Renewable Composite Materials

New Functional Bio-based Material for #FFF #Printing Library! As you know, bio-based materials like #PLA are popular in FFF, but their poor hot-#flame-#wet resistance limit real industrial use. #Polyamide 11 (#PA11) from #renewable #castor seeds is a recently developed bio-based alternative, yet it suffers from severe #warpage. #PA11 reaches a #carbonfootprint of 1.3 kg CO2e/kg that is 80% lower than conventional fossil-based polyamides <https://lnkd.in/gNPTd4XJ>. For the first time, we have recently engineered printable bio-derived PA11 #composites reinforced with #bamboo charcoal, #glassfibre, and their hybrid, eliminating warpage by ~97%, while achieving 76.5 MPa tensile strength, 3-4× higher flexural performance, 34% higher #hydrophobicity, and up to 62% lower #burning rate. We have also introduced a #metabiocomposite with #quasizerostiffness (#QZS) and #constantforce response, offering outstanding energy dissipation for overload protection. These #flameretardant materials show real promise for #automotive, #robotics, and #protective systems. I invite you to read the paper <https://lnkd.in/gDngqfYW> and share your thoughts! Research team: Kaveh Rahmani, Callum Branfoot, Mahdi Bodaghi. We are grateful for the brilliant support from the EPSRC, Innovation Launchpad Network+, Nottingham Trent University, NTU Research, NCC – Innovating for Industry, and Arkema.

Hemp hurds, particularly in their micronized form (e.g., 150 microns), are increasingly explored as a sustainable additive for 3D printing filaments and composites. When processed into fine powders, hemp hurds can be blended with polymers like PLA (polylactic acid) to create biocomposite filaments. These filaments enhance the material's strength, reduce its weight, and improve its environmental footprint. The natural cellulose content of hemp hurds contributes to the filament's rigidity and dimensional stability, making it suitable for various applications, including prototypes, tools, and consumer products. Additionally, incorporating hemp hurds into 3D printing materials reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics, supports carbon sequestration, and leverages a renewable resource. This approach aligns with sustainable manufacturing practices while providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative for 3D printing enthusiasts and industries.

Hemp's versatility makes it a promising alternative to polypropylene in various applications, offering lightweight properties, strength, and sustainability benefits. By utilizing hemp as a reinforcing fiber in polypropylene composites, industries can enhance product durability while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the biodegradability of hemp-based plastics presents a more eco-friendly option compared to traditional plastics. In the automotive sector, incorporating hemp-reinforced polypropylene composites in parts such as bumpers, dashboards, and door panels can significantly reduce weight, leading to improved fuel efficiency. Sustainable packaging solutions like bottles, containers, and bags can also benefit from hemp-based plastics, minimizing the use of single-use plastics. Additionally, integrating hemp plastic in construction materials like insulation and roofing tiles promotes energy efficiency and decreases fossil fuel consumption. Consumer goods, including furniture, toys, and electronic casings, can benefit from the non-toxic and sustainable qualities of hemp plastic. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of hemp-reinforced polypropylene compared to traditional fillers like fiberglass adds to its appeal across industries. The advantages of hemp as a polypropylene replacement extend to sustainability, as hemp is a renewable resource that aids in soil erosion prevention. Its biodegradability ensures minimal environmental impact, with hemp-based plastics naturally decomposing without leaving toxic residues. Furthermore, hemp's carbon sequestration capabilities contribute to mitigating climate change by absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide during growth. The lightweight nature of hemp fibers also translates to weight savings, particularly beneficial in applications like automotive manufacturing. Lastly, the seamless integration of hemp into existing manufacturing processes minimizes the need for extensive equipment or facility modifications. Hemp YES 💚

New generation of recyclable composites for wind blades: In 2023, Mingyang launched wind turbine blade made from recyclable materials. Siemens Gamesa developed  wind turbines with RecyclableBlades. Other companies work on other recyclable materials for blades, notably, vitrimers. Indeed, these new materials are recyclable. But how to recycle them in optimal way, to get high quality recycled products - which solvents, which temperature regimes? In our new article “Solvolysis of novel recyclable composites for next-generation wind turbine blades”, Dr. Yi Chen developed an advanced computational model of chemical recycling (solvolysis and depolymerization) for the new generation of composites based on recyclable thermoset polymer matrix.  The model incorporates realistic composite microstructures, including microscale defects such as manufacturing-induced voids, to examine their impact on the end-of-life recycling process, and can be a basis for the optimization of recycling technology. This work is a continuation of our previous works, “Modeling the solvolysis of composite materials of wind turbine blades” (https://lnkd.in/eHWtJFqF), “Multifield computational model of chemical recycling of polymer composites” (https://lnkd.in/e4zuV9Ga) and “How to repair the next generation of wind turbine blades”, (https://lnkd.in/eGhaAHdt). The works were carried out in the framework of WiseWind project (“WiseWind: NeW generatIon of SustainablE Wind turbine Blades”, https://wisewind.dtu.dk/). Link: https://lnkd.in/eW2q339a

