Projekt

The idea of applying renewable resources for chemical synthesis has become an integral part of flame-retardant polymeric materials used in electrical engineering, transportation, and as building products. Of particular interest are approaches that encourage a circular economy and promote a 'zero waste' policy. Published examples include plant-based fibers from coconut husks, sisal, flax, and kenaf fibers. Yet only little work on animal-based products like keratin fibers from tanneries, wool, silk, and DNA exists. The project's scope is to investigate the 'nonvegan' animal alternatives, i.e. invertebrates. The author plans to explore the potential of insects as mass-producing renewable resources used to boost the properties of polymeric materials.

• Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schartel

  Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung
  und -prüfung (BAM)
  Abt. 7: Bauwerksicherheit
  FB Technische Eigenschaften von Polymerwerkstoffen
  Berlin