Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications

This Handbook is the first to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries.

Bioplastics and biocomposites are becoming increasingly prominent because synthetic plastics and glass fiber composites are neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly.

The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications brings together scientists from academia and industry to report on current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites arena. This new science is interdisciplinary and integrates pure and applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications: Packaging; Civil Engineering; Biomedical; Automotive; General Engineering.

The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing, characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites including:

• Polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc.
• Thermoplastic and thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a focus on the automobile industry.
• The ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers).
• Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering applications.

The Handbook will be of central interest to engineers, scientists and researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites, biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food packaging.

Srikanth Pilla is a Research Manager in the BIONATES theme at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to this, he was a Materials & Process Design Scientist at SuGanit Biorenewables LLC, Toledo, OH. Dr. Pilla received postdoctoral training from Stanford University and his PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has published more than 50 technical papers, a textbook, and an edited volume. Additionally, he co-invented a home cleaning product (patent pending). He is a reviewer for more than 17 journals and currently serves on several SAE International technical committees. He has organized and chaired several conference sessions including SAE World Congress. Dr. Pilla currently serves as an Associate Editor for SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing.