Safer plastics ahead: Scientists make polyurethane without toxic chemicals

Polyurethane is one of the most widely used plastics in the world. It appears in everything from furniture foam and insulation to coatings, adhesives, and...

This nickel catalyst could change how drugs and materials are made

Chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new class of nickel catalysts that could significantly change how important chemicals are made. The...

Sponge-like gold shows powerful new light and electron effects

Gold is best known for its shine and value, but in modern science it is also an important high-tech material. New research shows that by...

Think bottled water is cleaner? It may contain more microplastics than the tap

Many people choose bottled water believing it is cleaner and safer than tap water. But new research suggests that this assumption may not always...

New sodium-based smart windows could block heat without darkening rooms

As cities around the world struggle with rising energy demand, controlling heat from sunlight has become a major challenge. A large portion of the heat...

This new off-grid filter could capture nanoplastics smaller than 50 nanometers

Tiny plastic particles are turning up almost everywhere, including in drinking water. Now, researchers in South Korea have developed a new filtration technology that can...

Common tattoo inks may contain toxic metals, study finds

A new study led by UNSW Sydney has found that every tattoo ink sample tested from major international brands failed to meet European Union...

Scientists make clean hydrogen from sunlight and water—no platinum needed

Hydrogen is often described as a dream fuel for a cleaner future. When it is used, it produces only water, not carbon dioxide. But turning...

Common pesticide may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease

A new study from UCLA Health has found that living near areas where the pesticide chlorpyrifos was used for long periods may increase the...

Scientists find an unexpected metal that could make hydrogen fuel cheaper

A metal most people rarely think about may play an important role in the future of clean energy. Researchers from Yale University and the University...