In this article, the chemical process they use involves adding granulated activated carbon, and superheating to 3000C to break down the forever chemical polyfluroalkyl substances, is not only able to clean certain types of plastic from water sources, but they can chemically convert it to grahene, which can be used in batteries, solar panels, and other electronics, repurposing the matter
Lauren Leffer at ScienceNews wrote about an interesting concept that rechargeable batteries don’t actually last forever like most assume. She revealed through this article that as time goes on, these batteries become useless and just a waste of matter. This is due to leaking hydrogen. Gang Wan, a materials physicist and chemist from Stanford University explains that unwanted hydrogen fills into the positive end of the battery which then results in less room for charged lithium atoms which are key to maintaining charge and reactivity in the battery. The hydrogen comes from the battery’s electrolyte, which instead of hydrogen is supposed to transport the lithium ions but obviously fails. This then causes a ripple effect and ultimately decreases the lifespan of the battery. So even when not in use, it’s still losing energy.
Leffer provides basic information about the anatomy of a lithium-ion battery, showing through visuals how ions move between the anode and cathode ends of the battery to create a reaction that builds a charge. When hydrogen protons leak in the electrons break off and leak into the outer layers of the cathode causing all kinds of problems.
In order to conduct research on this, Wan switched the hydrogen in the electrolyte for deuterium. Deuterium is basically a variant of hydrogen. They tracked its movement with X-ray imaging and mass spectrometry. This is how they found that hydrogen is the main culprit for the cathode losing charge. The results from this research are helpful because it’s able to help come up with ways to alter the chemistry of batteries to reduce the amount of hydrogen reactions or even avoid them completely. More research is always needed but this is a solid first step.
Lastly, the article mentioned that another root of this issue is the desire to stuff an abundant amount of energy into smaller cells (high-voltage batteries) because it appeals to people more. Who wouldn’t want a battery with more energy, it sounds a lot more effective. Well, it’s been determined that higher voltage cathodes are not only more reactive but also tend to pull in hydrogen. So, finding another solution to this desire or just cutting out high voltage batteries altogether can help provide better quality batteries. Additionally, it would reduce the need to mine cobalt and lithium minerals. So overall, less work and better batteries in the end.
Leffer, Lauren. “Scientists may have an explanation for why some batteries don't last.” Science News, posted September 27, 2024. Accessed 15 March 2025.
Posted by Stephanie Park via e-mail to Grandpa Doug
A recent study has uncovered an unexpected benefit of tea leaves: their ability to pull heavy metals, such as lead, from water, significantly reducing the risk of contamination. This is particularly important as many homes worldwide receive water from aging pipes that contain lead, which poses a serious health risk, especially to children. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays and behavioral issues. The study found that tea leaves, through their chemical compounds and surface structure, can absorb heavy metals, potentially lowering the amount of dangerous compounds people may unknowingly ingest through their water. With billions of cups of tea consumed globally each day, this discovery has significant public health implications.
The study, led by Vinayak Dravid, a materials scientist at Northwestern, examined how different types of tea, including black, green, white, oolong, and herbal varieties, performed in removing lead from contaminated water. Tea leaves contain catechins (C15H14O6), which act like “Velcro” to attract and bind to lead molecules. Black tea, with its wrinkled leaves due to roasting, proved to be the most effective in absorbing lead, while white tea, with its smoother leaves, performed less effectively. Interestingly, steeping time also played a crucial role—longer steeping times increased lead absorption but made the tea more bitter.
Despite the positive effects, the researchers noted that no level of lead exposure is considered safe. Even a small reduction in lead, however, could be meaningful, especially in areas with limited access to clean water or water treatment infrastructure. In the study, steeping black tea for five minutes removed around 15% of lead from water, a potentially helpful reduction in contaminated regions. However, steeping tea for longer durations made the tea undrinkable due to increased bitterness, limiting the practical application of this method.
The authors of the study emphasized that they were not aiming to influence policy decisions but to highlight an often overlooked benefit of a global practice. Their findings suggest that in countries where tea consumption is high, the ingestion of lead from drinking water could be reduced by as much as 3%. This research also opens the door to exploring tea as a potential scalable method for water purification, particularly in areas struggling with water contamination.
