Fuyuaki Endo

Highly Functionalized Polyethylene Terephthalate for Food Packaging

Abstract Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a remarkably balanced material for beverage containers and food packaging with required mechanical and barrier properties. However, to contain tasteful beverages such as beer, fresh juice, and wine, the original barrier property of PET is not yet sufficient. Additionally, for the eco-friendly use of PET by reducing the thickness of PET bottles or PET films, which would lead to a decrease in the consumption of PET resins, the mechanical properties of PET should be enhanced. In this chapter, the backgrounds of PET-based packaging and its requirements will be summarized and discussed regarding the industrial applications of PET. In consequence, two different approaches to improve the mechanical and the barrier properties of PET for food packaging were introduced: thin-film coating for the effective improvement of the barrier properties, and nanofiller blending for the enhancement of the barrier and the mechanical properties of PET.

Electrospinning and surface modification methods for functionalized cell scaffolds

Abstract For tissue engineering scaffolds, fibrous structures are effective due to morphology similar to that of extracellular matrix. Cell attachment and its proliferation could be enhanced by the structural optimization and the surface modification of the scaffolds. In this chapter, effective techniques for making optimal scaffolds, including electrospinning and surface modification methods, will be discussed. Electrospinning is a process whereby polymer nanofibers can be formed in an electrostatic field. The nanoscale diameter and the high porosity of the electrospun scaffolds—that actually resemble the structure of the extracellular matrices—can provide favorable environment for cells. Moreover, the addition of desirable functionalities to the scaffolds by surface modification techniques, such as plasma treatment and surface graft copolymerization, offers considerable advantages, eventually enhancing cell attachment and cell proliferation. We will discuss several successful cases made via well-controlled structures and surfaces that will lead to form new highly functionalized scaffolds.