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Polymers news
Artificial hand reproduces human gestures using memory written into light-responsive polymers
Danqing Liu from Eindhoven University of Technology explores how interactions with digital systems can be improved through the sense of touch. To achieve this, she develops advanced liquid crystal polymers that respond to ...
Polymers
Jul 10, 2026
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New catalyst could make mixed plastic waste recyclable in one chemical step
Ever wondered where your plastics end up? A PET bottle can be washed, shredded, melted and given a second life. But most everyday items—toys, mattresses, car seats—are made from different plastics that refuse to mix when ...
Polymers
Jul 9, 2026
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Palm oil shows promise as greener processing aid for natural rubber composites
Natural rubber is widely used in tires, transport, construction, health care and industrial products because of its elasticity, resilience and durability. To improve performance, rubber manufacturers often add silica fillers ...
Polymers
Jul 9, 2026
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8
New technique takes the heat out of 3D printing process
Researchers have developed a new 3D printing technique that allows the printing of whole objects while controlling the temperature of the chemical reaction to stabilize the process. Academics in the University of Nottingham's ...
Polymers
Jul 9, 2026
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Simple treatment strengthens pineapple leaf fibers for sustainable composites
Pineapple leaf fiber has long been valued in parts of Southeast Asia for traditional uses, including basketry in Malaysia and Thailand and textile applications in the Philippines. Its high cellulose content and ready availability ...
Polymers
Jul 8, 2026
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Saturn-ring-like laser emission from chiral polymeric microspheres
Controlling light within microscopic spaces is crucial for next-generation optical devices such as photonic integrated circuits and localized sensors. Microspheres formed of luminescent π-conjugated polymers act as optical ...
Polymers
Jul 7, 2026
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Machine learning to predict how fast biodegradable plastics break down in nature
Testing how quickly a biodegradable plastic actually breaks down in the environment can take months, sometimes years, of lab work. A new study from the Agricultural University of Athens, offers a faster alternative: a machine-learning ...
Biochemistry
Jul 7, 2026
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5
New biobased polymers exhibit excellent tensile properties beyond polyolefins
The research group of Professor Kotohiro Nomura, Tokyo Metropolitan University, in cooperation with the research groups of Senior Researcher Hiroshi Hirano and Director Seiji Higashi of the Osaka Research Institute of Industrial ...
Polymers
Jul 7, 2026
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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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124
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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