Chewing gum can shed microplastics into saliva, study finds
09 April, 2025Most of the microplastics detached from gum within the first two minutes of chewing, with the act of chewing itself abrasive enough to make pieces flake off.
Superelastic alloy functions in extreme temperatures
21 March, 2025The titanium-aluminium superelastic alloy is not only lightweight but also strong, offering the capability to function across a broad temperature range.
Water-repellent glass breaks new ground
18 March, 2025An innovative and non-toxic process using ultrasonic sound waves can alter the surface of glass, making it either hydrophobic (water resistant) or electrically charged.
Newly developed plastic is recyclable and ocean-degradable
06 December, 2024The plastic material is as strong as conventional plastics but also breaks down in sea water, meaning it should help reduce harmful microplastic pollution that accumulates in our oceans and soil.
Chemists create 'world's thinnest spaghetti'
04 December, 2024Nanofibres made of starch show potential for use in wound dressings, as they are very porous, and as a scaffold to regrow tissue.
Nanoplastics can reduce effectiveness of antibiotics
21 November, 2024Using complex computer models, researchers were able to prove that nanoplastic particles can bind the antibiotic known as tetracycline and thus impair its effectiveness.
Wooden surfaces appear to have antiviral properties
26 June, 2024Wood has natural antiviral properties that can reduce the time viruses persist on its surface — and some species of wood are more effective than others.
Novel adhesive is strong, smart and reusable
09 May, 2024Researchers found a way to maximise the adhesion of the material by using shape-memory polymers, which can stick and detach easily when needed simply by heating them.
Novel conductive material gets tougher when hit or stretched
26 March, 2024Inspiration for the soft, flexible material came from a mixture commonly used in cooking — a corn starch slurry.
Hylec Controls packaging materials testing machinery
26 March, 2024From tensile strength testers to impact testers, Hylec Controls' comprehensive range of machinery allows manufacturers to assess the quality and durability of their packaging materials.
Researchers boost resilience of gold catalysts
16 February, 2024Japanese researchers have discovered a way to improve the durability of gold catalysts by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters.
Strong, stretchy, self-healing plastic developed
17 November, 2023An innovative strong and stretchy plastic, which can be healed with heat, remembers its shape and is partially biodegradable, has been developed by Japanese researchers.
New biomaterial mimics human tissue, fights bacteria
09 November, 2023Scientists have developed a lab-made hydrogel that behaves like natural tissue, with a number of qualities that have implications for medical, food and manufacturing technology.
Scientists witness metal healing itself
08 August, 2023Scientists have witnessed pieces of metal crack and then fuse back together without any human intervention, overturning fundamental scientific theories in the process.
Researchers develop self-healing, biodegradable plastic
02 August, 2023Konstanz chemists have created a mineral plastic that is hard, non-flammable, self-healing and can be produced at room temperature in water. It is also biodegradable.
