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Polymers news
Zero-waste plastic and color recycling: The end of colored plastic downgrading could be near
In the world of market competition, having the best and brightest package could send company sales into the millions. On the other hand, the amount of colored plastic waste increases, adding to the growing challenge of recycling ...
Polymers
Jul 2, 2026
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New polymer design could make everyday plastics easier to break down without losing performance
An Ehime University research team directed by H. Shimomoto and E. Ihara has developed a new molecular design strategy that imparts degradability to carbon–carbon (C–C) backbone polymers. The study, published in Macromolecules, ...
Polymers
Jul 2, 2026
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Metallic effect pigments significantly reduce flow-line visibility on glossy plastic surfaces
Metallic effects on plastic surfaces have become standard in many industries, from automotive interiors and exteriors to toys and household appliances. However, injection-molded parts with metallic effects suffer from a well-known ...
Polymers
Jul 2, 2026
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Polymer network reconfigures in sequence, helping elastomers stay tough under strain
Shock-absorbing sneaker soles are likely made of polyurethane, a highly elastic and tough polymer. The ability of these elastomers to absorb impact without breaking is extremely important for practical applications. While ...
Polymers
Jul 1, 2026
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AI tool reliably predicts the flame resistance of new materials
Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based strategy to predict and assess the fire resistance of epoxy resins, one of the most widely used polymers in industry.
Polymers
Jun 29, 2026
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Faster tests reveal six fluoropolymer microplastics, including four rarely tracked types
Scientists around the world have been searching food, water and other environmental media for microplastics and for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). But microfluoroplastics (MFPs), the intersection between these ...
Polymers
Jun 29, 2026
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New electrocatalyst helps turn polluted water into fertilizer and polymers
A new electrochemical system simultaneously converts plant-derived materials and nitrate pollutants into valuable industrial chemicals. Developed by Tohoku University researchers, the system provides a more sustainable way ...
Polymers
Jun 25, 2026
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Controlling ice crystal growth using polymer nanoparticles
Ice formation can damage biological samples, tissues and materials during freezing and thawing. In nature, specialized molecules known as ice-binding proteins prevent ice crystals from growing too large, helping organisms ...
Polymers
Jun 23, 2026
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Sawdust, cellulose binders and beeswax combine into eco-friendly foam
Polystyrene—common in packing peanuts and box inserts—is manufactured from fossil fuels. To develop a sustainable alternative, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Polymer Materials tested an unconventional starting material: ...
Polymers
Jun 23, 2026
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Contact lenses can repair themselves with just one hour of UV light exposure
Contact lenses are a great vision correction option for many, but if one of them gets damaged, there is little to do other than throw it away. A team reporting in ACS Applied Polymer Materials has a solution: special polymer ...
Polymers
Jun 23, 2026
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Chaotic polymer vibrations may unlock stronger, flexible thermal insulators
University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have demonstrated a possible new avenue for developing flame-retardant and generally low-conductivity (low-heat-transfer) plastics that retain the benefits of being strong and ...
Polymers
Jun 22, 2026
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Molecular 'Velcro' gel removes PFAS from water without fluorinated materials
A new gel-based material developed by University of Florida chemical engineers filters PFAS forever chemicals from water more efficiently than many widely used commercial options. The advance offers a potential new path to ...
Polymers
Jun 22, 2026
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Can we predict how fast a bioplastic breaks down? A new AI tool says 'yes'
Researchers at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), a partner in the ANIPH project, published a study that helps predict how quickly biodegradable bioplastics break down in the environment.
Polymers
Jun 22, 2026
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Trace additive unlocks faster bioplastic biodegradation without losing transparency or strength
Compostable plastics could be part of a solution to the world's plastic waste problem. But currently these materials need industrial composting facilities to break down. In a step toward making a home-compostable plastic, ...
Biochemistry
Jun 18, 2026
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Electron beam curing could unlock tougher, faster coatings for packaging and cars
Coatings are everywhere. A thin protective layer, often barely visible. They keep out moisture, sunlight and rust, helping products last longer. Think of laminate on kitchen cabinets, automotive body coatings or the outer ...
Polymers
Jun 15, 2026
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Burned as waste for years, this overlooked plant material is poised to reshape how nylon gets made
Most people have seen nylon listed as a material on their clothing tags, but nylon is used in an array of other products, too, including automotive parts, wire insulation and medical supplies. Unfortunately, one of the building ...
Why plastic lingers: Water chemistry slows nature's cleanup
Scientists have long known that sunlight helps break down plastic. So, why do plastic products linger for decades and even centuries in rivers, lakes, and oceans—even when bathed in direct sunlight? Northwestern University ...
Polymers
Jun 10, 2026
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A pectin and chitosan film to protect bioactive compounds in foods and therapies
Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute and the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP-CSIC) have developed an innovative biodegradable multilayer film capable of protecting and controlling the release of anthocyanins ...
Biochemistry
Jun 9, 2026
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Tea compound boosts seaweed hydrogel strength fivefold, while tuning adhesion and breakdown
Could wound healing dressings adhere better, and could drug delivery patches become more sophisticated? A KAIST research team has developed a technology that leverages natural ingredients derived from plants to increase the ...
Polymers
Jun 9, 2026
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Super sponge can remove toxic dyes from industrial wastewater
Colors brighten our lives and help define countless items we use daily—from the vibrant clothes we wear to decorative paper and packaging materials. What adds different colors to these things? Dyes, which bind themselves ...
Polymers
Jun 8, 2026
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