Papers

Highly efficient multifunctional 3D polyurethane sponge with photothermal responsiveness for efficient oil-water separation and microplastic extraction

Insight into the adsorption behaviors and bioaccessibility of three altered microplastics through three types of advanced oxidation processes

Scientists found that when common microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) undergo water treatment processes like UV or chemical oxidation, their surfaces change in ways that make them better at absorbing harmful pollutants. The treated microplastics also released more chemicals during simulated human digestion, meaning people who ingest these particles may absorb more toxins from them. This is concerning because most microplastics in drinking water have already been through some form of water treatment.

Microplastics in the soil environment: Focusing on the sources, its transformation and change in morphology

This review focuses on how microplastics form and change shape in soil environments, tracing their journey from sources like agricultural plastic films, sewage sludge, and tire wear through biological and physical breakdown processes. The authors explain that microplastics do not just shrink over time but undergo chemical changes that can make them more or less toxic. Understanding these transformations in soil is important because it affects how microplastics move through agricultural land and into food crops.

Biofilm colonization on non-degradable and degradable microplastics change the adsorption of Cu(II) and facilitate the dominance of pathogenic microbes

Researchers studied how biofilm growth on both degradable and non-degradable microplastics alters their ability to absorb copper from water. They found that aging and biofilm colonization significantly increased the adsorption capacity of both polyamide and polylactic acid microplastics for copper ions. The study also revealed that biofilm-covered microplastics harbored a higher proportion of potentially pathogenic microbes, raising concerns about microplastics as vectors for both heavy metals and harmful bacteria.

Metabolomics reveals the size effect of microplastics impeding membrane synthesis in rice cells

Researchers studied how polystyrene particles of different sizes (30 nm, 200 nm, and 2 micrometers) affect rice cells, finding that larger particles caused significantly more damage. Exposure to 2-micrometer particles reduced cell viability by 66.4% and protein content by nearly half, while disrupting fatty acid biosynthesis critical for cell membrane formation. The findings suggest that microplastic particle size plays a key role in determining toxicity at the cellular level in plants.

Bioavailability quantification and uptake mechanisms of pyrene associated with different-sized microplastics to Daphnia magna

Researchers investigated how pyrene associated with microplastics of different sizes becomes bioavailable to Daphnia magna, finding that smaller microplastics enhanced pyrene uptake by water fleas compared to larger particles, suggesting that particle size is a key factor in the vector effect of microplastics.

Effects of biodegradable microplastics coexistence with biochars produced at low and high temperatures on bacterial community structure and phenanthrene degradation in soil

Researchers investigated how biodegradable microplastics interact with biochar in soil to affect bacterial communities and pollutant degradation. The study found that the coexistence of PBAT microplastics and biochar significantly altered soil microbial structure and influenced the degradation of phenanthrene, suggesting complex interactions between these increasingly common soil amendments.

Bionic design of multifunctional superhydrophobic fiber-based nonwoven fabric inspired by salvinia natans for efficient photothermal oil-water separation and micro plastic extraction on aero-engine filters

Fatigue Damage Evaluation of Aviation Aluminum Alloy Based on Strain Monitoring

Researchers developed a metal fatigue damage model for aerospace aluminum alloy using real-time strain monitoring combined with crystal plasticity finite element analysis, establishing a constitutive relationship between strain and damage prior to microcrack initiation. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis validated the model's accuracy in predicting fatigue damage states under various stress conditions.

Biomimetic lotus-inspired superhydrophobic composite membrane for simultaneous photocatalytic degradation and ultraclean filtration for aircraft engine lubricant purification

Y2O3-doped Al2O3 transparent ceramics prepared by low temperature microwave sintering

Researchers successfully fabricated transparent alumina ceramics doped with Y2O3 using microwave sintering at lower temperatures than conventional methods, achieving finer grain sizes and superior optical and mechanical properties. The work demonstrates advantages of microwave sintering for producing high-performance ceramics.