Abstract: Polyesters are an invaluable material used today and are considered more recyclable-by-design and biodegradable than polyolefins. Disclosed herein are methods for up-cycling of polyethylene (PE) to aliphatic polyesters via a two-step oxidative approach. The first step converts PE to a polyketone via a mild oxidation with a radical initiator, solvent, O2, and cobalt catalyst. The second step converts the resulting ketone functionality to the ester via a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and systems useful for genetically engineering subcellular compartments such as OMVs for synthetic biology applications. In an embodiment, genetically engineered bacteria use OMVs to secrete compounds or proteins of interest extracellularly where the compounds or proteins of interest can be isolated from the growth media.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a method that includes a first reacting a molecule from at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, and/or an anhydride with ammonia to form a nitrile, where the first reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, and/or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid (3-HPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and/or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anhydride may be acetic anhydride.

Abstract: Described herein is the bio-derivation of the functional replacement from biological conversion which addresses the need to replace petroleum-derived materials from caustic processes. Current technologies do not address the end-of-life for plastics, and the incorporation of reversible chemistry for high performance materials would enable a circular material life cycle. The diamine in the polybenzoxazine utilizes a bioderived material with an additional functional handle to polymerize linearly and crosslink for thermal and mechanical properties comparable to petroleum derived materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are five genes that were identified and engineered into Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and P. putida CJ781 to improve tolerance to sodium salt (Na+).

Abstract: Described herein is a chemical process for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into muconic acid which is useful for the generation of plastics and polymers. The described methods utilize catalytic chemical reactions and biological processes to facilitate the conversion, while increasing yields and reducing energy requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions of matter for a homogeneous Mn and Zr autoxidation catalyst system to cleave the C—C bonds of the pine (primarily G-type lignin) and poplar (G- and S-type lignin) oligomers from RCF oils, along with the model compounds.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for the generation of cyclic alkanes, useful as sustainable aviation fuel, from sustainable biomass sources. The described methods utilize Diels-Alder reaction followed by hydrogenation to generate the desired compounds from lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions of matter showing that catalytic autoxidation can be used to generate aromatic monomers from C—C linked dimers and oligomers derived from lignin. This is demonstrated by acetylating phenol-rich RCF oil and then conducting aerobic oxidation of the oligomeric fraction of poplar RCF oil with a Co/Mn/Br catalyst mixture in acetic acid. This reaction yields a collection of oxygenated aromatic monomers that represent a 17% increase in monomer yield compared to the RCF process alone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a first copolymer having a first repeat unit and a second repeat unit as defined by Structure (I) where is a covalent bond, U1 is a molar fraction of the first repeat unit, (1?U1) is a molar fraction of the second repeat unit, 0?n?20, 0?m?20, 0<U1?1.0, R is a linking group covalently linking the first copolymer to a second copolymer by the covalent bond, and R includes carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resin that includes a first repeat unit as defined by Structure (I) where A is either a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R1 is a first bridging group, and is a covalent bond.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are PET hydrolase enzymes, and their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. A number of candidates have been identified with detectable, quantifiable activity on PET and these enzymes possess desirable traits that are leveraged in the design and engineering of enzyme formulations targeted to degrade specific polymers. These enzymes have measurable PET degrading activity and, in an embodiment, may be active polyester polyurethanes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-naturally occurring microorganism that includes a gene encoding a MucK transporter protein, where the microorganism is capable of catabolizing terephthalic acid (TPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the gene encoding the MucK transporter protein may contain at least one mutation, relative to a reference gene encoding a reference MucK transporter protein.

Abstract: Methods, compositions of matter and processes for a base-mediated chemical deconstruction of varying amine-cured epoxy resins into constituent monomer alcohol products and amine materials are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a structure that includes where R1 includes at least one of a carbon atom and/or an oxygen atom, R2 includes at least one of a carbon atom and/or an oxygen atom, and represents a covalent bond. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the composition may be bioderived.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the generation of bio-based plasticizers from lignin from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (H), vanillic acid (G) and syringic acid (S) obtained via oxidative depolymerization of lignin substrates. Chemical and electrochemical methods are described for catalytic reductive coupling of sulfonate derivatives of H, G and S to generate all possible homo- and cross-coupling products. Advantageously, the provided systems and methods allow for the generation of renewable plasticizers that exhibit performance advantages relative to established petroleum-based phthalate ester plasticizers.

Abstract: Muconic acid is a molecule that can be converted into direct replacement chemicals for incumbent petrochemicals and performance-advantaged bioproducts. Disclosed herein are Pseudomonas putida KT2440 that are engineered to convert glucose and xylose, the primary carbohydrates in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, to muconic acid using a model-guided strategy to maximize the theoretical yield. Using adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) and metabolic engineering in a strain engineered to express the D-xylose isomerase pathway, we demonstrated that mutations in the heterologous D-xylose:H+ symporter (XylE), increased expression of a major facilitator superfamily transporter (PP_2569), and overexpression of aroB encoding the native 3-dehydroquinate synthase, enable efficient muconic acid production from glucose and xylose simultaneously. Using the rationally engineered strain, we produced 33.7 g/L muconate at 0.18 g/L/h and a 46% molar yield (92% of the maximum theoretical yield).

Abstract: The provided methods and systems describe the breakdown of plastic materials into valuable products, thereby both eliminating waste and providing reusable materials. The described systems and methods utilize catalytic depolymerization and biological funneling via bacteria, which may reduce the costs of recycling plastics in terms of expensive catalysts, energy, and time. Advantageously, some embodiments may target mixed plastic streams, which due to having multiple chemical compositions, may not be easily recycled via conventional recycling techniques. Such mixed plastic streams are currently often discarded (e.g., landfilled) rather than recycled due to the cost and effort required for separating the various compositions present.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions that enable the production of branched-chain polyhydroxyalkanoates, branched-chain 3-hydroxyacids (BCHA) (PHA monomers), and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. The branched-chain molecules enabled by this platform enable novel chemistries that are not accessible via the existing paradigm which is limited to straight-chain molecules. Further disclosed herein are methods and compositions for deciphering the mechanisms of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis is crucial for both the engineering of bacterial hosts to produce fatty acid-derived molecules and the development of new antibiotics.

Abstract: What is disclosed herein is a method for depolymerizing polyolefins, comprising a. preparing a catalyst comprising cobalt, nickel or both; b. combining the catalyst with a sample comprising polyolefins in a reaction vessel in the presence of H2 gas to produce a mixture, wherein the polyolefin comprises a carbon chain having the structure (CH2CHR)n wherein R is an alkyl group and n is an integer greater than 20; c. reacting the mixture under conditions effective to depolymerize the polyolefins to produce decomposition products, wherein the decomposition products comprise the structure (CH2CHR)m wherein m is an integer much less than n.