Magnesium and its alloys have been considered for load-bearing implant materials due to their similar mechanical properties to the natural bone, excellent biocompatibility, good bioactivity, and biodegradation. Nevertheless, the uncontrollable corrosion rate in biological environment restrains their application. Hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is a widely used bio-ceramic which has bone-like mineral structure for bone fixation. Poor fracture toughness of HA makes it not suitable for load-bearing application as a bulk. Thus, HA is introduced into metallic surface in various forms for improving biocompatibility. Recently friction stir processing (FSP) has emerged as a surface modification tool for surface/substrate grain refinement and homogenization of microstructure in biomaterial. In the pressent efforts, Mg-nHA composite surface on with 5-20 wt% HA on Mg substrate were fabricated by FSP for biodegradation and bioactivity study. The results of electrochemical measurement indicated that lower amount (~5% wt%) of Ca in Mg matrix can enhance surface localized corrosion resistance. The effects of microstructure,the presence of HA particle and Mg-Ca intermetallic phase precipitates on in vitro behavior of Mg alloy were investigated by TEM, SEM, EDX,XRD ,and XPS. The detailed observations will be discussed during presentation.

Nanomaterials have gained great attention for biomedical applications due to their extraordinary physico-chemical and biological properties. The current dissertation presents the design and development of multifunctional nanoparticles for molecular imaging and controlled drug delivery applications which include biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION)/polymeric nanocomposite for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug delivery, manganese-doped zinc sulfide (Mn:ZnS) quantum dots (QDs)/ SPION/ polymeric nanocomposites for fluorescence imaging, MRI and drug delivery.Bioimaging is an important function of multifunctional nanoparticles in this thesis. Imaging probes were made of SPION and Mn:ZnS QDs for in vitro and in vivo imaging. The SPION have been prepared through a high temperature decomposition method to be used as MRI contrast agent. SPION and Mn:ZnS were encapsulated into poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles during the particles formation. The hydrophobic model drug, busulphan, was loaded in the PLGA vesicles in the composite particles. T2*-weighted MRI of SPION-Mn:ZnS-PLGA phantoms exhibited enhanced negative contrast with r2* relaxivity of 523 mM-1 s-1. SPION-Mn:ZnS-PLGA-NPs have been successfully applied to enhance the contrast of liver in rat model.The biodegradable and biocompatible poly (ethylene glycol)-co-poly (caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) was used as matrix materials for polymeric nanoparticles -based drug delivery system. The PEG-PCL nanoparticles have been constructed to encapsulate SPION and therapeutic agent. The encapsulation efficiency of busulphan was found to be ~ 83 %. PEG-PCL nanoparticles showed a sustained release of the loaded busulphan over a period of 10 h. The SPION-PEG-PCL phantoms showed contrast enhancement in T2*-weighted MRI. Fluorescein-labeled PEG-PCL nanoparticles have been observed in the cytoplasm of the murine macrophage cells (J774A) by fluorescence microscopy. Around 100 % cell viability were noticed for PEG-PCL nanoparticles when incubated with HL60 cell line. The in vivo biodistribution of fluorescent tagged PEG-PCL nanoparticles demonstrated accumulation of PEG-PCL nanoparticles in different tissues including lungs, spleen, liver and kidneys after intravenous administration. / <p>QC 20160516</p>

Bioplastic research has become more diverse and different types of research on bioplastic production have been conducted from fruits and vegetable waste, for example, orange waste. The wastes that come from oranges contain more than just vitamins, it has soluble sugars, starch, hemicellulose, cellulose, and pectin. The intention of this project was to study the possibility to produce bio-composite films from orange waste, after removing the soluble sugars. It was also to analyze the properties of the material by tensile strength, visual observation, and to find a methodology that suits this study. An ultrafine grinder was used to mechanically separate the cellulose fibres, with the intention to compare the fibrillation cycles on the properties of the bio-composite films. A total of 30fibrillation cycle was performed. In addition, different film casting strategies were performed and evaluated. The primary plan was to produce a biofilm without the use of chemicals. After the observing the results three new routes for the methodology was developed where the usage of chemicals was be included. The citric acid was used as a solvent for pectin and glycerol was used as a plasticizer. In the first method, different concentration of citric acid and glycerol were added and observed. The combination which gave uniformed films that contained 0.3 g of citric and 0.375 g of glycerol for a 75 ml hydrogel. The second method was to infuse citric acid before grinding the orange waste suspension. Lastly, the third method was to bleach the orange waste before grinding. The films that were produced gave interesting results and from the tensile testing implied that an impact was made on the strength by every fibrillation. The amount of glycerol was consistent throughout the project, but by adding different amount of citric acid gave the films differentIIproperties. The same happened when changing the mould of the film. The best values of the films were from the 30th fibrillation, gave the mean value of 31.6 MPa in tensile strength, and had a strain in elongation at 6.1 %. The tensile strength and elongation had increased drastically compared the fifth fibrillation which had 9.8 MPa and 7.6%.

