The windows of the future could feature transparent wood instead of glass
Wood may sound like the wrong choice of material to replace the glass in your windows, but a team of researchers just proved the contrary. A group of scientists at the USDA, together with several other institutions, has developed “transparent wood,” a glass-like material made almost entirely Read More...
Pineapple leaves can help extend the lifespan of fresh fruit and vegetables
Every year, the world wastes about one-third of all food produced for human consumption, a great amount of which results from inadequate storage and processing facilities for post-harvest produce. Developing technologies that help keep food fresh for longer is one of the most effective ways to save Read More...
Special class of enzymes could lead to more eco-friendly plastic
Plastic isn’t only harmful to the environment after it’s discarded, but also during its initial production, because it relies on the extraction of fossil fuels. Looking to find a more environment-friendly way to produce this ubiquitous material, scientists have recently made a breakthrough, Read More...
Scientists develop reusable adhesive material inspired by the feet of flies
From gecko skin to bee slobber, the natural world has been a great source of inspiration for scientists working on advanced adhesive materials. More recently, scientists in Japan have drawn inspiration from the clingy footpads of fruit flies to develop a material that can be attached and detached Read More...
Scientists use popular supplement Spirulina to purify water
Touted for its high protein count and other health benefits, Spirulina is typically used as a supplement. But researchers in Sweden have recently found a way to use the blue-green algae to remove contaminants from water and then make biofuels from what’s left after the process. For the Read More...
Levi’s announces collection of jeans made from hemp
Now that it is legal to cultivate hemp across the US, clothing brands are increasingly considering turning to this much-beloved material, that’s often touted not only for its strength but also for being more sustainable than cotton, requiring less water and land space. Now, those looking for a Read More...
Plantain fibers could help engineers build stronger and lighter cars
Carbon fiber has long been touted for its incredible material properties, including being extremely durable and lightweight at the same time. Although these properties are precisely what car manufacturers are looking for in materials for building cars, carbon fiber is still very expensive to Read More...
The exterior of this electric truck is made of natural materials
While electric vehicles may be the greener option in comparison to their gas-powered relatives, the materials used to produce electric vehicles are by no means green. That, however, could soon start to change thanks to the ambitions of Volta Trucks. The EV manufacturer is creating an all-electric Read More...
New reflective coating keeps homes cool and comes in different colors
Just as wearing white clothing is a good way of beating the heat on hot days, painting our buildings white can also keep them cool and thus save a considerable amount of energy in the process. But it isn’t easy to keep white clothes clean, and some of us like a bit more color in our lives. Read More...
Novel material could make digital screens bend and heal themselves
Imagine a digital screen that’s not only bendable but can also heal itself when it cracks. Thanks to a novel material developed by an astute team of scientists, that may soon be actually possible. Coming from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, the new invention is Read More...