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A new technique for binding biomaterials to cells reportedly prevents immune reactions and the formation of scar tissue. It may also allow researchers to “steer” stem cells via mechanical stimuli into forming fatty tissue or bone in the body, as needed. The research conducted at the University of Twente in the Netherlands has been published in Advanced Materials. Cells feel their surroundings and react accordingly. Mechanical properties influence the behavior…

While we don’t often report on expandable polystyrene (EPS) bead foam, it is interesting that this material—often vilified as being “unrecyclable”—is being made, in part, with chemically recycled PS and now being commercially used by Ekornes, a Norwegian manufacturer of high-end design furniture. Ekorne’s use of BASF’s Styropor Ccycled EPS represents the first project in Scandinavia that contributes to the sustainability strategy of all companies by using protection packaging based on…

Christmas comes early this year for plastics professionals on the East Coast, when Plastec East returns to the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York as part of the Advanced Manufacturing East event on Dec. 7 to 9. One of six co-located shows, including Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M), EastPack, automation-focused ATX, Design & Manufacturing (D&M), and Quality Expo, Plastec East offers industry professionals an opportunity to discover new products,…

Pop quiz: What does transitory mean? When it refers to inflation, many of us learned recently that, yes, it means temporary, as most people divined, but not necessarily short-lived, as many had assumed. Thomas Polen, CEO of medtech giant BD, put a time frame around those “inflationary pressures” that we are all painfully feeling in an interview this week in the Financial Times: Inflation will “continue for up to two…

What is striking about talking to this year’s Top Shop’s honorees is how many of them were not satisfied to just hunker down and weather the challenges posed by COVID-19 but face them and emerge stronger. I guess it’s really just “continuous improvement” not “continuous improvement [except in a global pandemic].” [Ed. note: bookmark this URL—survey.ptonline.com/topshops—to participate in next year’s survey; the survey goes live Jan. 1, 2022]. Automate, Automate,…

The infrastructure bill President Biden signed into law contains a wide range of provisions that will offer a variety of support to American manufacturers. Some of the programs – especially in energy – apply directly to manufacturers, while other provisions – like supply chain and energy boosters – will indirectly benefit manufacturers. Items in the bill include: $130 billion in new funding for transit systems and ports of entry, supply…