Poly(lactic acid) - Synthesis, Structures, Properties, Processing, and Applications
Book description
This book describes the synthesis, properties, and processing methods
of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an important family of degradable plastics.
As the need for environmentally-friendly packaging materials increases,
consumers and companies are in search for new materials that are largely
produced from renewable resources, and are recyclable. To that end, an
overall theme of the book is the biodegradability, recycling, and
sustainability benefits of PLA. The chapters, from a base of
international expert contributors, describe specific processing methods,
spectroscopy techniques for PLA analysis, and and applications in
medical items, packaging, and environmental use.
Rafael Auras is an Assistant Professor in the School of Packaging at
Michigan State University. He has authored or coauthored more than
sixty publications. His research areas include mass transfer in
polymers, biodegradable and compostable polymers, life cycle
assessment, packaging waste, and sustainable packaging systems.
Loong-Tak Lim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food
Science at the University of Guelph. Dr. Lim is author and coauthor of
more than twenty journal articles, a holder of three patents, and has
given twenty-one conference presentations.
Susan Selke is Professor and Associate Director in the School of
Packaging at Michigan State University. Her research activities and
interests include life-cycle analysis, biodegradable and biobased
plastics, plastics composites, active packaging, microcellular foaming
of plastics, plastics recycling, and related areas. She has authored
or coauthored more than 170 publications, including nine books.
Hideto Tsuji is a Professor in the Department of Ecological
Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering at Toyohashi University of
Technology. He has authored or coauthored more than a hundred academic
papers, has edited three books, and holds twelve patents.
