Researchers developed a thermochromic ZnO coating that improves water repellency, self-cleaning behavior, and UV protection on wood surfaces. The coating reduces solar heat absorption while maintaining thermal radiation, resulting in a 10.4°C surface temperature reduction and 3.3°C average reduction in a model wooden house.
Recent developments in converting chitin and its derivatives into fibers have improved molecular orientation and strength. Functional chitin-derived fibers, including conductive and responsive fibers, are emerging as an emerging direction for sustainable textiles.
The study introduces a new bamboo fiber foam that combines electromagnetic shielding, flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and electrically driven heating in one lightweight material. The foam was created using ambient drying, which reduces energy consumption compared to traditional processing methods.
Researchers developed a bio-based Fe-MOF nanoreactor that combines natural-ligand chemistry with multimetallic redox catalysis, biomimetic targeting and MRI visibility. The nanoplatform produced a strong ROS response, increased apoptosis, and tumor inhibition in breast cancer cells and mice.
Researchers developed a cobalt-based catalyst that efficiently promotes oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in zinc-air batteries. The catalyst's curved carbon support and cobalt nanoparticles work together to improve oxygen electrocatalysis, enabling long-term bifunctional performance.
A new kinetic model couples lignin and hemicellulose dynamics to sharpen biorefinery predictions. The model uses controlled kinetics to release phenolic compounds and acetic acid gradually, turning lignin-derived inhibitors into measurable proxies for tracking bond cleavage.
Researchers have developed a new 3D-printable cellulose hydrogel that defies freezing temperatures, maintaining ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. The hydrogel exhibits shear-thinning behavior, allowing it to flow through a 3D printer nozzle and hold its shape.
Researchers are transforming paper into sophisticated smart packaging that controls respiration, scrubbing ethylene to slow ripening for fruits and vegetables. For meat and seafood, the focus is on blocking oxygen and grease while embedding sensors that flag spoilage before it becomes obvious.
A new bio-based conductive hydrogel platform is presented to preserve biomembrane activity and enable sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides. The developed biosensor demonstrated stable operation, retaining 85.8% of its original electrochemical response after seven days.
A study has developed an integrated process to produce dissolving pulp from sugarcane bagasse using a carbonate-based oxygen-alkali pulping combined with enzymatic totally chlorine-free bleaching. The process resulted in high-quality pulp with improved properties, meeting industrial requirements.
A novel supramolecular film with switchable structural and adhesive functions has been developed, exceeding industry standards for wood adhesion. The film's unique structure retains strength in wet conditions and demonstrates high-performance bonding to wood substrates.
Researchers introduce scaffold-microenvironment decoupling approach to construct hierarchically tough yet open polymer scaffolds with highly conductive microenvironments. The resulting hydrogel exhibits integrated properties, including high mechanical strength, ultra-high ionic conductivity, and practical efficacy in three demanding el...
A novel dual-scale encapsulation strategy for thermal energy storage using bio-derived palmitic acid and nanocellulose is reported. The composite achieved excellent shape stability and leakage resistance with a cumulative leakage rate of only 0.03% after heating.
Researchers developed a novel approach to convert technical lignin into functional coatings using low-energy suspension plasma spraying (LE-SPS). The new technique eliminates the need for solvents, crosslinkers, or catalysts, and produces continuous and dense coatings with improved UV attenuation and anti-fogging behavior.
Researchers developed a cellulose/MXene sediment aerogel that combines EMI shielding, infrared stealth, and Joule heating within a single porous structure. The aerogel retained high porosity and specific surface area, enabling strong electromagnetic wave attenuation and thermal insulation.
Researchers developed a cellulose-based aerogel inspired by white beetles' optical structure, achieving high solar reflectance and infrared emissivity through hierarchical photonic scattering networks. The material achieved daytime subambient cooling of up to 7.1 °C and reduced building energy consumption by 43.5% on average.
Researchers designed a biomimetic triple-network hydrogel inspired by octopus skin, combining rigid photonic ordering with soft polymer networks. The material demonstrated substantial improvements in mechanical strength and structural color response under deformation.
New study finds anaerobic digestion of hemp hurd-based bioplastic systems delivers the best environmental outcome, generating up to 6.1 kg less CO2 emissions per 1 kg mulch film treated. The production process significantly affects the final carbon footprint of biocomposites.
A mild chemical strategy enhances interfacial bonding and pore structure in biomass-based magnesium cement materials, leading to improved mechanical strength and thermal insulation. The approach promotes more uniform pore distribution, stabilizes the foam structure within the composite, and reduces environmental burden.
Researchers developed a platinum-based catalyst supported on oxygen-vacancy-rich cerium oxide (Pt/CeO2–Vo) to enhance hydrogen activation. The catalyst achieved a pyrrolidone yield of 95.2% within one hour, with high formation rates and excellent stability.
Researchers have developed a water-soluble cellulose ethyl phosphite (CEP) adhesive that integrates high bonding strength, environmental tolerance, and recyclability. The CEP adhesive demonstrates remarkable thermal stability and resistance to moisture-related degradation, making it suitable for various applications.
Scientists developed a scalable ultrastrong bamboo strip through homogeneous fusion, achieving 942 MPa tensile strength and 32.1 GPa Young's modulus. The material demonstrates exceptional durability, biodegradability, and practical scalability for various industries.
A comprehensive study decodes structure-function relationships governing surfactant-mediated enzyme protection, revealing a competitive stabilization mechanism. The research identifies key factors influencing mitigation efficacy, including hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding capacity, and provides predictive power for designing more ef...
