.
hancing the properties of the base polymer. The
addition of nanoparticles, such as carbon nano- Chemical recycling, for example, breaks down poly-
tubes, graphene, or silica, can improve mechanical mers into their monomers or other useful chemicals,
strength, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, which can then be used to produce new polymers.
and barrier properties. This process offers a way to recycle plastics that are
difficult to process through traditional mechanical
Graphene-based nanocomposites, for instance, recycling methods. Enzymatic recycling, which uses
have shown remarkable improvements in mechani- enzymes to degrade polymers into their constituent
cal strength and electrical conductivity. These mate- monomers, is another promising approach being
rials are being explored for use in flexible electron- explored for polyester recycling.
ics, conductive coatings, and advanced batteries.
Similarly, the incorporation of silica nanoparticles Moreover, the concept of a circular economy, where
into polymers can enhance their thermal stability materials are kept in use for as long as possible, is
and barrier properties, making them suitable for driving innovation in polymer engineering. Design-
high-temperature applications and improved food ing polymers for recyclability, creating products with
packaging. extended lifespans, and developing biodegradable
materials are all strategies being pursued to mini-
5. Advanced Manufacturing Techniques mize waste and promote sustainability.

The development of new manufacturing techniques 7. Biomedical Applications
has also played a crucial role in advancing polymer
engineering. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, Polymers play a critical role in the biomedical field,
has revolutionized the way polymers are processed where they are used in everything from drug de-
and used. This technology allows for the creation of livery systems to tissue engineering scaffolds and

July 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 85