En la actualidad la contaminación ha aumentado considerablemente, el mar se ha llenado de desperdicios y muchos animales se han visto perjudicados. Varios medios han informado que dicha situación va a ir aumentando si no se realizan cambios. Por lo tanto los diferentes países han coincidido en que se deben tomar medidas. En Perú por su parte se aprobó la ley N° 30884 que regula el plástico de un solo uso así como diferentes tipos de envases descartables. Debido a esto se creó Almibag que son la venta de bolsas biodegradables en base a almidón de yuca. Estas bolsas resultan beneficiosas para las personas debido a que ayudan al medio ambiente ya que se demoran en degradarse de 2 a 3 años y a su vez son fuertes para cargar los productos que sea necesario. Almibag se dedica a la tercerización, se ha conseguido personas que fabriquen este producto en bruto y así nosotros podemos personalizarlo y venderlo en diferentes lugares como son supermercados, tiendas, minimarkets, etc. Se espera que las ganancias aumenten año tras año con el fin de lograr rentabilidad para la empresa. Es importante considerar que Almibag al no ser fabricantes directos, deben poner empeño en sus acciones de marketing, como lo es las estrategias de las 4p así también los planes estratégicos internos e internos y por último cuáles van ser sus estrategias financieras como ya antes se mencionó ya que es importante generar rentabilidad. / Today, pollution has increased considerably, the sea has been filled with waste and many animals have been harmed. Various media have reported that this situation will increase if changes are not made. Therefore, the different countries have agreed that measures must be taken. In Peru, meanwhile, Law No. 30884 was approved, which regulates single-use plastic as well as different types of disposable packaging. Because of this Almibag was created, which is the sale of biodegradable bags based on cassava starch. These bags are beneficial for people because they help the environment since they take 2 to 3 years to degrade and are also strong enough to carry the products that are necessary. Almibag is dedicated to outsourcing, we have recruited people to manufacture this raw product and so we can customize it and sell it in different places such as supermarkets, stores, minimarkets, etc. Profits are expected to increase year after year in order to achieve profitability for the company. It is important to consider that Almibag, as they are not the direct manufacturers, must put effort into their marketing actions, as is the 4p strategies as well as the internal and external strategic plans and finally what will be their financial strategies as mentioned before because this is essential to be profitable. / Trabajo de investigación

Estamos en la era biodegradable, en los últimos años la conciencia por el cuidado y sostenibilidad ambiental ha estado en constante crecimiento. Este crecimiento ha sido proporcional con el interés de los consumidores por disminuir y reemplazar los productos plásticos derivados del polímero, con productos biodegradables y compostables que, a pesar tener precios más elevados, son atractivos para los consumidores debido a la satisfacción personal y ambiental que conlleva su compra. Este cambio en el estilo de vida del consumidor peruano se ha reflejado en el interés del Gobierno por regular el consumo de productos de plástico de un solo uso y no compostables en los negocios locales. Por lo que, se aprobó la ley N° 30884 que según el diario “El Peruano” tiene “La finalidad de la ley es contribuir en la concreción del derecho que tiene toda persona a gozar de un ambiente equilibrado y adecuado al desarrollo de su vida, reduciendo para ello el impacto adverso del plástico de un solo uso, de la basura marina plástica, fluvial y lacustre y de otros contaminantes similares, en la salud humana y del ambiente”. El objetivo de The Green Alternative es brindar a este segmento de mercado una solución completa y accesible para reemplazar los productos de plástico, así como crear consciencia a los interesados por cuidar el medio ambiente e incrementar nuestra participación en el mercado. / We are in the biodegradable age, in recent years awareness of environmental care and sustainability has been constantly growing. This growth has been proportional to consumers' interest in diminishing and replacing polymer-derived plastic products, biodegradable and compostable products that, despite having higher prices, are attractive to consumers because of the personal and environmental satisfaction that comes with their purchase. This change in the lifestyle of the Peruvian consumer has been reflected in the government's interest by regulating the consumption of single-use, non-compostable plastic products in local businesses. Therefore, Law No. 30884 was passed, which according to the newspaper "El Peruano" has "The purpose of the law is to contribute to the realization of the right that every person has to enjoy a balanced environment reducing the adverse impact of single-use plastic, plastic, river and lake litter and other similar pollutants, in human health and the environment." The green alternative aims to provide this market segment with a complete and accessible solution to replace plastic products, as well as raising awareness for those interested in taking care of the environment and increasing our market share. / Trabajo de investigación

No description available.

