Lecture 1 Flashcards - Natural Polymer BME 515

When did synthetic polymers get developed?

in 1980, and in 1830 was when we started knowing about a few natural polymers (like wool, cotton, silk)

What are Synthetic Polymers

Man-made macromolecules derived mainly from fossil fuels (Common examples: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PVC

They have shown great success in replacing steel, wood, glass

But we have an overproduction of them, and its a big issue since they cannot breakdown

Because of the fossil fuel extraction, what also do Synthetic polymers emit?

They emit carbon emissions.

What health issues are caused by synthetic polymers

PE -the microplastics causes inflammation, hormone disruption

PVC (phthalates) - is a cancer risk, hormone disruptions

Teflon (PFAS) - is a cancer risk, hormone disruption, cholesterol

What agenda states we need new ecofriendly materials?

Agenda 21 - which states that we need to adopt making new natural resources, recovering energy, minimizing waste. (meant to fix the government policies that created an overproduction of microplastics from 1992)

What is a bioplastic?

A biodegradable polymer that follows the EN 13432 packaging (a requirement for packaging to be recoverable through compositing)

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What are examples of natural polymer polysaccharides

Chitosan (shrimp shell), Alginate, Starch (corn), Cellulose (wood), Pectin (citrus peel, apple)

What are examples of natural polymers polypeptides

Salmon, tuna, eel, jellyfish, etc.

What are medical applications of natural polymers?

1. Drug delivery

2. Tissue Engineering (like scaffolds)

3. Skin Regeneration

4. Medical Devices

5. Cancer/infection

6. Aging & personalized medicine (like nutrition)

What are some pharmaceutical application

1. Drug release

2. Modifiers

3. Stabilizers

4. Binders

5. Gelling agents