Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Preparation of antimicrobial biopolymer particles through co-precipitation of hen egg white lysozyme and poly(hydroxy butyrate).

International journal of biological macromolecules·2026

Same author

Projecting the future burden of lung cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand: informing screening implementation through regional and ethnic projections to 2045.

The New Zealand medical journal·2026

Same author

The use of blood biomarkers in lung cancer screening in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional survey of Māori perspectives and preferences.

The New Zealand medical journal·2026

Same author

Māori perspectives on a potential low dose CT lung cancer screening programme in Aotearoa New Zealand: results of a mixed-method cross-sectional survey.

BMC public health·2026

Same author

Non-sugar sweeteners - too sweet to be true?

British dental journal·2026

Same author

Does technology assist physical activity engagement in adolescent girls and young women? Repeated cross-sectional analysis.

Journal of sports sciences·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium

Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium

Published on: July 8, 2015

Environmentally Benign Fast-Degrading Conductive Composites.

Angelique F Greene¹, Robert Abbel¹, Alankar A Vaidya¹

¹Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010.

Biomacromolecules

|December 26, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed an eco-friendly conductive composite using enzyme-functionalized carbon nanofibers and polycaprolactone. This material rapidly degrades in warm water, offering a sustainable solution for electronic waste and biodegradable plastics.

More Related Videos

Experimental Implementation of a New Composite Fabrication Method: Exposing Bare Fibers on the Composite Surface by the Soft Layer Method

Experimental Implementation of a New Composite Fabrication Method: Exposing Bare Fibers on the Composite Surface by the Soft Layer Method

Published on: October 6, 2017

Direct and Indirect Culture Methods for Studying Biodegradable Implant Materials In Vitro

Direct and Indirect Culture Methods for Studying Biodegradable Implant Materials In Vitro

Published on: April 15, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium

Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium

Published on: July 8, 2015

Experimental Implementation of a New Composite Fabrication Method: Exposing Bare Fibers on the Composite Surface by the Soft Layer Method

Experimental Implementation of a New Composite Fabrication Method: Exposing Bare Fibers on the Composite Surface by the Soft Layer Method

Published on: October 6, 2017

Direct and Indirect Culture Methods for Studying Biodegradable Implant Materials In Vitro

Direct and Indirect Culture Methods for Studying Biodegradable Implant Materials In Vitro

Published on: April 15, 2022

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Biotechnology
Environmental Science

Background:

Biodegradable plastics often lack efficient degradation pathways.
Conductive composites are crucial for electronic applications but raise environmental concerns.
Enzyme immobilization on conductive materials is an emerging area for advanced functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an environmentally benign conductive composite with rapid, enzyme-mediated hydrolysis.
To immobilize hydrolytic enzymes onto eco-friendly conductive carbon sources for plastic degradation.
To create a fast-degrading thermal sensor using the developed composite material.

Main Methods:

Functionalization of carbon nanofibers (CNF) with Amano Lipase (AL).
Compounding AL-functionalized CNF with polycaprolactone (PCL) to form CNF_AL-PCL composite films.
Characterization of electrical conductivity and degradation rates in warm water.
Fabrication and testing of a thermal sensor using the composite.

Main Results:

CNF_AL-PCL exhibited conductivities of 14.0 ± 2 S/m.
The composite rapidly degraded, reaching 90.0% weight loss in 3 hours and complete degradation in 8 hours at 50 °C.
SEM revealed more open pores and faster fracturing in CNF_AL-PCL, facilitating enzyme access.
A thermal sensor demonstrated stable resistance measurements over temperature cycles before degradation.

Conclusions:

Enzyme-immobilized conductive composites offer a promising route for rapid, environmentally friendly degradation of biodegradable plastics.
The developed CNF_AL-PCL material demonstrates superior degradation performance compared to controls.
This technology has potential applications in sustainable electronics and waste management.