The Gift of the Methyl Group Magi
A CPG twist on a holiday classic, with happier results Paraxanthine and Theophylline sat at their Thanksgiving table. “What have I got to be thankful for?” grumbled Xan. “No one’s ever heard of me. Caffeine gets all the hype, even though I’m more potent with less of the negative side effects. I want to be […]
New Standard on Qualification of Polymeric Materials Used for Additive Manufacturing
ISO and ASTM are drafting a new standard on qualification of polymeric materials used for additive manufacturing using powder bed fusion (ISO/ASTM DIS 52925:2020). This standard is focused on polyamide 12 and 11, but the standard may be applicable to other polymeric materials. The standard discusses the following test methods: Particle size Residual monomer Relative […]
Reprocessing Personal Protective Equipment
The ASTM workshop on Reprocessing Personal Protective Equipment (September 9-10, 2020, virtual workshop) is looking for presentations on the following topics: Methods/guides/practices to address reprocessing single use PPE and reusable PPE (including N95 respirators, personal face masks, protective clothing and coverings, etc.): Current issues with decontaminating single use PPE Cleaning Index matching Collection and distribution […]
Like Water off a Thorny Devil’s Back
Australian thorny devil Lizard Surface Energy Wetting The Australian thorny devil (meloch horridus) is a desert-going lizard that has developed an impressive application of transport phenomenon to make the most of a limited source of water in the arid regions it inhabits.[1] The lizard has a skin surface that contains a continuous series of micro-channels […]
CPG Returns to Fully Open Status
CPG is now fully open and able to work on ALL projects; we are no longer limited to COVID-19 response or projects essential for medical emergency staff. Turnaround times may still be affected due to the need to social distance. Cambridge Polymer Group is in compliance with Massachusetts Governor Baker’s May 18th re-opening schedule. CPG […]
Mask-Making Tips from Crafty Material Scientists
CPG employees are making masks for friends, family, neighbors, hospital workers, and the Boston Mask Initiative. Because most stores are closed due to COVID-19, CPG mask makers put their material selection skills to good use while scavenging household supplies. We pooled our mask-making and mask-wearing experiences into the following suggestions: #1 – Fit Is Most […]
Cambridge Polymer Group 3D Prints COVID-19 Equipment
Cambridge Polymer Group owns two 3D printers, a PRUSA and a Leapfrog Xeed. We use them for making prototypes and creating custom instrument parts. When Massachusetts Governor Baker issued the shelter-in-place order on March 23rd, we brought our printers home, so that we could join the worldwide movement to alleviate the shortage of personal protective […]
Cambridge Polymer Group Donates Personal Protective Equipment
Concerned about the dire shortage of personal protective equipment in Massachusetts hospitals, Cambridge Polymer staff searched our lab supplies for possible contributions. CPG donated disposable lab coats, shoe covers, hair nets, isolation gowns, surgical masks, nitrile gloves, face shields, goggles and safety glasses through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The PPE-gathering staff member who received […]
Seismic Shifts in ISO 10993-18:2020
Released this January, the new revision of ISO 10993-18 dramatically expands the scope of determining biocompatibility of medical devices by an additional 49 pages over the previous revision. The standard’s new title “Chemical Characterization of Medical Device Materials within a Risk Management Process” emphasizes the importance this revision places on risk assessment. The chemical risk […]
Hydrogels: Bandages or Jello?
We have all experienced the challenges of keeping a bandage on a wound when the skin becomes wet from sweat, water, or blood. Traditional bandages rely on adhesion between a portion of the bandage and the skin. This adhesive bond is compromised when water or other fluids penetrate between the layer. Hydrogels have been examined […]