Degradable polyethylene plastics from the nonalternating terpolymerization of ethylene, CO, and polar monomers
In a study published in the journal National Science Review and led by Dr. Zhongbao Jian (State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, CAS), E/CO/PM terpolymerizations were carried out with seven p.....»»
Chemists develop new sustainable reaction for creating unique molecular building blocks
Polymers can be thought of like trains: Just as a train is composed of multiple cars, polymers are made up of multiple monomers, and the couplings between the train cars are similar to the chemical bonds that link monomers together. While polymers ha.....»»
Oceans without sharks would be far less healthy, says new research
There are more than 500 species of sharks in the world's oceans, from the 7-inch dwarf lantern shark to whale sharks that can grow to over 35 feet long. They're found from polar waters to the equator, at the water's surface and miles deep, in the ope.....»»
Not the day after tomorrow: Why we can"t predict the timing of climate tipping points
A study published in Science Advances reveals that uncertainties are currently too large to accurately predict exact tipping times for critical Earth system components like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), polar ice sheets, or.....»»
Chemical and transportation industries could boost with new catalyst coating
Coupling electrochemical conversion of the greenhouse gas CO2 with renewable electricity sources—such as solar and wind—promises green production of high-demand chemicals and transportation fuels. Carbon dioxide coupling products such as ethylene.....»»
Study shows link between asymmetric polar ice sheet evolution and global climate
Joint research led by Professor An Zhisheng from the Institute of Earth Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the pivotal role of the growth of the Antarctic ice sheet and associated Southern Hemisphere sea ice expansion in trig.....»»
The Cure for Disposable Plastic Crap Is Here—and It’s Loony
Stretchy seaweed, reverse vending machines, QR-coded take-out boxes: They’re how we can break society’s absurd addiction to single-use plastics......»»
New method detects environmentally unfriendly chemicals
Substances called polyethylene glycols, or PEGs, are widely used in industry, medical, cosmetics and personal care products. The problem is, when they enter the environment and build up, they can harm ecosystems and natural resources......»»
Researchers realize multi-heterojunctioned plastics with high thermoelectric figure of merit
Organic thermoelectric materials hold great promise as flexible energy sources for the Internet of Things and wearable electronics. However, their relatively low dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) compared to traditional materials has been a major ob.....»»
New research on 3D-printed materials toward future generations of stronger, lighter plastics
A new analysis of the deformation mechanisms which cause 3D-printed materials to fail under strain could help create future generations of stronger, lighter plastics, unlocking transformative benefits for industry......»»
Expert Q&A: NASA"s cancellation of VIPER is a frustrating setback for lunar exploration
In July 2024, NASA announced it canceled its plans to send the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the moon's southern polar region. The rover was meant to search for water and other resources called volatiles, such as hydrogen.....»»
Innovative method uses oxygen and light to recycle unsaturated polymers
A study published in Cell Reports Physical Science showcases a novel method for the recycling of unsaturated polymers such as rubber and plastics......»»
US to phase out federal purchase of single-use plastics
President Joe Biden's administration on Friday announced plans to phase out single-use plastics in all federal operations by 2035, as part of a broader effort to combat what it deemed a rising global crisis......»»
Research team observes courtship of leopard seals off the coast of South America
A study led by Baylor University biologist Sarah Kienle, Ph.D., and published in the journal Polar Biology has unveiled the first paired observations of sexual behavior and vocalizations in wild leopard seals. Kienle and her team's third published st.....»»
Nature"s gender reveal: Key gene controls female flowers in Cucurbita pepo
Sex determination in cucurbits such as squash is influenced by a complex interplay of environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, with ethylene being the primary hormone promoting female flower development......»»
NASA axes its moon rover project VIPER
The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover was intended to search the moon's polar regions for water, but will now be shelved due to budget issues......»»
How climate change is altering the Earth"s rotation
For the first time, researchers at ETH Zurich have been able to fully explain the various causes of long-term polar motion in the most comprehensive modeling to date, using AI methods. Their model and their observations show that climate change and g.....»»
Wildlife tracking technology that adheres to fur delivers promising results from trials on wild polar bears
Studying polar bears just became a lot easier with new "burr on fur" trackers which confirmed scientists' belief that subadult and adult males spend most of their time on land lazing around, conserving energy until the ice returns......»»
Polar warming may be underestimated by climate models, ~50 million year old climate variability suggests
Polar regions are known to be warming at an enhanced rate compared to lower latitudes, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change citing a ~5 °C increase in air temperature over Arctic land masses during the 20th century and the highest rate.....»»
New chemical process separates textile fibers for easier recycling
A combined team of chemical and biomolecular engineers from the University of Delaware, and the Center for Plastics Innovation, both in the U.S., has developed a way to chemically separate fibers in textiles, allowing them to be recycled more quickly.....»»
Researchers discover swath of previously undocumented polar bear dens
Dr. Doug Clark (Ph.D.) has crawled into many polar bear dens as a graduate student and in a former job as a park warden......»»