En los últimos años el consumo de plásticos ha aumentado considerablemente, lo que conlleva una problemática asociada a la gran cantidad de residuos que se generan. La sociedad, cada vez más concienciada con la conservación del medio ambiente, demanda nuevas alternativas más sostenibles, como por ejemplo el desarrollo de polímeros procedentes de recursos renovables. Este tipo de polímeros respetuosos con el medio ambiente puede suponer un problema en el reciclado de los envases y embalajes, ya que a día de hoy las líneas de triaje y selección de polímeros en las plantas de reciclaje no están preparadas para la detección de los polímeros biodegradables. Con lo cual los materiales reciclados pueden llegar a contener trazas de polímeros biodegradables en los polímeros reciclados lo que puede suponer un problema de pérdida de propiedades. El principal objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es estudiar la influencia de los plásticos biodegradables en el reciclado de diferentes polímeros ampliamente usados en envases y embalajes. Para ello se ha simulado la contaminación con materiales biodegradables, planteando la realización de diferentes mezclas utilizando como matrices polímeros reciclados provenientes de envases, PS, PP y PET, mezclados con diferentes polímeros biodegradables, PLA, PHB, TPS y PBS, a diferentes porcentajes (2,5; 5; 7,5; 10 y 15) en peso. Las diferentes mezclas fueron procesadas primero por extrusión para obtener un mezclado homogéneo y posteriormente por moldeo por inyección para obtener las probetas necesarias para su caracterización. La adición de polímeros biodegradables afecta a las propiedades mecánicas y térmicas del PS. A partir del 5% de TPS, PLA y PHB las propiedades mecánicas del PS se ven afectadas negativamente, disminuyendo el alargamiento a la rotura a partir de un 5% de los polímeros biodegradables. En cambio, la resistencia a tracción a partir del 5% de TPS y PHB disminuye pero permanece constante para las mezclas con PLA. Por otro lado, el módulo de Young a partir de un 2,5% de polímeros biodegradables disminuye debido a la incompatibilidad de estos materiales y el PS. Además, porcentajes superiores al 7,5% de los polímeros biodegradables provoca un aumento del índice de fluidez, y la temperatura de reblandecimiento VICAT se ve afectada a partir de un 5% de los polímeros biodegradables, siendo las mezclas de PS-PHB las más afectadas en las propiedades térmicas. Las propiedades mecánicas y térmicas del PP reciclado se ven afectadas con la adición de polímeros biodegradables. A partir de un 2,5% de polímero biodegradable en la mezcla disminuye la resistencia a tracción y el alargamiento a la rotura. En cambio, el módulo de Young presenta tendencia diferentes según el polímero biodegradable presente en la mezcla con PP, en el caso de las mezclas con PLA a medida que aumenta el porcentaje de este polímero biodegradable aumenta el módulo, el módulo de Young de las mezclas PP-PHB permanece constante sin influencia del porcentaje de PHB y para las mezclas PP-TPS disminuye el módulo de Young a partir de un 7,5% de TPS. Por otro lado, el índice de fluidez de las mezclas PP-TPS permanece constante para los diferentes porcentajes, pero la presencia de más del 5% de PLA y PHB provoca un aumento del índice de fluidez. Sin embargo, la temperatura de reblandecimiento VICAT disminuye a partir de un 2,5% de polímeros biodegradables, siendo las mezclas de TPS las más afectadas. Mediante el análisis de espectroscopia infrarroja FTIR se puede detectar la presencia de los materiales biodegradables como impurezas en PS y PP reciclado debido a que los tres polímeros biodegradables (PLA, PHB y TPS) presentan una banda característica del grupo carbonilo entre 1790 y 1750 cm-1, esta característica es importante ya que con un equipo FTIR los productores de material reciclado pueden eliminar de su producción este tipo de polímeros. El PET reciclado se ve afecta / Plastic consumption has increased in recent years causing a downside in terms of waste generation. Social consciousness regarding the conservation of the environment has considerably increased and so, new society demand more sustainable alternatives, such as the development of polymers from renewable resources. This type of environmentally friendly polymers can pose a problem in the recycling of packaging, as today the triage process and selection of polymers in the recycling plants are not prepared for the detection of biodegradable polymers. As a result, recycled materials may contain traces of biodegradable polymers in recycled polymers, which can lead to a loss of properties. The main objective of this doctoral thesis was to study the influence of biodegradable plastics in the recycling of different widely-used polymers in packaging. Thus, contamination with biodegradable materials has been simulated. For this purpose, it was proposed to make different blends using recycled polymer matrixes of PS, PP and PET containers, which are blended with different biodegradable polymers, PLA, PHB, TPS and PBS, at different percentages (2,5; 5; 7,5; 10 y 15) by weight. The different blends were processed first by extrusion to obtain homogeneous mixing and then by injection molding to obtain the specimens necessary for their Biodegradable polymers addition affects the mechanical and thermal properties of PS. From 5% of TPS, PLA and PHB, mechanical properties of PS are negatively affected, decreasing the elongation at break from 5% of the biodegradable polymers. Nevertheless, tensile strength, from 5% of TPS and PHB, decreases but remains constant for mixtures with PLA. On the other hand, the Young's modulus from 2.5% of biodegradable polymers decreases due to the incompatibility of these materials and the PS. In addition to this, blends with percentages higher than 7.5% of the biodegradable polymers cause a melt flow index and increase and the VICAT softening temperature is affected by 5% of the biodegradable polymers. PS-PHB blends are the most affected in terms of