Plant-based food contact materials: presence of hazardous substances.

As a result of the European Single Use Plastic Directive and as part of the transition to a circular economy, plastic food contact materials (FCMs) are being replaced, often by renewable plant-based materials. This research aimed to identify which chemical substances are present in plant-based materials. In 2022 a total of 28 samples of the latter materials from the Dutch market were analysed for 313 active substances from plant protection products, 47 per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) and 27 heavy metals and other elements.

Unidirectional Electron-Tunnelling Flexible PDMS Strain Sensor with Aligned Carbon Nanotubes.

High-aspect-ratio carbon nanotubes can be directly mixed into polymers to create piezoresistive polymers. Reducing the cross-sensitivity and creating unidirectional sensitive sensors can be achieved by aligning the nanotubes before they are cured in the polymer layer. This research presents and characterises this alignment of carbon nanotubes inside polydimethylsiloxane and gives the corresponding strain sensor results.

Effects of pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides on reared black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).

Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) receive growing interest as a potential alternative animal feed source. These insects may be exposed to insecticide residues in the rearing substrate. This study aimed to investigate the effects of six different pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides on this insect species' performance.

Low-Cost and Highly Sensitive Pressure Sensor with Mold-Printed Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Dispersed in Polydimethylsiloxane.

Flexible pressure sensors with piezoresistive polymer composites can be integrated into elastomers to measure pressure changes in sealings, preemptively indicating a replacement is needed before any damage or leakage occurs. Integrating small percentages of high aspect ratio multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into polymers does not significantly change its mechanical properties but highly affects its electrical properties. This research shows a pressure sensor based on homogeneous dispersed MWCNTs in polydimethylsiloxane with a high sensitivity region (0.

Effects of insecticides on mortality, growth and bioaccumulation in black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae.

Residues of persistent insecticides may be present in the substrates on which insects are reared for food and feed, which may affect insect growth or survival. In addition, insecticidal substances may bio-accumulate in reared insects. The objective of this study was to assess potential effects of selected insecticides on the growth and survival of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) and on their safety when used as animal feed.