Table salt has been found to outperform expensive catalysts in the pyrolysis process, which breaks down plastics into simpler compounds. The researchers' findings have significant implications for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in plastic recycling, with potential applications in industries such as packaging and energy.
Scientists introduce a novel approach to recover lithium from used LIBs by using aprotic organic solutions to avoid hydrogen gas production and simplify the process. The new method is efficient, inexpensive, and reduces waste, making it an attractive option for sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
An international team of scientists has discovered a link between Earth's ancient atmosphere and the chemistry of its deep mantle. The study found that sediment recycling provided atmospheric access to the mantle, leading to increased oxidation of calc-alkaline magma and altering the composition of the continental crust.
Researchers discovered that a rare disease called cystinosis shares the same cellular mechanism as cystic fibrosis, involving the lysosome's recycling center. The study found that a specific protein degradation pathway was responsible for the disease's effects, and a small chemical chaperone could help stabilize the protein.
A new recycling method reduces emissions by 60% and opens the door to reusing materials like plastic film, multilayer materials, and colored plastics. The technique recovers olefins from pyrolysis oil and uses them in a chemical process to convert into aldehydes and industrial alcohols.
A team of researchers at the University of Florida has developed a new method for recycling plastics that promises to reduce energy requirements without sacrificing quality. This breakthrough approach uses chemical recycling and depolymerization, which can produce recycled plastic with similar or better properties than the original mat...
Researchers from Michigan State University's School of Packaging have developed a bio-based polymer blend that is compostable in both home and industrial settings. The blend, which includes polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch, reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and enables efficient recycling.
A breakthrough solution has been discovered to recycle blended fabrics like polyester/cotton using a simple technique involving heat, non-toxic solvent, and household ingredient. This environmentally friendly approach can recover cotton on a scale of hundreds of grams while preserving the plastic component.
The seventh cohort of Innovation Crossroads aims to develop transformative energy technologies. Cohort 7 fellows are creating innovative solutions for plastic waste recycling, energy storage, and wind turbine blade production.
Researchers propose a novel method for upcycling waste PET via chemical depolymerization of acetic acid, achieving high-purity terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol diacetate. This approach reduces industrial energy use and global warming potential by over 70% and 40%, respectively.
Researchers found that BUB1 protein regulates EGFR signaling by reducing receptor internalization, which may lead to new therapeutic interventions for EGFR-driven cancers. The study also showed that BUB1 impacts receptor recycling and degradation, affecting signaling amplitude and duration.
The team led by Jan J. Weigand developed an innovative method for producing phosphorus-based chemicals, reducing environmental impacts and enabling a more sustainable access to platform chemicals. Phosphorus recycling through electrochemical methods is also being explored, aiming to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
A new study finds that fire can lock large parts of the Amazon in a treeless state, preventing 56-86% of the Amazon from regrowing. Global warming and deforestation damage the forest's moisture recycling process, enabling a self-reinforcing feedback loop of forest loss.
Researchers at FAU are promoting a cradle-to-cradle approach for organic electronics, considering recycling and biodegradability from laboratory phase to product end-of-life. This strategy aims to reduce the environmental footprint of organic electronics by 30% less CO2 during manufacturing.
Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a new degradable adhesive that can dissolve adhesive residue left on recyclable materials, improving recycling processes and product quality. The additive, similar to commercial packaging tape, allows for faster label detachment and reduces environmental impact.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new way to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using electricity and chemical reactions. In small-scale lab experiments, PET was broken down into its basic building blocks, which can be recovered and potentially reused to make new plastic bottles.
Scientists discover evidence for possible change in Earth's geodynamics at 3.8 Ga, suggesting onset of plate subduction. The absence of heavy Si signature in oldest rocks (4.0 Ga) indicates no subduction required, but data reveals distinct shift in Si and O isotopes.
Scientists have discovered that older subduction zones store more water than younger ones. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of tectonic settings and mass recycling.
A new recycling method for carbon and glass fibre composites has been developed by researchers at the University of Sydney, which can reduce energy use by 70% and preserve mechanical properties. The approach ensures increased material recovery and improved energy efficiency compared to previous methods.
