This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Novel Biocomposite Engineering and Bio-Applications" that was published in Bioengineering

This Handbook is the first to explore the extensive applications made with bioplastics & biocomposites for the packaging, automotive, biomedical, and construction industries. Bioplastics and biocomposites are becoming increasingly prominent because synthetic plastics and glass fiber composites are neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications brings together scientists from academia and industry to report on current research and applications in the bioplastics and biocomposites arena. This new science is interdisciplinary and integrates pure and applied sciences such as chemistry, engineering and materials science. The Handbook focuses on five main categories of applications: Packaging; Civil Engineering; Biomedical; Automotive; General Engineering. The majority of the chapters review the properties, processing, characterization, synthesis and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites including: Polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), guar gum based plastics, cellulose polyesters, starch based bioplastics, vegetable oil derived bioplastics, biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc. Thermoplastic and thermosetting bioplastics and biocomposites with a focus on the automobile industry. The ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements such as nanoclays, nanotubes (CNTs), and natural fibers (both wood and plant fibers). Studies that expand the boundaries of bioplastics that will allow for the new materials to be applied to most generic engineering applications. The Handbook will be of central interest to engineers, scientists and researchers who are working in the fields of bioplastics, biocomposites, biomaterials for biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and materials science. The book will also be of great importance to engineers in many industries including automotive, biomedical, construction, and food packaging.

Intro -- Green Biocomposites for Biomedical Engineering: Design, Properties, and Applications -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Contributors -- About the editors -- Preface -- Section A: Introduction and design of biocomposites -- 1 Introduction to green biocomposites -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Benefits of polymer composites -- 1.3 History of composites -- 1.4 Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites -- 1.5 Green biocomposites -- 1.5.1 Natural fiber -- 1.5.2 Biopolymer matrix -- 1.6 Biomedical applications of green biocomposites -- 1.7 Ecological concerns about plastic pollution -- References -- 2 Computational modeling of biocomposites -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.1.1 Computational modeling and validation -- 2.2 Modeling of bionanocomposites -- 2.3 Mechanical modeling and failure analysis of biocomposites -- 2.3.1 Micromechanical analysis -- 2.3.2 Macromechanical analysis -- 2.3.3 Mesoscale analysis -- 2.4 Thermal modeling of biocomposites -- 2.5 Modeling of biocomposites for biomedical applications -- 2.6 Conclusion -- References -- Section B: Diversities of biocomposites -- 3 Antimicrobial biocomposites -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Polysaccharides-based biocomposite and its antimicrobial effect -- 3.2.1 Starch and its derivatives -- 3.2.2 Cellulose and its derivatives -- 3.2.3 Pectin and its derivatives -- 3.2.4 Chitosan and its derivatives -- 3.2.5 Seaweed biopolymers -- 3.3 Proteins/polypeptides-based biocomposite and its antimicrobial effect -- 3.3.1 Keratin -- 3.3.2 Caseinates -- 3.3.3 Collagen -- 3.4 Ammonium and Phosphonium group-based biocomposite and its antimicrobial effect -- 3.5 Antimicrobial response of hydroxyapatite (HA)-based biocomposites -- 3.6 Effect of metal-based Nanopowders on antibacterial response -- 3.6.1 Antibacterial response of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles.

Biocomposites: Design and Mechanical Performance describes recent research on cost-effective ways to improve the mechanical toughness and durability of biocomposites, while also reducing their weight. Beginning with an introduction to commercially competitive natural fiber-based composites, chapters then move on to explore the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane, starch, flax, poly (propylene carbonate)-based biocomposites, and biocomposites from biodegradable polymer blends, natural fibers, and green plastics, giving the reader a deep understanding of the potential of these materials. - Describes recent research to improve the mechanical properties and performance of a wide range of biocomposite materials - Explores the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, and polyurethane - Evaluates the potential of biocomposites as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in industries such as packaging, electronic, automotive, aerospace and construction - Includes contributions from leading experts in this field

Biocomposites for High-Performance Applications: Current Barriers and Future Needs Towards Industrial Development focuses on future research directions that will make biocomposites a successful player in the field of high-strength structural applications. With contributions from eminent academic researchers and industrial experts who have first-hand experience on the advantages/disadvantages of biocomposites in their daily lives, the book examines the industrial development of biocomposite products, identifying the current barriers and their future industrial needs Topics covered include: recent research activities from academia in the biocomposite research field, valuable thoughts and insights from biocomposite manufacturing industries, the strength and weaknesses of biocomposite products, and the practical issues that need to be addressed to reach the next level. - Highlights the practical issues involved in biocomposites research - Contains contributions from eminent academic researchers and industrial experts - Discusses recent research activities from academia in the biocomposite research field, along with valuable thoughts and insights from biocomposite manufacturing industries

Industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry are guiding the development of the next generation of materials, products, and processes. Considerable growth has been seen in the use of biocomposites in the domestic sector, building materials, aerospace industry, circuit boards, and automotive applications over the past decade, but application in other sectors until now has been limited. Green Approaches to Biocomposite Materials Science and Engineering explores timely research on the various available types of natural fibers and the use of these fibers as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers and polymers. Emphasizing research-based solutions for sustainability across various industries, this publication is an essential reference source for engineers, researchers, environmental scientists, and graduate-level students.

Biocomposites, formed by a matrix and a reinforcement of natural fibers, often mimic the structure of living materials and offer the strength of the matrix as well as biocompatibility. Being renewable, cheap, recyclable, and biodegradable, they have witnessed rapidly growing interest in terms of industrial and fundamental applications. This book focuses on fiber-based composites applied to biomedical and environmental applications. It presents a comprehensive survey of biocomposites from the existing literature, paying particular attention to various biomedical and environmental applications. The text describes mechanical designs and manufacturing aspects of various fibrous polymer matrix composites and presents examples of the synthesis and development of bionanocomposites and their applications. The book is the first of its kind to present all these topics together unlike most other books on nano-/biocomposites that are generally limited to their fundamentals, different methods of synthesis, and applications.