CompositesWorld
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CompositesWorld.com 35 NEWS N E W S N S N E W S E N W S W body-in-white weight reduction, to university-level studies on lignin and bio- refning research work at the University of Tennessee under Dr. Art Ragauskas. In addition to precursor potential, lignin also shows promise as a nano-material. Researchers at Florida State University, working with ORNL, have shown that, during fber production, testing of the microstructure of individual carbon fber samples reveals nano-scale graphitic domains embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. Te research holds promise for lignin in battery applica- tions. Canada's Lignoworks Polymeric Products group is investigating elec- trospun lignin nanofbers and carbon aerogels, which will be combined with thermoplastic polymers for composites; lignin monomers also hold potential as novel conductive polymers. Innventia also is investigating electrospinning of lignin nanofbers, information on which, says Tomani, will be revealed later this year. Research, by the way, also continues toward a lower-cost PAN precursor. Dr. Michael Kessler, formerly of Iowa State University, who investigated lignin carbon fbers for wind blades, is now working under a State of Washington grant at Washington State University (Pullman, WA, US) to develop a route from C6 sugars derived from ligno-cellulosic bio-mass to bio-based acrylonitrile, with the goal of using that to make PAN and then carbon fber. Funded by the DoE's Ofce of Energy Efciency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Southern Research Institute (SRI, Birmingham, AL, US) is developing a catalytic process for conversion of sugars from non-food bio-mass to acrylonitrile, and the National Renewable Energy Labo- ratory (NREL, Golden, CO, US) is investi- gating and optimizing multiple pathways to bio-acrylonitrile, which could, simi- larly, step in for hydrocarbon PAN. The potential to actual gap All of this, however, represents potential. Marketable composites industry appli- cations for carbon fber produced from alternative precursors are still elusive. Commercial applications on the near horizon for lignin-based carbon fber, thus far, are limited to one, and it is not a composite (see the Side Story on p. 32). "We're not fne-tuning aero- space fber here," cautions ORNL's Eberle. "We're working from the ground up on disrup- tive technology that can make carbon fber more broadly available." But Tomani points out, "Tere is a lot of activity occurring now on carbon fber research, using lignin or other feedstocks. Someone will succeed." Sara Black is CW's technical editor and has served on the CW staf for 17 years. sara@compositesworld.com W T F yoming est ixtures INC. 2960 E. Millcreek Canyon Road Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Phone (801) 484.5055 Fax (801) 484.6008 email: wtf@wyomingtestfixtures.com www.wyomingtestfixtures.com Dr. Donald F. Adams President Over 50 years of Composite Testing Experience • Over 40 types of fixtures in stock, ready to be shipped. • Expert consultation with Dr. Don and Dr. Dan • Email or call today to discuss your fixture and custom design needs. WHEN YOU NEED IT FAST...WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED! Laminate Bearing Test ASTM D 5961 Proc. A In Stock We carry over 40 types of fxtures in stock and available for immediate delivery, including the 5 models of the Laminate Bearing Fixture shown above. Ask about our next day delivery options on orders received by 1pm MST. Laminate Bearing Test ASTM D 5961 Proc. C In Stock Laminate Bearing Test ASTM D 5961 Proc. B In Stock Laminate Bearing Test SACMA Version In Stock Laminate Bearing Test ASTM D 953 In Stock Lignin-based Carbon Fiber?