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Plastic to combat pollution.

Biodegradable plastics are better for the environment, but their rapid degradation means they can’t be recycled. Researchers from the University of Canterbury have developed a method to convert the plastics to a foam that can be reused for insulation or flotation devices.

Their method is described in the journal Physics of Fluids: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0050649

#sciencenews #environment #chemistry
Recycling electric vehicle batteries.

University of Leicester researchers have developed an ultrasonic delamination technique to controllably separate the different metals used in lithium-ion batteries, improving the yield and purity of the recovered materials.

Their analysis is detailed in Green Chemistry: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1GC01623G
#sciencenews #chemistry #environment
Synthesising cancer treatments.

Rice University chemists have developed a simplified method for the facile synthesis of halichondrin B and related compounds. This important molecule has potent anti-tumour properties of great interest to medical research.

Their insights are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c05270

#sciencenews #chemistry #cancer
3D printing with functional gels.

A study from Dartmouth College describes a process using heat to change the arrangement of molecular rings on a chemical chain creates 3D-printable gels with a variety of functional properties. Printing objects with different mechanical strengths using a single ink could replace the costly and time-consuming use of multiple inks for printing.

The results are published in the journal Chem: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.004
#sciencenews #chemistry #3dprinting #engineering
Long-life lithium batteries.

Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have increased the lifetime of lithium-metal electric vehicle batteries to a record level by using microscale structured anodes. This is an important step towards the goal of lighter, cheaper, and longer-lasting electric vehicle batteries.

Their latest results are published in Nature Energy: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-021-00852-3

#sciencenews #physics #chemistry #energy
Breaking down carbon dioxide.

A two-dimensional, five-metal alloy developed at Washington University has been shown to be an excellent catalyst for the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. The material could be used to help combat the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The work has recently been published in Advanced Materials: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.202100347
#sciencenews #chemistry