Browsing by Author "Stegbauer, Linus"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • ItemOpen Access
    Additional data: From Biotechnological Residues to Biodegradable Printed Circuit Boards: Aspergillus niger Mycelium as a Structural Support Material
    (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 2026-06-16) Stegbauer, Linus; Oehlsen, Nina; Wachsmann, Sebastian; Fauser, Dominik; Glauche, Florian; Laschat, Sabine; Selbmann, Franz; Steeb, Holger; Arki, Pal; Glöser-Chaoud, Simon
    The electronics industry urgently seeks sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to conventional substrates for printed circuit boards (PCBs) to reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste and CO2 emissions. Here, we introduce a biobased, plastic-like material derived from Aspergillus niger mycelium, AnimatRT. This material is produced from residual biomass generated in industrial citric acid production, offering a circular-economy approach. The raw mycelial biomass, consisting of spherical pellets, is processed via mold casting and air-drying, consolidating the pellets into a dense, plastic-like monolith (1.23 g cm⁻³). When formed into sheets, AnimatRT serves as a viable substrate for low-complexity PCB fabrication, allowing for direct ink writing and manual soldering of electronic components. Although its electrical properties are lower than those of FR-2 (flame retardant 2), a common, low-cost PCB laminate made of paper bonded with a phenolic resin, it remains suitable for low-frequency and proof-of-concept applications and, on average, has 56% lower embodied carbon. The mycelium boards disintegrate in water, allowing recovery of operative electronic components, whose functionality was demonstrated by re-soldering them onto a conventional PCB. The material exhibits high mechanical performance, with compressive strengths of up to 121 MPa, a flexural modulus of 2.3 GPa, and a flexural strength of 30 MPa. It is fully biodegradable (ISO 20200), redispersible in water, has low flammability, and favorable thermal insulation properties (0.21 W (mK)‑1). Heat treatment at 120°C enhances the mechanical properties, improves water resistance, and slows biodegradation. This study demonstrates the first use of biotechnology–derived A. niger mycelium as a biodegradable substrate for PCBs, addressing circularity and end-of-life challenges in electronics.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Additional data: Impact of Chitosan's Degree of Deacetylation, Molecular Weight, and Crystallinity on the Photoresponsive Properties of Azobenzene-modified Films and Membranes.
    (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 2024-11-15) von Seggern, Nils; M. Thiebes, Yannick; Niewa, Rainer; Cord-Landwehr, Stefan; Moerschbacher, Bruno; Tovar, Günter E.M.; Stegbauer, Linus
    A profound understanding of how the degree of deacetylation (DDA), polymerization degree (DP) and photoswitch concentration impact the photomodulation of properties of chitosan(CS)-based responsive materials can serve as a framework for future applications. Herein, we report responsive thin-films manufactured from chitosans with DDA ranging from 70-94% and DP between 170-3380, incorporating 10 30mol% of the light-responsive azobenzene derivative Sodium-4-[(4-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)phenyl)diazenyl]-benzenesulfonate (TEGABS). During UV-irradiation of the 10 30% TEGABS|CS thin-films, e.g. a significant increase of the indentation modulus by 10 ± 5% is observed. UV illumination leads to a decrease of the water vapor permeability (WVP), reducing it by up to 81 ± 17% compared to native state. We demonstrate that TEGABS up to 10% remains as a solid-solution in CS films with differing amount of H-aggregates depending on the DDA and DP. TEGABS in concentrations >10% in CS leads to phase separation of TEGABS crystallites with a diameter of 21 ± 8 nm. To conclude the photothermal heating by UV irradiation and the resulting water evaporation are identified as the primary driving force for the variation in mechanical properties and WVP, with photoisomerization playing a subordinate factor. These findings provide a new pathway for the design of polysaccharide-based water vapor permeable photoresponsive membranes.