sustainable-materials
Sustainable materials research in plant science explores how plants can serve as renewable sources for biodegradable fibers, bioplastics, resins, and other eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived products. By studying plant cell wall composition, lignocellulosic structures, and secondary metabolites, researchers aim to develop crops and processing methods that maximize material yield while minimizing environmental impact. This field bridges fundamental plant biology with applied biotechnology, driving innovations in agriculture, manufacturing, and circular economy solutions.
When "biodegradable" is not benign: Microplastic-driven disruption ...
The 'biodegradable' mulch films and compostable bags you use in your garden may be leaving behind...
Adsorptive removal of methylene blue using water hyacinth roots: ba...
That murky blue water you've seen downstream from textile factories could be cleaned using the sa...
Precision-engineered starch: Integrating metabolic engineering and ...
Staple crops like potatoes, corn, and rice are being quietly rewritten at the molecular level so ...
Sugarcane waste pots boost pepper yields and skip the plastic
Every plastic nursery pot you've ever bought will outlast your garden by centuries, but these sug...
Towards environmental sustainability through the production of tail...
Microplastics now found in soil, water, and food are entering your garden, your vegetables, and u...
In situ degradation of biodegradable bio-based plastics in urban so...
Those 'compostable' plant-based plastic bags and containers you toss in your garden compost bin m...
Sustainable bioplastics manufacturing from renewable sources.
Bioplastics made from plant materials could replace the plastic mulch films, pots, and packaging ...
Wood-based plastic dissolves in water and can be remade repeatedly
Every plastic pot, tray, and row-cover in your garden shed is a fossil-plastic debt that will out...
Recent advances in bioengineering and functional applications of mi...
The biodegradable pots and packaging you compost in your garden could soon be grown from fungal t...
Rethinking plastic waste: innovations in enzymatic breakdown of oil...
Plastics piling up in landfills and leaching into soil and waterways are quietly poisoning the gr...
New model predicts strength of bamboo building panels layer by layer
The bamboo flooring or furniture in your home could soon be joined by structural bamboo panels st...
Bamboo's knotty parts need a different paint recipe
If you've ever refinished bamboo flooring or furniture and watched the coating peel first at the ...
Graphene coating makes bamboo building material tougher and crack-resistant
The bamboo fencing, flooring, or garden trellis you've considered might soon come in a stronger, ...
Walnut shell char becomes reusable catalyst for chemical synthesis
The walnut shells you'd normally toss in the compost or trash could one day be baked into industr...