Articles tagged with Plastics
Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a method for reclaiming polymers in multilayer plastics using solvents. The STRAP process uses thermodynamic calculations to separate polymers and has the potential to close the recycling loop.
Scientists at Swansea University have developed a way to extract carbon atoms from waste plastics and turn them into carbon nanotube format for transmitting electricity. The project aims to create long-range electricity transmission materials from waste plastics, advancing global energy sustainability.
Researchers discovered microplastics on Mount Everest, with highest concentrations near Base Camp but also found high-altitude samples below the summit. The study suggests that high-performance outdoor clothing is a major source of pollution.
A Brazilian company developed a plastic film that eliminates 79.9% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in three minutes and 99.99% in up to 15 minutes, making it a promising material for food packaging protection against the novel coronavirus. The film contains silver and silica nanoparticles and has been successfully tested in laboratory settings.
The four-year project will map the sources of plastic waste, investigate its effects and generate solutions to reduce waste. Researchers will work with governments, businesses and communities to co-design effective ways to cut plastic pollution.
The UKRI programme aims to improve understanding of plastic pollution impacts and develop solutions for cleaner environments. Researchers will investigate various aspects of plastic waste, including its effects on agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, and waste management practices.
The book Mare Plasticum delves into the devastating effects of plastics and microplastics on marine environments. It aims to change society's consciousness towards more responsible behavior, highlighting urgent need for action.
Researchers at USTC develop materials with a hierarchical structure similar to nacre, exhibiting excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. The new materials outperform conventional plastics in terms of strength and toughness, making them a promising alternative for plastic replacement.
A new study found that plastic bottles colonize with diverse bacterial communities, while elevated CO2 levels negatively impact certain species. Researchers warn of the increasing threat posed by plastics and ocean acidification to marine biodiversity.
A team of engineers at Polytechnique Montréal has created a fabric using additive manufacturing that absorbs up to 96% of impact energy without breaking. The innovative design, inspired by spider webs, can be incorporated into glass panels to prevent shattering on impact.
A new study reveals the United States is a top source of plastic pollution in coastal environments, contributing up to 2.25 million metric tons of plastics. The country's high plastic waste generation and lack of effective recycling practices are major contributors to this problem.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed new palladium catalysts for polymerization, enabling the efficient synthesis of isotactic polar polypropylene (iPPP) with high isotacticity. The discovery opens up new possibilities for creating specialty plastics with improved wettability or enhanced degradability.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new method to convert plastic waste into high-quality graphene, offering a potential solution to the global plastic waste crisis. The flash graphene process eliminates much of the expense associated with recycling plastic, making it an economically viable alternative.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in groundwater, which can contaminate drinking water sources and harm ecosystems. The presence of microplastics in groundwater has been linked to increased toxicity and bioaccumulation, posing a significant risk to human health and the environment.
A study from the University of Michigan challenges the notion that plastic packaging is the primary environmental concern, instead revealing that product content often has a greater impact. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing overall consumption and waste management.
A new method transforms waste polyethylene into long-chain alkylaromatic compounds without high temperatures or pressures. The process could pave the way for a circular plastics economy and make non-fossil-based plastics more economically attractive.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a low-energy, one-pot catalytic method to upcycle polyethylene plastic into high-value alkylaromatic molecules. This process creates valuable molecules from waste plastic, making recycling more practical and environmentally beneficial.
An international team led by the University of Exeter and National University of Singapore is investigating plastic pollution in Southeast Asia's marine ecosystems. The three-year project will assess life cycles and impacts on wildlife, identifying solutions to prevent plastic pollution.
A team of engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder has designed a robot inspired by pufferfish to improve drone safety. The PufferBot features an inflatable airbag that can expand in size to prevent dangerous collisions between people and machines.
Researchers at JAIST and U-Tokyo successfully developed a thermodegradable aromatic polymer with the highest heat resistance of all reported plastics, using cellulosic biomass as feedstock. The plastic exhibits superior thermostability over 740°C and is lightweight, making it suitable for circular economy applications.
A team of scientists has developed a first-of-its-kind catalyst that can process polyolefin plastics and produce fuels, solvents, and lubricating oils. The process uses nanoparticle technology and mimics the natural processes by which enzymes break apart macromolecules.
