A team from the University of Kansas and the University of Southern California has developed a resin degradation process that can make carbon fiber with mechanical properties similar to new materials.
The most important innovation involves genetically modifying the fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which feeds on benzoic acid, a byproduct of resin breakdown. The fungus produces a valuable compound called OTA (octa-2,4,6-trienoic acid), which can be used medicinally as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent.
This method is the first to successfully extract value from both fiber and resin in carbon fiber reinforced polymers. The researchers plan to improve the process to make it more efficient and scalable for industrial use.
Source: Ferra
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