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A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic

Engineered bacteria can produce a plastic modifier that makes renewably sourced plastic more processable, more fracture-resistant and highly biodegradable even in seawater. The Kobe University development provides a platform ...

New polymers show interaction with cells

A new development in biomedical research could open the door to a variety of new applications: Scientists at the University of Bayreuth have found that certain polymers, called polyanions, can penetrate cells in a unique ...

New hydrogel can stretch to 15 times its original size

A team of molecular engineers at Tsinghua University, in China, has developed a new type of hydrogel that can stretch to 15 times its original size and then snap back to its original form. In their study, published in the ...

Hitting this stretchy, electronic material makes it tougher

Accidents happen every day, and if you drop your smartwatch, or it gets hit really hard, the device probably won't work anymore. But now, researchers report on a soft, flexible material with "adaptive durability," meaning ...

Transforming wood waste for sustainable manufacturing

Lignin, a complex organic polymer, is one of the main components of wood, providing structural support and rigidity to make trees strong enough to withstand the elements. When transforming wood into paper, lignin is a key ...

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Polymers
More than 16,000 chemicals can be found in plastic, and many are harmful: Report
Polymers
A new approach to producing high-performance plastics from agricultural waste
Polymers
Advancing tissue engineering with shape memory hydrogels
Polymers
Paper coating biomaterials derived from anaerobic granular sludge may be cost-effective
Polymers
Scientists reveal molecular mysteries to control silica scaling in water treatment
Polymers
Successful synthesis of helical conductive polymers with circular polarization activity in response to magnetic fields
Polymers
Bright and tough: A material that heals itself and glows
Polymers
Polymer science team develops additive that can 'upcycle' a wide range of plastics
Polymers
Quick-drying polymer may be key to more energy-efficient buildings
Polymers
Solar-driven green synthesis of epoxides
Polymers
Plastic recycling: Peptide with a cobalt complex oxidizes polystyrene microparticles
Polymers
Coordination polymer crystals show promise as new generation of light sources for industry, medicine
Biochemistry
Scientists create method to bond hydrogels and other polymeric materials using chitosan
Polymers
Researchers develop coral-tentacle-inspired antifouling membrane spacer
Polymers
How bananas can be used to fight the plastic waste crisis
Polymers
Advanced artificial photosynthesis catalyst uses CO₂ more efficiently to create biodegradable plastics
Polymers
Exploring the effect of ring closing on fluorescence of supramolecular polymers
Polymers
Researchers develop eco-friendly 'magnet' to battle microplastics
Biochemistry
Team demonstrates fabrication method to construct 3D structures that mimic bone microstructure
Polymers
New process allows full recovery of starting materials from tough polymer composites

Other news

Bio & Medicine
Researchers create nanomembrane to increase reaction rate in chemical production
Analytical Chemistry
Researchers realize hydrogen formation by contact electrification of water microdroplets and its regulation
Earth Sciences
Amazonia's fire crises: Emergency fire bans insufficient, strategic action needed before next burning season
Evolution
Instinct for 'fight or flight' may be much older than we thought
Molecular & Computational biology
Capturing DNA origami folding with a new dynamic model
Cell & Microbiology
Researchers reveal a hidden trait in Mycobacterium genomes governing stress adaptation
Condensed Matter
Scientists experimentally observe current-driven antiskyrmion sliding
Evolution
Scientists construct organo-phosphatic shells of brachiopods
Astronomy
Researchers investigate three star-forming regions, identify hundreds young stellar objects
Bio & Medicine
New device harnesses sweat power for fitness trackers
Molecular & Computational biology
Researchers crack mystery of swirling vortexes in egg cells
Biotechnology
Researchers train a bank of AI models to identify memory formation signals in the brain
Earth Sciences
Ice age climate analysis reduces worst-case warming expected from rising CO₂
Planetary Sciences
James Webb Space Telescope data pinpoint possible aurorae on a cold brown dwarf
Social Sciences
Researchers find lower grades given to students with surnames that come later in alphabetical order
Ecology
Soil bacteria link their life strategies to soil conditions: Study
General Physics
Vibrations of granular materials: Theoretical physicists shed light on an everyday scientific mystery
Nanophysics
Atom-by-atom: Imaging structural transformations in 2D materials
Nanophysics
Two-dimensional nanomaterial sets expansion record
Evolution
Researchers identify genetic variant that helped shape human skull base evolution

How bananas can be used to fight the plastic waste crisis

Bananas are one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits in the world. They are also the fourth most grown crop in the world, trailing only rice, wheat and corn. What could this tropical fruit have to do with fighting ...