thermal properties. Mechanical and thermal properties of the recycled PP are affected by the addition of biodegradable polymers. From 2.5% of biodegradable polymer in the blend, tensile strength and elongation at break decrease. In contrast, Young's modulus shows different trends depending on the biodegradable polymer present in the blend with PP. In the case of blends with PLA the percentage of this biodegradable polymer increases, as the modulus increases as well. The Young's modulus of the mixtures PP-PHB remains constant without any influence of the PHB percentage; and it does decrease in PP-TPS blends as the Young's modulus decrease in 7.5% of TPS. On the other hand, the melt flow index of the PP-TPS mixtures remains constant for different percentages, but the presence of more than 5% of PLA and PHB rises up the melt flow index. However, the VICAT softening temperature decreases in 2.5% biodegradable polymers, with the TPS blends being the most affected. The presence of biodegradable materials as impurities in PS and recycled PP can be detected by the FTIR infrared spectroscopy because three of the biodegradable polymers (PLA, PHB and TPS) have a characteristic carbonyl group range between 1790 and 1750 cm- 1. This characteristic is important because recycled material producers can eliminate this type of polymers from their production by using a FTIR team. Recycled PET is negatively affected with the presence of PLA, TPS, PHB and PBS. From 2.5% of the biodegradable polymers the tensile strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break decrease drastically and reduce tensile strength by 11.5%, 16.2%, 24.1% and 49.1% with the addition of 5% of PLA, PHB, TPS and PBS respectively. In the natural aging study carried out on the PET-PLA, PET-PHB and PET-TPS samples one year later, it was observed that the PET-PHB blends were very fragile and the ejectors fractured the injecte / En els últims anys el consum de plàstics ha augmentat considerablement, sent una problemàtica a causa de la gran quantitat de residus que es generen. La societat, cada vegada més conscienciada amb la conservació del medi ambient, demanda noves alternatives més sostenibles, com per exemple el desenrotllament de polímers procedents de recursos renovables. Este tipus de polímers respectuosos amb el medi ambient pot suposar un problema en el reciclatge dels envasos i embalatges, ja que a hores d'ara les línies de triatge i selecció de polímers en les plantes de reciclatge no estan preparades per a la detecció dels polímers biodegradables. Amb la qual cosa els materials reciclatges poden arribar a contindre traces de polímers biodegradables en els polímers reciclats el que pot suposar un problema de pèrdua de propietats. El principal objectiu d'esta tesi doctoral va ser estudiar la influència dels plàstics biodegradables en el reciclatge de diferents polímers àmpliament usats en envasos i embalatges. Per a això s'ha simulat la contaminació amb materials biodegradables. Per a això es va plantejar realitzar diferents mescles utilitzant com a matrius polímers reciclats provinents d'envasos, PS, PP i PET, mesclats amb diferents polímers biodegradables, PLA, PHB, TPS i PBS, a diferents percentatges (2,5; 5; 7,5; 10 i 15) en pes. Les diferents mescles van ser processades primer per extrusió per a obtindre un mesclat homogeni i posteriorment per moldeig per injecció per a obtindre les provetes necessàries per a la seua caracterització. "L'addició de polímers biodegradables afecta les propietats mecàniques i tèrmiques del PS. A partir del 5% de TPS, PLA i PHB les propietats mecàniques del PS es veuen afectades negativament, disminuint l'allargament a la ruptura a partir d'un 5% dels polímers biodegradables. En canvi, la resistència a tracció a partir del 5% de TPS i PHB disminuïx però roman constant per a les mescles amb PLA. D'altra banda, el mòdul de Young a partir d'un 2,5% de polímers biodegradables disminuïx a causa de la incompatibilitat d'estos materials i el PS. A més, percentatges superiors al 7,5% dels polímers biodegradables provoca un augment de l'índex de fluïdesa i la temperatura de reblaniment VICAT es veu afectada partir d'un 5% dels polímers biodegradables, sent les mescles de PS-PHB les més afectades en les propietats tèrmiques. Les propietats mecàniques i tèrmiques del PP reciclatge es veuen afectades amb l'addició de polímers biodegradables. A partir d'un 2,5% de polímer biodegradable en la mescla disminuïx la resistència a tracció i l'allargament a la ruptura. En canvi, el mòdul de Young presenta una tendència diferent segons el polímer biodegradable present en la mescla amb PP, en el cas de les mescles amb PLA a mesura que augmenta el percentatge d'este polímer biodegradable augmenta el mòdul, el mòdul de Young de les mescles PP-PHB roman constant sense influència del percentatge de PHB i per a les mescles PP-TPS disminuïx el mòdul de Young a partir d'un 7,5% de TPS. D'altra banda, l'índex de fluïdesa de les mescles PP-TPS roman constant per als diferents percentatges, però la presència de més del 5% de PLA i PHB provoca un augment de l'índex de fluïdesa. No obstant això, la temperatura de reblaniment VICAT disminuïx a partir d'un 2,5% de polímers biodegradables, sent les mescles de TPS les més afectades. Per mitjà de l'anàlisi d'espectroscòpia infraroja FTIR es pot detectar la presència dels materials biodegradables com a impureses en PS i PP reciclat pel fet que els tres polímers biodegradables (PLA, PHB i TPS) presenten una banda característica del grup carbonilo entre 1790 i 1750 cm-1, esta característica és important ja que amb un equip FTIR els productors de material reciclatge poden eliminar de la seua producció este tipus de polímers El PET reciclatge es veu afectat negativament amb presència de PLA, TPS, PHB i PBS. A parti / Bertomeu Perelló, D. (2018). Influencia de la presencia de materiales plásticos biodegradables en la recuperación de residuos de envases y embalajes [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/103682

