Articles tagged with Plastics
Scientists from UNH and SwRI report that lightweight materials like plastics provide effective shielding against the radiation hazards faced by astronauts during extended space travel. This finding could help reduce health risks to humans on future missions into deep space.
Scientists are working to reduce ocean pollution from microplastics, tiny bits of plastic that can harm marine ecosystems. Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have developed biodegradable microbeads made from naturally occurring compounds called PHAs, which break down quickly in water and wastewater treatment plants.
A recent study by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has mapped out areas of deep-sea debris in the ocean, revealing a significant accumulation of trash in Monterey Canyon. The researchers found that plastic bags and metal objects were the most common types of debris, with many pieces smothering or choking marine life.
A new system of inflatable sound absorbers can modify a performance hall's acoustics to accommodate various musical styles, such as classical and rock. The technology has been shown to lower reverberation times by up to 45% in relevant frequency bands.
Researchers found a correlation between dietary exposure to DEHP phthalate and elevated systolic blood pressure in children. The study suggests that environmental factors may contribute to the increasing prevalence of childhood hypertension, alongside obesity.
A KAIST research team developed in vivo silicon-based flexible large scale integrated circuits for bio-medical wireless communication. The devices were monolithically encapsulated with biocompatible liquid crystal polymers and demonstrated stable operation in live rats.
Researchers at Queen's University have developed a new smartphone called MorePhone that can visually signal incoming notifications, reducing the likelihood of missed messages. The device uses a thin, flexible display and shape memory alloy wires to create visual cues, such as bending corners to convey different types of messages.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new chemical process that transforms waste sulfur into a lightweight plastic, which may improve batteries for electric cars and other applications. The new plastic has great promise as something that can be produced easily and inexpensively on an industrial scale.
Researchers found 85% of collected particles in Lake Erie were smaller than two-tenths of an inch, with 1.5-1.7 million per square mile. Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes may be even worse than in oceans due to their large volume.
University of Michigan engineers create thin-layer, conducting, highly aligned film for high-performance plastic electronics by designing semiconducting polymers with natural twist and flexible arms. This breakthrough enables faster charge carrier mobility and could lead to cheaper, greener electronics.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a process to recycle old milk jugs into plastic filament for 3D printing, reducing energy consumption and costs. The open-source RecycleBot process uses free software and low-cost materials to produce usable plastic filament.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have invented a circuit that makes packaging test possible, reducing food waste by estimating freshness. The ultra-low-cost plastic circuits have numerous potential uses, including pharmaceuticals.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have created a method to generate bone cells on nanoscale surfaces, opening up new opportunities for bone repair therapies. The research used human embryonic stem cells cultured on plastic materials with nanotopographical patterns, without chemical enhancement.
Artificial bone created using stem cells and lightweight plastic can heal shattered limbs by encouraging real bone growth. The implant's honeycomb structure allows blood to flow through it, supporting the attachment of patient-derived stem cells.
A Case Western Reserve University researcher is creating ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with embedded magnetic nanoparticles to monitor degradation and wear. The goal is to make implants more resistant to the environment inside the body.
Research finds that exposure to certain plastics and hydrocarbons can cause reproductive diseases and obesity in descendants, leading to epigenetic inheritance. The study identifies nearly 200 molecular markers for exposure and disease, paving the way for diagnostic tools and new therapies.
A UC Irvine study reveals that low-dose exposure to the chemical tributyltin during pregnancy can lead to obesity in offspring and great-grandchildren, affecting gene expression and fat accumulation. The findings suggest permanent effects without subsequent exposure, highlighting the risks of endocrine-disrupting compounds.
Research highlights the adverse effects of plastics on human health, including endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA and DEHP. Biodegradable plastics are not without risk, while recycling poses environmental challenges.
Researchers at TUM developed a cost-effective process to improve CMOS sensor performance using ultra-thin organic films. Spray-coating was found to be the most effective method, resulting in up to three times more sensitivity to light than conventional sensors.
Researchers engineered blue-green algae to grow chemical precursors for fuels and plastics, a step towards replacing fossil fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to obtain a quarter of industrial chemicals from biological processes by 2025.