Microalgae are transformed into functionalized composite bioproducts for precision diagnosis, targeted therapy, and integrated theranostics. They offer exceptional biological properties for biomedical engineering, including molecular loading, active movement, and intense autofluorescence for imaging applications.
A new mechanochemical approach uses water as a catalyst to transform renewable resources into high-performance porous materials capable of capturing CO2 while removing pollutants. The method produces carbon-negative materials with exceptional hydrophobic characteristics and scalable production.
Researchers have developed a chemical-free method to upcycle waste chitin into high-performance porous carbons, which can efficiently capture and release hydrocarbons. The materials' pore structure can be precisely tuned through steam activation time, leading to improved adsorption and desorption performance.
Researchers introduce a new strategy using natural wood as a structural scaffold for conductive eutectogels, enabling mechanically robust and environmentally stable materials. The resulting eutectogel achieves high tensile strength, toughness, and ionic conductivity, making it suitable for wearable electronics and smart sensing systems.
Researchers develop a coating strategy using lignin nanoparticles to stabilize an oil-in-water emulsion, forming a multifunctional coating that enhances paper performance while maintaining environmental compatibility. The coated paper exhibits improved barrier properties, mechanical strength, and biodegradability.
Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.
The conversion of waste lignocellulosic biomass into high-value soil amendments can enhance soil structure, increase water retention, and lock away carbon. Several technological pathways are explored, including slow pyrolysis, mild torrefaction, and solid-state fermentation.
Mannitol outperforms other green additives in slowing re-polymerisation of cellulose-lignin linkages, cutting molecular weight and raising hydrogenolysis monomer yield. The additive forms an average of 28 hydrogen bonds per simulation box, effectively capping sites where carbocations normally form.
A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.
A new plant-based hydrogel has been developed to tackle the problem of metallic zinc growing needle-like dendrites that short-circuit cells within a few hundred cycles. The cellulose-nanofiber dual network boosts ion flow and mechanical strength, delivering a cheap and biodegradable electrolyte.
A data-rich review suggests that forest biological resources can offset up to 750 gigatonnes of CO₂ by mid-century if processing efficiency rises and green premiums fall. Engineered beams, biochar, and bioethanol can store carbon for decades, offering a 74% lifecycle GHG cut versus gasoline.
The wood exhibits superhydrophobicity even after mechanical abuse, chemical attacks, and UV exposure, with water absorption reducing from 64% to 7%. The process is cost-effective, uses no fluorine, and can be applied to six species of timber.
Researchers have discovered a zero-cost solution to reverse desertification by using food waste nanocellulose extracted from pineapple peels. The material cuts water leakage by 90% and triples phosphate retention, offering a more sustainable alternative to expensive hydrogels.
A Chinese group has developed a single sheet of modified paper pulp that can cut oxygen levels by 99% and change color when food is spoiled. The cellulose film uses a combination of dialdehyde protein cross-linking and curcumin to kill bacteria and monitor freshness.
Researchers achieved hydroxyl groups esterification and lignin dissolution through a two-hour pyridine-benzoyl chloride bath. The resulting fibers became photobleaching and stable under accelerated weathering, with a 15-unit ΔE* swing and 96% plunge in tensile strength.
The smart bamboo glass exhibits record tensile strength, flexibility, and impact toughness while retaining high visible-light transmission. Annual HVAC savings range from 1.6% to 5.58%, reducing global-warming potential by 35% and human-toxicity indicators by 40-60%.
Researchers developed a composite hydrogel that integrates antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative functions to promote faster wound closure. The hydrogel demonstrated over 98% antibacterial efficacy and improved fibroblast and endothelial cell growth.
Researchers developed a gravity-driven biochar microreactor from rattan, achieving ultrahigh flux and complete degradation of common pollutants. The system activated peroxymonosulfate through a non-radical pathway, with boundary-like defects as primary active sites.
Researchers transform corn stover into microbial lipids using alkaline storage, gentle steam, and squeeze detoxification. The process delivers high sugar recovery and lipid content, reducing water demand by one-third compared to conventional methods.
Scientists have developed an end-to-end microbial process converting renewable plant oils into sustainable polyesters comparable to petroleum-based plastics. The two-step process achieved record-setting yields and productivity, paving the way for a scalable and environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers show low-molecular-weight kraft lignin restores insulin sensitivity and slashes blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The fractionation process is simple, scalable, and cost-effective, positioning lignin as a renewable and non-toxic active ingredient for functional foods or therapies.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
A new study reveals how Moso bamboo degrades under fluctuating hygrothermal conditions, causing dramatic fluctuations in mass, dimensions, and appearance. Machine learning was integrated to predict changes in compressive strength and color difference with high accuracy.
Researchers found that freeze-drying preserves sulfoethylated kraft lignin's functional integrity, maintaining charge density, solubility, and sulfonic acid groups. Oven drying compromised performance, triggering chemical changes that reduced solubility and increased glass transition temperature.
A discarded ornamental shrub can now power electric buses thanks to a new material that triples the energy density of previous devices. The material, called PHAC, shows high surface area and mesopore volume, enabling rapid ion transport and long cycle life.
A new fiber with a sponge-like interior offers improved thermal management and durability. The fiber's phase-change core absorbs and releases heat slowly, maintaining comfort in extreme temperatures.
A new study finds that retrofitting young coal plants to co-fire biomass and capture up to 99% of resulting CO2 could eliminate 1.6 billion tonnes of emissions annually by 2040. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) could deliver between 30 and 780 gigatonnes of cumulative CO2 removal this century.