Improved bacterial cellulose could lead to stronger, eco-friendly materials for everyday use.
Improved bacterial cellulose could lead to stronger, eco-friendly materials for everyday use.
In a world overrun with plastic garbage, causing untold environmental woes, University of Houston assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, Maksud Rahman, has developed a way to turn bacterial cellulose – a biodegradable material – into a multifunctional material with the potential to replace plastic.
Yes, it has the potential to become your next disposable water bottle, and so much more, like packaging material or even wound dressings – all made from one of the Earth’s abundant and biodegradable biopolymers: bacterial cellulose.
"We envision these strong, multifunctional and eco-friendly bacterial cellulose sheets becoming ubiquitous, replacing plastics in various industries and helping mitigate environmental damage,” said Rahman, who is reporting his work in Nature Communications.
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Image: University of Houston assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, Maksud Rahman, has developed a way to turn bacterial cellulose – a biodegradable material – into a multifunctional material with the potential to replace plastic. (Credit: University of Houston)
