Category: Incomplete

Sansevieria (snake plant, bow string hemp etc.) is a genus of about 70 species of flowering plants, native to Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia.

A soft, silky and elastic fibre is obtained from the leaves. Yields of up to 2.25 tonnes per hectare per year have been recorded.

Uses

• string
• bowstrings for hunting
• thread for clothes
• nets
• mats
• fine paper
• Sansevieria ehrenbergii has sap used as antiseptic and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional first aid.

Potential Uses

• Fibre for composites
• Warning, unknown if this is safe: Surgical suture? (as may breakdown naturally)
• Contains saponins: could be used for soap?

Processes

• [Overview; need not be detailed.]

More Information

• Wikipedia
• Plants For A Future entry
• Book: Useful Fiber Plants of the World – Dodge C.R., 1897
• Ecocrop Data Sheet for Sansevieria guineensis
• Common names: English: bowstring hemp; iguanatail; mother-in-law’s tongue; snake plant. Spanish: lengua de suegra; lengua de vaca. Local Common Names: Dominican Republic: Espada de Santa Elena; Espada de Santa Teresa; Hoja de Santa Elena. Haiti: oreilles d’ane; safran; z’oreilles bourrique. Lesser Antilles: bowstring; karata; langue a chat; lash; sanddragon de cermitiere; z’oreille a bourrique. Mozambique: tchikwenga. Puerto Rico: chucho; cocuisa; lengua de chuco; sansiviera. Saint Lucia: lanng bèlmè; mother-in-law’s-tongue.

Calluna vulgaris (known as common heather, ling, or simply heather) is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to 20 cm to 1 metre, found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade. It is the dominant plant in most heathland and moorland in Europe, and in some bog vegetation and acidic pine and oak woodland. It is tolerant of grazing and regenerates following occasional burning, and is often managed in nature reserves and grouse moors by sheep or cattle grazing, and also by light burning.

Uses

• Dying wool yellow
• Tanning leather
• ‘Besoms’ (traditional brooms)
• With malt, heather is an ingredient in gruit, a mixture of flavourings used in the brewing of heather-beer during the Middle Ages before the use of hops.
• In traditional Austrian medicine as tea for disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract.

Potential Uses

• [Research, Exploratory/student projects, Ideas…]

Processes

• [Overview; need not be detailed.]

More Information

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calluna

PHA’s (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) are fully biodegradable polyester polymers produced in nature by microorganisms, such as bacteria in the fermentation of sugar or lipids from biodegradable matter. They can be used in the production of bioplastics which can be processed on conventional processing equipment for a range of properties and uses. Used products can be used as feedstock to create new PHA.

They are a carbon store, have a low permeability to water and, unlike other bioplastics from polymers such as polylactic acid, are UV stable. Depending on added monomers they can have very different properties; either thermoplastic or elastomeric, with melting points ranging from 40 to 180 °C. The mechanical properties and biocompatibility can also be changed by blending, modifying the surface or combining with other polymers, enzymes and inorganic materials.

Uses

• Industrial films
• Food packaging
• Caps and closures
• Personal care products
• Supply chain assets (e.g. crates)

Potential Uses

• All other plastic uses: toys, electronic goods, vehicle interiors, airline food containers etc.

Processes

To produce PHA, a culture of a micro-organisms such as Cupriavidus necator are placed in a suitable medium and fed appropriate nutrients so that it multiplies rapidly. The nutrient composition is then changed usually to create deficiency conditions which force the micro-organism to synthesize PHA. The yield can be as high as 80% of the organism’s dry weight. Larger scale synthesis can use soil organisms such as certain strains of Bacillus subtilis bacteria, which when lacking nitrogen and phosphorus can produce a kilogram of PHA per three kilograms of sugar.

Californian company Full Cycle Bioplastics has developed a process which breaks down inedible food waste, agricultural by-products and used paper and cardboard into feedstock for bacteria which convert it into PHA. This is dried and processed into a finished resin.

More Information

• https://www.asdreports.com/news-1438/polyhydroxyalkanoate-pha-market-worth-34000-mt-2018

• [Historical and contemporary]

Potential Uses

• [Research, Exploratory/student projects, Ideas…
• Seashell,  as a source of calcium carbonate

Processes

• [Overview; need not be detailed.]

More Information

• http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/packaging/hannah_furlong/trending_bio_breakthroughs_thanks_seashells_fructose

Uses

• [Historical and contemporary]

Potential Uses

• [Research, Exploratory/student projects, Ideas…]

Processes

• [Overview; need not be detailed.]

More Information

• http://www.adhesives.org/adhesives-sealants/adhesives-sealants-overview/adhesive-technologies/physically-hardening/water-based-adhesives
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legumin
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casein
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gum

Banana plant stems contain a lignocellulosic fiber which has been used for matts, fabrics, wadding and baskets, and is gaining attention as a potential reinforcement for engineering composites.

Uses

• Fabrics
• Matts
• Wadding
• Baskeys

Potential Uses

• Engineering composite uses: e.g. automobile interior components, helmets, windmill fins, cladding panels

Processes

• Collect old stems (normally left on the ground for mulching… note that the contained nutrients may need to be replenished in the soil by other means)
• Extract fibres manually or using a decorticator

More Information

• Informative research paper: Photoacoustic Thermal Characterization of Banana Fibers