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.....»»
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......»»
Chemical cocktail from plastics: Pilot study describes degradation and leaching process of plastic consumer products
Plastic waste in rivers and oceans is constantly releasing chemicals into the water. Until now, it was unknown how large these quantities are and which substances are released particularly strongly. In the large-scale P-LEACH project, experts from fo.....»»
Eco-conscious fashionistas hampered by geographical barriers to return clothing
Eco-conscious consumers are not well-served by clothing companies claiming green credentials, as shoppers' location has a major impact on the effectiveness of clothing return schemes, a new study reveals......»»
3D laser printing with bioinks from microalgae
Microalgae such as the diatom Odontella aurita and the green alga Tetraselmis striata are especially suitable as "biofactories" for the production of sustainable materials for 3D laser printing due to their high content in lipids and photoactive pigm.....»»
Unveiling the key factors that determine properties of porous polymer materials
Determining the relationship between microstructure features and their properties is crucial for improving material performance and advancing the design of next-generation structural and functional materials. However, this task is inherently challeng.....»»
Why wildfires are getting more dangerous
After more than a year of record-breaking heat, the peak of fire season is approaching across vast swathes of our green planet......»»
Microbes conquer the next extreme environment: Your microwave
Since the industrial revolution, microbes have successfully colonized one novel type of habitat after another: for example, marine oil spills, plastic floating in the oceans, industrial brownfields, and even the interior of the International Space St.....»»
Green belts need modernizing—a more "multifunctional" approach can benefit people and planet
Green belts are more than just spaces; for many people, they're places providing a brief escape from the city. Land designated as green belt—and protected from building—can also store carbon and hold water at times of flooding and drought......»»
Vertically stacked skin-like active-matrix display with ultrahigh aperture ratio
Skin-like displays are critical components of information output in next-generation portable and wearable electronics. Currently, all such displays are fabricated on glass or thick plastic substrates, limiting the inherent mechanical flexibility of o.....»»
Could a colorful Apple Watch SE make it the iPhone 5c of watches?
Mark Gurman this weekend doubled down on his view that the new Apple Watch SE is likely to made from plastic rather than aluminum. That raises the prospect of the company either reducing the price, or adding in new features at the same price – b.....»»
The next Apple Watch SE might be plastic, but is that worth the tradeoff?
Last month, reports started to emerge that Apple is testing a new “rigid plastic” body for the next generation Apple Watch SE. While this would undoubtedly reduce costs, it begs the question – will this tradeoff be worth it for customers? m.....»»
Kids" sport always cancelled due to rain-soaked grounds? Green infrastructure can help
It's been a rainy winter in many parts of Australia, wreaking havoc on kids' sporting competitions. As mums, it has been frustrating to see so many of our kids' sports matches (and training sessions) canceled because of waterlogged grounds......»»
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.....»»
From aviation to orthopedics: Polymer patch made from dynamic polymer networks
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM have developed a new polymer patch that can significantly accelerate and simplify previously laborious, expensive, and time-consuming repair processes on.....»»
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......»»
Sustainable and reversible 3D printing method uses minimal ingredients and steps
A new 3D printing method developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego is so simple that it uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures. The work, published in Nature Communications, has the potential to m.....»»
Green hydrogen: "Artificial leaf" becomes better under pressure
Hydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water. One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so-called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells). A research team at HZB has now sh.....»»
Is that glass bottle of orange juice better for the planet than a plastic container?
Which packaging type for a 12-ounce, single-serve container of orange juice would you choose as the most sustainable option:.....»»
Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles from mangifera indica: A solution for agricultural disease management
A research team has successfully synthesized green copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO.NPs) from Mangifera indica (M. indica) leaf extract. The CuO.NPs showed potent activity against gram-positive and negative bacteria, as well as fungicidal effects on p.....»»
Scientists now know when an ancient lake supported human life in the Namib Sand Sea
Desert regions in northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula have been well studied by archaeologists as the home of early humans and as routes of migration along "green corridors.".....»»