Scientists have developed “living plastics” that can be programmed to break themselves down when triggered.…
Browsing: Plastic
Plastic is a versatile class of synthetic materials made primarily from polymers, which are long chains of molecules derived from petrochemicals or, increasingly, from bio-based sources. Since its widespread adoption in the 20th century, plastic has revolutionized industries from packaging and construction to healthcare and electronics due to its durability, light weight, and low cost. However, its persistence in the environment has also made it a symbol of modern pollution, prompting intense scientific focus on recycling technologies, biodegradable alternatives, and the ecological impact of microplastics. Research into plastic now spans materials science, environmental studies, and public health, reflecting both its utility and its challenges.
Hawaii researchers are testing whether plastic waste and abandoned fishing nets can be safely reused…
A newly developed bacterial cellulose manufacturing technique could lead to strong, multifunctional materials capable of…
Scientists are exploring a method to convert plastic waste into fuels and valuable chemicals using…
Researchers found that a bacterium from kimchi can bind and help expel nanoplastics from the…
The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for the elimination of plastic pollution by 2030.…
A long-standing chemistry challenge has been solved with the synthesis of a five-atom silicon aromatic…
Vineyard waste may hold the key to replacing plastic packaging. The demand for biodegradable packaging…
Tiny plastic particles may be quietly reshaping microbial life in drinking water systems. Nanoplastics already…
A low-cost industrial metal just proved it can beat platinum at recycling plastic and powering…
Scientists are turning to milk proteins, starch, and nanoclay to create biodegradable plastics that break…
Researchers have mapped the molecular changes that unfold as sunlight causes plastics to leach dissolved…
Rutgers scientists have developed plastics that can be programmed to break down at specific rates…
New research reveals that chemicals in common plastics may quietly trigger lifelong health problems. Exposure…
Researchers at Cambridge have developed a solar-powered device that imitates photosynthesis to turn CO2, sunlight,…
Scientists have found a clean, low-energy way to recycle Teflon using only sodium and motion.…
A newly discovered enzyme motif reveals how ocean microbes are evolving to digest plastic, potentially…
Using it regularly introduces tens of thousands of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the body…