Collections

Plastics and polymers

In this collection we explore advancements in plastics and polymers research, covering topics such as polymer synthesis, characterisation techniques, material properties, biodegradable polymers, plastic waste and recycling, and the impact of microplastics and PFAS on the environment and human health.

Pair of ‘epidermal’ electronic devices that support wireless, vital signs measurements in the NICU

How soft electronics are transforming medical devices

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Degradable pacemakers and artificial neurons showcase how flexible, tissue-compatible electronics are revolutionising medicine. But translating these materials from lab bench to clinic requires solving complex structure–function relationships

Spinning tops

Magnetic spin waves could slash computer energy consumption

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Researchers are developing magnonic processors that use magnetic spin waves instead of electric current to process data. Rachel Brazil discovers how it could potentially reduce energy consumption by 90% and offer new possibilities for neuromorphic computing

Car tyre

How tyres are turning green

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As the shift to using renewable and recycled materials in car tyres accelerates, Nina Notman talks to the manufacturers driving the change

Biodegradable plastic bag that has not fully degraded

Clearing up the compostable plastic mess

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Rather than a potential triumph, the compostable plastics we use look increasingly like a tragedy. Andy Extance looks at the problems and seeks solutions

1959 Barbie

Conserving Barbie from degradation

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Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem

Polymer scrabble

Editing polymer backbones

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Changing the chemical makeup of a polymer backbone could revolutionise how we make, use and even recycle plastics. James Mitchell Crow reports

Polymers

A large LNG tanker ship in an industrial port. In the foreground are small pleasure boats.

Gulf chemicals supply disruption will continue for months to years

Impact on petrochemicals, fertilisers and various co-products like helium and sulfur will ripple throughout extensive supply chains

A tanker ship on the Strait of Hormuz in the ocean as seen from the shore where there are palm trees

Iran ceasefire is the start of a long recovery process

Conflict’s impact on global energy and chemicals supply chains will take significantly longer to resolve

Material

How to choose reactor materials and test for compatibility

Merck & Co team describes simple testing strategies and criteria for decision-making

Discarded nitrile gloves

Modified nitrile rubber gets new lease of life as carbon capture material

Two teams are exploring scaling up processes that could tackle the 800,000 tonnes of glove waste created every year

Helena Lundberg

Breaking bonds and bringing disciplines together to replace one of chemistry’s most controversial molecules

Rebecca Trager meets an organic chemist catalysing the search for BPA replacements by connecting synthetic chemists, data scientists, toxicologists and polymer chemists

PFAS

Dr. Mehrdad Zare looking at a yellow liquid in a vial

Bursting bubbles break down PFAS

Mantisonix is using ultrasound to destroy fluorochemical pollutants in water

A firefighter sprays foam from a hose over a blaze on some chemical containers

Innovative SMEs and start-ups can be the Change Makers we need to tackle PFAS

The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering support to early-stage ventures that aim to solve problems associated with forever chemicals

Fountain pen nib, writing

Letters: March 2026

Readers discuss the long-lasting effects of sabotage, a mix-up of Maxes, and how PFAS regulations might affect inhalers

Ski waxing

PFAS waxes found on skis and snowboards lead to three Olympic disqualifications

Athletes excluded for first time for materials doping with ‘forever chemicals’ since the prohibition took effect three years ago

Firefighter foam

Probing PFAS policies in the UK and EU

The UK has set out its approach to regulating fluorochemicals, and the EU has projected the savings from a proposed ban

Plastic recycling

Pipette tips

Sustainable laboratories: Reducing plastics

When to reuse plastic pipette tips and how to overcome psychological barriers to recyling single-use items

Grandpuits site

Chemical recycling of plastics rises as oil crisis continues

Recovering feedstocks from hard-to-recycle plastic is potentially important in a more circular plastic economy

Fruit and veg in plastic wrapping

Questions over microplastics findings don’t mean we are safe, scientists say

Researchers seek to overcome measurement issues arising from field’s youth, while some criticism has turned into harassment

Plastic sorting

Plastic recycling’s perfect storm

Pending policies that demand more recycling cannot offset problems of high costs and competition from cheap virgin polymers

Plastic sorting

Plastic recycling is contracting when it needs to grow

High costs, oversupply of virgin polymers and complex political environment are challenging industry

Microplastics

Synthetic turf

California finds no significant risk to human health from synthetic turf fields

After years of conflicting safety findings, the head of the state’s environmental hazard assessment office says this new study should ‘ease concerns’

Fruit and veg in plastic wrapping

Questions over microplastics findings don’t mean we are safe, scientists say

Researchers seek to overcome measurement issues arising from field’s youth, while some criticism has turned into harassment

Plastic in the sea

What happens next after the plastic treaty negotiations fail once again?

Bold action may now be needed to secure agreement on plastic pollution

Plastic pollution

Plastic treaty negotiations go down to the wire

Capping production and limiting use of harmful chemicals are key topics for negotiators to consider

Laboratory waste

Multi-disciplinary scientists are ready to solve global chemical pollution

Are governments ready to act?