Sarah E Christian

US Patent:

20080160567, Jul 3, 2008

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/002001

Inventors:

Sarah L. Billington - Palo Alto CA, US
Craig S. Criddle - Cupertino CA, US
Curtis W. Frank - Menlo Park CA, US
Margaret C. Morse - Stanford CA, US
Sarah J. Christian - Stanford CA, US
Allison J. Pieja - Stanford CA, US

International Classification:

C12P 39/00
C12P 1/04

US Classification:

435 42, 435170

Abstract:

A biocomposite is produced from natural fiber fabrics embedded in a matrix of biosynthetic polyhydroxy-alkanoate (PHA) polymers. The PHA is synthesized using aerobic microbial biosynthesis using mixed bacterial cultures and a feedstock containing anaerobic degradation products such as methane and volatile fatty acids derived from microbial biodegradation of organic waste materials, which may include waste biocomposites. Monomers may be added to the synthesized PHA polymer to control mechanical properties of the resulting biocomposite. The natural fibers and/or PHA may be pretreated using various techniques to improve the bond between the fibers and the PHA resin matrix and water absorption resistance of the fibers. The composite may be a laminate of treated and untreated fabric layers, or differently treated layers, to achieve good in-service performance as well as rapid and/or optimal biogas production when taken out of service and put in an anaerobic environment to degrade.

US Patent:

20110112257, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Jan 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/930708

Inventors:

Sarah L. Billington - Palo Alto CA, US
Craig S. Criddle - Cupertino CA, US
Curtis W. Frank - Cupertino CA, US
Margaret C. Morse - Menlo Park CA, US
Sarah J. Christian - Stanford CA, US
Allison J. Pieja - Stanford CA, US

International Classification:

C08G 63/91
B23P 17/00

US Classification:

525415, 294191

Abstract:

A biocomposite is produced from natural fiber fabrics embedded in a matrix of biosynthetic polyhydroxy-alkanoate (PHA) polymers. The PHA is synthesized using aerobic microbial biosynthesis using mixed bacterial cultures and a feedstock containing anaerobic degradation products such as methane and volatile fatty acids derived from microbial biodegradation of organic waste materials, which may include waste biocomposites. Monomers may be added to the synthesized PHA polymer to control mechanical properties of the resulting biocomposite. The natural fibers and/or PHA may be pretreated using various techniques to improve the bond between the fibers and the PHA resin matrix and water absorption resistance of the fibers. The composite may be a laminate of treated and untreated fabric layers, or differently treated layers, to achieve good in-service performance as well as rapid and/or optimal biogas production when taken out of service and put in an anaerobic environment to degrade.