Papers

Characteristics and quantification of small microplastics (<100 µm) in seasonal svalbard snow on glaciers and lands

Researchers found tiny microplastic particles (smaller than 100 micrometers) in snow samples from Arctic glaciers and tundra in Svalbard, Norway. The amounts were lower on remote glaciers and higher near the research settlement, showing that these particles travel long distances through the air but also come from nearby human activity. This highlights how microplastic pollution reaches even the most isolated places on Earth.

Quantitative study of microplastic degradation in urban hydrosystems: Comparing in situ environmentally aged microplastics vs. artificially aged materials generated via accelerated photo-oxidation

Researchers compared how polyethylene microplastics degrade in real urban water environments versus under controlled laboratory UV exposure. They found that lab-aged plastics showed primarily physical and chemical changes from UV light, while microplastics collected from stormwater and sediments also showed signs of biological degradation and hydrolysis. The study demonstrates that artificial aging alone does not fully replicate the complex degradation processes microplastics undergo in actual urban water systems.

Laboratory experiments related to marine plastic pollution: a review of past work and future directions

This review catalogued laboratory experiments on marine plastic pollution, summarizing findings on plastic degradation, ingestion by marine organisms, and chemical leaching under simulated ocean conditions. The authors identified key knowledge gaps and called for more standardized experimental protocols.

From intrinsic dissipation to crack initiation: A rapid, energy-based framework for predicting fretting crack initiation using heat source identification

Structure, Morphology, and Surface Chemistry of Surgical Masks and Their Evolution up to 10 Washing Cycles

Researchers studied the structural, morphological, and surface chemistry changes in surgical masks subjected to up to 10 washing cycles, using scanning electron microscopy, wetting angle measurements, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that washing did not substantially change surface hydrophobicity, but documented fiber morphology changes that raise questions about filtration performance and microfiber release from reused masks.

Effect of dry heat treatment between room temperature and 160 °C on surgical masks

Researchers applied dry heat at temperatures up to 160°C to surgical masks and found that heating below 150°C caused only minor surface hydrophobicity changes without damaging fiber structure, while heating to 157°C began fusing fibers and 160°C rendered masks completely unusable — relevant for assessing safe decontamination protocols.

Quantitative calorimetric analysis of the fretting damage: Construction of the elastic shakedown boundary

Thermal method to determine crack nucleation conditions under fretting loading

This study developed a thermal imaging method to detect when cracks begin to form during fretting fatigue tests, where repeated small sliding motions cause surface damage. The technique provides a way to identify crack nucleation thresholds in contact fatigue testing.

Simulation of Payne Effect of Elastomeric Isolators with a Harmonic Balance Method

This study models the Payne effect in rubber isolators — where vibration amplitude changes the material's stiffness — using a harmonic balance method. The findings can improve the design of vibration-damping systems that use elastomeric components.