Paying the price for healthy living
How much is the average individual prepared to pay to meet, and hopefully overcome, the current environmental challenges that include plastic pollution, air and water quality, and of course climate change?
Stuck monkey syndrome
James Hamilton-Patterson describes our dilemma with the metaphor of the stuck monkey. Hunters allegedly used a banana in an immobilised glass jar as a trap to catch monkeys – once the monkey has grasped the banana inside the jar, it can’t pull out its hand and remains stuck. We, as a global civilisation, can’t let go of the juicy rewards of our economic development, so we are stuck very much the same way as that monkey.
CQDots in focus
This book delves into the realm of carbon-based nanomaterials with a focus on the rather exotic species known as carbon quantum dots (CQDots).
Are microbial fuel cells ready to power the world?
For decades, researchers have been trying to capture the electrons from bacteria to generate electricity in microbial fuel cells. So, are scientists finally starting to gain traction? XiaoZhi Lim reports
Concrete revolution: how the world's most consumed material is tackling its emissions
Concrete is one of the world’s most consumed materials – second only to water. But production of the binding cement is a major emitter of CO2. So how can emissions be curbed? Maria Burke reports.
Cleaning up laundry: the promise and challenges of eco-friendly detergents
Traditional laundry detergents have a bad reputation when it comes to the environment. Could a range of new ‘sustainable’ products be the answer? Jasmin Fox-Skelly reports.
Second wave for graphene – is the wonder material finally arriving?
Graphene was first isolated at the University of Manchester, UK, in 2004, where it was heralded as the next ‘wonder material’. With very high thermal and electrical conductivity, electron mobility and tensile strength in its portfolio of excellent material properties, graphene made headlines as a material that could revolutionise everything from computing to construction.
The innovators tackling persistent plastics
The volume of plastic waste generated from the fast fashion industry has been declared an ‘environmental and social emergency’ for the planet by the United Nations. While biodegradable plastic materials have been marketed as potential solutions to the problem, new research has shown that this is no guarantee the fibres will decompose at the end of their life.
Solar catalysts: a path to green feedstocks from plastic waste
Emerging research could take plastics recycling in a new direction, using solar energy – or light-catalysed reactions – to convert polymers into valuable chemicals. Lou Reade reports