A new study reveals high levels of microplastics are released from infant-feeding bottles when preparing formula, with warmer liquids leading to greater MP release. The researchers developed recommendations to minimize MP release, calling on policymakers to reassess current guidelines for safer bottle use.
A NUS study found that poor outdoor air quality in China drives consumers to use food delivery services, resulting in increased plastic waste from packaging. The study revealed a strong causal link between air pollution and plastic waste, with a 100 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels raising food delivery consumption by 7.2%.
Researchers developed a plastic film containing silver-silica nanoparticles that inactivates the novel coronavirus on contact, reducing SARS-CoV-2 particles by almost 100%. The film is made by Brazilian company Nanox and has been approved as a PPE mask for COVID-19 protection.
A microbiology laboratory in Edinburgh reduces its plastic waste by 43kg per year using re-useable equipment and decontaminating plastic tubes. The team develops a new approach to reduce single-use plastics, saving over £400 and promoting sustainable practices in research labs.
Industry is shifting towards chemical recycling as a solution to tackle the problem of plastics, breaking down them into their building blocks. The process has environmental benefits but also raises concerns about reducing plastic consumption and increasing disposable packaging production.
A new study confirms that plastic pollution is a significant threat to seabirds in the South Pacific Ocean, with globally distributed impacts. The research found that seabirds ingest plastics from distant areas, highlighting the need for urgent solutions to this global problem.
Researchers found that reusable plastic bags are the most eco-friendly option, followed by single-use plastic bags, due to their lower environmental footprint compared to single-use paper and multi-use cotton bags. Reusable plastic bags can be reused over 50 times before becoming environmentally detrimental.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that both traditional and biodegradable glitters can harm freshwater habitats. The presence of glitter reduced root length and chlorophyll levels in water, indicating a negative impact on phytoplankton and aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers quantify total cell inventories under in situ conditions using non-biased visualization methods. The study reveals that about 1 percent of microbial cells in the ocean surface microlayer inhabit plastic debris globally, disrupting native flora and representing a regime shift for these habitats.
Researchers from Cornell University and North Carolina State University are developing 'microcleaners' - self-propelled biomaterials that can capture and decompose microplastics in waterways. The project aims to design inexpensive, non-toxic microsystems to collect and break down microplastic particles.
Researchers at Waseda University developed a novel technique that can produce 3D objects combining both metal and plastic. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for 3D electronics, potentially leading to improved healthcare and nursing care devices.
Researchers aim to quantify tyre particle concentrations in rivers and oceans, exploring their impact on sea life. The TYRE-LOSS project uses advanced techniques to model dispersal and estimate risks to marine life at environmentally relevant concentrations.
A new research project aims to develop a camera-based separation system that can categorize plastic waste according to its specific properties. The technology will increase the quality of recycled plastics and improve traceability, aiming for a purity of at least 96% by polymer type.
Scientists have created a new enzyme 'cocktail' that can digest plastic up to six times faster than existing methods. The combination of two enzymes, PETase and MHETase, breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into its building blocks, enabling recycling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Reusing tableware can significantly reduce plastic waste and emissions from online food deliveries. Silicone reusable tableware offers a promising solution, reducing waste by up to 92% and environmental emissions by more than two-thirds.
Researchers at FSU have made new discoveries on the effects of temperature on sustainable polymers, which may help produce environmentally friendly plastics. The team found that certain polymers crystallize in unusual ways when cooled, leading to increased toughness and potential applications for sustainable plastic production.
Researchers in China have designed a nanogenerator that captures light breezes, generating electricity through the triboelectric effect. The device can power small electronic devices and is suitable for nature reserves or cities, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional wind turbines.
Researchers estimate 24-34 million metric tonnes of plastic enter aquatic ecosystems annually, with efforts needed to reduce 8 million tonnes. A transformation of the plastics economy is crucial, requiring 25-40% reduction in production, improved waste collection and management, and cleanup of 40% of emissions.
A new study finds that global plastic emissions may exceed reduction targets by 2030, requiring a fundamental transformation of the plastics economy. To mitigate this issue, experts suggest reducing unnecessary plastics, establishing global limits for new production, and improving waste management.
