sustainable materials

Green recovery of amorphous silica from silicone waste: Alkali activation and thermal treatment

This study presents a green and sustainable method for recovering high-purity silica from solid silicone by-products derived from industrial silicone oil manufacturing through alkali-assisted sol–gel synthesis, with and without thermal treatment. Sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate were used to evaluate the effects of alkali type, concentration, and calcination at 800 °C on silica yield, structure, and performance.

Building a roadmap for safer and sustainable material chemistries: Addressing the PFAS problem through informatics and data-driven chemistry

Scientific research increasingly demonstrates that chemicals and materials essential for everyday products threaten natural systems and human health. Transitioning to sustainable, circular, and low-carbon economies depends critically on having safer chemicals available. We propose that materials scientists should also account the impact of the health hazards of chemicals associated with the synthesis, processing, and manufacturing of materials.

CO2 Conversion Technology for Sustainable Carbon Materials

Bergen Carbon Solutions is a company transforming CO2 into a valuable resource by using renewable energy to convert excess greenhouse gas into solid, versatile industrial raw materials. The carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology developed by Bergen has the potential to deliver a stable supply of carbon nanotubes and graphite, and also reduce manufacturers' exposure to geopolitical risks associated with raw material sourcing.

Freezer, Microwave, and Oven-Safe Food Packaging Solutions

Footprint specializes in plant-based fiber solutions to replace rigid plastics in food packaging. With a focus on freezer, microwave, and oven-safe applications, Footprint’s mission is to remove plastic from food-contact materials, creating packaging that is fully biodegradable The company's patented technologies provide moisture and oil resistance, extending the shelf life of frozen goods from 12 to 18 months.

Biodegradation of Textile Fabrics Info-Sheets

In this combined PDF of three info-sheets, discover a summary of the research and the key findings from the Design for Transformation (D4T) Initiative's collaboration with Leeds University in the U.K. to conduct a literature review of the existing research examining the biodegradability of textile fabrics including colorants and finishing chemistries. The individual info-sheets – along with other resources – can be found on the Biomimicry Institute's Resources page.

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