Circular Bioconversion of Epoxy-based Polymers Inspired by Nature
Abstract
Circular Bioconversion of Epoxy-based Polymers Inspired by NatureThe global challenge of this project is to find biologically-sourced or biologically-inspired technologies to degrade synthetic polymers e.g. the epoxy matrix to retrieve the carbon fibers in a quality close to that of the virgin fibers. Such epoxy-based polymers are not only available in composite products, but also in paints, adhesives, printed circuit boards and many more, providing an ample supply of raw materials through urban mining. While the biotransformation of these synthetic chemicals will be accomplished by microbial enzymes and or microbes, the degradation products (monomers/oligomers) will be used for the biosynthesis of valuable compounds. These compounds will be subjected to various enzymatic and chemical modifications. Such modifications will change the chemical nature of the released products from synthetic polymers (e.g. solubility, hydrophobicity, thermostability). These actions (e.g. polymerization with aromatic and nonaromatic compounds, addition of disulfide bridges, carboxylation, amidation etc.) will deliver a new generation of chemicals including oligomeric and polymeric compounds that have not been detected on our planet, yet. For this goal a Screening Platform will be developed to discover applications for the newly synthesized chemicals (Circular Epoxy Economy). Screening will identify the possible function of the new generation ofmaterials that have been produced by synthetic and biological actions. These products will be applied in various fields including recyclable packaging material, building blocks, bioactive compounds and polymers for ship building, aircraft and automobile industries. The focus will be to apply modern and classical methods including multi-omics approaches and high throughput screening (HTS) in discovering and exploiting the microbial diversity of our planet including extremophilic bacteria and archaea with the aim to identify robust biocatalysts (enzymes and microbes) or application in microplastic bioconversion. Preparative prove and optimization of degradation conditions will enhance the applicability of the identified biocatalysts. These goals will be achieved in a network project with two experienced microbiologists (Prof. Streit at UHH and Prof. Antranikian at TUHH), a well-known process engineering and analytic laboratory headed by Prof. Liese at TUHH, and the expert team from Manchester Prof. Nigel Scrutton. The expressed interest by Airbus Blue Sky (Dr. Patricia Parlevliet) will facilitate know-how transfer and the development of more sustainable future biobased technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 2021
- Source ID
- N629092112025
Entities
People
- Garabed Antranikian
Organizations
- Hamburg University of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy