The National Renewable Energy Laboratory created a plant-derived epoxy, making carbon fiber recyclable and cost-effective.
Carbon fiber is made of long carbon filaments glued by epoxy. It is ten times stronger than steel, nearly half the weight of aluminum, far stiffer than fiberglass. This makes it a preferred material for luxury sedans and Formula One racecars alike. However, it is expensive. It is also energy-intensive and is not exactly greenhouse gas friendly.
In the study, the researchers redesigned the composition of epoxy using biomass. This makes the material recyclable while maintaining quality.
The advances in bio-based material design make carbon fiber recyclable and viable at an industrial scale.
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