Fujitsu says that it has developed a new polymer with a high bio-content that uses castor oil, which the company says could be used for small components of mobile phones, such as connector covers. In 2002 Fujitsu started using bio-based polymers based on polylactic acid, made from materials including corn, in the chassis of the FMV-BIBLO notebook PC. However, in order for plant-based materials to be used more widely in Fujitsu products, what has been needed is the development of a new bio-based polymer with a higher bio-content that features superior flexibility and is suitable for mass-production.
To address this need, Fujitsu worked with a major French chemical company, Arkema, and succeeded in developing a new bio-based polymer plastic that has as its principal component polyamide-11(PA-11), which is derived from castor oil.
By weakening the interaction of the chain molecule in PA-11 and relaxing the stereo-regularity of their organization, the resulting new material has sufficient flexibility to withstand repeated bending without causing the whitening that often occurs when such materials are strained.
Fujitsu plans to continue research of bio-based polymers derived from castor oil and consider using such polymers in small components for notebook PCs and mobile phones by 2008, and will continue to look for ways to apply them to larger components. Along with polymers based on polylactic acid made from corn and other material, through these activities Fujitsu will promote further expansion of the use of plant-based materials in its products.
Incidentally:
In Fascist Italy under the regime of Benito Mussolini, castor oil was one of the tools of the blackshirts. Political dissidents were force-fed large quantities of castor oil by Fascist paramilitary groups. This technique was said to have been originated by Gabriele D'Annunzio. Victims of this treatment would experience severe diarrhea and dehydration, often resulting in death."
Posted to the site on 8th December 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/20848.php