Bio-nylon fiber – Volkswagen has achieved a significant milestone in the development of solid-state batteries through successful testing with QuantumScape 06-01-2024

Bio-nylon fiber

Toray and Porter™ unveil groundbreaking initiative with bio-nylon fiber

In a major collaboration, Toray Industries, Inc. has partnered with Yoshida Co. to jointly develop materials for Tanker bags utilizing Ecodear N510, a revolutionary 100% plant-based nylon fiber. Yoshida’s well-known Porter brand has been manufacturing and selling bags under the iconic Tanker line for the past four decades. The Ecodear N510 fiber is composed of 100% biobased synthetic polymers, meeting the standards set by ISO 16620-1:2015 for the biobased content of plastics.

The outer fabric of the bags will be made using Ecodear 510, a material produced by polymerizing and spinning sebacic acid sourced from castor oil and pentamethylenediamine derived from corn. Bio-nylon fiber

What sets Ecodear N510 apart from other plant-based nylons is its exceptional melting point and dimensional stability, making it both robust and heat-resistant like Nylon 6. Ever since its commercialization in 2022, Toray has been actively exploring new applications for this material as part of its commitment to sustainability.

The partnership aims to combine the benefits of plant-based materials with the practicality of Ecodear N510 for the Tanker line. Toray’s expertise in spinning technology has enabled mass production of Ecodear 510, which Yoshida selected for its strength and quality.

Additionally, the bag lining will feature Toray’s chemical-recycled nylon fibers derived from sources like fishing nets.  Bio-nylon fiber

The collaboration between the two companies will continue as they work together to develop more environmentally friendly materials and products.

By using fewer fossil-derived resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Toray and Yoshida are responding to the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

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Bio-nylon fiber

Volkswagen has achieved a significant milestone in the development of solid-state batteries through successful testing with QuantumScape

As the major shareholder and primary customer of QuantumScape, Volkswagen has reported promising results from tests conducted on the solid-state batteries supplied by the U.S. startup. The prototype demonstrated performance exceeding expectations, indicating that the technology is theoretically ready for commercialization.

In laboratory tests conducted by PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery-focused subsidiary, the QuantumScape solid-state battery exhibited only a 5% storage loss after 1,000 charge cycles.  Bio-nylon fiber

This unexpected durability implies that the battery could power an electric vehicle for 500,000 km, losing only 5% of its initial capacity over the entire distance. This result surpasses industry benchmarks, where a solid-state battery is typically considered market-ready if it loses 20% after 700 cycles.

Frank Blome, Head of PowerCo, expressed optimism, stating, “We are facing very encouraging information. This battery is a prelude to energy storage systems with high autonomy, fast charging capabilities, and slow aging.”

QuantumScape’s CEO, Jagdeep Singh, shares the enthusiasm, expressing the company’s commitment to bringing their batteries to market as quickly as possible. Their strategy involves an initial focus on consumer electronics and later expanding into the automotive sector, adapting production capacity accordingly.  Bio-nylon fiber

Bio-nylon fiber

GAIKER has a new pilot plant for the chemical recycling of complex PET waste

This equipment makes it possible to scale up chemical recycling processes to a suitable size between laboratory processes and industrial plants.

The GAIKER Technology Centre, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), together with the Swiss company POLYMETRIX AG have developed an innovative technology and built a new pilot plant for the chemical recycling of PET waste.

This equipment has a 150 L chemical reactor and a series of batch and continuous post-treatment and purification stages that allow it to produce high purity chemical monomers, valid for the synthesis of new PET, even food grade, and other high added value products such as PU resins, unsaturated polyester resins, paint resins, etc. Thus, it can respond to the needs of different sectors such as plastic waste recycling, petrochemicals and polymer synthesis, while promoting the circular economy.  Bio-nylon fiber

Thanks to this plant, GAIKER can assess the suitability of complex PET waste for the production of high purity chemical monomers and define the design bases for industrial plants for the treatment of this waste. In addition, it can generate samples of the various process flows for the different stages that allow the scaling and quality parameters to be defined in each one of them.

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Bio-nylon fiber

As the world swims in plastic, some offer an answer: Ban the toxic two

  • Anti-plastic campaigners have achieved limited initial success in passing bans based on the toxic health effects of some plastic types, especially those that contain known carcinogens and hormone-disrupting chemicals.
  • Some activists say that two of the most toxic types of plastic, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) should be completely banned. But so far, bans of polystyrene in Zimbabwe, Scotland and elsewhere have focused only on certain products, such as takeout containers.  Bio-nylon fiber
  • PVC is used in medical devices and children’s products, despite its well-known toxicity. PVC and polystyrene are both used in consumer construction, where they can leach chemicals into water or home air, or release particles into the wider environment.
  • The U.S. EPA is reviewing vinyl chloride, PVC’s main ingredient and a known carcinogen, but the outcome won’t be known for several years and may only affect U.S. production, not imported products made of PVC. More than 60 nations want a ban on “problematic plastics” by the global plastics treaty now being negotiated.

In 2010, when Zimbabwe’s new Environmental Management Agency was less than 8 years old, it looked at high-priority environmental issues it should tackle. And it identified polystyrene takeout containers.  Bio-nylon fiber

Some know this type of plastic by its brand name Styrofoam. Zimbabweans call their takeout containers kaylites. Regardless of the name, just like all over the world, this lightweight plastic was ending up in Zimbabwe’s water bodies, where it broke up into tiny, impossible-to-clean-up, bits.

