Slashdot Mirror
New Blu-ray Disc to be Made of Corn
aws910 writes "I've often thrown away a CD and wondered how long it will take to biodegrade. Pioneer has developed a blu-ray disc that is made of corn. If this disc is widely used, it may be the only easily biodegradable computer part/accessory (with the exception of pizza). Now I wonder what would happen to one of those new discs if you put one in the microwave for 5 seconds." While the idea of a corn disc isn't new, it's the first Blu-ray version of it.
Currently from what I understand they have two types of bio plastics. One will be used for containing food you buy at stores, flatware, plates, cups, so forth that you throw out. They take some time to degrade and start when in dark damp places. The second kind you have to burn off at a low temperature, it doesn't give off anything harmfull when burned. Car bodies, interior parts, and long term plastic parts will be made of this type. So unless it's lifetime of the dvd is intended to be weeks or less then they will use the kind that is more or less permanent.
I haven't seen any data on how long these will hold up even using the type you need to burn off.
While the disc can theoretically be eaten, it is coated by a 0.1-millimeter (0.004-inch) thick layer of resin and is too hard for even the strongest teeth.
So it's not designed to breakdown, it's designed so that if the starch polymer is incinerated, it will not emit dioxins and any other harmful chemicals.
wrong fag.
I need tp for my bunghole!!!
-- Beavis as cornholio
Do not mock the American Cornhole Association.
From the article:
" While the disc can theoretically be eaten, it is coated by a 0.1-millimeter (0.004-inch) thick layer of resin and is too hard for even the strongest teeth."
like g-a-r-y, only different