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Energy squeeze: Squeezing polymers produces chemical energy but raises doubts about implant safety
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/nu-es030212.php[font face=Times, Times New Roman, Serif]Public release date: 2-Mar-2012
Contact: Megan Fellman
fellman@northwestern.edu
847-491-3115
Northwestern University
[font size=5]Energy squeeze[/font]
[font size=4]Squeezing polymers produces chemical energy but raises doubts about implant safety[/font]
[font size=3]...
In a new study, Northwestern University scientists turned to squeezed polymers and free radicals in a search for new energy sources. They found incredible promise but also some real problems. Their report is published by the journal Angewandte Chemie.
The researchers demonstrated that radicals from compressed polymers generate significant amounts of energy that can be used to power chemical reactions in water. This energy has typically been unused but now can be harnessed when polymers are under stress in ordinary circumstances -- as in shoe soles, car tires or when compacting plastic bags.
They also discovered during the study that a silicone polymer commonly used in implants for cosmetic procedures releases a large quantity of harmful free radicals when the polymer is under only a moderate amount of pressure. These findings suggest the safety of certain polymer-based medical implants should be looked at more closely.
...
Grzybowski and his team demonstrated they can squeeze a polymer, such as what might be found in a shoe, tire or plastic bag, and get a mechanical-to-chemical energy conversion of up to 30 percent -- approaching the energy efficiency of a car engine.
...[/font][/font]
Contact: Megan Fellman
fellman@northwestern.edu
847-491-3115
Northwestern University
[font size=5]Energy squeeze[/font]
[font size=4]Squeezing polymers produces chemical energy but raises doubts about implant safety[/font]
[font size=3]...
In a new study, Northwestern University scientists turned to squeezed polymers and free radicals in a search for new energy sources. They found incredible promise but also some real problems. Their report is published by the journal Angewandte Chemie.
The researchers demonstrated that radicals from compressed polymers generate significant amounts of energy that can be used to power chemical reactions in water. This energy has typically been unused but now can be harnessed when polymers are under stress in ordinary circumstances -- as in shoe soles, car tires or when compacting plastic bags.
They also discovered during the study that a silicone polymer commonly used in implants for cosmetic procedures releases a large quantity of harmful free radicals when the polymer is under only a moderate amount of pressure. These findings suggest the safety of certain polymer-based medical implants should be looked at more closely.
...
Grzybowski and his team demonstrated they can squeeze a polymer, such as what might be found in a shoe, tire or plastic bag, and get a mechanical-to-chemical energy conversion of up to 30 percent -- approaching the energy efficiency of a car engine.
...[/font][/font]
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