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Polymers news

Automated polymer design tool integrates machine learning and molecular simulations
A research group has developed SPACIER, an advanced polymer material design tool that integrates machine learning with molecular simulations. As a proof of concept, the group successfully synthesized new optical polymers ...
Polymers
Feb 5, 2025
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Sustainable plant-based membrane works without fossil fuel materials and toxic solvents
They are used in cleaning our drinking water, treating sewage, processing foods and keeping pharmaceuticals safe—membranes are a crucial part of everyday life.
Polymers
Feb 4, 2025
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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.
Polymers
Jan 30, 2025
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New research leads to viable solution for polycotton textile waste recycling
In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Industrial Sustainable Chemistry group of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) present a solution to the challenging problem of recycling polycotton textile waste.
Polymers
Jan 29, 2025
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Durable plastic gets a sustainability makeover in novel polymerization process
Car tires, replacement hip joints, bowling balls—these and other items are made from a class of plastics called thermosets, known for extreme durability.
Polymers
Jan 29, 2025
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63

Chemists discover common plastic pigment promotes depolymerization
It turns out that the black plastic lid atop your coffee cup has a superpower. And the Stache Lab at Princeton Chemistry, which uncovered it, is exploiting that property to recycle at least two major types of plastic.
Polymers
Jan 29, 2025
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Novel enzyme profiling method identifies top candidates for plastic recycling
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used plastics, commonly found in bottles, fibers, and many other products. It is a unique member of the plastic family as it can be broken down into its constituent ...
Biochemistry
Jan 28, 2025
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Biomimetic polymerization: Liquid crystals enable chiral polymer synthesis
By using optically active liquid crystals as reaction sites, researchers at University of Tsukuba have successfully achieved the living polymerization of polymers with aligned helical structures. In this process, optically ...
Polymers
Jan 28, 2025
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57

Plant-based substitute for fossil fuels developed for plastic foams
An environmentally-friendly preparation of plant material from pine could serve as a substitute for petroleum-based chemicals in polyurethane foams.
Polymers
Jan 28, 2025
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Scientists synthesize biodegradable nylon precursor through artificial photosynthesis
Nylon, the durable and elastic material, is like other plastics made from chemicals found in fossil fuels. Biodegradable plastics based on biomass-derived compounds are attracting attention as an alternative to conventional ...
Biochemistry
Jan 22, 2025
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5

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 ...
Polymers
Jan 21, 2025
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Polymer editing can upcycle waste into higher-performance plastics
By editing the polymers of discarded plastics, chemists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a way to generate new macromolecules with more valuable properties than those of the starting ...
Polymers
Jan 17, 2025
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Stronger, greener superglue: Biodegradable polymer outperforms commercial options
Researchers at Colorado State University and their partners have developed an adhesive polymer that is stronger than current commercially available options while also being biodegradable and reusable. The findings, described ...
Polymers
Jan 16, 2025
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81

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 ...
Polymers
Jan 15, 2025
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Single-step coating offers scalable, non-toxic flame protection for fabrics
Although extremely flammable, cotton is one of the most commonly used textiles due to its comfort and breathable nature. However, in a single step, researchers from Texas A&M University can reduce the flammability of cotton ...
Polymers
Jan 9, 2025
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Ring-shaped polymers solidify into glass, offering sustainable material potential
When a spider is spinning its web, its silk starts out as liquid and quickly turns into a solid that is, pound for pound, sturdier than steel. They manage to create these impressive materials at room temperature with biodegradable ...
Polymers
Jan 7, 2025
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Polymer-based network gives artificial cells a life-like cytoskeleton
Just like your body has a skeleton, every cell in your body has a skeleton—a cytoskeleton to be precise. This provides cells with mechanical resilience, as well as assisting with cell division. To understand how real cells ...
Biochemistry
Jan 7, 2025
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42

Scientists synthesize single-crystal sp² carbon-linked covalent organic frameworks
Chinese scientists proposed a novel imine-to-olefin transformation strategy to synthesize single-crystal sp² carbon-linked covalent organic frameworks (sp²c-COFs).
Polymers
Jan 6, 2025
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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.
Polymers
Jan 2, 2025
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Breaking barriers in polymer tech: PBS vitrimers for greener futures
Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) has emerged as a viable alternative to conventional plastics due to its biodegradability and similar properties to polypropylene. Under composting conditions, PBS can break down into water, ...
Polymers
Dec 30, 2024
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Computational tool maps cell differentiation with precision and efficiency

Optimized nickel particles improve catalyst performance for hydrogenation reactions
