We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Ultrastrong, Hydrostable, and Degradable Straws Derived from Microplastic-Free Thermoset Films for Sustainable Development
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed strong, moisture-stable drinking straws from all-natural thermoset materials derived from plant-based resins, demonstrating that the resulting straws are microplastic-free, fully biodegradable, and mechanically superior to paper straws which collapse in beverages.
Single-use plastics such as straws have caused intricate environmental challenges since they are not readily assimilated into nature at the end of life. Paper straws, on the contrary, become soggy and collapse in drinks resulting in an obnoxious user experience. Here, all-natural, biocompatible, degradable straws and thermoset films are engineered by integrating economical natural resources-lignin and citric acid-into edible starch and poly(vinyl alcohol), making them the casting slurry. The slurries were cast on a glass substrate, partially dried, and rolled on a Teflon rod to fabricate the straws. The straws are perfectly adhered at the edges by the strong hydrogen bonds from the crosslinker-citric acid-during drying, thus eliminating the need for adhesives and binders. Further, curing the straws and films in a vacuum oven at 180 °C results in enhanced hydrostability and endows the films with excellent tensile strength, toughness, and ultraviolet radiation shielding. The functionality of the straws and films surpassed paper and plastic straws, making them quintessential candidates for all-natural sustainable development.
More Papers Like This
All-natural, hydrophobic, strong paper straws based on biodegradable composite coatings
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an all-natural paper straw coated with a biodegradable mixture of sodium alginate, cellulose nanofibers, and stearic acid that avoids the microplastic problem of traditional plastic-coated straws. The coating made the straws water-resistant for over three hours while maintaining good strength, and the straws fully biodegraded in soil within about 45 days. The study offers a practical alternative to plastic straws that does not contribute to microplastic pollution during breakdown.
Production of Cost-Effective Biodegradable Straw
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a biodegradable drinking straw made from natural, chemical-free materials as an alternative to plastic straws. Plastic straws are a common source of single-use plastic pollution and potential microplastic generation in marine environments.
Hierarchical Interlayer Design for Wheat Straw-Based Straws: Exceptional Mechanical Robustness and In-Situ Capture of Micro/Nano Plastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers engineered a biodegradable drinking straw from wheat straw using coatings that improved strength, water resistance, and thermal stability. In lab testing, the straw's outer coating captured up to about 36% of negatively charged microplastics and nanoplastics from water, based on turbidity measurements.
Strong, anti-swelling, and biodegradable seaweed-based straws with surface mineralized CaCO3 armor
AI summary Read the abstract
Drawing on the structural design of bones and sea urchins, researchers developed seaweed-based drinking straws coated with calcium carbonate that showed strong water resistance and mechanical performance as a plastic-free alternative.
Growing Strong Polysaccharide-Derived Edible Straws with an Inherent Structural Binder via Biomanufacturing
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed edible straws made from bacterial cellulose and starch using a biomanufacturing approach, as an alternative to plastic straws that contribute to microplastic pollution. The straws demonstrated strong mechanical performance, maintaining their structure in both hot and cold beverages for extended periods. The study suggests that bio-manufactured food-contact materials could help reduce reliance on conventional plastics and the associated microplastic risks.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.