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An alternative to BPA passes toxicity and sustainability standards set by EU innovation guidelines

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have identified three bisphenols with negligible estrogenic effects, suitable for replacing BPA in consumer products. The safe and sustainable alternatives are made from renewable resources and demonstrate thermal stability and mechanical properties comparable to BPA-based plastics.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalNature Sustainability·DateDec 4, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Key to chemical industries’ sustainable future? The world’s first industrial model of a flow photo-on-demand synthesis system

A new flow photo-on-demand synthesis system using chloroform as a precursor has been successfully developed by researchers at Kobe University. The system achieves high conversion rates and can synthesize various chemical products continuously in large quantities, offering a safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to...

SourceKobe University·JournalOrganic Process Research & Development·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

World’s first “green” synthesis of plastics from CO2

A team of researchers has successfully synthesized polycarbonate diols from carbon dioxide and diol at atmospheric pressure using a CeO2 catalyst. This process eliminates the need for dehydrating agents, producing only water as a by-product, making it an attractive alternative to existing methods.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021

Sub-surface imaging technology can expose counterfeit travel documents

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology has been successfully used to distinguish between legitimate and counterfeit travel documents. The study found that OCT can perform quantitative, non-destructive, high-resolution sub-surface analysis of multi-layered identification documents with a high imaging throughput and density.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalScience & Justice·DateFeb 2, 2021

New study finds folding graphene significantly enhances mechanical performance

Researchers found that folding graphene significantly enhances its mechanical properties, leading to increased stiffness, strength, and toughness in polymer composites. The folded structure can sustain larger bending forces compared to stacked layers, making it an efficient strategy for incorporating large-area monolayer graphene films.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 14, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Texas A&M AgriLife study shows BPA risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease

A recent Texas A&M AgriLife study reveals that dietary exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA) can increase mortality and worsen symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers found BPA altered gut microbial amino acid metabolism, leading to increased inflammation and reduced compound production related to serotonin breakdown.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalSAGE Open·DateJul 5, 2018

Engineers create new architecture for vaporizable electronics

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new transient electronics architecture that can remotely vaporize itself, offering benefits for data protection and environmental monitoring. The technology uses radio waves to trigger a thermal reaction, releasing chemicals that decompose the electronics.

SourceCornell University·DateJan 24, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

When life gives you lemons, make bioplastics!

A team of chemists developed a method to produce polycarbonates from limonene and CO2, replacing bisphenol-A (BPA) as a precursor. This bioplastic production approach reduces toxicity and offers a sustainable alternative for various industries.

SourceInstitute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)·JournalACS Catalysis·DateJul 14, 2017

Dialysis membrane made from graphene filters more quickly

MIT engineers have developed a functional graphene-based dialysis membrane that filters nanometer-sized molecules at an unprecedented rate. The membrane, made from a single layer of carbon atoms, separates molecules quickly due to its exceptional diffusion properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 29, 2017

Scientists make plastic from sugar and carbon dioxide

Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a new process to make polycarbonate plastic from sugars and carbon dioxide, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The resulting plastic is biodegradable, bio-compatible, and can be used for medical implants or as scaffolds for growing tissues or organs.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPolymer Chemistry·DateJun 13, 2017

Scripps Research Institute chemists uncover powerful new click chemistry reactivity

Researchers have developed a powerful new reactivity called SuFEx that enables the creation of stable, non-polar linkers for making drugs, diagnostics, and smart materials. The breakthrough opens up vast numbers of new molecules for production, with potential applications in fields such as drug discovery, biology, and materials science.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateAug 14, 2014

Selenium suppresses staph on implant material

Researchers at Brown University found that selenium nanoparticles can reduce Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on implant materials by up to 90%. The coating is more effective than current silver-based alternatives, which are less biocompatible and expensive.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateJun 21, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study finds failure points in firefighter protective equipment

Researchers discovered that temperatures and heat fluxes exceeding polycarbonate performance limits can cause lens degradation, exposing firefighters to toxic gases and burns. The study aims to inform efforts to improve the match between standard requirements and real-life conditions.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateDec 6, 2011

At long last, new plastics for baby bottles, shopping bags, and much more

Scientists have developed new, eco-friendly plastics that outperform traditional polycarbonate materials in terms of heat resistance and biodegradability. These innovative plastics are set to replace BPA-containing plastics in baby bottles, shopping bags, and other products.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 21, 2011

Research shows 'BPA-free' bottles live up to manufacturers' claims

A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that stainless steel- and/or co-polyester lined-aluminum bottles did not release BPA, while aluminum bottles with epoxy-based resins showed variable contamination. However, boiling water increased BPA migration from epoxy-lined bottles.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalChemosphere·DateJul 11, 2011

Used football faceshields are susceptible to breaking on impact

Researchers found that game-worn football faceshields are more susceptible to breaking than new ones, especially when subjected to lower forces of impact. The study recommends routine inspection and replacement of used faceshields to prevent potential eye injuries.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Optometry·DateMay 23, 2011

The fungus among us: A new way of decomposing BPA-containing plastic

Researchers pretreated polycarbonate with UV light and heat before exposing it to three types of fungi, including the white-rot fungus. The fungi broke down the plastic, using its BPA as energy, resulting in substantial decomposition without releasing toxic chemicals.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJul 28, 2010
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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BPA, chemical used to make plastics, found to leach from polycarbonate drinking bottles into humans

A new Harvard study found that drinking from polycarbonate bottles increased urinary BPA levels by 69%, suggesting that these containers release the chemical into liquid consumed in sufficient amounts. The study suggests that heating liquids in polycarbonate bottles may further increase BPA leaching.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 21, 2009

Inexpensive plastic used in CDs could improve aircraft, computer electronics

University of Houston researchers have developed highly conductive nanocomposites using polycarbonate and carbon nanotubes, improving the integrity of electronics in aircraft, computers, and iPhones. The findings could lead to antistatic coatings and electromagnetic interference shields, increasing device lifespan and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 15, 2009

DVDs and CD-ROMs that thwart global warming

Researchers have discovered innovative ways to create polycarbonate plastics from carbon dioxide, which could lead to the production of more affordable, safer, and environmentally friendly products. The new process has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by trapping CO2 in plastics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateApr 8, 2008