Researchers turn biodegradable plastic into foam
‘Tweaking temperature and pressure, there is a window where we can make good foams,’ study’s author says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Researchers have shown how biodegradable plastic can be turned into a foam that can be used as insulation in walls or in flotation devices.
A team at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand put biodegradable knives, forks and spoons into a chamber filled with carbon dioxide.
As they increased the pressure inside the chamber, the gas dissolved into the cutlery.
When the pressure was subsequently released, the carbon dioxide expanded inside the plastic, creating "foaming".
"Tweaking temperature and pressure, there is a window where we can make good foams," said Heon E. Park, author of the study Physics of Fluids, published by AIP Publishing on Tuesday.
"It's not that every temperature or every pressure works. We found what temperature or what pressure is the best to make those nonfoamable plastics into foams."
The researchers found that lower pressure in the chamber resulted in bulkier foams.
It can take months or even years for biodegradable plastics to disintegrate, and even then scientists say microplastics may persist in the environment, seeping into the ground, rivers or the sea.
The researchers say their findings could help to reduce the amount of biodegradable plastics ending up at landfill sites.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments