What we refer to as “plastic” hasn’t been around for long. But its usefulness has caused production to skyrocket — from about two million tons in 1950 to almost 400 million tons a year now, and rising steadily. It’s a problem. Although much of it can be recycled, most isn’t. That’s led many local and national governments worldwide…Continue Reading
A research team has developed a new method for creating metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films that can be applied to sensors and electric devices. Like sponges, porous materials contain pores. The pore size affects the property of the material. For example, small pores create more absorbent surface areas. Silica gel, which is often used in…Continue Reading
The first landmark study using next-generation technology to comprehensively examine contaminants in oysters in Myanmar reveals alarming findings: the widespread presence of human bacterial pathogens and human-derived microdebris materials, including plastics, kerosene, paint, talc and milk supplement powders. The study — led by scientists from the University of California, Irvine, in collaboration with Environmental Defense…Continue Reading
Microplastics have been found in the guts of sharks that live near the seabed off the UK coast. University of Exeter scientists studied four species of demersal (seabed-dwelling) shark. Of the 46 sharks examined, 67% contained microplastics and other human-made fibres. A total of 379 particles were found and — though the impact on the…Continue Reading
