Science News related to Plastic Waste Chemical Recycling, Renewable Biofuel, Gigantic Cavity in Space, Martian Fuel, Solid-State Battery, Winged Microchip
Note: I do not write/own any of the science news bits (and cover picture) given here. The links on each of the news bits will redirect to the news source. The content given under each headline is a basic gist and not the full story.
1. Research Guides Future of Plastic Waste Chemical Recycling
Source: Cornell University
20 Sept 2021
New research aims to ease the process of chemical recycling – an emerging industry that could turn waste products back into natural resources by physically breaking plastic down into the smaller molecules it was originally produced from.
Original written by: Syl Kacapyr
2. Turning Organic Waste into Renewable Biofuel Additives Using Radiation
Source: Lancaster University
22 Sept 2021
Engineers have led research that discovers a way to generate renewable biofuel additives, using radiation that could be derived from nuclear waste. The renewable proportion of petrol is set to increase to 20 percent over the coming years, meaning the discovery of a new production pathway for these additives could help in the fight to cut carbon dioxide emissions and tackle climate change.
3. Gigantic Cavity in Space Sheds New Light on How Stars Form
Source: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
22 Sept 2021
Astronomers analyzing 3D maps of the shapes and sizes of nearby molecular clouds have discovered a gigantic cavity in space. The sphere-shaped void spans about 150 parsecs — nearly 500 light-years — and is located on the sky among the constellations Perseus and Taurus.
4. Reactor Makes Martian Fuel
Source: University of Cincinnati
22 Sept 2021
Engineers are developing new ways to convert greenhouse gases to fuel to address climate change and get astronauts home from Mars. They used a carbon catalyst in a reactor to convert carbon dioxide into methane.
Original written by: Michael Miller
5. Winged Microchip Is Smallest-Ever Human-Made Flying Structure
Source: Northwestern University
22 Sept 2021
Researchers designed a new flying microchip by studying the aerodynamics of wind-dispersed seeds. The team used mechanisms similar to those of pop-up books to manufacture the devices. The resulting technology is packed with ultra-miniaturized sensors and wireless communication capabilities.
6. A New Solid-State Battery Surprises the Researchers Who Created It
Source: University of California – San Diego
23 Sept 2021
Engineers created a new type of battery that weaves two promising battery sub-fields into a single battery. The battery uses both a solid-state electrolyte and an all-silicon anode, making it a silicon all-solid-state battery. The initial rounds of tests show that the new battery is safe, long-lasting, and energy-dense. It holds promise for a wide range of applications from grid storage to electric vehicles.
Original written by: Ioana Patringenaru
That’s all the science news for this week! Maybe you can help me provide news better. Leave a comment below if you have any suggestions or send me a message via the contact form! Have fun!
