Identification of new microorganisms and fermentation methods to develop novel materials derived from renewable resources.  Microbial nylons, polyesters and polysaccharides are under investigation.

Synthetic analogues of biopolymers are being synthesized as models to establish relationships between polymer structure, morphology, properties, and degradability.  Polysaccharide modification to alter their physical and biological properties.  Novel degradable polymers by classical chemical approaches.  Interfacial agents for biodegradable blend systems.


PROCESSING AND BLENDING

The blending of biodegradable components to vary properties and biodegradability.  Science screw extrusion, twin screw extrusion, and solvent mixing are being used to vary phase domain size to study the effects on properties and biodegradability.  The effect of miscibility and blend morphology on biodegradability.

Sheet and blown film extrusion and co-extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, compression molding, and solvent casting.  Reactive processing of blends and hydrogels.  Processing of polysaccharides.


DEGRADATION TESTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Controlled aerobic (compost conditions) and anaerobic (optimized landfill conditions) bioreactors are used to evaluate plastics degradation kinetics.  The effect of environmental parameters on the biodegradation kinetics.  Providing the ASTM with Lowell testing procedures for the development of standard methods.  Participation with other ASTM members in the evaluation of present ASTM degradation testing protocols.

Isolation of microorganisms active in environmental polymer degradation.   Purification and characterization of enzymes active in polymer degradation.  Determination of polymer degradation kinetics and the products formed using pure cultures and enzymes.

A program which seeks to integrate current and experimental methods in solid waste management where plastics are viewed as a potentially degradable component of the municipal solid waste system.

CHARACTERIZATION AND MODELING

Measurements and effects of crystallinity, orientation, and stress on biodegradation.  Sorption, diffusion, and surface analysis and relationships to biodegradability.  Control and prediction of molecular weight and effects on biodegradability.