Researchers have developed an electrochemical method to synthesize 15N-labeled amino acids from 15N-nitrite and ketonic acids, achieving high yields and recycling the byproduct. The method uses a commercial nickel foam cathode under ambient conditions, showing great potential for synthesizing various 15N-amino acids.
Scientists have found that a notable amount of subducted carbon is returned to the atmosphere through volcanic degassing in the Aleutian-Alaska Arc. This recycling process improves our understanding of Earth's climate and can help inform global climate models.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a method to create adhesives with both strong bonds and easy removal using the ancient Japanese art of cutting paper. This innovation has potential applications in robotic grasping, wearables for health monitoring, and manufacturing for assembly and recycling.
A team of engineers at RMIT University has developed a novel approach to recover heavy metals, including copper and zinc, from treated sewage sludge. The innovation enables the recycling of acidic liquid waste, reducing environmental harm and retaining nutrients for land applications.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel strategy for making recyclable polyolefins by introducing masked double bonds, known as 'Trojan horse' functional groups. These polymers can be chemically deconstructed and re-polymerized without losing quality.
A multidisciplinary team has revealed the atomic-level organization of ESCPE-1, a key player in tubular-based cargo sorting. The study provides insights into membrane interactions, cargo recognition, and coat formation, enhancing understanding of membrane protein recycling and its role in cellular processes.
Researchers develop artificial photosynthesis devices to convert sunlight into oxygen, potentially supplementing space travel with sustainable energy. These devices mimic plants' natural process, recycling carbon dioxide and producing oxygen using only sunlight.
A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.
Researchers developed an AI-powered mass spectrometric technique to determine a polymer's monomeric sequence. This breakthrough may lead to improved materials performance and tackle plastic recycling issues.
Researchers have discovered a bacterial protein that can separate rare earth elements more efficiently and effectively than current methods. The protein uses a unique dimerization mechanism to distinguish between similar metals, paving the way for greener mining and recycling practices.
A team of researchers urges governments to manage plastic production, use, and recycling by categorizing plastics as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) pollutants. Plastics' long-lasting nature and accumulation in organisms pose significant environmental and health risks.
Researchers developed a strategy targeting RNA recycling enzymes to prevent harm from cancer genes MYC, JUN and MIR155. This approach showed promise in slowing tumor growth in cancer patients.
A new camera technology developed by Aarhus University and Newtec Engineering A/S aims to make it easier to recycle plastic materials. The technology uses hyperspectral imaging to analyze the chemical composition of plastic waste, allowing for the removal of unwanted additives that may be banned or harmful.
A new study suggests that curbside recycling can compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, providing a return on investment similar to or better than electric vehicles. The authors recommend restructuring programs to target high-value materials and implementing policies to relieve cost burdens on local governments.
Researchers discovered a novel technique to identify p62-body constituents, revealing a major subunit of the supramolecular protein complex vault. Vault-phagy, the degradation of vault through selective autophagy, regulates homeostatic vault levels and may be associated with liver cancer.
Researchers have identified microorganisms in the Alpine and Arctic regions capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at 15°C, including polyethylene, polyester-polyurethane, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate. The discovery could reduce costs and environmental burden associated with enzymatic recycling processes.
Researchers developed a new probe to measure pH levels in cells, revealing a constant conversion rate from endosomes to lysosomes. The probe's ability to track pH changes enables faster diagnosis and potential treatments for lysosomal diseases.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that Canadian electronic waste (e-waste) has more than tripled in the last two decades, generating close to a million tons in 2020. E-waste generation per person has increased from 8.3 kg to 25.3 kg between 2000 and 2020.
Researchers have developed a novel method for recycling valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using spinning reactors. This technology simplifies the extraction-stripping process, allowing for rapid separation of metals in minutes with low concentrations of extractants.