🏗️ Growing the Future: 3D-Printed Mycelium Imagine buildings that grow, self-repair, and decompose naturally when no longer needed. Researchers have developed a 3D-printing method for mycelium biocomposites, eliminating the need for molds and unlocking new possibilities for sustainable, biodegradable materials. Using spent coffee grounds as a substrate, this innovation turns waste into strong, compostable structures—a game-changer for packaging, architecture, and beyond. 🤓 Geek Mode Traditional mycelium-based materials require molds, which limit design flexibility. This study introduces: Mycofluid: A 3D-printable mycelium paste made from 73% spent coffee grounds. Fungibot: A custom extruder that prints living biomaterial. Mycostructure: A process where printed parts grow together, fusing into seamless, self-supporting structures. By fine-tuning viscosity, growth conditions, and extrusion techniques, the team produced mechanically robust biocomposites. The printed objects self-colonize with fungi, creating hydrophobic surfaces that resist water while retaining biodegradability. 💼 Opportunity for VCs This technology offers a paradigm shift in materials science. It opens doors for: - Sustainable packaging that replaces polystyrene. - Biodegradable furniture and structures that grow and adapt. - Self-healing biomaterials for modular, repairable buildings. - Carbon-negative manufacturing with hyper-local supply chains. VCs investing in biofabrication, circular economy, and sustainable construction should take note—this is the frontier of regenerative materials. 🌍 Humanity-Level Impact Instead of mining, melting, or molding, we can grow what we need: 1️⃣Carbon-neutral cities, where buildings decompose instead of turning into waste. 2️⃣Mars-ready habitats, using fungi to construct and self-repair in extreme environments. 3️⃣A circular bioeconomy, where waste (like coffee grounds) fuels innovation. This isn’t just eco-friendly tech—it’s nature’s blueprint, optimized for modern fabrication. 📄 Link to original study: https://lnkd.in/gQNsTVEP #DeepTech #VentureCapital #Biomaterials #3DPrinting #CircularEconomy

This startup grows building materials from mushrooms 🍄 (and built a pavilion at Glastonbury Festival with them!) London-based Biohm is leading a revolution in construction, turning waste into regenerative materials for a healthier planet. 🌱 The Challenge: ↳ Construction accounts for 37% of global CO₂ emissions with high levels of embodied carbon ↳ Food and agricultural waste streams are rapidly growing yet remain underutilized 💫 The Innovation: ↳ Orb boards: 100% natural, biodegradable construction sheets made from agricultural by-products ↳ Mycelium insulation panels grown on food waste like orange peel & cocoa husks 🎯 How It Works: 1) Mycelium is cultivated on food/agri-waste to form strong, lightweight panels 2) Orb boards are molded from organic refuse and a natural binder 3) Materials are shaped into insulation, panels, tiles & furniture 4) All products are compostable or recyclable 5) Mycelium strains can even digest microplastics, offering future pollution solutions 🌿 The Impact: ↳ Mycelium panels are vegan, non-toxic and outperform traditional foam insulation for thermal, fire & acoustic performance ↳ Carbon-negative manufacturing sequesters up to 1.7kg CO₂ per m² of insulation, replacing materials like chipboard, MDF & OSB ↳ Panels grown to build the Hayes Pavilion in 2023 From food waste and fungi… ...to the next generation of regenerative building materials. 📥 Like this post? Follow me for more insights on NatureTech and Nature Finance

🔬 Bio-Based Vitrimers Enable Self-Healing, Antimicrobial Functionality, and Advanced 3D Printability🌱 Researchers have unveiled a new class of plant-based vitrimers - polymers that are not only sustainable, but also self-repairing, antimicrobial, and compatible with 3D printing technologies. Why this matter: ✅ Made from renewable raw materials ✅ No solvents or toxic catalysts required ✅ Thermally reprocessable and shape-memory capable ✅ Ideal for high-precision applications in medicine, electronics, and optics This innovation redefines what “smart materials” can be - merging functionality, safety, and environmental responsibility. #sustainability #materialsscience #smartmaterials

🧫 New research hailing from #China and #India explores how #fungi could both substitute #plastic with #biodegradable #materials and #degrade existing plastic #waste using specialised enzymes. Fungi like Aspergillus, Trametes, and Pleurotus produce enzymes that break down synthetic polymers—some within weeks. Meanwhile, mycelium composites are emerging as sustainable packaging and material alternatives. This increase in research and commercial applications is as important as ever considering 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year — with less than 10% is recycled. As we've seen with HIRO Technologies, plastic-degrading fungi work under landfill-like conditions, unlike many industrial composting systems. Mycelium-based materials are already being used in packaging, insulation, and fashion, with a few pioneers like Magical Mushroom Company® and MycoWorks and Really Clever producing at scale. 🍄 Fungi may not be a silver bullet—but their potential to break and replace plastic makes them key players in solving the plastic crisis. How's ready to invest? ⚡️ Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gecprjZn [Timelapse by Kit Ondaatje Rolls] #Mycelium #PlasticWaste #Biodegradation #CircularEconomy #Biotech #FungalSolutions #MaterialsScience #Sustainability #Fungi