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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Mechanical and Air Permeability Performance of Novel Biobased Materials from Fungal Hyphae and Cellulose Fibers
ClearRecent Eco-Friendly Developments in Personal Protective Clothing Materials for Reducing Plastic Pollution: A Review
This review examined recent developments in eco-friendly personal protective clothing materials, evaluating bio-based and biodegradable fiber alternatives to conventional plastic-derived materials as a strategy to reduce plastic pollution from the personal protective equipment sector.
Evaluation of Eco-Friendly Hemp-Fiber-Reinforced Recycled HDPE Composites
Researchers developed hemp-fiber-reinforced recycled HDPE composites from postconsumer plastic waste, demonstrating that these sustainable biocomposites can serve as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional wood-plastic composite products.
Fungal Based Biopolymer Composites for Construction Materials
Researchers developed a novel composite biomaterial combining lignocellulosic wheat straw substrate, fungal mycelium, and polypropylene embedded with bacterial spores for potential construction applications. The study suggests that fungal-based biopolymer composites could serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional construction materials, contributing to reduced reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
Robust Bio‐Textiles Via Mycelium‐Cellulose Interface Engineering
Researchers developed a sustainable bio-textile platform by engineering mycelium from fungi into cellulose fibers to form a semi-interpenetrating network, creating water-resistant textiles as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fibers.
Antiviral/antibacterial biodegradable cellulose nonwovens as environmentally friendly and bioprotective materials with potential to minimize microplastic pollution
Biodegradable cellulose nonwoven materials incorporating antiviral and antibacterial agents were developed as a sustainable alternative to polypropylene face masks, demonstrating comparable filtration performance with significantly faster environmental degradation, reducing the microplastic pollution burden of disposable PPE.
Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance of the Face Mask Type II
This study developed a natural nonwoven layer made from flax and cotton fibers to replace one of the three polypropylene layers in medical face masks. Replacing synthetic polymer layers in single-use masks reduces the amount of polypropylene microplastics released when discarded masks degrade in the environment.
Preparation of fungal biocomposite for environment friendly packaging of plant saplings
Researchers grew Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum fungi on agricultural waste substrates to produce mycelium biocomposites for biodegradable plant sapling packaging, finding that Ganoderma lucidum composites showed superior thermal stability and mechanical strength as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging.
Fundamental studies for designing insulation panels from wood shavings and filamentous fungi
Researchers tested the feasibility of making thermal insulation boards from wood shavings and filament waste to replace conventional petroleum-based insulation materials. This sustainable materials research is part of efforts to develop plastic alternatives that would reduce long-term microplastic environmental accumulation.
Recent technological innovations in mycelium materials as leather substitutes: a patent review
This patent review examined recent innovations in mycelium-based leather substitutes made from filamentous fungi, covering fabrication methods, post-processing techniques, and their potential as sustainable alternatives to animal and plastic-based leathers.
Nanocellulose-based membrane as a potential material for high performance biodegradable aerosol respirators for SARS-CoV-2 prevention: a review
Researchers reviewed nanocellulose-based membrane materials as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic face mask filters, finding that cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals offer promising filtration efficiency, biocompatibility, and environmental safety compared to single-use plastic-based respirators.
Fabrication of microplastic-free biomass-based masks: Enhanced multi-functionality with all-natural fibers
Researchers developed a new biodegradable face mask made entirely from natural plant and animal fibers, eliminating the microplastic shedding associated with conventional disposable masks. The mask achieved 95.9% filtration efficiency, strong antibacterial performance against common bacteria, and could even detect ammonia levels in breath for health monitoring. This microplastic-free design offers a more sustainable alternative to standard surgical masks.
Natural Fibrous Materials as Eco-Friendly Air Filters
Researchers tested four natural fibrous materials—carbonized rice husks, rice husks, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut fiber—as potential eco-friendly alternatives to plastic-based HEPA filters and face masks. Carbonized rice husks showed the best quality factor among the bio-based materials, and all were free of the microplastic generation associated with synthetic filter materials.
Fabric structure and polymer composition as key contributors to micro(nano)plastic contamination in face masks.
