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Results for: Plastics pollution
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The future of polymers: biodegradable solutions to a global challenge , videoPolymers have transformed modern life, but many are made from petrochemicals and can break down into harmful microplastics. Researchers are developing sustainable alternatives using natural materials like carbohydrates and lignin and creating biodegradable plastics and renewable adhesives that can replace conventional products. By studying how microplastics are generated, improving medical packaging, and even learning from biodegradable materials found in nature, scientists are working to reduce plastic pollution and build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Date: Sep 24, 2026 - -
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Nine faculty members receive Fulbright Scholar Awards , articleOver the coming year with their Fulbright awards, the nine will conduct research in aerospace materials, artificial intelligence, environmental health, water resources, plastic pollution, sustainable design, agriculture, and next-generation wireless communications.
Date: Jul 07, 2026 - -
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Polymers as sustainable plastic alternative , videoResearch led by Maren Roman focuses on the molecular properties and potential applications of carbohydrate-based materials. Her lab uses ion chromatography and rheometry to determine the properties of glycomaterials.
Date: May 27, 2026 - -
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National Academy of Inventors names seven senior members , articleAlaa Algargoosh, Anna Duraj-Thatte, Jonas Hauptman, Brook Kennedy, Guoliang "Greg" Liu, Roop Mahajan, and Danfeng "Daphne" Yao were among 162 emerging inventors from across the nation to make up the 2025 class of senior members for the National Academy of Inventors.
Date: Feb 24, 2025 - -
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Experts available: Holiday shopping days, Biden pardons Hunter, '100 Days of Solitude', understanding neurdivergence, recycling plastics, and more , articleVirginia Tech experts are available to discuss the growing collection of shopping holidays, President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, the new Netflix show "One Hundred Years of Solitude", understanding and accommodating neurodivergence, recycling plastic waste, and more.
Date: Dec 02, 2024 - -
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'Curious Conversations' podcast: Guoliang 'Greg' Liu talks about turning old plastic into soap , articleLiu discussed his journey in sustainability and the innovative process of converting plastic waste into soap.
Date: Nov 04, 2024 - -
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An unexpected way to upcycle: Plastic waste transforms into soap , articleGuoliang “Greg” Liu of the Department of Chemistry has discovered a new method of recycling plastics — from milk cartons, food containers, and plastic bags — into soap. The method: Heat the long carbon chains in the plastics then quickly cool them.
Date: Aug 10, 2023 - -
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Zooming in on microplastics , articleThese tiny particles are creating big challenges worldwide and are at the core of emerging fields of study for researchers, including many at Virginia Tech.
Date: Jul 19, 2023 - -
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Engineering disciplines team up to fight plastic pollution , articleWith industry partner, Charlottesville-based NatureORAL Co., and collaborators at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry, Abby Whittington and her team have received $75,000 in seed money from the Virginia Commonwealth Commercialization Fund to begin a project that could reduce the growing problem of medical waste worldwide.
Date: Mar 31, 2023 -