Biorefinery (Vasquez) Biorefinery is similar in concept to the petroleum refinery, except that the process technologies transform renewable, biomass materials rather than crude oil. Biorefining process equipment derives from the chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, and forest products industries. Although many of the basic process technologies for biorefining can trace roots back to over a hundred years ago, scientific advances within the past five to twenty years have dramatically improved the commercial viability of many biorefining processes. Each lecture will begin with a description of appropriate feedstocks and provides a list of examples. Selecting a feedstock link will open the profile for that biobased feedstock. The biorefining technology profiles will also link to potential biobased products. By following this structure, one discovers that many biorefining technologies can convert a diverse set of feedstocks into a broad range of biobased products. -Introduction to sustainable energy: energy life-cycle -Utilization options for biomass resources -Thermal conversion -Bioconversion -Biorefinery process configurations -Major trends and activities
Synthesis of polymers from renewable resources (Aranguren, Buschle-Diller) Polymers from renewable resources have attracted an increasing amount of attention over the last two decades, predominantly due to two major reasons: firstly, environmental concerns, and secondly, the realization that our petroleum resources are finite. Generally, polymers from renewable resources (PFRR) can be classified into three groups: (1) natural polymers, such as starch, protein and cellulose; (2) synthetic polymers from natural monomers, such as thermoplastics (i.e. polylactic acid (PLA)) or thermosets (i.e. unsaturated polyesters, epoxies and polyurethanes); and (3) polymers from microbial fermentation, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Like numerous other petroleum-based polymers, many properties of PFRR can also be improved through blending and composite formation. These materials have rapidly evolved over the last decade, primarily due to the issue of the environment and the shortage of oil. Modern technologies provide powerful tools to elucidate microstructures at different levels, and to understand the relationships between structures and properties. These new levels of understanding bring opportunities to develop materials for novel applications. During this section of the workshop, we will describe advances in synthesis, properties, processing, and technology of environmentally friendly polymers generated from renewable resources. Possible topics for discussion include: Materials from vegetable oils: major sources, properties, and applications Furan derivatives and chemistry Sugars as monomers Surfactants from renewable sources: synthesis, and applications Lignins: major sources, structure, properties, and applications Hemicelluloses: major sources, properties, and applications Oxypropylation of natural polymers and the use of the resultant materials as composites or polyol macromonomers Starch: major sources, properties, and applications as thermoplastic materials Cellulose chemistry: novel products and synthesis paths Polylactic acid: synthesis, properties, and applications Polyhydroxyalkanoates: origin, properties, and applications Proteins as sources of materials Polyelectrolytes derived from natural polysaccharides Chitin and chitosan: major sources, properties, and applications
New developments on bionanocomposites (Rojas) Bio-nanocomposites include materials produced by plants, microorganisms, or bioprocesses that are arranged in micro/nanostructures after self- or direct-assembly. They possess specific properties, functionalities and performance owing to their scale and the hierarchical structures they form. Three areas of interest related to bio-nanocomposites include their chemical functionalities, biomolecular assembly, and controlled synthesis. Bio-nanomaterials cover a broad spectrum of disciplines including biotechnology, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. Applications of interest are not limited to medicine and biochemistry, but also the development of new functional materials. Focus will be centered on environmentally benign processes of the production, or manufacture, and the use of sustainable, renewable resources. Possible topics for discussion include: Cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in bio-nanocomposites Methods for integration of biomolecules and nanomaterials Characterization of nanoscale structures and interfaces Properties of bionanomaterials and bioinorganic interfaces Conversion into useful structures Incorporation of functional components Surface modification Self and direct-assembly, including convective and electrosphoretic methods Applications in biomedical fields Adaptive, intelligent, and shape-controllable structures
