Plastic: Friend or Enemy

Plastic: Friend or Enemy

Plastic as we know it, has been our good friend for many years, so far it has allowed us:

- move faster (tires, cars, trains, planes, ...) - eat healthier, (protective packaging, food hygiene, ready-made food, disposable cups ....), - dress with warm, light and protective fabrics (replacement or integration of natural fibers) - greater safety in hospitals and operating rooms (disposable syringes, blister packs for medicines, blood bags, .....)     ..... Continue to read

La CO2, anidride carbonica

La CO₂, anidride carbonica (o biossido di carbonio) è un gas naturale, naturalmente presente nell'aria che respiriamo, ma come ogni altra cosa in natura l'eccesso fa male anzi molto male.

La CO₂ (anidride carbonica o biossido di carbonio) è un gas inerte, inodore ed incolore, naturalmente presente in atmosfera in concentrazioni limitate.   Continua a leggere

Is the Bioplastics the solution to plastic pollution problem?

Bioplastics maybe be a part of the solutions to reduce plastic pollution in the environment. A lot of things must be done if we re ally want to reduce plastic in our seas, bioplastics could be part of the game only if we know them and we use them correctly.                                                                         Despite its name, bioplastics are not ipso facto a sustainable solution. You might expect bioplastic objects to dissolve down, when disposed of in your compost heap, or to at least to have a lower carbon footprint, but it might surprise you to find out these expectations aren’t necessarily true. Before to start to consider the bioplastics the panacea for all problems created by the plastic you have to pay attention to following 6 points:  Continue to read

The other side of the Trade War: The Waste War.

                                                         We are at the end of 2019 ...

and the international media speak only of Trade War, of duties and possible economic repercussions on global trade. But the so-called Trade War between US and China goes beyond the duties, imposed by the Trump administration. Far from the spotlight is there another war between superpower countries: Waste War. Yes, you have understood correctly: we are talking about the garbage, mountains of plastic and cardboard scraps that western countries produce and they are able only partially to recycle.  Continue to read

Crystallization and nucleation of semi-crystalline polymers

A Small review on what is a crystal, what is a semi-crystalline polymer, what is the influence of nucleating agents on the crystallization process of polymers. And a non-exhaustive list of which are the commercial available nucleating agents.  Continue to read 

PLASTIC: Problem or Resource

Since the 1930s, around 8 billion tons of plastic have been produced, of which only 2 billion have been recovered in the last 20 years (recycled). Leaving about 6 billion tons in the environment. These numbers tell us that we are fast approaching an environmental catastrophe, which leads to the death of thousands of living beings literally suffocated or starved to death (stomach clogged), or made sick (read human beings in whose organism micro plastics accumulate, ... in the lungs, stomach, intestine liver, …). Considering an apparent density of less than 0.1 Kg / m3 this amount can be visualized as a cube of side 40 Km. Another way to visualize this quantity is to imagine the Po valley completely covered with plastic up to a height equal to the Cervino mountain.  continue to read 

How strange is the world of biodegradable and compostable plastics

This post is more like a request to help me to understand the reality that surrounds us.

It is aimed at an audience, the Linkedin subscribers, with big knowledge and skills in this the specific sector.

 The old continent, better the Europeans people pare certainly the first to have understood that one of the methods to reduce the negative impact of the packaging on the environment is to use biodegradable and compostable materials for the latter.  

In fact, in the case of "involuntary" release into the environment of manufacture goods made of biodegradable and compostable materials within a maximum of 5 years they are transformed into carbon dioxide, water and humus.  In the case of traditional plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ... they are required between 1000-5000 years, in addition, after a few years the latter tend to fragment into very small and degradation-resistant particles that enter the food chain passing from plankton to humans with damage  still all to study and understand.

 Everything good?  Not so if we consider the fact that these new materials (biodegradable and compostable) such as PLA, PBAT, PBST, PBS, (starch), .... are produced in minimal part here in Europe and therefore it is necessary to import them or from America  or from Asia.