Scientists discovered a previously unrecognized degradation process in silicone-urethane plastics used in medical devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. The plastics break down within 3-6 years under conditions simulating the human body.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has developed flexible, low-voltage electronic circuits using cadmium selenide nanocrystals. The new technology offers improved performance and manufacturing cost compared to traditional silicon-based electronics, enabling potential biomedical and security applications.
The material combines a plastic polymer with nickel particles, allowing it to heal efficiently while maintaining conductivity. The researchers tested the material by cutting it multiple times, finding it could regain up to 75% of its strength within minutes.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati develop a paper-thin plastic screen that can be folded or rolled up repeatedly, eliminating pixel borders. This breakthrough technology uses ambient light to reduce power consumption and enables magazine-quality color displays in foldable e-devices.
Biologists have recorded a significant increase in plastic litter on the seabed of the Arctic deep sea, with quantities doubling over the past decade. The main victims of this contamination are deep-sea inhabitants, which can suffer injuries, impaired breathing, and reduced reproduction due to contact with plastic.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have won a $1.2 million grant to develop technology for mass-producing flexible electronic devices. The team aims to create flexible electronics that can be worn on the skin, foldable devices as thin as plastic wrap, and implantable nerve-stimulating electrodes.
Emory researchers capture decoupling of rotation and movement in glass particles as they approach the glass state. The findings provide a key piece to understanding condensed matter physics.
Researchers are using open-source Arduino microcontrollers and 3D printers to create their own lab equipment, reducing costs by thousands of dollars. This DIY approach is making science more accessible to schools and universities, enabling more discoveries with limited budgets.
A study reveals that charge traps in plastic semiconductors are caused by a similar energy level, allowing for the estimation of expected electron current and design of trap-free materials. This breakthrough has important implications for both plastic LEDs and solar cells.
A study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that people tend to prefer ritual beliefs with repetition and procedural steps, even in the absence of concrete evidence. This suggests that humans have an evolved cognitive system for making sense of the unknown, prioritizing cause-and-effect thinking over logical reasoning.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals substantial increases in plastic pollution along the northern Pacific coast, with 92.5% of beached northern fulmars found to contain plastics
A study found that a simpler lifestyle with fresh foods and limited use of environmental chemicals can reduce exposure to EDCs. Researchers analyzed urine samples from OOM women and compared them to NHANES data, finding lower levels of BPA and phthalates in the former group.
Children with higher phthalate levels have nearly five times the odds of being obese compared to those with lower levels, according to a new study. The research found that elevated DEHP levels correlated with body mass index and percentage of fat mass, increasing obesity risk independently of physical activity and daily calorie intake.
University of Utah physicists created a spintronic device that uses MEH-PPV plastic paint to detect magnetic fields, showing exceptional impact in real-world applications. The new magnetometer can accurately measure fields ranging from weak to strong, with potential consumer products on the market in three years or less.
Scientists have developed a new technology to mass-produce high-precision molds for making tiny plastic components using bulk metallic glasses. The components can be used in computer memory devices, microscale testing kits, and chemical reactors with microscopic surface patterns.
Scientists at Linköping University have developed a method to precisely control the threshold voltage of plastic transistors, a crucial property for their use in logic circuits. By modifying the gate electrode material, they were able to reduce the threshold voltage by up to 0.9V.
A new study reveals a 100-fold surge in small plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean Subtropical Gyre, altering marine habitats and changing natural ecosystems. The influx of plastic has led to an increase in sea skater egg densities, potentially affecting animals across the food web.
Researchers found that fetal exposure to BPA increases mammary bud density and advances gland development in rhesus macaques, increasing breast cancer risk. The primate study supports rodent models as a reliable method for studying BPA's effects on human health.
Chemical engineers at UMass Amherst have discovered a new method to produce p-xylene with an efficient yield of 75%, using most of the biomass feedstock. The process creates the same chemical used in petroleum-based plastics, but from renewable biomass sources.
