The Invention
The bio-composite derived from natural and renewable sources have gained popularity due to the awareness and drive towards sustainable approaches, technologies and increased awareness in reduction of CO2 production when creating/fabricating the constituent ingredients. The bio-composite, fabricated from the bio-degradable natural fibre encapsulated in a bio-based polymer, is one such drive. The material contains the maximum percentage of renewable bio-mass material to secure a sustainable future by moving away from the linear economy approach (take-make-consume-dispose), to adopt a circular economy to increase the renewable and recyclable resources towards materials having a reduced CO2 emissions and energy consumption during production, have a positive environmental impact due to the characteristics during use and at the end of life the natural fibre can be recycled, biodegraded or incinerated for energy recover. The natural fibres are derived from the group of vegetable-leaf type, the agave, as opposed to market available vegetable-bast fibres (producing countries鈥� environment support growth of these fibres).
ELCAPA aims to investigate and develop the renewable locally cultivated agave fibre and overseas sourced biopolymer matrix and develop them into a lightweight, biodegradable, economically and technically feasible material for structural load bearing applications such as boat hull and superstructure, wind turbine towers/blades, other land and offshore applications.
The team are also working to develop the fundamental knowledge related to the optimum production and material performance of the 鈥淢altese鈥� agave bio-composites which would provide new business opportunities tailored towards the enhancement of the Maltese agricultural and manufacturing capabilities, technological and knowledge advancement of the research development at the University.
Inventors
Prof. Claire De Marco
Prof. Martin Muscat
Prof. Duncan Camilleri
Dr Sandro Lanfranco
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The technology was funded by the Maritime Seed Award.