Biodegradability of polymers Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Biodegradability of polymers - Term Paper Example The degradable products are biogas, carbon dioxide and methane. Natural polymers such as polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acid are degraded by hydrolysis and oxidation. Biodegradation can occur aerobically and anaerobically depending on the availability of oxygen. Chemical structure, physical properties, molecular weight, porosity, elasticity and morphology are responsible for a material’s biodegradation. Compounds which can be biodegradable have the power to break down in environments where the material is decomposed by biological processes with the production of water, carbon dioxide and carbon containing soil (Leja and Lewandowicz 256). There are various tests which can be performed to assess the biodegradability of polymers. The tests performed can be simple or complex depending on their duration of action. Simple tests are rapid and complex ones are slow. The test methods that are practiced are different. Plate testing method is a simple method used as an initial test. The polymer that is to be tested is set on a mineral salt agar accompanied with some carbon for fungal growth to start. Then the sample is inoculated by fungi such as Aspergillusniger. The level of biodegradability is measured by loss of dry weight and surface colonization. Another method for assessment is the enzyme test. In this method specific enzymes are used to catalyze polymers such as starch-blended polymers. The polymer of choice is inserted into an enzyme solution and is incubated. The degree of biodegradability is measured by weight loss of polymer. Another method is when various microbial consortia or groups are identified for various po lymers. This test gives its assessment by showing changes in molecular weight and mechanical properties. Modified sturm test is a simple method in which activated sewage sludge is used. The desired

Base on the case study Critically review and discuss how the NIBCO Essay

Base on the case study Critically review and discuss how the NIBCO carry out the implementation of Business Prpcess Reengineering(BPR), Enterprise Resource Plan - Essay Example Most of the top brass (including Davis, Beutler and Wilson) fell under the Heiracrhists division as far as their social relationships were considered. Being high on grid (the extent to which an individual is influenced by the need for rules and regulations The Business Review roles (under the Business Process Teams) were assigned to people who were more of Individualist (low on group low on grid) so that they can use their own knowledge and experience in decision-making. Some of the members were taken from the Board of Directors, to add credibility and authority for the task. The Power Users and Business System Analysts were basically Egalitarians (high on group and low on grid) and hence they could work comfortably in groups. Same for Wilson’s technical team. Davis’ Change Management team, especially the chosen Focus Group, again fall under the Egalitarian division: they thrived on cooperation, collective work and teamwork for bringing about a concerted change. Any deadlocks faced by them were cleared by Rex, who can be classified with the Heirarchists. At NIBCO, there were a few Fatalists too, (like the few who left) who could not change their apathetic attitude and were unable to streamline themselves with the changing environment. However, they were few and were greatly outnumbered by the other, more positive staff. By the consent of the Tiger Team, an almost no-individuality culture was fostered (space arrangement in the Tiger Den). This went a long way in developing the esprit de corps, and even making the non-cooperative streak of the Individualists fade away. Above all, though the project was driven by a top-down approach, the sub-cultures (how do workers interact with each other at their levels), and nuances of relationships between co-workers were adequately harnessed. The sheer vigour, from Rex Martin to the lowest rung,