Researchers investigated how the structure of face masks — including surgical polypropylene and fashionable polyurethane masks — influences the generation of micro- and nano-plastics during normal wear and UV aging. The findings show that mask material composition and fabric structure are key determinants of how much plastic particles are shed into the wearer's breathing zone.
Performance Spectrum of Home-Compostable Biopolymer Fibers Compared to a Petrochemical Alternative
Researchers compared home-compostable biopolymer fibers to conventional petrochemical alternatives, evaluating their mechanical performance and degradability to assess whether biobased materials can serve as viable substitutes that reduce microplastic pollution.
Face masks and respirators: Towards sustainable materials and technologies to overcome the shortcomings and challenges
This review examines the limitations of current face masks and respirators, including low filtration efficiency and non-biodegradability, and explores sustainable materials and emerging technologies such as nanofibers and biodegradable polymers to address these shortcomings.
Implementation of jute-based nose holder in surgical masks to reduce plastic contamination
Researchers developed a surgical mask with a jute-based nose holder as an alternative to conventional plastic nose holders, finding it comfortable for 82.6% of 900 surveyed users and projecting it could help reduce the approximately 773 tons of plastic waste generated daily from mask nose holders.
Equipment-Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fabrication from Bacterial Cellulose-Derived Biomaterials via Waste-to-Wealth Conversion
Researchers developed an equipment-free method for fabricating biodegradable personal protective equipment (PPE) from bacterial cellulose grown via fermentation of locally sourced organic feedstocks, as an alternative to single-use plastic PPE waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach demonstrated that sustainable, compostable PPE fabrics could be produced inexpensively without specialized equipment, offering a waste-to-wealth conversion pathway.
Peer Review #1 of "Current situation and future perspectives for the use of fungi in the biomaterial industry and proposal for a new classification of fungal-derived materials (v0.1)"
Not relevant to microplastics — this is a peer review document evaluating a manuscript about fungal mycelium-based biomaterials (mycomaterials) and their potential to replace environmentally problematic industrial substrates.
Reusable Personal Protective Equipment Viewed Through the Lens of Sustainability
This paper evaluates the sustainability impacts of single-use vs. reusable personal protective equipment, finding that polypropylene-based disposable masks generate microplastics as they degrade and have higher carbon footprints than reusable alternatives.
Recent Research Trends in Mushroom Mycelium-based Materials
This review summarizes recent research on mushroom mycelium as a sustainable industrial material, covering applications in leather substitutes, construction, electronics, packaging, and insulation. Mycelium-based materials can utilize agricultural and forestry by-products and offer a renewable alternative to conventional plastics.
Production and characterization of human hair keratin bioplastic films with novel plasticizers
Researchers extracted keratin protein from human hair waste and used it to create thin biodegradable plastic films as an alternative to conventional plastics. The films showed good structural integrity, absorbed minimal water, and broke down when exposed to fungi, suggesting potential use in sustainable packaging and disposable products.
Energy absorption and resilience in quasi-static loading of foam-formed cellulose fibre materials
Researchers investigated lightweight foam-formed cellulose fibre materials as potential replacements for fossil-based plastic cushioning in packaging applications. They tested a wide range of material compositions and densities, finding that fibre type and refining significantly influenced energy absorption and resilience during compression. The study demonstrates that cellulose-based foams could provide adequate mechanical protection for packaging while avoiding the microplastic pollution associated with conventional plastic foams.
Tunable and Biodegradable Poly(Ester Amide)s for Disposable Facemasks
Researchers synthesized seven novel poly(ester amide) (PEA) polymers from biosourced materials for use as biodegradable disposable facemask components, addressing microplastic pollution from conventional disposable masks. Two PEA grades achieved full biodegradation within 35 days and were compatible with electrospinning, producing ultra-thin filter fibers with microparticle capture efficiency and air permeability comparable to commercial filters.
Recent Progress in Modified Polymer-Based PPE in Fight Against COVID-19 and Beyond
This review covers advances in modified polymer-based personal protective equipment materials for COVID-19 and future infectious disease scenarios, examining how antimicrobial coatings, nanoparticle additives, and advanced filtration polymers can improve PPE performance while minimizing microplastic shedding.