Tough new pineapple leather is 60X stronger than other materials

In a breakthrough for bio-based materials, scientists have made leather from the fibers of discarded pineapple leaves that’s comparable to the real thing and also outperforms other existing plant products. The strong and sustainable material, which com… Continue reading Tough new pineapple leather is 60X stronger than other materials

Plastic embedded with plastic-eating spores is degradable – and tougher

Scientists have demonstrated a creative solution to plastic pollution, one of our most pressing environmental problems. Plastic was embedded with spores of plastic-eating bacteria that are activated when dumped in landfill, biodegrading 90% of the mate… Continue reading Plastic embedded with plastic-eating spores is degradable – and tougher

Video: Eco-friendlier offshore fish farm sinks to ride out storms

A new type of submersible fish farm could make aquaculture operations much more eco-friendly. The storm-resistant structure is designed to stay out in the deep, cold waters of the open ocean, where it should have less environmental impact than shore-ad… Continue reading Video: Eco-friendlier offshore fish farm sinks to ride out storms

Novel coating repels limescale to improve thermal power plant efficiency

Limescale buildup in thermal power plants due to the use of hot water can substantially affect efficiency, prompting researchers to develop a novel soft hydrogel-based surface coating that repels limescale crystals and prevents them from adhering.Conti… Continue reading Novel coating repels limescale to improve thermal power plant efficiency

Novel coating repels limescale to improve thermal power plant efficiency

Limescale buildup in thermal power plants due to the use of hot water can substantially affect efficiency, prompting researchers to develop a novel soft hydrogel-based surface coating that repels limescale crystals and prevents them from adhering.Conti… Continue reading Novel coating repels limescale to improve thermal power plant efficiency

‘Super gut’ made from superworm’s microbiome devours problem plastics

The unique gut microbiome found within a tiny plastics-munching worm could potentially be harnessed to successfully break down problematic materials on a large scale.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: NTU, Plastic, Biodegradable, Sustainability, En… Continue reading ‘Super gut’ made from superworm’s microbiome devours problem plastics

Plant-based glue bonds even better when placed underwater

Getting glue to stick in dry conditions is relatively easy, but having it maintain a bond underwater is much more difficult. That said, a new bio-based glue not only works underwater, it actually gets stronger when immersed.Continue ReadingCategory: Ma… Continue reading Plant-based glue bonds even better when placed underwater

CRISPR tweaks tree genetics to make paper more suastainably

Conventional breeding of trees takes time, but CRISPR gene editing should help speed things up. Now, scientists at North Carolina State University have used CRISPR to adjust the genomes of poplar trees to make them easier to turn into paper products.Co… Continue reading CRISPR tweaks tree genetics to make paper more suastainably

LionGlass boasts 10x the strength of regular glass, greener production

Despite its many advantages, glass has one major Achilles’ heel – it’s brittle. Now, engineers at Penn State have developed LionGlass, a new type of the material that’s not only 10 times more damage resistant, but requires significantly less energy to … Continue reading LionGlass boasts 10x the strength of regular glass, greener production

Light-activated concrete scrubs air pollution out of traffic tunnels

Traffic is among the biggest sources of air pollution, but what if the very roads they drive on could help clear the air? Engineers in Korea have now demonstrated that photocatalytic concrete can help reduce pollution in tunnels.Continue ReadingCategor… Continue reading Light-activated concrete scrubs air pollution out of traffic tunnels