Tag: Material

Smart ‘pinecones’ warn against wildfires. When it comes to domestic fires or break-ins, however, deaf people are particularly vulnerable. Enter a British research team and its new vibrating pillow jacket. On the reverse four miniature haptic actuators have been woven into the fabric. These are coupled with a smartphone through a microcontroller; the smartphone, in turn, can be connected...

Waste wood isn’t just suitable as a sustainable polystyrene substitute. Now, a Finnish research team has created an alternative to petroleum-based resin using sawdust and straw. The presence of petroleum-based bonding agents makes it tricky to recycle composites, which are used for wind turbines, boats and RVs. The team extracted cellulose and hemicellulose from the waste wood, successfully developing...

Mushrooms are suitable for sound insulation. Spent coffee grounds, as a Chinese university research team just discovered, could be used to deliver sustainable thermal insulation. Initially, the grounds were converted into biochar at 700°C, increasing the granules’ porosity from 40% to 70%. These cavities were then filled with a mix of environmentally-friendly solvents. This in turn prevented ethylcellulose, the...

A maze-like material keeps insects away from plants. In France, meanwhile, a startup is creating sustainable pesticides from plant scents as around 80% of harmful insects are drawn to by these odours. The team deciphers which scents are particularly attractive for different species, and replicates the molecules in the lab. These can be used for the targeted defence of...

Minerals found in kidney stones are making chipboard less flammable. The last thing anyone needs is for their EV battery to go on fire. Enter a Chinese research team and its electrolyte for sodium-ion batteries, which doubles as a fire retardant. The liquid compound is stable up to temperatures of 150°C and solidifies at higher temperatures. Meaning that no...

Paper could replace polystyrene packaging. In Germany, meanwhile, a research team has been developing a process whereby paper bags are made without adhesives. Materials found in paper, you see, already have adhesive properties. First an initial layer of paper is irradiated with a carbon monoxide laser, causing the cellulose and lignin within to break up - similar to melting...

We have octopuses to thank for sustainable suncream. Environmentally-friendly containers for the cosmetics industry, in turn, are the brainchild of a female founder’s startup in London. Their process entails fermenting plant waste and converting it into bio-based synthetic materials. They can be hard or soft, matt or glossy. The products have been certified for home composting by a testing organisation...

For efficiency, the human brain often takes snapshots. But with age, inflamed brain cells can lead to memory loss or dementia. Enter a US-based research team and its nasal spray which can stop or even reverse the process. Made using bio-molecules (microRNAs) developed from neural stem cells, it is delivered via the nose into the wall of the hippocampus....