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Animal footpads inspire a polymer that sticks to ice

A solution to injuries from slips and falls may be found underfoot—literally. The footpads of geckos have hydrophilic (water-loving) mechanisms that allow the little animals to easily move over moist, slick surfaces.

Water boosts catalytic recycling efficiency for plastic waste

Plastics are undeniably useful materials that have found their way into virtually all human activities. However, with yearly global plastic production exceeding 400 million tons, the environmental threat posed by increased ...

Synthesizing polymers with an unprecedented structure

For more than two decades, the Ihara research group has been focusing on the development of new methods for polymer syntheses using diazocarbonyl compounds as monomers. They found that diazoacetate can be polymerized by a ...

From e-waste to gold: A pathway to CO₂ sustainability

A Cornell-led research team has developed a method for extracting gold from electronics waste, then using the recovered precious metal as a catalyst for converting carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, to organic materials.

More news

Biochemistry
Researchers develop edible biofilm for extending fruit shelf life
Polymers
Stretchable, flexible, recyclable: 3D printing method creates fantastic plastic
Biochemistry
E. coli dons polymer 'Superman cape' for sustainable chemical production
Polymers
Nature inspires self-assembling helical polymer
Polymers
Scientists solve one of the hardest problems in the computational atomic-scale mechanics of materials
Polymers
Biodegradable polymers show promise for nutrient encapsulation and replacing microbeads in beauty products
Polymers
Shape-changing polymer resembles animal movements with temperature shifts
Polymers
Solving waste plastic processing with heat circulation: Researchers develop large-scale pyrolysis process
Polymers
New catalyst can convert methane into useful polymers
Polymers
New hydrogel could preserve waterlogged wood from shipwrecks
Polymers
Machine learning helps optimize polymer production
Polymers
Team solves a nearly 200-year-old challenge in polymers to offer independent control of stiffness and stretchability
Polymers
Harvesting water from air: Copolymer solution uses water-loving differential to induce desorption
Polymers
Microwave-assisted synthesis route leads to record-breaking performance for CO₂ conversion
Biochemistry
Turning table scraps into biodegradable, single-use plastics
Polymers
Using sunlight to recycle black plastics: Researchers leverage additive to make materials chemically useful
Polymers
Study identifies path to design stable, durable polymer membranes for clean energy
Biochemistry
Using light to create bioelectronics inside living organisms
Polymers
Durable supramolecular plastic is fully ocean-degradable and doesn't generate microplastics
Polymers
Decontaminating toxic tires: Researchers show ability to remove toxic particles from end-of-life tires

Other news

Social Sciences
AI-driven dialogue analysis confirms popular movies have grown more violent over the past 70 years
Quantum Physics
Simulating particle creation in an expanding universe using quantum computers
Cell & Microbiology
Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents
Earth Sciences
Heavy metal toxicity found in Chinese port poses risk to seafood safety
Paleontology & Fossils
Soft tissue of a plesiosaur reveals it had scales similar to those of sea turtles
Plants & Animals
Scientists produce first complete genome of a banana slug
Ecology
Scientists elucidate molecular mechanisms behind dinoflagellate cyst dormancy
Evolution
Genetic study sheds light on changes that shaped human brain evolution
Archaeology
New DNA research examines predecessors of Red Lady of El Mirón
Cell & Microbiology
Nerve cells optimize energy by controlling mRNA and protein distribution, study finds
Cell & Microbiology
Bacterial species study challenges assumption that structural similarity predicts protein behavior
Cell & Microbiology
Computational tool maps cell differentiation with precision and efficiency
Earth Sciences
Enhanced weathering could transform US agriculture for atmospheric CO₂ removal
Plants & Animals
Some species of baleen whales may avoid attracting killer whales by singing too low to be heard
Plants & Animals
Scratching through negative emotions: Exploring the mind-body connection in Japanese macaques
Astronomy
Astronomers find dark matter dominating in early universe galaxies
Cell & Microbiology
Light-regulated movement patterns of hydrogen-producing green algae could improve photobioreactor design
Analytical Chemistry
Optimized nickel particles improve catalyst performance for hydrogenation reactions
Optics & Photonics
Fiber image transmission technology for minimally invasive endoscope developed
Environment
Antarctic snow harbors microplastics: New technique uncovers hidden pollution

Machine learning helps optimize polymer production

Polymers, such as plastics, are essential in many aspects of life and industry, from packaging and cars to medical devices and optic fibers. Their value comes from diverse properties that are largely determined by their monomers—the ...

Using light to create bioelectronics inside living organisms

Bioelectronics research and development of implants made of electrically conductive materials for disease treatment is advancing rapidly. However, bioelectronic treatment is not without complications. Researchers at Lund ...