A new paper proposes solidifying air as a medium to reduce energy consumption and costs in transporting hydrogen by sea. The process, called Solid Air Hydrogen Liquefaction (SAHL), has the potential to lower energy consumption for liquefying hydrogen by 25-50%.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a new chemical strategy to deliver universal dynamic crosslinkers into mixed plastic streams, transforming them into viable new polymers that can be turned into higher-value materials. The method makes post-consumer plastics usable as a new kind of material with useful properties.
Researchers have developed an electrolyte to improve the efficiency of CO2 conversion into useful hydrocarbons. The study found that controlling the concentration of the electrolyte is crucial in regulating product formation, with too much potassium leading to clogage and reduced selectivity.
Researchers developed a method to heal and recycle garnet electrolytes with Li dendrite penetration through heat treatment, increasing ionic conductivity and relative density. The recycled pellets showed improved densification and suppressed Li dendrite penetration, enabling higher critical current density.
A four-year field experiment in Estonia reveals that recycling phosphorus-rich lake sediments can sustain grass biomass yield and provide essential nutrients. However, the study also highlights potential environmental risks associated with sediment application methods.
Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a microwave technology that improves solar cell production by reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The new method allows for selective heating of silicon, making it easier to recycle and reuse components.
Researchers at the University of Sydney successfully biodegrade polypropylene using two common fungi strains, reducing plastic waste by up to 27%. The discovery holds promise for developing new recycling technologies that minimize environmental impact.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new recycling method for solar cells that uses acidic solutions to separate precious metals. The process recovers up to 100% of the silver and 85% of the indium, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional methods.
Animals recycle biochemical waste to produce novel chemicals playing key roles in biology from behavior to aging. Genes previously thought to code for carboxylesterases contribute to ester and amide bond formation opposite initial predictions.
A novel biorefinery process has been developed to minimize the usage of external utilities by reusing by-products from biomass production. The process successfully reduced the total process energy and supplied it by itself, as well as utilizing excess solid by-products for building materials and other purposes.
The SWELL project focuses on recovering non-metallic components, including electrolytes, from spent lithium-ion batteries. This can lead to a significant increase in battery material sustainability.
A recent study revealed the key to a protein that commonly causes blindness, including its role in transporting toxic compounds out of the eye. Mutations in this protein can cause vision loss in diseases like Stargardt disease, which affects approximately 30,000 people nationwide.
Researchers found that traumatic brain injury suppresses the recycling function of both neurons and immune cells, including microglia and white blood cells. Boosting this process with a drug like rapamycin improves recovery in mice, reducing inflammation and enhancing memory function.
Max Planck scientists explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence in materials science, discussing how combining physics-based modeling with AI can unlock complex material designs. The research focuses on overcoming limitations of traditional methods and handling sparse, noisy data.
A new mechanochemical recycling method recovers up to 70 percent of lithium from battery waste, making it inexpensive, energy-efficient, and environmentally compatible. The method uses aluminum as a reducing agent and can be applied to various cathode materials.
Scientists at US national laboratories are developing new chemical recycling methods to make sustainable, high-quality plastic materials. They aim to transform plastic waste into valuable chemicals and reduce plastic pollution, paving the way for a circular economy.
Scientists have developed a DNA editing tool called SAGE that makes it easier and faster to engineer microbes for various applications. The technology revolutionizes the process of modifying microbes, allowing researchers to advance fundamental biology and bioengineering.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a closed-loop recycling process for polymers using microparticles, resulting in fully recyclable films with high mechanical stability and fracture energy. The strategy enables the reuse of polymer materials, reducing plastic waste and environmental pollution.
Researchers at KRICT have developed a chemical sorting technology that separates polyester from mixed waste fabrics, allowing for clean and recyclable polyester feedstock. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact and promote circularity in textile recycling.
A comprehensive product stewardship scheme has been proposed to address the environmental impact of solar panel disposal in Australia. The plan includes recycling steps, serial numbers for tracking, and legislation to ensure environmentally friendly disposal.
Researchers at the University of Bonn identified unique features and novel lysosomal proteins in six different cell types, including liver cells and cancer cells. The study provides new insights into cellular waste removal machinery and its role in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new method developed by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Cornell University converts used HDPE into a fully recyclable and potentially biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to break polymer chains, making the material easier to decompose.