Chemists have succeeded in creating a water-resistant, biodegradable plastic suitable for dishes. Reported by the American Chemical Society.
Scientists have long sought alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics. The ideal material for many applications will be materials that are inexpensive, strong, reliable, environmentally friendly and degrade rapidly in the environment. For example, cornstarch packaging dissolves instantly in water, and many vegetable sugar polymers take years to decompose.
Scott Phillips and his colleagues decided to create a material based on isomaltite, an edible substance made from sugar and used as a sweetener. In particular, plastic-like confectionery decorations are made from pure isomaltite, but not strong enough for practical use. In this regard, the authors of the work tried to increase its strength with the help of natural additives to create a material that decomposes moderately.
The researchers heated isomalt to a liquid state and mixed it with cellulose, sawdust and wood flour to make three different materials. Then, using commercial plastic manufacturing equipment, the materials were extruded into small pellets and the balls were molded into a variety of objects, including a dodecahedron, a chess piece, and plates. All the additives tested doubled the strength of isomalt, resulting in materials that are tougher but lighter than many modern plastics, including PET and PVC.
Most importantly, in experiments, samples are dissolved in water within a few minutes. Plates made of this material, coated with food-grade shellac and cellulose acetate, withstand immersion in water for up to seven days. According to the authors of the study, this type of plastic is ideal for the manufacture of disposable tools and utensils because it can withstand one use and then dissolves quickly on the floor.
ancient biologists raised artificial fat for test tube meat.