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This biotech startup uses methane-eating bacteria to create fully biodegradable polymers.
Mango Materials is a biotech startup from San Francisco that has come up with an ingenious method for transforming methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into plastic. The process involves feeding methane to bacteria, which then produce a biodegradable polymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA). This polymer can be spun into polyester fabric and used for clothing, carpets, and possibly packaging, although the company is most focused on the garment industry right now.
The methane used by Mango Materials comes from a waste treatment plant in the Bay Area, but the company is looking at partnering with other sources of methane, such as dairy farms, in order to get more. The technology creates value for methane, which is a novel idea.
How long would it take to fart a sweater — are we talking one burrito, or two?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday October 07 2017, @09:16PM
Uh-huh. I've touched on that a time or two. Natural fibers will get hot, begin to smolder, and then catch fire, just like paper, or wood, or coal. At any point, even after bursting into flames, a person can peel those natural fibers off, and the heat transfer to your flesh stops. Not so with the synthetics, such as polyester. The fabric feels warm, then hot, and suddenly, the fabric melts into your flesh and there is no peeling it off.
But yeah - pain relievers. Oh-kay, if you say so.