Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are increasingly replacing traditional materials in the automobile, aerospace, and energy sectors. Developing end-of-life processes that retain the value of both carbon fibers and the polymer matrix is essential. This study presents a strategy to upcycle pre- and post-consumer polystyrene-containing CFRPs, crosslinked with unsaturated polyesters or vinyl esters, into benzoic acid. The thermoset matrix is upgraded via biocatalysis using an engineered strain of Aspergillus nidulans, producing valuable secondary metabolites, such as (2Z,4Z,6E)-octa-2,4,6-trienoic acid. The process preserves much of the carbon fiber sizing, enabling the fibers to be remanufactured into new composite coupons with mechanical properties comparable to virgin substrates. This represents the first system to reclaim significant value from both the fiber and polymer matrix of CFRPs.

Abstract: A non-human organism for upgrading intermediate oxidation products formed by catalytic degradation of alkanes or polystyrenes is provided. The non-human organism is genetically modified to convert the intermediate oxidation products to secondary metabolites, and in particular to include a positive feedback loop construction in the promotor system. A method includes steps of catalytically degrading alkanes or polystyrene in an oxidizing environment to form intermediate products with one or more catalysts and contacting the intermediate products with the non-human organism such that intermediate oxidation products are converted to secondary metabolites.

Abstract: A non-human organism for upgrading intermediate oxidation products formed by catalytic degradation of alkanes or polystyrenes is provided. The non-human organism is genetically modified to convert the intermediate oxidation products to secondary metabolites, and in particular to include a positive feedback loop construction in the promotor system. A method includes steps of catalytically degrading alkanes or polystyrene in an oxidizing environment to form intermediate products with one or more catalysts and contacting the intermediate products with the non-human organism such that intermediate oxidation products are converted to secondary metabolites.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic fungal cells and methods of making the same such that the transgenic fungal cells include one or more exogenous biosynthetic gene clusters integrated into the host genome. The genes of the exogenous biosynthetic gene cluster may be operably linked to a transgenic region of an endogenous biosynthetic gene cluster that includes a native promoter to control expression of the exogenous genes.