Researchers discovered wind pushes lightweight plastics below ocean surface, potentially vastly underestimating total plastic amounts. A new model can be used to collect more accurate data in the future.
Scientists have developed a way to reuse expensive enzymes used in laundry detergents hundreds of times, opening the door for new eco-friendly laundry products. The reusable enzyme-coated plastic flakes and strips could make cheaper detergents more effective.
A team of researchers has proposed standardised guidelines for the recording and characterisation of microplastic particles in the sea. By analysing 68 scientific publications, they found that the results are difficult to compare due to varying methods used. However, they discovered that using a net with a mesh of 85 micrometres can fi...
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to produce customized carbon fibers from polyethylene, with potential applications in filtration, catalysis, and energy harvesting. The process allows for tailoring of surface contour and filament diameter, enabling the creation of fibers with unique properties.
Scientists have developed a new type of plastic that can repair scratches and cuts, changing color to warn of damage and healing itself when exposed to light. This self-healing plastic has potential applications in products such as cell phones, laptops, and cars, offering advantages over traditional plastics
Researchers at the Public University of Navarre have designed and manufactured composite PVC materials with enhanced thermal stability based on nanofillings. These materials can improve photostability, thermal resistance, and gas permeation properties.
Researchers find high concentrations of heavy metals and restricted brominated flame retardants in mixed plastics from disassembled electrical and electronic equipment. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing strict quality management to prevent substance release into the environment or new products.
Researchers found that female mice exposed to very high doses of phthalates develop significant reproductive alterations and precancerous lesions as they grow up. The study provides new insights into how these chemicals affect developing female reproductive systems, with the potential for long-term health effects.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that squeezed polymers can generate significant amounts of energy for chemical reactions. However, they also found that certain polymer-based medical implants release harmful free radicals under moderate pressure, raising concerns about their safety.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully created two-dimensional polymers for the first time using a novel synthesis method. The resulting 'molecular carpets' have potential applications in filtering tiny molecules and could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties.
Researchers develop a novel method for fabricating flexible organic semiconductors using a kitchen gadget-inspired approach. The technique improves the interface between the semiconductor and gate insulator, enhancing electrical performance and durability.
The American Chemical Society revisited key research advances from 2001, including self-healing plastics and carbon-based electronic devices. These discoveries have had lasting impacts on various fields of science.
Researchers develop tiny Stirling engine with a plastic bead that performs work and runs with the same efficiency as a macroscopic heat engine under full load. Microscopic processes cause the machine to run rough due to collisions with surrounding water molecules.
Researchers have developed a promising replacement for plastics using amorphous bulk metallic glass (ABM) alloys. These alloys offer excellent electron emission properties and robust thermal stability, making them suitable for various applications such as field emission devices, electron microscopes, and modern display devices.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a high-tech waterproof coating inspired by the unique texture of the Brazilian fern Salvinia molesta. The coating performs similarly to the plant's hairy surface, which traps air and provides stability in water.
A Norwegian Institute of Public Health study investigates the impact of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes on drinking water quality. The research found that while there are no health risks associated with PEX pipes, certain types may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odor, especially when water remains in the pipes over time.
Researchers have successfully tied molecules into a complex pentafoil knot using self-assembly, expanding the understanding of material properties and potentially leading to new materials with improved properties. The knot is composed of just 160 atoms, approximately 16 nanometers in length.
University of Toronto researchers develop high-efficiency OLEDs on plastic, a less costly alternative to traditional glass-based manufacturing, enabling flexible form factors.
A study by Uppsala University found that Bisphenol A exposure in newborn mice causes permanent changes in brain function, leading to hyperactivity and poor adaptation to new environments. The effect persists into adulthood, affecting the cholinergic signal system.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new type of molecular sieve that can speed up filtration processes and reduce energy consumption. The breakthrough uses ultra-thin zeolite nanosheets to create more efficient separation membranes, promising cost savings in fuel and plastics production.
Researchers at the University of Leeds and Durham University have developed a high-tech 'recipe book' to create new plastics with specific properties. The breakthrough will increase recycling abilities and save industries time, energy, and money.