 Except for the starch obtained either from the maize or from the potatoes the other products (real polymers) are usually purchased outside Europe.

 The PLA consumption forecast in 2019 is approximately 75,000 tons; the installed capacity in Europe is about 5,000 tons.

 The PBAT, and the PBST consumption expected in 2019 is approximately 175,000; the installed production capacity in Europe is about 170,000. Of this capacity 100.000 is only for captive use (Novamont).

 The PBS consumption forecast for 2019 50,000 ton; the installed production capacity in Europe is (?)

According to this data, today in Europe compared to a requirement of about 300,000 tons, about 125,000 tons of basic materials are missing.

For the compounding capacity, that is the transformation process that starting from the single raw materials PLA, PBAT, PBST, PBS, (starch) ... for obtains materials ready for use, there are no shortcomings.

 The numbers reported are the result of at least two years of dialogues with the various producers, readings of articles, .... and professional interest (myself working in the compounding company for biodegradable biodegradable materials for over 15 years).

I would like the data I reported to be supplemented, modified and why not upset if it is incorrect.
Thanks in advance to all those who will want to comment on my post.

The Periodic Table of Elements

The Periodic table of elements

The Atom
Matter is made of atoms, which in Greek means indivisible, because at the beginning it was thought that they could not be divided. Today we know that the atom is made up of even smaller particles.

Each atom is made up of three different types of particles that are electrons, protons and neutrons. Protons and neutrons form the nucleus, while the electrons that are equal in number to the protons are found outside it.

Continue to read

The Atom

Matter is made of atoms, which in Greek means indivisible, because at the beginning it was thought that they could not be divided. Today we know that the atom is made up of even smaller particles.

Each atom is made up of three different types of particles that are electrons, protons and neutrons. Protons and neutrons form the nucleus, while the electrons that are equal in number to the protons are found outside it. Continue to read

The greatest artistic heritage in the world in the hands ... whose?

Italy has over 200 thousand archaeological sites, monumental and architectural historical assets; not counting the landscape ones.

The Bel Paese holds the world record of historical testimonies considered by UNESCO as a cultural heritage of humanity: 53 sites to which the prestigious recognition, against the 52 of China, which boasts a territory 32 times more extensive.

A record that, however, entails burdens and responsibilities regarding its protection and enhancement. To threaten this endless treasure are, every day, several factors: the hydrogeological instability, crime and vandalism, the illicit trafficking of works of art and the state of abandonment in which many cultural goods, the lack of knowledge and civic consciousness. But above all the negligence. ......Continue to reading

Che tempo farà

Che tempo farà? A questa semplice domanda l'uomo da quanto ha avuto coscienza di se ha cercato di dare una risposta. Questa domanda è diventata ancora più importante quando l'uomo ha iniziato ad occuparsi di agricoltura. Prevedere il tempo poteva essere questione di sopravvivenza ad esempio se si pensava di tentare di navigare....  continua a leggere

INTERNET: DEVIL OR ANGEL

Internet, as a physical structure, was born in the United States when the Department of Defence decided to link the computers of various universities, who were responsible for military projects.....  continue to reading

Biodegradable and Compostable Shoppers in Italy

The disposable shoppers in Italy

Biodegradable and compostable disposable shoppers are the only allowed to be sold in Italy, The penalty for who market porducts not in compliance even if they are sold free of charge starting.....
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Alla Sera

Oggi il mio umore è cupo, sono a casa malato e mi sento molto triste, ma mi è venuta in soccorso la letteratura, con  opere immortali. In particolare mi ha tirato su il morale un opera di Ugo Foscolo: Alla Sera, è incredibile il potere delle parole, e come queste anche dopo secoli da quando sono state scritte, trattengono il loro fascino. Ma basta con le mie parole lasciamo lo spazio e gli onori alle immortali parole di Foscolo. 

