In some of our previous posts we discussed the concepts of gelation and vitrification during thermoset curing. In this series of posts we are going to give some practical examples of how gelation and vitrification impact thermoset curing.  Thermosets are unique in that during processing a chemical reaction (curing) transforms small molecules into a large crosslinked network. ... [Click to Continue...]

                    To all my readers, have a safe and relaxing Labor Day.  Back next Monday with more technical content.       ... [Click to Continue...]

Guest Post by Dr. Robert Humphreys As explained in previous posts, most plant biomass (about 80% by weight) consists of carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose), biopolymers that are rich in oxygen. In contrast, petroleum is comparatively rich in hydrogen and contains very little oxygen (usually less than 1% by weight, often much less). Figure 1 shows the structure of ... [Click to Continue...]

Guest Post by Dr. Robert Humphreys This post will focus on technologies for conversion of biomass to renewable BTX as a source of renewable polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as well as many other valuable polymers and chemicals that are so much a part of life in the modern world (Figure 1). Many initiatives have focused on developing renewable BTX, ... [Click to Continue...]

Guest Post by Dr. Robert Humphreys One can imagine two very different options for developing renewable versions of polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET): Develop “drop-in replacement” renewable versions of PS and PET that can be substituted directly for petroleum-based PS and PET with minimal effort and little or no increase in cost to end users of ... [Click to Continue...]