THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

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This week is action-packed with breakthroughs in energy, materials, prediction models, and more. Enjoy!

This Week’s Top 5 News Articles

🔬 Breakthrough Enzyme Discovery Could Make Polystyrene Biodegradable

🗿 Scientists Create Green Concrete That Recycles Double the Coal Ash

💨 New Tool from Berkeley Scientists Helps Cities Accurately Measure Carbon Emissions

⚡️ Device Converts Carbon Dioxide into Electricity, Reduces Pollution

🥥 Coconut Husk Transformed into Sustainable Materials by Welsh Researchers

• Other Articles You May Like

+PLUS: FREE guide about “70+ Questions from Venture Capitalists!”

TOP 5 NEWS ARTICLES

Breakthrough Enzyme Discovery Could Make Polystyrene Biodegradable LINK 

• Scientists discovered enzymes from the Amazonian fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora that can break down polystyrene plastic in just a few weeks, an extremely rapid rate compared to the centuries it takes to degrade naturally.

• The two enzymes, called PETase and MHETase, could pave the way for recycling polystyrene products into soil and making this ubiquitous plastic biodegradable on a meaningful timescale.

• This breakthrough in identifying enzymes capable of efficiently degrading one of the most environmentally harmful plastics represents a significant step towards developing sustainable solutions for managing plastic pollution caused by polystyrene waste accumulation.

Scientists Create Green Concrete That Recycles Double the Coal Ash LINK 

• RMIT University scientists in Australia developed a low-carbon concrete that recycles up to 80% coal ash, compared to the traditional 30%.

• This innovative concrete reduces landfill waste and lowers carbon footprints by decreasing cement usage.

• The new concrete maintains superior strength and durability, achieving over 60 MPa, making it suitable for various construction projects.

New Tool from Berkeley Scientists Helps Cities Accurately Measure Carbon Emissions LINK

• UC Berkeley scientists have developed a tool for cities to accurately measure carbon emissions, crucial for effective reduction efforts.

• Current methods rely on annual estimates, lacking the precision and real-time data needed for impactful monitoring and mitigation.

• Berkeley's tool provides precise, up-to-date emission data, enabling cities to monitor progress and implement targeted policies to reduce their carbon footprint effectively.

Device Converts Carbon Dioxide into Electricity, Reduces Pollution LINK

• Scientists at the University of Queensland have developed a prototype that generates electricity while removing CO2 from the air, making it carbon negative.

• The device captures CO2 and converts it into electricity, using the greenhouse gas as a fuel source, though its current efficiency is low at around 1%.

• Potential applications include portable generators for electronics and integration into industrial carbon capture plants, combining power generation with pollutant removal.

Coconut Husk Transformed into Sustainable Materials by Welsh Researchers LINK

• Bangor University and Welsh industry partners developed eco-friendly packaging from coconut husk fibers, a typically discarded agricultural byproduct.

• The biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable material offers excellent insulation, suitable for food, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive shipments.

• This collaboration reduces coconut processing waste and provides a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, meeting the demand for eco-friendly solutions.

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HAND-PICKED EDITOR’S READS

What Brinc’s Thought-Leader in Sustainability, Janina Motter Is Reading

• New Sugar-Based Catalyst Transforms CO2 into Valuable Fuel LINK

THAT’S A WRAP!