AASERT Fellowship/Microbial Degradation of Polymers Used in Electronics.
Abstract
Our research has had as its primary objective the investigation of the biodegradation processes involved in the interaction between microorganisms and polymers of interest to the Air Force, particularly polyurethane. We have grown polyurethane-degrading microorganisms from soil which had been contaminated with polyurethane-based paints for a number of years. Electrochemical impedence spectroscopy demonstrated that mixtures of microorganisms isolated from the contaminated soil yielded significant decomposition of the polymer within two months. Experiments with pure polyurethane showed that the microorganims utilized the polyurethane as a source of carbon and energy, rather than industrial contaminants. We showed that the adhesion of microorganisms to solid surfaces exerted a positive effect on the degradation process. The possibility of using bioreactors was considered. The ability of slow growing microorganisms to benefit from their attachment to solid surfaces because the growth rate is uncoupled from hydraulic retention time would permit degradation of polymers over long periods of time. This AASERT fellowship project supported a doctoral student, Jennifer Byrnes Brower, until the completion of her doctorate in February 1996.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 13, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA316481
Entities
People
- Ralph Mitchell
Organizations
- Harvard University