Study shows plastics disrupting metabolism of lung and liver cells

Though we have much to learn about the health impacts of exposure to tiny plastic particles, studies continue to shed important light on how they might behave in the human body. The latest findings in this space center on liver and lung cells, which la… Continue reading Study shows plastics disrupting metabolism of lung and liver cells

“Net negative” system converts captured CO2 into plastic precursor

Engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have developed a device that can efficiently convert captured carbon dioxide into ethylene, a plastic precursor material. When run using renewable energy, the technique could make for net negative e… Continue reading “Net negative” system converts captured CO2 into plastic precursor

X-ray laser converts plastic into diamonds, recreating Uranus rain

Scientists have turned plastic into diamonds. Using high-powered lasers, the team zapped samples of PET, the common material used in plastic bottles, to produce intense heat and pressure to form tiny diamonds that may naturally rain down on planets lik… Continue reading X-ray laser converts plastic into diamonds, recreating Uranus rain

New process converts old PLA plastic into a better 3D-printing resin

Although plant-based polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic is acclaimed for its biodegradability, it can take quite a long time to degrade if the conditions aren’t quite right. Bearing this fact in mind, Washington State University scientists have devised a… Continue reading New process converts old PLA plastic into a better 3D-printing resin

MIT’s silk capsules aim to take a bite out of microplastic pollution

Microplastics are a growing environmental problem, but a new study could help cut out a decent chunk of them. The authors showed that silk could be a biodegradable replacement for microbeads and plastic particles that are often added to cosmetics, pain… Continue reading MIT’s silk capsules aim to take a bite out of microplastic pollution

Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Plastics are tough and versatile materials, which is great when they’re in use but not so good when they end up in the environment. Scientists at EPFL have now developed a new PET-like plastic material derived from waste plant matter that can be chemic… Continue reading Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Bioplastic made with vanilla bean extract self-destructs under UV light

Plastic is infamous for its ability to persist in the environment for many years, and while alternatives made from biomass may well address this issue, they don’t always offer the same performance during use. Scientists have created a new form of biopl… Continue reading Bioplastic made with vanilla bean extract self-destructs under UV light

First microplastics discovered in freshly fallen Antarctic snow

The ongoing discovery of microplastics in remote, seemingly pristine corners of the world continues to add important detail to a troubling picture of widespread pollution, and the latest finding takes the threat into new terrain. In freshly fallen snow… Continue reading First microplastics discovered in freshly fallen Antarctic snow