Researchers from the MATS group participate in the international conference on biodegradable and sustainable polymers
The MATS research group participated, from July 22 to 24, in the 2024 International Conference on Biodegradable and Sustainable Polymers (BIOPOL), held in the city of Coimbra, Portugal.
This event, which brought together researchers, academics, and professionals, aimed to promote the exchange of knowledge on the synthesis, modification, and applications of materials derived from renewable sources, as well as to explore their sustainability and biodegradability.
In this edition, our researcher Maria Camila Arango Sánchez She presented her research as part of her doctoral thesis:
- Optimization of physical-crosslinked silk sericin-based membrane for advanced applications.
This study focuses on the development of sericin-based membranes through a two-phase physical crosslinking process, combining polymer blending and water vapor treatment. A response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the effect of blend concentration, glycerol content, and treatment time on the absorption, degradation, and elasticity of the membranes for advanced applications.
On the other hand, Karen Dayana Gutiérrez Silva She presented her work, framed within the BIOFAST project, focused on the development of methodological strategies for the accelerated biodegradation of bioplastics in compost.
- Ultraviolet irradiation effect at dry and water-immersion conditions on poly(lactide) commercial films.
The presented work focuses on the abiotic degradation of PLA-based bioplastic materials (polylactic acid), a key material in the development of sustainable solutions for packaging applications. The most notable results show how exposure to ultraviolet radiation induces significant changes in the physicochemical properties of these materials, evidencing both superficial and volumetric deterioration.
Participation in the BIOPOL 2024 conference has not only provided a platform to share our advances with the international scientific community, fostering the exchange of ideas and the establishment of new collaborations, but it has also had a significant impact on the training of our pre-doctoral researchers.
This type of experience broadens their scientific vision, strengthens their communication skills, and provides them with the opportunity to interact with experts in the field, contributing integrally to their professional development and the progress of the research framed within their doctoral thesis development.
