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Polymers news
Lignin molecular property discovery could help turn trees into affordable, greener industrial chemicals
Trees are the most abundant natural resource living on Earth's land masses, and North Carolina State University scientists and engineers are making headway in finding ways to use them as sustainable, environmentally benign ...
Biochemistry
19 hours ago
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On-surface synthesis enables soliton states for odd-membered polymers
A new on-surface chemical reaction enables the appearance of solitons in π-conjugated polymers. The reaction, called indenyl coupling, reveals that structural parity drives the appearance of solitons in odd-membered π conjugated ...
Polymers
Oct 18, 2024
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Scientists discover fastest degrading bioplastic in seawater
Scientists at the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have been working for years to find out what types of plastics have the shortest and longest lifespans in the ocean, and what types of plastic products, like straws ...
Polymers
Oct 17, 2024
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Barnacle-inspired polymers could present new way to design antibiotics, researchers say
Scientific literature has shown that barnacles that cling to rocks at the seashore use naturally occurring chemicals to clear rock surfaces of bacteria in preparation for laying down their sticky "glue." Since bioengineering ...
Biochemistry
Oct 10, 2024
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Low-temperature synthesis technique uses upcycled textile waste to create green, safe waterproof coating
A new technique could create waterproof coatings for clothes from discarded textiles—far safer for humans and the environment than current coatings, which are typically made with harsh chemicals and carcinogens.
Polymers
Oct 9, 2024
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83
Reprogramming wood-degrading mushroom enzymes for the biorecycling of plastic
Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the environment and managing plastic waste is a global problem. In addition to developing more reasonable production methods and ways to use plastic, one solution to the problem is to develop ...
Biochemistry
Oct 9, 2024
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How naturally abundant biopolymers can help develop biomass-derived antimicrobials
In a bid to combat the rising threat of antibacterial resistance, researchers from the Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), have delved into the characteristics and ...
Biochemistry
Oct 7, 2024
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New polymer technology targets engineering failure to enhance sustainability
Sustainability is a complex problem with many different players and influenced by policies, society, and technical perspectives. Scientists within ASU's School of Molecular Sciences (SMS) and the Biodesign Institute's Center ...
Polymers
Oct 7, 2024
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New polymer design breaks the tradeoff between toughness and recyclability
Plastics underpin much of modern life—areas like medicine, technology, and food safety would be unrecognizable without plastics and their useful properties. However, the toughness of plastics, which is often desirable, ...
Polymers
Oct 7, 2024
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44
Mechanocatalytic method offers more efficient approach for turning plant biomass into useful chemicals
Lignin is one of the most plentiful organic polymers on Earth, making up about 20% to 30% of the dry mass of wood and other plants.
Biochemistry
Oct 4, 2024
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Scientists develop novel method for strengthening PVC products
Researchers have developed a way to make one type of plastic material more durable and less likely to shed dangerous microplastics. Their study has identified a secure way to attach chemical additives to polyvinyl chloride ...
Polymers
Oct 3, 2024
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Developing plasma-coated paper as a plastic alternative for the packaging industry
Plastic waste, harmful to the environment, has been increasing continually in Germany in recent years. Packaging generates particularly high volumes of waste. Plant-based coatings for paper packaging could provide a sustainable ...
Polymers
Oct 1, 2024
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Sustainably produced covalent organic frameworks can be used for efficient CO₂ capture
An international research team headed by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the University of Siegen has synthesized a new compound, which forms a so-called covalent organic framework. The compound, which is ...
Polymers
Oct 1, 2024
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Bioinspired yarn can harvest water from fog
Scientists have developed a bioinspired yarn capable of harvesting water from fog, providing an innovative solution to water scarcity in arid regions. By imitating the alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic patterns seen ...
Polymers
Sep 30, 2024
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Developing artificial muscles to give weakened people their strength back
Researchers have succeeded in making artificial muscle fibers from rubber thread, paving the way for sewing the muscles into a blouse and giving renewed strength to the wearer.
Polymers
Sep 30, 2024
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Advances in processable natural biopolymers: Cellulose, chitosan, eggshell membrane and silk fibroin
A study in Science Bulletin explores the recent advancements in the development of processable natural biopolymers and their myriad applications.
Polymers
Sep 30, 2024
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Lignin-based sunscreen offers natural and high-performance UV protection
In a significant breakthrough for the cosmetics industry, researchers have developed a new type of sunscreen using lignin, a naturally abundant polymer, and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The study, led by Yarong Li and Zhiguang ...
Polymers
Sep 26, 2024
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Citrus waste converted to biopolymers using cavitation
The citrus industry generates a substantial amount of waste, primarily peels and seeds, which are often underutilized despite their rich cellulose and pectin content. Conventional pectin and cellulose extraction methods are ...
Biochemistry
Sep 26, 2024
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19
Mussel-inspired adhesive comes unglued on command
Modern integrated microelectronic devices are often poorly repairable and difficult to recycle. Debondable adhesives play a key role in the transition to a circular economy with sustainable resources, less waste, and intelligent ...
Polymers
Sep 19, 2024
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Microplastics: Meant to last, just not forever and not in our bodies
Megan Hill is an assistant professor of chemistry and leader of the Hill Lab in Colorado State University's College of Natural Sciences. Her research leverages organic chemistry to design advanced polymeric materials for ...
Polymers
Sep 19, 2024
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