Efficiency

Uses photothermography to produce imaging technology that uses heat for medical imaging applications. The photothermography process consists of a latent image that is initially generated from the revelation of a sensitized emulsion to suitable light energy. The image is made visible by exposing it to heat. This process produces no liquid waste and does not require chemical developers and fixing solutions. This process eliminates large amounts of toxic chemicals and waste generated in traditional chemical photographic processing.

Toner made from soy and corn biomass. This toner uses polyester, polyamide, and polyurethane resins made from soy oil, protein, and carbohydrates extracted from corn. Conventional petroleum-based toners that use synthetic resins (such as styrene acrylates and styrene butadiene) are challenging to remove from papers during recycling. While toners that facilitate the de-inking process have been developed, they are much more expensive than traditional toners. Contrarily, these soy and corn-based toners have a more competitive price.

Higher quality quantum dots for LED screens that use much less toxic feedstock. This technology replaces the traditional centrifugation method with filtration and uses less toxic solvents. Conventional methods of producing LED screens make substantial use of toxic solvents and are inefficient. This new technology could potentially reduce the use of toxic solvents by 150,000 liters per year in the United States. This technology is also more efficient, reducing energy usage. 

Biocatalytic process for the synthesis of esters. Esters are important ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. Traditional esters manufacturing requires strong acids and potentially hazardous solvents and produces undesirable byproducts that require energy-intensive purification. Using immobilized enzymes at mild temperatures as an alternative, Eastmen saves energy and avoids dangerous chemicals. This process produces no undesirable by-products, and the enzymes are easily removable via filtration.

Biocatalysis, chemocatalysis, flow chemistry, crystallization, and photochemistry for the development of fine chemicals. Biocatalysis has high selectivity. Chemocatalysis enables efficient, customized synthesis of complex molecules while reducing waste. Flow chemistry allows for control of extreme reaction conditions and hazardous reactants. Due to its superior mass and heat transfer ability, flow chemistry has easy quality control and higher production. This company developed 3D metal-printed flow reactors and mixers using selective laser melting.

Glass, metal, and ceramic continuous flow reactors and systems. Flow chemistry reactors are more efficient than traditional batch reactors. Flow chemistry reactors have more efficient heat transfer and temperature control due to rapid diffusion and high surface area-to-volume ratios. Increased efficiency allows for more production with less energy waste. Better control over temperature, reaction time, flow, pumped volumes, and pressure enables better control over hazardous materials, improving safety.

Continuous flow reactors and continuous flow chemicals plays for fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This process reduces the amount of solvent required by improving heat transfer. It also enables controlling conditions to maximize conversion without risking competitive or consecutive reactions. Using less solvent and fewer impurities also reduces waste and disposal costs. Using smaller continuous reactors reduces the energy required for heating and cooling. Continuous processes also operate at a steady state, simplifying management.