A L L A S E R A

(Ugo Foscolo)

Forse perché della fatal quiete

tu sei l'imago, a me si cara vieni,

o Sera! E quando ti corteggian liete

le nubi estive e i zefiri sereni,

e quando dal nevoso aere inquiete

tenebre e lunghe all'universo meni,

sempre scendi invocata e le secrete

vie del mio cor soavemente tieni

Vagar mi fai co' miei pensieri su l'orme

che vanno al nulla esterno; e intanto fugge

questo reo tempo, e van con lui le torme

dalle cure, onde meco egli si strugge;

e mentr'io guardo la tua pace, dorme

quello spirito guerrier ch'entro mi rugge.

The robots are coming

With the new generation of robots, many productions are now returning from countries where they had relocated to take advantage of the low cost of labor.

The companies of countries such as Germany where new technologies (robots and the like) are already being used in an ever more massive,  are bring back in Europe the productions a time delocalized in Asia.

The Europe as a whole is experiencing this new revolution. The companies no longer need cheap workers but robots and specialized technicians.

And about Italy...

Here, the main obstacle to the adoption of such equipment is definitely the stunting of our companies. New technologies require massive capital investments. But this is not the only obstacle, the increased automation through the use of robots in manufacturing processes is a great revolution in the organization of companies.

And it needs for greater cooperation between all the resources of the factory, among the various internal and external functions and the same machinery.

But it is a challenge that Italy despite the delays than the Germany can not possibly losing. 

It must quickly recover lost ground by bring back or creating  new productions, at the same time create new jobs for all those highly skilled young people who will be able to remain in Italy, instead of emigrating to other countries. What great loss for the whole country ... if the best young boys (and girls) must go away.

Some consideration about my work and work of millions of other researchers like me

The following considerations though refer to my personal life it can easily be extended to any researcher. An architect who is studying the best way to build a palace, an engineer who trying to improve the efficiency of an engine, an electronic expert who studying a new lighting system ....

During the years I gained knowledge on how to formulate blends and compounds based on thermoplastic polymers. My business took me to meet many such polymers PE, PP, ABS, PC, PS, PA6, PA66, PBAT, PBS, PHA, PLA ... and many additives eg antioxidants, light stabilizers, slip, release agents, mineral fillers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, wood fibers ....

I have always regretted myself feeling inadequate my knowledge on various materials as a result of the fact that over time I kept changing polymer, additive, reference ..... and never having the opportunity to specialize myself on a particular topic. In the past I thought to this point as my big problem, until I did not become aware of the fact, that I do not need to know "everything" on a particular subject but it is enough to have the mental resources to go to fill the holes when this becomes necessary.

Therefore, if at a certain time of life, I need to make some products based on PP, I am able to know what are the parameters I must to know and where to look. The melting point, the crystallization point, the resistance to the impact, the flexural modulus ... etc.

Sure I constantly repeating to myself that I have never achieved the specialization in a particular topic and I am never be able to have complete knowledge in any area. But this is precisely the fundamental error, even spending years and years to studying and working on a particular polymer, or on a particular class of additives, nobody will never be able to have access to all the knowledge on that particular subject. This also because even as I write these few lines thousands of people continue to study and to expand our own knowledge in the field in which I would like to know everything.

Now seems to be unavoidable the use of big computers that are able to read and analyze thousands of article, books, magazines in near real time and thanks to the development of artificial intelligence are also able to propose solutions or make accurate predictions.

But even these monsters of knowledge have their weak point: the need to constantly acquire new knowledge made available by thousands of researchers around the world continue to produce articles, books etc.

I often wondered to myself what will be my future work (and what will be the work of thousands of others researches like). If between 15-20 years we will be supplanted by super computers. If companies will need simply to subscribe for access to a super computer (like Watson) and do without all those thousands of researchers, developers, who by their silent work continue to make improvements (often small) to all materials, medicines, objects that surround us and with whom we come into contact every day.

I'd like to know your opinion on this topic, as always I leave you the link to my EMAIL .

