On Oct 30th and Nov 6th 2021, prof. Hiroshi Uyama from Osaka University gave two short courses, whose contents focus on some basic concept and the recent development of bioplastic and cellulose materials.
Bioplastics consist of biodegradable plastics and biomass plastics. Biodegradable plastics are decomposed by the action of living organisms into water and carbon dioxide. Use of bioresources as starting substrate of polymeric materials reduces greenhouse warming and contributes to global sustainability without depletion of scarce fossil resources.
Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on earth and has a linear structure of D-glucose repeating unit. It is one of the three major structural components of the primary cell walls of green plants, along with hemi-cellulose and lignin. In the second lecture, prof. Hiroshi Uyama explained fundamental structure and property of cellulose, important industrial products of modified cellulose, and cellulose nanofibers which are recently expected as new functional materials.
Except for scientific knowledge, prof. Hiroshi Uyama also presented the campus of Osaka University and interview videos of foreign students who are currently studying in Osaka University. Our students are highly motivated by the lectures, and have a strong will to study abroad. This is the second time for prof. Hiroshi Uyama to give lectures to our students, and the following speeches are also expected.