Polymers reinforced with micro/nano cellulose (Gañan Rojo, Rojas, Marcovich) Recent interest in composites reinforced by microfibrillar and nanofibrillar cellulose (MFC/NFC) as well as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and bacterial cellulose (BC) have driven research efforts that have made inroads in high-impact scientific journals and efforts in federal, as well as, private research and development. The production, properties, and applications of lignocellulose-derived nanomaterials will be discussed in terms of their impact in new polymer composites. The following topics are at the center of current interest and will be discussed in this workshop: Liberation and processing of nanomaterials from fibers and natural resources Incorporation of NFC, CNC and BC in composites Functionalization and compatibilization of NFC, CNC, and BC in organic/inorganic matrices Manufacturing of polymer composites reinforced with NFC, CNC, and BC films, fiber and structured materials Characterization of cellulosic nanomaterial in composites for physical, mechanical, photonic, and piezoelectric properties Manipulation/modification of composites and surface chemistry Application, environmental, health, and safety issues
Natural fiber-polymer composites (Aranguren and Marcovich) Natural fibers have emerged as viable alternatives to glass fibers, either alone or combined, in composite materials for various applications in automotive parts, building structures, and rigid packaging materials. In this section of the workshop, we will discuss the availability and advantages of natural fibers as composite reinforcements and the need of surface modification/compatibilization to obtain materials with competitive properties. The topics will include the processing and performance of thermosets and thermoplastics as well as bio-based polymer composites. A few case studies will be included in the presentation. A draft of potential topics includes: Natural fibers as composite reinforcement: physical and chemical treatments Thermoset composites: resins, processing, interfacial compatibility, thermal and mechanical properties, humidity effects and degradation Thermoplastic composites: polymers, processing, compatibility and coupling agents, thermal and mechanical properties, time dependent properties and humidity effects Bio-based polymers in natural fiber composites: thermosets, thermoplastic and case studies
Multiscale modeling of micro- and nanostructured materials (Zavattieri, Vasquez) Powerful advancements in computer and experimental technology have enabled us to study, model and understand complex materials and systems in their smallest scales. This section of the workshop will provide an overview of the current topics related to the modeling of micro- and nanostructured systems: Basic principles of potential molecular interactions Introduction to molecular dynamics methods Introduction to Monte Carlo methods Software tools: commercial vs. open source Tricks of the trade
Biocompatibility and biodegradability of nanostructured materials (Buschle-Diller) This section of the workshop will provide an overview of biopolymers obtained by bacterial means, agricultural by-products, or other natural sources in addition to their applications as solid polymeric materials, fibers, resins, coatings, adhesives, thickeners and packaging materials. The concept of cradleto-cradle as well as life-cycle analysis (LCA) will be introduced. Comparisons by LCA will be made between synthetic petro-based polymers and polymers from renewable resources. Comparisons of biomaterials to polymers from conventional chemical sources that are reprocessible via a cradle-tocradle approach will also be discussed. Composting versus landfilling will be related to synthesis and deterioration mechanisms. One section of the workshop will be dedicated to biointegration of biopolymers for medical applications and connected to potential drug-delivery. Some topics will include: Concept of sustainability, biodegradation, composting, fermentation processes, biosynthesis, metabolisms Polyesters, co-polymers, and derivatives produced by nature: poly(hydroxyalkanoates), poly(lactic acid), and poly(glycolic) acid Life-cycle analysis of natural (from agricultural by-products) and synthetic petro-based polyesters Selected polysaccharides: starch, dextran, xanthan, plant gums, pectin, pullulan, carrageenan, chitin and chitosan, alginate Industrial applications, products, properties Selected proteins and proteoglycans: collagen, fibrin, elastin, hyaluronan, heparin, soy protein Natural rubber, biodegradable elastomeric products, polyisoprenes Biomedical application of biomaterials, testing, approval and analysis, drug delivery
Applications of bio (nano) composites: automotive, packaging, agricultural and biomedical (Alcantar) Because of increasing environmental consciousness and demands of legislative authorities, use and removal of traditional composite structures are considered critically. Recent advances in natural fiber development, genetic engineering and (nano)composite science offer significant opportunities for improved materials from renewable resources with enhanced support for global sustainability. The important feature of composite materials is that they can be designed and tailored to meet different requirements. Since natural fibers are cheap and biodegradable, the biodegradable composites from bio-fibers and biodegradable polymers will render a contribution in the 21 st century due to serious environmental problem. Biodegradable polymers have offered scientists a possible solution to waste-disposal problems associated with traditional petroleum-derived plastics. For scientists the real challenge lies in finding applications which would consume sufficiently large quantities of these materials to lead price reduction, allowing biodegradable polymers to compete economically in the market. This section of the workshop will provide an overview of the different opportunities of these new materials in the actual market.