Microplastics – News and Features

Researchers have created a catalytic process that efficiently breaks down polyethylene and polypropylene plastics into their monomer building blocks. This advancement could enable a circular economy for plastics.

Researchers from UBC developed a portable, low-cost device that accurately measures micro- and nanoplastics in everyday items like disposable cups. The device detects plastic particles as small as 50 nanometers in minutes.

Researchers at Berkeley have developed stabilized αLA polymer adhesives, creating versatile, high-performance, and recyclable solutions for medical, industrial, and consumer applications.

Researchers demonstrated a way to speed up–and potentially scale up–the process for separating particles in fluids, which can be used for studying microplastics in drinking water or even analyzing cancer cells from blood.

Most bodies of water contain minute plastic particles that get trapped at the surface when ice forms. According to research, the thawed particles might be larger and sink or float faster, depending on the polymer type.

University of Missouri scientists are battling against an emerging enemy of human health: nanoplastics. Much smaller in size than the diameter of an average human hair, nanoplastics are invisible to the naked eye.

James Cook University researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough that allows them to convert microplastics to a highly valuable material.

Exposure to both plastic pollution and flooding has a pronounced impact on the growth and reproductive output of coastal plants.

This article explores the wide variety of analytical techniques that can be applied to synthetic polymers, each offering a slightly different look at the chemical or physical properties of these compounds.

People who consume high amounts of certain foods during pregnancy may have high levels of “forever chemicals” in their lactation milk, according to a recent study.