Polymers – Page 2
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Business
US derailment highlights continuing chemical rail freight concerns
Three-train crash in Pennsylvania leaked diesel and plastic pellets into waterways
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Opinion
Bin Liu: ‘Breakthroughs always need patience’
The materials expert on deciding to become a scientist, collaboration and fishing
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Research
Unique polymer can switch from rigid cutlery to an adhesive to malleable plastic
Process that mimics tempering of metals can even be reversed in multi-use plastic
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Research
Engineered enzymes break down silicon–carbon bonds in siloxane, an emerging pollutant
Directed evolution offers a way to tackle waste silicone
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Research
Slow Arrhenius process identified in molecular glasses
Findings challenge common ideas on glassy dynamics
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Feature
Editing polymer backbones
Changing the chemical makeup of a polymer backbone could revolutionise how we make, use and even recycle plastics. James Mitchell Crow reports
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Research
Thermodynamically stable ‘plumber’s nightmare’ structure self-assembles from block copolymers
The crucial role of end group and linker chemistry enabled creation of the infamous structure, offering a new way to produce nanoscale architecture
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Research
Nanoplastics make up around 90% of the plastic particles found in bottled water
Seven different types of plastic detected in three bottled water brands
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Opinion
Julia Kornfield: ‘I’ve often followed an instinct about a person’
The polymer expert on power imbalances and following her instinct
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Research
Bonding nanoparticles to rubber increases material’s fatigue resistance sixfold
Discovery puts rubber on the road to tougher tyres
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News
Chemical recycling finds itself in the firing line as viability of process questioned
Analysis finds that ‘advanced recycling’ creates a toxic waste problem, but some researchers are concerned important nuance is not acknowledged
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Opinion
Saving the sounds of Superstition
Preserving the look, feel and sound of degrading plastic artefacts presents particular problems
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News
Vested interests pose threat to chemical waste and plastic pollution initiatives
Researchers warn that conflicts of interest will hinder efforts to tackle the world’s pollution crises
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Research
New catalytic process completely breaks down nylon-6 in minutes
US chemists report the mildest conditions to date for Nylon-6 depolymerisation, recovering 99% of the original monomers in the plastic
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News
How your lab can cut its environmental footprint by recycling its gloves
Thousands of tonnes of disposable gloves go to landfill every year. Meet the people trying to change that
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News
New database maps plastic chemical exposure and human health effects
Minderoo Foundation’s Plastic Health Map tracking studies on polymers, bisphenols, PFAS and more from 1961 onwards, finds research gaps
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Research
Aerophobic electrodes prevent bubble coalescence and boost mass transport
Hydrogel electrode coating improves the efficiency of gas evolution reactions
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News
Lego struggles to find the right chemistry to replace oil-based virgin plastics
Danish toymaker commits to redouble efforts to produce more sustainable polymers for Lego pieces