Researchers at Michigan Tech and the University of Illinois are working on a project to convert plastic waste into protein powder and lubricants using chemical and high heat deconstruction. The team aims to develop a system that can break down plastic quickly, producing nutritional supplements and fuel.
A new study reveals that microfibers from synthetic clothing released during washing exceed the amount entering waterbodies, with approximately 176,500 metric tons released annually. The majority ends up on cropland, highlighting the need for emission prevention and reduced wastewater treatment.
Researchers are exploring the use of recycled plastic pins to repair deep-seated failures on embankments and areas around highway bridges. The pins provide stabilization and reduce costs by more than 50%, while also testing the feasibility of using just a moisture barrier for slope stabilization.
Removing marine plastic litter from Aldabra Atoll could cost US $4.68 million and require 18,000 hours of labour. The study highlights the economic burden on small island states to protect their marine ecosystems.
A research project at Friedrich Schiller University Jena aims to develop recyclable plastic materials that can be recycled and reused. The team, led by Prof. Ulrich S. Schubert, plans to study fibre-reinforced materials and nanocomposites with potential applications in aircraft, tennis rackets, and other industries.
A chemist from RUDN University created a green catalyst based on plant waste that reduces palladium consumption in cross-coupling reactions by up to half. The new catalyst is also reusable without decreasing efficiency, making it economically and environmentally friendly.
A new quantitative method assesses the effects of ingested plastics on individual and population levels in sea turtles, potentially impacting growth, reproduction, and survival. The study demonstrates a crucial step towards conservation and mitigating the negative effects of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a novel way for bacteria to produce ethylene gas, a crucial chemical in plastics manufacturing. This breakthrough could lead to new methods for producing plastics sustainably, replacing fossil fuels.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed polymer materials that combine self-healing with strength and recyclability. The materials were produced using planetary ball-milling, a method that efficiently mixed host and guest polymers, resulting in tough, self-healable, and recyclable supramolecular materials.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that two-thirds of the plastic put into use in the US in 2017 were used for other purposes, including electronics and furniture. The overall recycling rate for plastics in the US is slightly lower than previous estimates, at 8%.
Scientists at Nagoya University found that a thin top layer of azobenzene-containing plastic film needs to be light-sensitive to induce movement. The discovery could lead to cost reductions and revolutionize the material's use in various industries.
A new study reveals that plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the stomach oil of seabirds like northern fulmars, potentially affecting their health over extended periods. The research highlights the importance of reducing plastic pollution in our oceans and dealing with waste responsibly.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the mass of microplastics in the upper waters of the Atlantic Ocean is approximately 12-21 million tonnes. This figure surpasses previous estimates and suggests a substantial underestimation of plastic waste entering the ocean over the past 65 years.
Researchers detect plastic contamination in every sample analyzed using mass spectrometry, with bisphenol A found in all 47 human samples. The study provides the first array of methods for examining monomer, nano- and microplastic occurrence in human organs from individuals with a known history of environmental exposure.
A team of researchers from China has developed a sustainable, ultra-strong and transparent film made from living bacteria. The film, inspired by nacre, exhibits unique optical properties and excellent mechanical strength, making it a potential substitute for plastics in packaging and electronics.
A new study by the University of Exeter and Cefas highlights the potential risks of microplastics carrying pathogens, which could threaten food production and safety. The research found high levels of bacteria on microplastic particles, including those that can cause disease in humans and animals.
A new study found that five different types of seafood - oysters, prawns, squid, crabs, and sardines - contain plastic, with varying levels of pollution. The research used a newly developed method to identify and measure five different plastic types, revealing surprising differences in the amount of plastic present among species.
UC Riverside engineers develop a process to transform PET plastic into a nanomaterial useful for energy storage. The breakthrough reduces plastic pollution and could lower battery costs, enabling the widespread adoption of electric cars by 2040.
Researchers measured pollutants in stranded dolphins and whales to understand their impact on ocean life. The study found high levels of mercury and arsenic in some species, highlighting the need for marine mammal stranding response efforts.
A new study by the University of Exeter and others found that surface clean-up devices will not solve the ocean plastic problem, but could be more effective when used with river barriers. The research estimates that floating plastic will peak at over 860,000 metric tonnes by 2052.