Scientists
have really hit the headlines in this past year … we are extraordinarily lucky
to have these dedicated women and men searching for new ways to help us …
Polymateria company image
I’m highlighting
three and their teams …
… a start-up, Polymateria, at Imperial College have developed a form of polyethylene plastic that is
biodegradable and recyclable:
- it breaks down in 226 days, leaving
behind a harmless sludge …
- recycled it can be turned into flower
pots or pellets …
- it is a new material that is
“attractive” to microbes and fungi: which naturally breaks down.
Here’s the website:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/215813/worlds-first-biodegradable-recyclable-plastic-developed/
Professor Veena Sahajwalla
Secondly …
there’s this inspirational Indian-born metallurgist, Professor Veena Sahajwalla,now based at the University of New South Wales … who has opened the world’s
first e-waste microfactory – where alloys are extracted from electronic
devices;
- she is also working on converting
waste materials, such as plastic and glass, into ceramics.
- As the Professor states: “Waste is not a problem to be managed”, … it
is an opportunity to be explored.
-
She is getting closer to developing a
way of making steel without the need for coal “green steel”.
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| MRSA: Injection by Nutrophil |
While an
extra … is Bill Gates’ March 2021 TED talk … with the 7 ‘short’ videos on Howto Avoid a Climate Disaster … informative to see – while Gates’ TED talk is
outstanding … he highlights ‘the green premium’, which Professor Veena Sahajwalla
is working on …
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32 comments:
Hari OM
Thank you, Hilary!!! YAM xx
Hopefully I'll get a moment to check out the links more thoroughly Hilary thank you for them ... I'm especially inspired by the metallurgist who says 'waste is ... is an opportunity to be explored' and making green steel without the need for coal. Great #WATWB post!
A brilliant and informative post, thank you Hilary. This made me want to change the direction of mine. But then I guess we need a variety of blogs.
Thank you for featuring the work of these incredible people. We need them and their work is rapidly becoming an essential. Inspirational work.
Nice to hear that solutions are being worked on.
Thank you for this informative post. I didn't know about the other technical advancements.
So good and informative. And once and for all - Bill Gates is not trying to chip everyone in the world for evil. Bill Gates and his wife Melinda use their money and skills to truly help. They are a godsend for the world of medicine, vaccines, etc. They truly have good interests at heart in their work. Excellent post! And thanks to all scientists out there who are working on new discoveries.
I think many people have been impressed by the scientists who've been interviewed recently in connection with the pandemic. They've turned out to be quite capable of talking simply and clearly when they put their minds to it, and can turn out football-related metaphors with the best of them.
@ Yam – thank you … I hope you’ll listen to the Gates’ TED talk … it’s really enlightening …
@ Susan – that’s great … sometime – especially the TED talk by Bill Gates … so informative and interesting …
The professor’s work seems to be extraordinary … she’s really ahead of the technical needs – and so good to know about …
@ Inger – thanks so much … I had to put all three and other ideas up for readers’ to look at.
Your blog is delightful … but you can do what you like and always join us in #WATWB every month – and we all express ourselves differently …
@ EC – thank you … yes the work is essential; I was fascinated by the Bill Gates TED talk – hope you can get a chance to watch and listen …
@ Liz – yes … I always enjoy seeing what’s happening solution-wise around the world …
@ Truedessa – good to see you … and I’m pleased I’ve highlighted some technical advancements that you hadn’t come across …
@ Joanne – thanks … no, the TED conversation was exceptional showing how intelligent and philanthropic Melinda and Bill Gates are … and how knowledgeable about the future – and how much we can do to help ourselves … he highlights much …
While Professor Veena’s work is awe inspiring … just what Bill Gates mentioned what we need – the ‘green premium’ developments …
@ John – yes … scientists have come to the fore haven’t they … and as you mention we hear so many different voices now … showing us so many new developments …
Thank you for visiting … I really enjoy these #WATWB posts – giving us a platform to highlight aspects of this world that we can see value in … all the best - Hilary
A really interesting piece Hilary. I'm really impressed with the new biodegradable plastic - about time too!
Welcome news that there is/will be form of polyethylene plastic that is biodegradable and recyclable. But why wait for 226 days before it breaks down into a harmless sludge? Your top photo looks truly beautiful and decorative.
Firstly, let me say that I have great admiration for Bill and Melinda Gates and their philanthropy, and the good work they have done throughout the world. A pox on those conspiracy theorists who have nothing better to do with their time than disparage others and fabricate the wildest, most sinister stories, which are unfortunately faggots on the fire for many. Science has the power to do enormous good, and we can only hope that it will be harnessed, and quickly, to get us out of the mess that science and unconscionable politicians have put us in. If we don't get a handle on plastic pollution, and soon, it will be the death of all of us.
