Objective
Polymers have been synthesised by the ring-opening polymerization of beta-butyrolactones or cyclic anhydrosulphites. Both the homopolymers and copolymers of these monomers with caprolactone or valeroactone have been prepared and characterised for use as potential biodegradable materials. In addition to the synthesis of novel materials, existing materials such as PHB-HV have been modified either by blending with cheaper materials or by transesterification reactions. Methods have been developed for the assessment of the physical and biological properties of the polymers. These methods have been directed towards both long-term and short-term assessment of the stability of the polymers in aqueous environments.
This proposal addresses the problems associated with the production of polymers as potential mass commodity biodegradable materials for packaging.
The three principal areas of study in this proposal will be:
A. Synthesis. A number of routes will be studied for the generation of a range of polymers and copolymers that are linear polyesters of controlled architecture.
These will be used in a series of further studies to determine the structural factors that control environmental degradation, whilst the polymer remains hydrolytically stable.
B. Modification. Blending, transesterification and plasma and plasma techniques will be used to modify existing and novel materials to control the rate and efficiency of biodegradation.
C. Environmental degradation. The rate efficiency and decay of physical properties during any biodegradability will be assessed using a waste water screening system.
The products formed during these processes will also be established. Concern will be given to determine the toxicity of any materials produced and the the products of biodegradation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering water treatment processes wastewater treatment processes
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
BIRMINGHAM
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.