Functional materials - Bio-based materials

The latest publications in this offer are:

• July 10, 2026

  N3808

  Metallic nanophases - Definitions, processing and properties

  Metal nanophases are found in a wide range of applications, where they are used for their properties or to enable product miniaturization. This article aims to understand the reason for the change in properties of metallic nanophases by establishing a clear definition of this type of phase. The dimensions of microstructures, which become nanostructures, are compared to the length scales of properties. The approach is illustrated for mechanical, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties.

• July 10, 2026

  N2572

  Textiles for filtration

  The performance of a filter medium is estimated from its filtration efficiency and air permeability. While nonwoven fibrous structures are commonly used, woven and knitted fabrics have proven their efficiency in the past and were brought back into the spotlight during the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic. The concept of porosity in textiles is complex but essential. This article presents a state-of-the-art review of current knowledge regarding filtration using structured textiles. Various theoretical and empirical approaches are proposed to predict the performance of textile filters.

• June 17, 2026

  COR1520 Reviewed

  Strategies for the development of marine antifouling coatings

  When a surface is immersed, a fouling phenomenon appears: spontaneous colonization by living organisms takes place. The impacts of the fouling development on submerged surfaces are negative. In order to limit it, "antifouling" paints have been used since the beginning of the 20th century. This work presents the strategies used in 2020. The first sections deals with the main mechanisms used in antifouling coatings, biocide-releasing coatings and fouling release coatings. The last sections will be about new strategies developed to limit environmental impact: hybrid and topographic coatings.

• May 10, 2026

  RE412

  Plasticization of a corn protein for Additive Manufacturing

  The Additive Manufacturing by molten Material Extrusion (AM-ME) of natural biopolymers opens up major prospects in pharmaceutical or biomedical field, for the custom production of edible and resorbable parts. This paper shows the interest and challenges to be met for the use of plant-based biopolymers using this 3D printing process. Based on the study of zein, a storage protein by-product of corn starch production, this paper details its suitability for AM-ME specifications by investigating its thermomechanical and rheological properties, as well as determining its adhesion abilities in the molten state.

• May 10, 2026

  CHV4039

  Biobased and/or biodegradable polyesters: from elaboration to end-of-life

  The article presents the different key-steps in the life cycle of biobased and/or biodegradable polyesters. It describes the elaboration processes of each of these polyesters, going back to the raw materials used, especially when these are of plant-based. These production processes can be biotechnological approaches as well as fairly conventional chemical methodologies. For each of these polyesters, the main functional properties and current or future applications are detailed and criticized with regard to the issues of today. Their strengths but also the drawbacks limiting their development are explained.

• April 17, 2026

  C8124 Reviewed

  Bio-based building materials and temporary carbon storage

  Nowadays, in the research of long-term solutions to limit the earth global warming due to green-house gas (GHG), the construction and building sector can play an important role. The setting of bio-based materials in new buildings or for renovation seems a reliable way of sustainability and tempo-rary carbon storage.This paper aims at analyzing the physical phenomena and issues, by taking into account the moment and duration of the GHG storage and emissions: which type of bio-based material: agro-ressource or wood ; which lifespan for the buildings and the materials ; amount of carbon uptake in each plant, dissolution kinetics of GHG; which end of life scenario.

• April 10, 2026

  AG6287

  Bio-based plastics and recycled plastics in packaging

  Bio-based plastics and recycled plastics are more and more often used in packaging in France and elsewhere. These materials are complementary to the virgin plastics of fossil origin. They bring new functionalities and added-value to plastic and flexible packaging. Studies all predict a growth of these plastics in the years to come, but the growth rate is still uncertain.This article describes the current situation, the determining factors of this growth and the principal initiatives taken in response to the challenge of developing bio-based and recycled plastics in packaging.

• February 10, 2026

  N1500

  Materials with thermoelectric effects

  Refrigerators and thermoelectric generators are among the new methods of refrigeration or “green” electricity production. In the current context of environmental crisis, these devices are therefore being considered for air conditioning or electricity production from waste heat. However, the materials used to make them contain rare chemical elements or perform poorly, preventing the development of all the intended applications. Research is therefore focused on discovering new materials, and this article presents the state of the art in thermoelectric materials.

• January 14, 2026

  N4950 Reviewed

  Calcium phosphate-based biomaterials

  Calcium phosphate-based biomaterials (CaP) have developed considerably over the last decades due to their excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity. The main calcium phosphates used as biomaterials as well as their synthesis routes and their physico-chemical properties are described. Various processing techniques and a few applications are detailed: bioceramics, coatings, cements and composites. Biological properties and standards are also presented.

• October 29, 2025

  IN198 Reviewed

  Mineral-organic particles based on apatite for biomedical applications

  This article summarizes the uses and main characteristics of hybrid particles composed of a mineral core of bio-inspired apatite – possibly doped with (bio)active ions – decorated by an organic corona to confer biological properties or to control the size of the particles. Various biomedical applications are addressed for such (nano)systems, as in oncology, dermatology, hematology, gene therapy or medical diagnosis. These hybrid particles have two major advantages: their intrinsic biocompatibility and their possible multi-functionalization.

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