NSF Convergence Accelerator Track M: Nature Inspired Bio-manufactured Terminal Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Copolyesters

NSF 融合加速器轨道 M：受自然启发的生物制造末端羟基化脂肪酸共聚酯

• 批准号: 2344366
• 负责人: Richard Gross
• 金额: $ 65万
• 依托单位: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-01-15 至 2024-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2344366&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; Convergence; Accelerator; Track; Nature

This project brings together a diverse, intellectually and technically driven group of scientists, engineers, staff from a biobased plastic manufacturer unified by the common goal of further developing and commercializing a versatile family of sustainable plastics based on poly(ω-hydroxyfatty acids), P(ω-HOFAs). These polymers were inspired by cutin polymer networks that function to waterproof and protect leaves and fruits and consist of ω-HOFA building blocks. Insights from cutin structure, that evolved over millions of years, provide an approach to re-design polyethylene (PE) to expand its properties that have proved highly valuable in many applications. Cutin has long methylene spacers, a characteristic of PE, while incorporating groups along polymer chains that can be cleaved by chemical or biochemical processes. Combining methylene spacers with readily cleavable groups results in plastics that provide desirable characteristics of both PE and cutin. The intended result is P(ω-HOFAs) and copolymers that are designed for reprocessing for the next life cycle. Efforts will focus on research plan development, team formation leading to a proof-of-concept and meetings for training and cross-cohort collaboration. The research program will provide proof of concept through a convergent research approach. The activities during Phase 1 will also identify gaps in skills/capabilities that guide the selection of additional team members. The following describes tasks that will be completed during the Phase 1 program. Using methyl-tetradecanoic acid as the feedstock, the project team will upscale monomer synthesis from 1 L to 100 L. This work will provide insights into scale-up activities to be performed in Phase 2. Downstream processing (DSP) and monomer purification will be performed at multiple scales. Polymerizations will be performed to provide prototype materials. These materials will be used to benchmark the physico-mechanical properties of prototype materials to those of current biodegradable bioplastics. Investigations will assess the chemical and biological recycling of P(ω-HOC14:0). System-level techno-economic analyses (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed. Also, Phase 1 participants in the workforce development program will initiate activities and develop detailed plans for implementation. An overall review by the PI, in consultation with the full program team, will determine required team expansions.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该项目汇集了一个多样性，智能和技术驱动的科学家，工程师，来自生物基塑料制造商的员工，该塑料制造商的共同目标是进一步开发和商业化的可持续塑料家族，该家族基于聚（ω-羟基脂肪酸），P（ω-Hofas）。这些聚合物的灵感来自Cutin聚合物网络，可用于防水并保护叶子和水果，并由ω-HOFA构建块组成。来自Cutin结构的见解，这些结构发展了数百万年，它为重新设计聚乙烯（PE）提供了一种方法，以扩大其在许多应用中非常有价值的特性。 Cutin具有长的亚甲基垫片，这是PE的一个特征，同时沿聚合物链掺入可以通过化学或生化过程裂解的聚合物链。将亚甲基垫片与易于切解的组相结合，从而提供了PE和Cutin的理想特征的塑料。预期的结果是用于重新处理下一个生命周期的P（ωHOFA）和共聚物。努力将重点放在研究计划制定，团队组成上，导致概念验证和培训和跨职业协作的会议。该研究计划将通过收敛的研究方法提供概念证明。第1阶段的活动还将确定指导其他团队成员选择的技能/能力差距。以下描述将在第1阶段计划期间完成的任务。该项目团队将使用甲基四核酸作为原料，将单体合成从1升提高到100L。这项工作将提供对在第2阶段进行的扩展活动的见解。下游处理（DSP）和单体纯化将在多个尺度上进行。将进行聚合以提供原型材料。这些材料将用于对当前可生物降解生物塑料的原型材料的物理机械特性进行基准测试。研究将评估P（ω-HOC14：0）的化学和生物回收。将进行系统级技术经济分析（TEA）和生命周期评估（LCA）。此外，劳动力发展计划的第一阶段参与者将启动活动并制定详细的实施计划。 PI的整体审查在与完整的计划团队协商后，将确定所需的团队扩展。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并使用基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准通过评估来诚实地获得支持。