We live in a time of many challenges. The ‘Great Acceleration’ (Steffen et al., 2015) is a trend that can be observed in numerous fields in our world: be it the development of CO2 emissions, the land use or the enormous amount of produced plastics accompanied by massive environmental pollution. This ‘phenomenon’ is obviously directly linked to the way we live and how our society works. To meet these developments, we need to move away from the big, prone concepts that got us here in the first place, and instead build on a variety of dynamic and changing solutions.

In this study, traditional Japanese washi paper was sandwiched with poly(butylene succinate)(PBS) in order to produce a paper-based composite material that can be biologically degraded. Specimens were prepared using a hot press, and the mechanical properties of the washi paperand the new composite material were investigated by tensile tests. The cross-sections of specimens were then observed with a digital microscope as well as by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The microscope images indicated that therelatively hollow washi provides a structure for the polymer to settle into, which could contribute to the improved strength of the composite material. Specimens made from three layers of washipaper and combined with two layers of PBS film had remarkable mechanical propertiesincluding a UTS of 95 MPa.The composite material was incubated in compost and a MODA C-S (Microbial Oxidative Degradation Analyzer) was used to evaluate its biodegradability. The material showed good biodegradability with significant losses of mass (-32 %) as well as major loss of mechanical strength after four weeks of incubation. The biodegradability of the material will be further investigated.

This report aims to study the degradation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) caused by the enzyme carboxylesterase in vitro. As well as to characterise polymer blends of f-BTI2g-TVTCN and poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) as core components for organic electrochemical transistors (OETCs). This is to assess the suitability of these polymers in biodegradable biosensors. The degradation study of PTMC showed a lack of degradation in contrast to previous studies performed on the material; previous studies recorded a mass loss of between (5-8)% after two months. The cause for this discrepancy is still unknown but the evidence points to both systematic faults in the gravimetric analysis as well as random errors found in the equipment. The OECT showed that increasing the PHB fraction in the polymer blend resulted in a higher output. The most stable device consisted of a 1:6 blend of f-BTI2g-TVTCN to PHB. Fewer tests were conducted on the 1:10 blend because two devices were damaged during the experiment. The statistical impact of the smaller sample size cannot be overstated so further testing should be conducted to verify the results.