Old trees are learning new tricks with the advent of composite materials. A "green composite" made from biodegradable polymers and the waste bark of the Yakushima Jisugi tree was developed by a ...

Researchers developed biodegradable materials that could replace the plastic micro-beads now used in beauty products. The materials could also be used to encapsulate nutrients for food fortification.

Pollution affects human health and the environment in many ways. Air, water, and land pollution continue to damage ecosystems, with conventional materials—especially plastics—being a primary ...

Scientists at Rice University and University of Houston have developed an innovative, scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials. Using a spinning ...

We've seen fungi being used to create useful new materials for construction, fire-retardant building insulation, and even 3D-printed batteries. One of the researchers behind that last doozy, Dr.

Sustainably produced, biodegradable materials are an important focus of modern materials science. However, when working with natural materials such as cellulose, lignin or chitin, researchers face a ...

Bamboo plastic sounds like a compelling eco-friendly material for a variety of applications, but its questionable durability and recyclability leave a lot to be desired. Researchers at Northeast ...

That trait, which makes a coffee lid or a fishing float so useful, also turns plastic into a long-term guest in places it was never invited. Unrecovered fragments collect across ecosystems, and they ...

The idea of a medical device that is fully recyclable or completely biodegradable appeals to many in the industry – even patients. Although progress has been slow, the medical device industry is ...

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Microplastics are an environmental hazard found nearly everywhere on Earth, released by the breakdown of tires, clothing, and plastic packaging. Another significant source of ...