The homemade soap

A few days ago a friend of mine, knowing my passion for things done in the house, asked me how to make soap. So before I give her the recipe I wanted to experience it firsthand. The proven satisfaction to make soap made with your own hands has no value compared to the commitment necessary. So I decided to share with you, as well as with my friend the procedure I used to make soap.
(If you decide to try  this enterprise you also, please be careful with caustic soda, use the right protections in order to avoid unpleasant and dangerous accidents.)
At this point you just need to click the link and start your adventure. 

 Now it's your turn        2°versione

A thought for a friend

During a battle, two brave knights seeing that the result of the battle was going badly for their part, decided to protect their backs to each other. They stood back to back, doing so they won their personal battle: they saved their life.
This is the secret of those friends, that when they face the hardships of life, they choose to ally themselves with each other to solve the current difficulties......

Sicily

The inhabitants of the Emirati Arabi Uniti have managed in less than 25 years, to trasform one of the most inospitable places in the world (a piece of the desert) in one of the most desirable locations in the world (Abu Dhabi). A place that rich peoples, corporations, etc. are willing to pay thousands of dollars. They are willing to pay more than 8000 dollars per square meter for appartaments of no particular value. The arabians were very abled to do this.

We Italians, have some of the places that for the last 2500 years were been among the most desired. People from many nations (Arabian, French, Spanish, Norwegian, ecc.) made wars, invasions, etc. to live there, es SICILY....and now?

Although Sicily is full of landscape assets, evidence of glorious past, a very desirable climate, vine, food, ecc. There are not many people willing to go to live there. There are not a lot corporations ready to make big investments there....

I believe that this simple consideration, should make us, as Italians, to reflect.

Biopolymers (Biopolimeri)

With the emergence of the matter pollution, it was necessary to reduce the environmental impact of every product an all phases of its life cycle. Although with some delay the plastics industry began a thorough review of the technologies and processes used, the type of polymer produced and the origin of the raw materials used. This led to the introduction of biodegradable polymers and the research for alternative sources to fossil raw materials. The results are increasingly promising and not goes a day by when it does find new applications for this new polymers .....

Although I have, every day, the opportunity to work with biodegradable polymers my knowledge about their nature and their uses are still limited. Below I have tried to write, or rather to outline, the chapters of a small monograph. I hope a lot of you want help me to complete the various chapters and possibly suggesting others. Here I leave the link to my EMAIL to send us your comments.

Biopolymers (Biopolimeri)

 0  : Indice                                          versione 1    ITA
 1  : Premessa                                    versione 1    ITA
 2  : La Biodegradazione              versione 1    ITA
 3  : Polimeri Tradizionali           versione 1    ITA
 4  : Polimeri Biodegradabili     versione 1    ITA
 5  : Poliesteri                                    versione 1    ITA
     5.1  : PGA                                          versione 1    ITA
     5.2  : PLA                                          versione 1    ITA
     5.3  : PCL                                          versione 1    ITA
     5.4  : PES                                          capitolo da scrivere
     5.5  : PBS                                          versione 2    ITA
     5.6  : PBSA                                       versione 1    ITA
     5.7  : PBAT                                       versione 1    ITA
     5.8  : PBST                                       versione 1    ITA
6   : Poliidrossialcanoati               da scrivere
     6.1  : PHA                                         da scrivere
     6.2  : PHB                                         da scrivere
7   :  Polisaccaridi
     7.1  : Amido                                       versione 1    ITA
     7.2  : Cellulosa                                   da scrivere
     7.3  : Chitina e Chiosano                versione 1    ITA
8   : Tecnologie di Trasformazione
     8.1  : Filatura in Bolla
            8.1.1  : Filmatura in bolla             versione 1    ITA
            8.1.2  : Filmatura in cast              da scrivere
     8.2  : Stampaggio ad iniezione         da scrivere
    8.3  : Blow Molding                              da scrivere