A new fuel-latent plastic has been developed that has been derived from fatty acids of plant. It can subsequently be broken down into a diesel-like liquid fuel that can be used in generators.
This plant-derived fuel-latent plastic has been bioengineered by the New York’s Polytechnic University researchers led by Professor Richard Gross, director of the University’s National Science Foundation Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules.
Prof. Gross said,
We showed DARPA that we could make a new plastic from plant oils that has remarkable properties, which includes being tougher and more durable than typical polyethylenes. Additionally, the bioplastic can be placed in a simple container where it is safely broken down to liquid fuel.
To advance this groundbreaking technology and transfer it to industry, the researchers have been awarded $2.34 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Mobile Integrated Sustainable Energy Recovery (MISER) program.
Khine Latt, program manager for DARPA’s Mobile Integrated Sustainable Energy Recovery program said,
Military units generate substantial quantities of packaging waste when engaging in stationary field operations. If we can turn this waste into fuel, we will see a double benefit-we will reduce the amount of waste that we have to remove, and we will reduce the amount of new fuel that we must deliver to the units.
