Versatile Applications of Degradable Plastic

Biodegradability of degradable plastic waste.

Plastic waste constitutes the third largest waste volume in Malaysian municipal solid waste (MSW), next to putrescible waste and paper. The plastic component in MSW from Kuala Lumpur averages 24% (by weight), whereas the national mean is about 15%. The 144 waste dumps in the country receive about 95% of the MSW, including plastic waste. The useful life of the landfills is fast diminishing as th...

Biodegradation of Degradable/Biodegradable Plastic Material in Controlled Composting Environment

The biodegradability of different plastic material was investigated under aerobic conditions. The samples were placed in the compost pile and were checked over 15 weeks. After the expiration of the experimental period it was found that the samples with the additive (samples 1, 2, and 3) had not decomposed, their color had not changed, and that no degradation or physical changes had occurred. SE...

Elastic Degradable Polyurethanes for Biomedical Applications

Engineering and Functionalization of Degradable Scaffolds for Medical Implant Applications

The treatment of bone defects is facing the situation of lacking donations for autotransplantation. As a valid approach, scaffold-based tissue engineering combines the construction of well-defined porous scaffolds with advanced cell culturing technology to guide tissue regeneration. The role for the scaffold is to provide a suitable environment with a sufficient mechanical stiffness, supports f...

DMSO: applications in plastic surgery.

The authors point out that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) increases tissue perfusion and may effectively treat or prevent ischemia in flaps. They recommend application of topical DMSO every 4 to 6 hours, until blood flow improves, to areas that show signs of ischemia or less than adequate perfusion. Other potential cosmetic surgery uses of DMSO include areas of skin care, pain relief, and treatment ...