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As the world swims in plastic, some offer an answer: Ban the toxic two

China Aims to Create the World’s Largest Decentralized Power Grid with 3,000-Cycle Batteries

China is taking significant strides toward building the world’s largest decentralized power grid, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. With a foresight surpassing other markets transitioning to future mobility, China outlined objectives for bidirectional charging, specifically emphasizing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. The initiative recognizes the need for an integrated ecosystem capable of supporting the increasing volumes of EVs on the road.  Bio-nylon fiber

Key aspects of the plan include:

  1. Durable Batteries: China seeks next-generation batteries capable of enduring 3,000 cycles without cost increases. This durability is crucial for utilizing EVs as distributed energy storage systems during idle periods, contributing to more efficient energy management, particularly from renewable sources.
  2. Intelligent V2G Implementation: By 2025, China aims to launch numerous pilot projects studying the interaction between EVs and the power grid. The goal is for battery-powered vehicles to provide 60% of their own charging power by 2030, potentially reaching 80% in certain cities. This ambitious target could revolutionize China’s energy system, harnessing wind and solar power with millions of kWh available from parked EVs connected to charging stations.
  3. Role of Battery Swap Stations: Thousands of battery swap stations, each with multiple batteries, are expected to play a crucial role. Companies like NIO, focusing on swappable battery technology, envisioned their stations as virtual power plants actively managing the grid’s load. This vision appears to be on the verge of realization.  Bio-nylon fiber

In summary, China’s comprehensive strategy aligns EVs with the power grid, emphasizing durable batteries and intelligent V2G implementation, potentially reshaping the nation’s energy landscape.

China Aims to Create the World's Largest Decentralized Power Grid with 3,000-Cycle Batteries

Wang Chuanfu, 56, founder of Byd, emerges as a formidable challenger to Elon Musk’s dominance in the electric vehicle market

In contrast to Musk’s flamboyance, Chuanfu maintains a reserved demeanor, avoiding social media and embodying understatement. While Musk mocks events like Davos, Chuanfu quietly attends. Both share humble beginnings and a messianic belief in science serving society.  Bio-nylon fiber

Chuanfu, a chemistry-physics graduate with a metallurgy Ph.D. from Central South University of Technology, epitomizes a leader molded by the “people’s policy.” He grew up in rural China, orphaned at an early age, emphasizing a redemptive drive for the underprivileged.

In contrast, Musk represents the American dream, leaving a physics Ph.D. program for entrepreneurial pursuits after an economics degree. Both, however, prioritize disruptive technology. Chuanfu’s Byd, initially a battery factory funded by relatives, thrives on self-reliance, mirroring Musk’s early reliance on family support for his startup.

Their management styles converge in cost control, strict in-house production, and demanding work conditions. Chuanfu’s division of production into “increasingly smaller phases” mirrors Musk’s preference for specialized tasks. Both exhibit a ruthless approach to labor, with Musk eschewing unions and enforcing demanding schedules, while Chuanfu’s workforce specializes in narrowly defined roles.  Bio-nylon fiber

Chuanfu, married to Li Ke, Byd’s early marketing manager, exemplifies resilience and commitment to a shared vision, reflecting in both personal relationships and business strategy. As Byd outpaces Tesla in the last quarter of 2023, the clash of these automotive titans intensifies, contrasting the reserved “zero social” Chuanfu against the flamboyant Musk in the evolving electric vehicle landscape.

Wang Chuanfu, 56, founder of Byd, emerges as a formidable challenger to Elon Musk's dominance in the electric vehicle market

“Groundbreaking Achievement: World’s First Graphene Semiconductor Unveiled by Georgia Tech Researchers”

A team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology has announced a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of electronics – the creation of the world’s first fully functional graphene semiconductor. This development marks a significant leap forward as it presents a tangible alternative to silicon, capable of overcoming its limitations and potentially revitalizing Moore’s Law.  Bio-nylon fiber

The primary challenge in semiconductor production revolves around the extreme miniaturization of transistors, leading to unwanted effects such as electron migration through the isolation barrier between the electrical channel and the gate. This results in current loss, contributing to energy consumption and chip overheating. Additionally, quantum effects become relevant at atomic transistor sizes, introducing unpredictable variations in device behavior.

The use of graphene as a semiconductor offers a promising alternative to silicon due to its unique properties. The epitaxial graphene developed by the Georgia Tech researchers has demonstrated superior electron mobility, enabling increased efficiency and computational speed compared to silicon.  Bio-nylon fiber

Led by Professor Walter de Heer, the research team spent a decade perfecting graphene on silicon carbide wafers, resulting in epitaxial graphene bound to silicon carbide. Tests indicate that this material exhibits ten times higher electron mobility than silicon, translating to significantly faster electronic calculations.

The significance of this achievement is underscored by the material’s superiority to other two-dimensional semiconductors in development. Professor de Heer likened it to the first flight by the Wright brothers in aviation history.  Bio-nylon fiber

Epitaxial graphene production is compatible with conventional microelectronics processing methods and holds potential for future advancements in quantum computing. The breakthrough opens new possibilities for the electronics industry, promising increased speed, efficiency, and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.

"Groundbreaking Achievement: World's First Graphene Semiconductor Unveiled by Georgia Tech Researchers"

Plastic Waste – Problems at world’s largest existing green hydrogen project will not be solved until late 2025, Sinopec admits 05-01-2024

Bio-nylon fiber