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Bioprocess intensification in agriculture

Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Burke, Professor Galip Akay, Dr Paul BilsborrowORCiD

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the potential use of nano-structured micro-porous polymers in agriculture where the polymer properties are tailored to the specific applications using a range of agricultural and horticultural plants including energy crops. PolyHIPE Polymer is a novel micro-cellular polymer which can be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, or indeed biphilic, and has a well-defined micro-architecture for tissue engineering and cell growth. Sulphonated PolyHIPE polymer was produced using 10% divinyl-benzene and demonstrated a maximum of 20 times increase in weight within 30 seconds of soaking in water whiles undergoing swelling. When used as a soil conditioner to enhance water retention in sandy soil used for grass growth, sulphonated PolyHIPE polymer demonstrated an almost 3-fold dry weight increase in yield of grass under semi-arid state achieved by weekly watering and an almost 4-fold dry weight increase in yield of grass under arid conditions achieved by reduced weekly watering.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Burke DR, Akay G, Bilsborrow P

Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

Publication status: Published

Conference Name: CHISA: 17th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering

Year of Conference: 2006

Pages: -

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 8086059456

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