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Biodegradable microsensors for food monitoring

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created biocompatible microsensors made from magnesium wire and compostable polymer for temperature measurement in food products. The sensors are thin, flexible, and can function for up to 67 days before dissolving, making them suitable for monitoring fish shipments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 28, 2017

3-D printing customized vascular stents

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed flexible, biodegradable stents that can be customized for a patient's specific anatomy using 3D printing techniques. The stents are designed to minimize complications and improve healing processes in blood vessels.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateOct 10, 2016

How brick-makers can help butt out litter

Researchers at RMIT University have discovered that fired-clay bricks infused with just 1% cigarette butt content can significantly reduce energy needs, cut costs, and minimize environmental pollution. This innovative solution has the potential to offset global cigarette production and tackle the growing problem of littering.

SourceRMIT University·JournalWaste Management·DateMay 23, 2016

Flexible, biodegradable device can generate power from touch (video)

Scientists have developed a biodegradable nanogenerator made with DNA that can capture and convert everyday motion into electrical power. The flexible device has been successfully tested, lighting up multiple LEDs with gentle tapping, and offers a promising solution for reducing e-waste and increasing portable electronics' battery life.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 12, 2015

Biodegradable, flexible silicon transistors

Researchers developed a biodegradable silicon transistor using cellulose nanofibrillated fiber substrate, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional silicon-based transistors. The device exhibited superior performance and microwave-frequency operation capabilities comparable to existing semiconductor transistors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 30, 2015

Therapeutic eye injections may be needed less often

Researchers have created a new drug-delivery strategy using a biodegradable coating that prolongs the effectiveness of an eye medication for macular degeneration. This innovation could significantly reduce the frequency of injections needed, potentially changing the standard of care from monthly to once or twice a year.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBiomaterials·DateAug 19, 2013

Bioglass helping to mend bones

Researchers at UPV/EHU have created a biodegradable polymer/bioglass composite system that can help mend broken bones. The addition of bioglass to the polymer improves its mechanical properties, but it also reduces thermal stability, which could lead to degradation and harm to cells.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalPolymer Degradation and Stability·DateApr 2, 2013

Biodegradable mulches successfully control weeds in container-grown arborvitae

A new study by Italian scientists shows that biodegradable mulches can effectively control weeds in container-grown arborvitae, with results comparable to chemical herbicides. The researchers found no impact on substrate temperature or water content, and noted that transpiration is the main component of water loss from these plants.

A biological solution to animal pandemics

A new type of matting developed by ECOPROMAT project uses natural materials to create an environmentally-friendly solution for protecting against contagious animal diseases. The matting is highly absorbent, biodegradable, and affordable, making it a significant cost-saving alternative to synthetic mats.

SourceEUREKA·DateSep 24, 2010

Measuring the stability of organic waste

Researchers developed a method to measure the stability of organic waste using respiration indices, which can predict biodegradable content and facilitate efficient treatment facility design. The study applies this methodology to various types of organic wastes, including food and garden waste, municipal solid waste, and sludge.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMar 29, 2010

'Edible optics' could make food safer

Scientists at Tufts University have demonstrated a new class of sensors combining nanoscale optics with biological readout functions, enabling biocompatible and biodegradable sensing technology. The developed silk-based optical elements can be used to detect harmful levels of bacteria in food and monitor glucose in the blood.

SourceTufts University·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateAug 7, 2008

A new generation of medicinal products

Researchers have created a new generation of medicinal products using biodegradable materials, allowing for controlled release and reduced side effects. The novel synthetic process enables the production of diverse polymers, increasing the chances of finding an appropriate excipient for various active substances.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 17, 2007

Biodegradable plastic that imitates bacteria

Cornell researchers have developed a highly efficient chemical route to produce the biodegradable polymer poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate), which has potential applications in various industries. The discovery is a significant breakthrough in creating sustainable materials, with the potential to replace traditional plastics.

Improved biodegradable hydrogels

Researchers have created biodegradable hydrogels that can deliver medications, anchor biological tissues, and even serve as gene therapy carriers. The new materials have controlled release profiles and can be tailored to suit specific medication needs.