That’s not
spaghetti — polyethylene fibers made with olive oil
could help make
super-durable materials even stronger.
Credit: American Chemical Society
(December 10, 2015) Bulletproof
vests and other super-strong materials could soon become even tougher and more
environmentally friendly at the same time with the help of extra firm, or “al
dente,” fibers. Researchers report in ACS’ journal Macromolecules an innovative
way to spin high-performance polyethylene fibers from natural fats, such as
oils from olives and peanuts.
These materials, which are powerful enough to stop speeding
bullets, can also be used for many other tasks that require strength. They
recently played a key role in lifting a sunken ferry from a delicate ecosystem
off the coast of Italy. The fibers also can serve as sails to catch wind, ropes
for climbing and tying, and thin, sturdy surgical sutures that ensure wound
healing. But making fibers for these applications with today’s commercial
processes has drawbacks. For example, one of the methods requires large amounts
of solvents that are flammable and toxic. The research group led by Theo
Tervoort and Paul Smith from ETH Zurich wanted to find a more environmentally
friendly route to produce these ultra-strong fibers.