Recycling news: 2026

Research & science Self-Degradable Temporary Plugging Agent Based on Dynamic Covalent Bond-Crosslinked Double-Network Hydrogels In this study, a double network hydrogel crosslinked via dynamic covalent bonds was developed. At room temperature, the material existed as a low-viscosity solution with excellent fluidity; as temperature increased to a specific threshold (80 °C), it underwent sol-gel transition and formed a stable gel with considerable mechanical integrity within two hours. This gelation time aligns well … Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Soybean Molasses as a Feedstock for Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Production by Mixed Microbial Cultures: Effects of the Organic Loading Rate Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are fully biodegradable polyesters synthesized by microorganisms from renewable carbon sources, including agro-industrial residues. Soy molasses, a carbohydrate-rich by-product of soybean processing, can be fermented to produce organic acids suitable for PHA production. The established process to produce PHA using mixed microbial cultures (MMC) comprises three stages… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Effect of Solvent-Assisted Pretreatment on the Laccase-Mediated Polymerization of Pinus radiata Bark Tannins The transition toward environmentally responsible polymer production requires efficient strategies to transform renewable polyphenols into high-value biobased materials. However, enzymatic polymerization of tannins is often hindered by compositional variability in crude extracts, particularly by components that suppress laccase activity. This study demonstrates that solvent-assisted pretreatmen… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Preparation of an Eco-Friendly Amphiphilic Polymer and its Antifouling Coating for Combating Marine Biofouling Marine biofouling poses a significant challenge to marine facilities, increasing ship weight and fuel consumption. Developing efficient and environmentally friendly non-toxic antifouling materials is a current research hotspot to replace traditional toxic coatings. A polyethylene glycol-dimethyldiohexosilane-polymethyl trifluoropropyl siloxane (PEG-DMDES-PMTFPS) polymer was first prepared using… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Effect of Mild Extraction with a Eutectic Solvent on the Properties of Films Derived from Fish Gelatin The functional properties of gelatin-based films can be affected by the natural source of gelatin and by the way in which it is obtained from this source. The present work explores the influence of a mild extraction method, comprising maceration with an aqueous eutectic solvent (urea:sodium acetate trihydrate, 60:40) followed by warm water extraction, in films based on fish skin gelatin. These … Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Soft Segment Engineering of Bio-Based Poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) for Enhanced Toughness and Spinnability Furan-based polyesters are attractive biobased alternatives to petroleum-derived materials, but their practical use is often limited by intrinsic brittleness, slow crystallization, and narrow processing tolerance for fiber applications. In this study, a soft-segment engineering strategy was developed by incorporating poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) into poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarbo… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Enzymatic Degradation of Thin Polyester Films Studied by In-situ ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy The increasing presence of micro- and nanoplastics in the environment underscores the need for effective polymer degradation strategies and related analytics. Here we present model studies on the enzymatic degradation of polyester materials relevant for environmental protection and recycling using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Thin (45–59 nm) and thick (92–113 nm) poly(ethyleneterephthalate)… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Eco-friendly Development of Chitosan Xanthate-modified(CSXAN) Hydrogel for Effective Removal of Co(II) ion and Methylene Blue Dye from Water: Adsorption and Catalytic behaviour The limited availability of multifunctional biopolymer-based hydrogels capable of removing both heavy metal ions and dyes remains a significant challenge, as most reported systems focus on single-pollutant adsorption and rely mainly on conventional functional groups. In the present study, we designed a Chitosan Xanthate-modified hydrogel (CSXAN hydrogel) incorporating diverse active sites to en… Journal of Polymers and the Environment (Springer) · 11 Jul 2026 Research & science Berkeley Talks: When we talk to AI, what are we talking to? NYU philosopher David Chalmers explores how modern large language models challenge our traditional views of identity and ethics by generating short-lived, conversational "selves" rather than operating as a single, permanent mind. UC Berkeley News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Dateline Rice for July 10, 2026 - Rice University Rice University News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Extreme precipitation in Central Asia connected to drought in mainland Southeast Asia - Rice University Rice University News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Visible light triggers three-step cascade to make 3D drug-like molecules A team led by chemist Frank Glorius, a professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the University of Münster, has developed a new light-driven reaction sequence. In this triple catalysis, one reaction step triggers the next like three dominoes in a row, toppling one after the other. The molecular transformations occur sequentially in a single reaction vessel. Such one-pot synthesis is co… Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science New 3D COF structure could help tune porous materials for batteries and cleanup A research team synthesized and determined the structure of a borate-linked 3D crystalline covalent organic framework, TCTP-COF, via electron diffraction for the first time. These findings will help scientists determine the structure-property relationships for other 3D COFs and facilitate their tuning for advanced applications. Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science China takes a page from SpaceX and recaptures the first stage of a rocket to reuse it China successfully recaptured the first stage of a rocket after a launch on Friday in a breakthrough for the country's space program, state media said. Phys.org — recycling search feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Artificial hand reproduces human gestures using memory written into light-responsive polymers Danqing Liu from Eindhoven University of Technology explores how interactions with digital systems can be improved through the sense of touch. To achieve this, she develops advanced liquid crystal polymers that respond to light. Her work has recently been published in two scientific journals, Science Advances and Matter & Light. Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science NSF plans cuts to core science programmes to fund White House initiative - Nature Nature subject feed — Environmental Sciences · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science This is what Andy Burnham’s devolution plans need to consider – expert panel Our experts explain how devolution in the UK has worked in practice – and what needs to change. University of Birmingham — The Conversation institution feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Special food additive that helps prevent weight gain is approved - Imperial College London Imperial College London News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Housing bill set to become law: U-M experts can comment The largest piece of federal housing affordability legislation to pass in decades is expected to become law today. University of Michigan News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Think preprints are unreliable? Analysis of 70,000 studies might change your mind - Nature Nature subject feed — Environmental Sciences · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Which ‘AI scientist’ suits your lab? A guide for the perplexed - Nature Nature subject feed — Environmental Sciences · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science As national drought deepens, a new AI model helps balance water demands As drought strains water supplies across much of the United States, Virginia Tech researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to help policymakers manage growing competition between agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. Feras Batarseh, associate professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and the projec… Phys.org — 'waste' search feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Can we map The Odyssey? How ancient geographers and modern researchers have traced Odysseus’s travels Attempts to transpose the locations of The Odyssey accurately to modern maps have proved difficult. Loughborough University — The Conversation institution feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Brazil’s highland forest has been shaped by climate change and Indigenous people for 6,000 years Prehistoric pollen records show that forest dynamics were driven by more than just broad-scale climatic changes. The Conversation UK — Environment · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Multiscale analysis and functional validation of the cellular and genetic determinants of skeletal disease - Nature Nature subject feed — Environmental Sciences · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Highly Selective and Modular Assembly of Densely Substituted Tetrahydrofurans - ACS Publications ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (ACS) · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Agricultural Production Structure and Food Insecurity: Evidence From Global Crop Data Sustainable Development, EarlyView. Sustainable Development (Wiley) · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Transformational Climate Policies for Mitigation and Adaptation: A Systematic Literature Review of Governance, Implementation, and Impact Sustainable Development, EarlyView. Sustainable Development (Wiley) · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Watching Nature Videos Can Help Relieve Stress, Study Finds For people who can’t get outside, nature videos may provide a simple way to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. NC State University News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Study finds politically salient immigration issues can lead to higher industrial pollution A joint research team led by Professor Narae Lee from the School of Business and Technology Management at KAIST, in collaboration with Professor Heli Wang from Singapore Management University (SMU), analyzed immigration-related legislation and environmental data across the United States and found that when immigration becomes a central political agenda, government environmental oversight weaken… Phys.org — 'waste' search feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science The Economics of the FIFA World Cup: Who Really Profits? The FIFA World Cup is often promoted as an economic windfall. The truth is more complicated. NC State University News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Contact-free sensors could help track movement symptoms in Parkinson’s Contact-free sensors could help track movement symptoms in Parkinson’s dn0009 Fri, 10/07/2026 - 13:34 Press release   Disease progression in those with Parkinson’s disease can accurately be monitored with the use of sensors, removing some of the limitations of wearable technologies, a new study reports.   Credit: Getty: RealPeopleGroup During this study, scientists from the UK De… University of Surrey News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science FIFA World Cup Faces Growing Sustainability Challenges As the FIFA World Cup expands, questions are growing about whether the tournament can meet its sustainability goals. NC State University News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science The biggest problem with solid-state batteries may finally be solved Researchers solved the mystery of how soft lithium dendrites crack the hard ceramic inside solid-state batteries, triggering short circuits. The breakthrough could help engineers build safer, longer-lasting batteries for smartphones, electric vehicles, and other electronics. ScienceDaily — Materials Science · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science ACS Energy Letters Vol. 11 No. 7 - ACS Publications ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (ACS) · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science UK faces ‘highly concerning’ wildfire risk this weekend – Exeter experts comment on heatwave The UK may be facing its worst-ever risk of wildfires this weekend, a leading expert... UK faces ‘highly concerning’ wildfire risk this weekend – Exeter experts comment on heatwave appeared first on University of Exeter News . University of Exeter News · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Compostable circuit boards from citric acid waste could cut carbon dioxide footprint Worldwide, discarded electronic toys, computers and smartphones are becoming an increasingly significant source of electronic waste. Electronic circuits are based on printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are typically made of glass fiber-reinforced fossil epoxy resin, making them difficult to recycle, let alone biodegrade. TechXplore — 'recycling' search feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science David Blunkett: police leadership needs radical reform to give people the protection they deserve A third of police forces across England and Wales are judged by the inspectorate as “inadequate” or “requiring improvement”. University of Sheffield — The Conversation institution feed · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science )–H functionalization of alkyl boronates using photoredox catalysis - Nature Nature subject feed — Environmental Sciences · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science World-first study confirms innovative procedure is safe and has the potential to treat serious twin pregnancy condition - Imperial College London Imperial College London News · 10 Jul 2026