The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

GO Dough Simplifies Delivery and Storage of Graphene Oxide

A moldable, pliable, shapeable dough of graphene oxide has been developed by mixing ultrahigh concentrations with water.

Graphene, InnovationJames EdeMarch 4, 2019GO Dough, graphene play dough, Northwestern University, Jiaxing HuangComment

Scientists Discover Phthalate-Degrading Bacteria

Researchers in South Korea have found a bacteria that can degrade endocrine-disrupting phthalates, including dibutyl phthalate.

Environment, InnovationJames EdeFebruary 27, 2019endocrine-disrupting phthalates, Novosphingobium fluvii, Phthalate-Degrading Bacteria, RhodococcusComment

Silkworms Fed with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Produce Super-Strong, Electrically Conductive Silk

In a study published in Nano Letters, researchers have made silk which is stronger, tougher and electrically conductive by feeding carbon nanotubes and graphene to silkworms.

Innovation, Nanomaterials, GrapheneJames EdeFebruary 19, 2019Nano Letters, Silkworms Fed with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Produce Super-Strong, Electrically Conductive Silk, wearable electronics, fabrics and medical implantsComment

High-Performance Gas Barrier Films Made from Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) Coatings

In a recently published article in the journal ACS Applied Material & Interfaces, Jeff Youngblood and colleagues from Purdue University demonstrated the use of a shear-coating technique to developed gas barrier nanocellulose films which were anisotropic, allowing the researchers to control the volume of gas in the system.

Innovation, NanomaterialsJames EdeFebruary 13, 2019ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Jeff Youngblood, Purdue University, gas barrier nanocellulose films, tunable nanocellulose films, biaxially oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) (BoPET), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH)Comment

Using Biological Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) to Create Functional Materials with Genetically Programmable Properties

In their recently published article in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology, Charlie Gilbert and Tom Ellis review recent efforts in the emerging field of biological engineered living materials (ELMs) in which cells are programmed to produce new and useful biological materials with unique properties.

InnovationJames EdeFebruary 6, 2019ELMs, Biological Engineered Living Materials, ACS Synthetic Biology, Charlie Gilbert and Tom EllisComment

Alberta Innovates Calls for Submissions for International Competition

Six pitch competition winners will receive $10,000 in funding, free registration and access to professional coaching. Submissions are due March 15, 2019.

EventsJames EdeFebruary 4, 2019Alberta Innovates, Inventures 2019, Calgary, Alberta CanadaComment

Micro- and Nano-Plastic in the Environment and Nanoparticles Released from Building Materials and Construction Waste Included on EC Committee Emerging Issues List

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) has released a statement regarding the emerging issues in non-food applications which have been identified as having the potential to impact human health and/or the environment.

Environment, Nanomaterials, NanoEHS NewsJames EdeFebruary 1, 2019European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER), emerging issues in non-food applications, micro- and nano-plastic in the environment and nanoparticles, building materials and construction waste, Vireo AdvisorsComment

USDA to Release Final Ruling on Biotech Ingredients

Following a two-year comment period, USDA has released a final ruling on labeling requirements for bioengineered foods.

Policy, RegulationJames EdeJanuary 30, 2019biotech, USDA, labeling requirements for bioengineered foods, Vireo Advisors, human health or environmental benefits, in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniquesComment

Graphene-Enhanced Hiking Boots: Stronger, Harder and More Flexible

The shoe brand Inov-8 and The National Graphene Institute (University of Manchester) have partnered to produce hiking boots with graphene-enhanced rubber grips.

Graphene, InnovationJames EdeJanuary 18, 2019Inov-8, The National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester, hiking boots with graphene-enhanced rubber gripsComment

NIOSH and Harvard Promote Access to Occupational Health and Safety Information

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has worked since 2012 to expand and update entries on Occupational Safety and Health to promote public accessibility to this information.

LeadershipJames EdeJanuary 14, 2019Wikipedia, Vireo Advisors, NIOSH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Pubic Health, Introduction to the Workplace Environment, Occupational Safety and Health, heavy metal exposure in electronic waste processing facilities, exposure of U.S. Air Force pilots to hydrazine, rocket fuelComment