Going beyond plastic: Tara gum as a green polymer
Synthetic, non-biodegradable plastics are major sources of environmental pollution and have prompted rising interest in sustainable, biodegradable alternatives derived from natural polymers. "Tara gum," derived from the seeds of the tara tree (Caesal.....»»
Machine learning uses X-ray diffraction data from polymers to predict the behavior of new materials
Polymers such as polypropylene are fundamental materials in the modern world, found in everything from computers to cars. Because of their ubiquity, it's vital that materials scientists know exactly how each newly developed polymer will perform under.....»»
From recycling to food: Can we eat plastic-munching microbes?
Researchers are trying to turn plastic-eating bacteria into food source for humans. Enlarge (credit: Olga Pankova/Moment via Getty Images) In 2019, an agency within the US Department of Defense released a call for resear.....»»
Bioengineers develop a new environmentally friendly adhesive polymer
A team of bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a new kind of environmentally friendly adhesive polymer. In their study, published in the journal Science, the group used an electrophilic stabilizer to prevent a certain.....»»
Hydrogels can learn to play Pong
Work could lead to new "smart" materials that can learn and adapt to their environment. This electroactive polymer hydrogel "learned" to play Pong. Credit: Cell Reports Physical Science/Strong et al......»»
FDA green-lights fall COVID-19 boosters
Updated mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are ready to roll. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) As the COVID-19 case count continues to tick upward, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated vaccine for.....»»
The Green Economy Is Hungry for Copper—and People Are Stealing, Fighting, and Dying to Feed It
With the possible exception of gold, no other metal has caused as much destruction as copper. In the coming years, we’ll need more of it than ever......»»
Antarctica vulnerable to invasive species hitching rides on plastic and organic debris, oceanographic model shows
Antarctica's unique ecosystems could be threatened by the arrival of non-native marine species and marine pollution from Southern Hemisphere landmasses, new oceanographic modeling shows......»»
Bacteria make thermally stable plastics similar to polystyrene and PET for the first time
Bioengineers around the world have been working to create plastic-producing microbes that could replace the petroleum-based plastics industry. Now, researchers from Korea have overcome a major hurdle: getting bacteria to produce polymers that contain.....»»
Here’s how Google made the Pixel 9’s excellent new packaging
The new Google Pixel 9 phones are coming in new packaging that is 100% plastic free. To celebrate, Google has released a video that explains how it achieved it......»»
New supramolecular polymer shows spontaneous unfolding and aggregation
In polymers, the competition between the folding and aggregation of chains, both at an individual level and between chains, can determine the mechanical, thermal, and conductive properties of such materials. Understanding the interplay of folding and.....»»
That book is poison: Even more Victorian covers found to contain toxic dyes
Old books with toxic dyes may be in universities, public libraries, private collections. Enlarge / Composite image showing color variation of emerald green bookcloth on book spines, likely a result of air pollution (credit: Winte.....»»
This year’s summer COVID wave is big; FDA may green-light COVID shots early
Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 levels suggest the summer surge is high and peaking right now. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Thomas Trutschel) With the country experiencing a relatively large summer wave of COVID-19, the Food and Drug.....»»
Green light for accurate vegetation research: Evaluation of global SIF datasets
A recent study has pinpointed the top-performing solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) products for precise global monitoring of photosynthesis and vegetation dynamics. By thoroughly evaluating eight widely-used SIF datasets, the research team.....»»
Researchers shed light on how to make photopolymerization much more efficient
Polymers are materials made out of long, repeating chains of molecules, and it is the interaction between these chains that dictates most of a polymer's physicochemical properties. In accordance with this intuitive understanding of polymers, which da.....»»
U.S. has its first national strategy to reduce plastic pollution—three strong points and a key issue to watch
Plastic waste is piling up at a daunting pace around the world. The World Bank estimates that every person on the planet generates an average of 1.6 pounds (0.74 kilograms) of plastic waste daily......»»
Green warriors: Plants on the frontline against microplastics
With escalating concerns about the enduring impact of plastic waste, phytoremediation emerges as a promising solution. This method utilizes plants to capture and degrade pollutants, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative.....»»
"Climinator" vs. greenwashers: Researcher develops AI tool to debate climate on a factual basis
Companies like to act "green" by publishing thick environmental sustainability reports replete with photography of pristine landscapes, but precious few of them keep their promises. Finance professor Markus Leippold is using AI-based tools to fight g.....»»
New method paves the way for cost-effective and high-efficiency green hydrogen production
The principle of preventing the deterioration and oxidation of ionomers in hydrogen production through anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) has been discovered for the first time. This breakthrough is expected to enhance both the perf.....»»
The Apple Watch SE may soon much-needed makeover
It looks like plastic is making a triumphant return to Apple’s product portfolio. According to Bloomberg, the next will ditch its metallic enclosure in favor of a plastic shell, and it could arrive this fall. This would be the first time that Apple.....»»
The next full moon is a supermoon blue moon
The next full moon is a supermoon, a blue moon; the sturgeon moon; the red, corn, green corn, barley, herb, grain, or dog moon; Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Purnima; and Tu B'Av......»»