Nature-inspired surfaces are being developed that are not only highly repellent to water, but are even superomniphobic Although hydrophobic materials have been in use for many years, advances in nanotechnology are causing a revolution in the coatings and surface-treatment field.…
This article examines the measures — both global and local — that chemical processors are taking to instill sustainability into everyday operations Although discussions about sustainability in the chemical process industries (CPI) are usually geared toward making processes more environmentally…
The CPI requires more innovative and comfortable chemical-resistant clothing, goggles and gloves to protect workers The purpose of chemical protective clothing (CPC) is to shield and protect workers from chemicals. However, explains Sally J. Smart, a Certified Safety Professional and…
By the end of this year, a demonstration plant will start up in the U.S. that uses an electrochemical process to recover phosphorus from wastewater, producing a fertilizer as struvite (NH4MgPO4·6H2O). Although the location and capacity of the plant has…
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a versatile biopolymer, but its applications are somewhat limited due to its brittleness. Now, an alternative bio-based composite material has been developed that overcomes this limitation. Developed by the industry-university consortium of Hitachi Zosen Corp. (HITZ;…
A proprietary technology and patented process from GreenMantra Technologies (Brantford, Ont., Canada; www.greenmantra.ca) that produces synthetic waxes from underutilized plastic recycling streams, including films and bags, has reached commercialization. The company’s first industrial-scale manufacturing plant started up in May, and…
Scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL; Livermore, Calif.; www.llnl.gov) have combined biology and 3-D printing to create the first reactor that can continuously produce methanol from methane at room temperature and pressure. The team removed enzymes from methanotrophs —…
Scientists from the National Chung Hsing University (Taichung, Taiwan; www.nchu.edu.tw), led by professor Ming-Yen Wey, have successfully developed an alternative route for recycling plastic solid waste. They used waste polystyrene to develop membranes suitable for processes such as carbon capture,…
Post-combustion carbon-capture processes that are based on adsorption of CO2 by amine compounds reduce the power output of coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants largely due to the energy required to regenerate the CO2 from the adsorbent material. In another approach,…
Colloidal glasses develop structural color through constructive interference. The color can be tuned by adjusting interparticle distance, making the colloidal glasses attractive for use as color pigments for use in coatings, displays, colorimetric sensors and optical barcodes. While colloidal crystals…