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Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

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Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles

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Published on: February 4, 2013

Edible Origami Actuators Using Gelatin-Based Bioplastics.

Spencer J Matonis¹, Bozhong Zhuang¹, Ailla F Bishop¹

¹Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States.

ACS Applied Polymer Materials

|August 17, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel moisture-responsive bioplastic from gelatin for ingestible medical devices. This food-safe material enables complex, self-actuating structures that unfold in response to hydration, enhancing device functionality.

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Medical Device Engineering
Materials Science

Background:

Ingestible medical devices require smart structures from stimuli-responsive materials.
Hydration is a convenient stimulus, but challenges exist in material robustness, rapid actuation, manufacturability, and biocompatibility for such devices.

Purpose of the Study:

To formulate and process a moisture-responsive bioplastic system suitable for ingestible medical devices.
To create complex, self-actuating structures using food-safe ingredients and facile manufacturing techniques.

Main Methods:

Formulation of a genipin-crosslinked gelatin bioplastic system.
Characterization of mechanical properties (Young's Modulus, toughness).
Fabrication of centimeter-scale structures with multiple actuating joints using custom molds and UV-laser processing.

Main Results:

The bioplastic system demonstrated high mechanical strength with Young's Modulus up to 1845 MPa and toughness up to 52 MJ/m³.
Complex 3D structures with over 150 independent actuating joints were fabricated.
The structures exhibit self-actuation, softening and unfolding upon exposure to moisture.

Conclusions:

A robust, food-safe, moisture-responsive gelatin bioplastic was successfully developed.
The material and fabrication methods enable the creation of sophisticated, self-actuating structures for ingestible medical devices.
These structures eliminate the need for external stimuli or separate actuating components, simplifying device design.