Automation-Driven Exploration Meets Biopolymer Science: Converging Technologies Shaping the Future of Oil, Gas, and Chemical Engineering
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62486/978-9915-9851-0-7_202642Keywords:
Advanced automation, Oil and gas exploration, Real-time sensing, Non-cellulosic biopolymers, Plant proteins, Sustainable bioplasticsAbstract
The oil, gas, and chemical industries' digital transformation is significantly changing the methods of finding, extracting, and managing subsurface resources. However, equally fast advancements in plant-derived, non-cellulosic biopolymers are opening up new possibilities for the development of sustainable materials in these industries that have been traditionally heavily reliant on natural resources. This research looks at the intersection of these two technology areas: one being the frontier of automation in the search process, and the other being the development of biopolymer engineering to demonstrate how their merger could affect the company's strategies in the future comprising operational, environmental, and materials-based aspects. Plant-based biopolymers have become the focus of attention due to the increased demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials as substitutes for petroleum-based polymers. To date, research on cellulose-based polymers is comprehensive, however, there is still a large potential for non-cellulosic plant biopolymers such as starch, lignin, pectin, hemicellulose, cutin, and plant-derived proteins and gums to be explored. In fact, these biopolymers offer distinct possibilities because they are not only easily available but also have different kinds of structures and can have varying properties. The biopolymers can be isolated from the leftover parts of the harvest, seeds, fruits, roots, and exudates, thus, providing a sustainable source of packaging, medical, textile, and agricultural materials. This review covers the chemistry, the extraction methods, and the material properties of the major non-cellulosic plant-based biopolymers. It examines in detail their mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, as well as their biodegradability, recyclability, and functional limitations. Moreover, it moves modification methods and blending strategies to improve the performance of the industrial application. The article also talks about the issues of the mechanical performance, biodegradability, and the compatibility of these biopolymers that are facing most prominently. The paper ends with the discussion of present innovations and future possibilities to locate research gaps and facilitate the extensive use of non-cellulosic biopolymers in eco-friendly material fashioning.
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Copyright (c) 2026 S.Dhamotharan, M.Muthukrishnan, N.Bharanidharan, M.Prince, M.Sabareesh, P. Prabhu, Rashad Ismibayli (Author)
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