Thanks for sharing about the inspiring scientists. My daughter is one too and works for a company trying to convert the polluting parts of energy sources into something productive.
Lovely compilation of positive news in this troubled world, Hilary. Undoubtedly, thankless work by the scientific community.
Great list. There are amazing minds out there and I love when they focus their energy on real-world problems. Thanks, Hilary.
@ Keith – thank you … all things that are speeding us towards net zero emissions are good news.
@ Hels – I don’t know … I guess it’s the best they can do at the moment … but I’d hate a plastic bag to disintegrate on me too soon. The Polymateria photo came from their website … as the scientists working on the disintegrable plastic …
@ David – yes the Gates’ are very special people in this world. His talk was much more positive about things that are happening to get us to net zero emissions … explaining that rich countries need to aim high, and then as costs come down those applications become cheaper … eg electric cars and solar/wind energy …
Plastic pollution is the pits – but as he said ‘don’t speak against something useful in today’s world, until we have an alternative to use’ – makes so much sense …
@ Natalie – oh how wonderful to read about your daughter – obviously a clever girl with a passion for life …
@ Pradeep – thank you … I enjoy posting positive stories, especially if they’re, or will be, helping us in the future … so much going on out there … it’s fascinating …
@ Thanks Jacqui - it is extraordinary how bright people are and how they can conceptualise solutions for some of the world's problems ...
Thanks so much for visiting – beautiful sunny day here – and so I’m off out into the warming air … all the best - Hilary
Such wonderful (and timely) information here.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I am off to explore the links now.
Fantastic post! I love how instead of seeing problems the focus is on finding opportunities! Thanks so much for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB! :)
What aniteresting post
Thanks for sharing about these inspiring people and their work. We need more like them.
Thanks so much for sharing these stories for WATWB, Hilary. While officials argue about whether or not problems like climate change and even, to a degree, the pandemic, some people are just doing there job and trying to solve the problems. In many ways, this is working there is evidence that companies are changing their practices because it's economically a better choice.
Biodegradable plastic - that would be something! I’m appalled at the amount of single-use plastic waste there is.
@ Donna – thank you … I’m sure you’ll appreciate the knowledge given …
@ Belinda – thank you – yes finding the opportunities is so much more useful to our world and its future.
@ Jo-Anne – thank you …
@ Mason – there are lots of them out there beavering away in the background to help us develop new technologies … thank you for being here …
@ Dan – yes I think you’re right … the enlightened industry and business leaders are looking to help their companies find ways through, and thus develop new and better ways of manufacturing things … which in the long run will benefit society as a whole …
@ Anabel – I know … particularly at the moment so much litter, a great deal of which is plastic of varying sorts – it’s finding an alternative that works and we can live with … and which we will accept.
Thanks for visiting and commenting – it’s always good to see you and to read your thoughts … Hilary
Thank you Hilary for finding and sharing some positive help for the environment, perhaps this will help us work on issues for generations to come.
Thank you also for being such a wonderful vital part of this group. I have really appreciated your comments on my blogs.
Warmest regards!
Great imagination. I am following your blogs. I would be more than happy if you follow my humble blogs
This is wonderful, Hilary! Always great to read a good news story, and so exciting!
How fortunate we are that there are people with brains working to better this world.
God bless.
@ Sylvia - thanks so much for being so appreciative - Bill Gates was very interesting in his climate advice - his TED talk is so good regarding manufacturing industries ...
I enjoy being part of the #WATWB group ... I learn a lot ...
@ Mina - good to see you ... all the best ...
@ Sue - thank you - and some of it is Australian related ... it is exciting to know what's going on in the background - that so often comes to the fore in these posts ...
@ Victor - yes we are very fortunate that people are helping us with these new developments ... thank you for your visit ...
All the best to you all - have a safe Easter and be peaceful - Hilary
It's always so inspiring to read about work like this! In the grand scheme of things, plastics have only been around for a short time, it would be great if we could find a way to recycle and remove all of them!
Hi Deniz - yes I so agree ... there's so much to be grateful for ... all the philanthropists and scientists working and encouraging behind the scenes. Thanks for noting the post .. Hilary
I applaud all efforts to work on our waste problem by changing the products we use so that we don't have as much waste. Hopeful to see that people are working on helping our environment by going straight to the materials we use and changing them for the better. Thanks for sharing this light and hope with us. :)
~Jess
Hi Jess - I so agree ... it's amazing what we're doing behind the scenes - Science is a wonderful discipline ... or many disciplines ... when I get to write up some of these posts ... I learn so much. I do hope we can improve our environment and our habits for the future generations. Thanks for the visit and interested comment - cheers Hilary
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