Researchers have created a plant-based, sustainable, scalable material that could replace single-use plastics in many consumer products.
Materials Science
Jun 10, 2021
6
1690
Plastics are a part of nearly every product we use on a daily basis. The average person in the U.S. generates about 100 kg of plastic waste per year, most of which goes straight to a landfill. A team led by Corinne Scown, ...
Polymers
Apr 22, 2021
3
2301
Biodegradable plastics have been advertised as one solution to the plastic pollution problem bedeviling the world, but today's "compostable" plastic bags, utensils and cup lids don't break down during typical composting and ...
Polymers
Apr 21, 2021
4
1345
Thermosets, which include epoxies, polyurethanes, and rubber used for tires, are found in many products that have to be durable and heat-resistant, such as cars or electrical appliances. One drawback to these materials is ...
Materials Science
Jul 22, 2020
1
574
With plastic pollution posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, various strategies to lessen this type of pollution include reducing the production of plastic, decreasing the generation of plastic waste, ...
Earth Sciences
Jan 8, 2024
0
25
Single-use plastics are a major environmental concern, but now, rather than being disposed of as garbage, used plastic bags from the grocery store could be utilized to carry out a reaction that can detoxify hazardous chemicals.
Materials Science
Dec 27, 2023
0
63
University of Colorado Boulder researchers have developed a new way of counting microorganisms that works as much as 36 times faster than conventional methods, cuts plastic use more than 15-fold, and substantially decreases ...
Cell & Microbiology
Nov 9, 2023
0
27
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an innovative plastic that is stronger and stretchier than the current standard type. The plastic is also partially biodegradable, remembers its shape, and can be healed ...
Polymers
Nov 2, 2023
0
20
Two new enzymes can break down one of the most common single-use plastics, according to the study "Modulating biofilm can potentiate activity of novel plastic-degrading enzymes" by Brunel University London published in the ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 16, 2023
0
45
It is impossible to imagine modern agriculture without plastics. 12 million tons are used every year. But what about the consequences for the environment? An international team of authors led by Thilo Hofmann from the Division ...
Environment
Sep 25, 2023
0
18