Originally published by the New York Times on February 28th 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/science/tea-leaves-lead.html
In early February 2023 a Norfolk southern 50 car train derailed in East Palestine Ohio. The train was transporting multiple tanker cars of vinyl chloride. It is a gas a room temperature but cooled to a liquid at, -13.9 C or 6.98 F, for transportation. Vinyl chloride is the monomer subunit of the polymer PVC. The chemical is found in plastic PVC pipes often used for plumbing, as well as vinyl siding, packaging and a range of consumer goods, including furniture, car parts, shower curtains and toys used by children and pets.
Inhalation of vinyl chloride has been linked to liver cancer and other health problems, according to the National Cancer Institute, and its use has long been banned in cosmetics, hair spray and other personal products. PVC plastic is not a known or suspected carcinogen, the agency said. The Vinyl Institute, a trade group that represents manufacturers, called the effort to ban vinyl chloride misguided. As shown by the polymerization reaction if no termination step is undergone then free radical chain reactions would be prevalent in the local ecosystem of East Palestine, Ohio. The EPA did soil removal to remove residual vinyl chloride from the area. However the damage done to the environment was essentially irreversible. This episode is a reminder of the dangers of living near rail lines, ports, airports, and highways. It also highlights the wide ranging effects accidents can have on the surrounding areas.
https://apnews.com/article/vinyl-chloride-ohio-train-derailment-toxic-chemicals-54bb0a943f4f4af0e4f68cc60ce4edb4
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tandfonline.com%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1016%2Fj.jtusci.2014.09.007&psig=AOvVaw2BZ0eyGd1tSGb3XXisZXwQ&ust=1742349886703000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCICulabFkowDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAr
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vaia.com%2Fen-us%2Ftextbooks%2Fchemistry%2Forganic-chemistry-5th%2Fradical-reactions%2Fq27-question-draw-the-steps-of-the-mechanism-that-converts-v%2F&psig=AOvVaw2BZ0eyGd1tSGb3XXisZXwQ&ust=1742349886703000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBcQjhxqFwoTCICulabFkowDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
Every year, millions of tons of clothing are discarded, nearly three quarters of which end up being incinerated or dumped into landfills which end up as microplastics polluting our oceans. The solution to this is a newly developed chemical-processing technique that can break down fabrics into reusable materials. A recent Nature article highlights the discovery.
Recycling is a tricky process; Much of it involves physically separating waste into raw materials. Recycling of textiles becomes even trickier. Many fabrics are made of a mixture of materials such as cotton and polyester which mechanical recycling methods often struggle to separate into products that can be used again. When separation is possible, the quality of the product is often low and not worth reusing.
A newly developed chemical process called microwave assisted glycolysis can break up large chains of molecules called polymers into their smaller, monomer units, with the help of heat and a zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst. For pure polyester fabrics, the reaction converts the polyester into BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate) with 90% yield. The main advantage of this technique though, is its ability to process textiles that have mixed composition. The researchers tested fabrics containing a blend of cotton, polyester, nylon or spandex. Like polyester, spandex was broken down into its monomer units called MDA (4,4′-methylenedianiline). Both MDA and BHET products of the reaction can be used directly to make new clothing. Cotton and nylon on the other hand, were found to not be affected by the treatment and could thus be recovered intact.
Another significant advantage of microwave assisted glycolysis is its relatively low reaction time. The reaction takes only 15 minutes which is significantly lower than other processing techniques which can take days to break down the same materials. Dionisios Vlachos, co-author of the study and professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware, states that he believes reaction conditions can be further optimized to bring reaction times down to the order of seconds. With further developments, the researchers estimate that 88% of clothing worldwide could be recycled.
Andini, Erha, et al. “Chemical recycling of mixed textile waste.” Science Advances, vol. 10, no. 27, 5 July 2024, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado6827.
Kudiabor, Helena. “‘Chemical Recycling’: 15-Minute Reaction Turns Old Clothes into Useful Molecules.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 4 July 2024, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02210-1.
A “miracle” drug has been gaining widespread popularity online among those trying to lose weight. This drug, known as Ozempic, is FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, but has not been approved for weight loss. Despite this, many people are turning to the drug in hopes of losing some weight, a trend that has raised concern about its safety. An article published in the New York Times, “What is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention?” discusses the debate over this drug and its uses.
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| Image showing the injectable drug "Ozempic" |
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by imitating a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is produced in the intestines. GLP-1 works by regulating blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon release, making it an effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes. This signals to the body that the stomach is full, reducing appetite and helping individuals feel satisfied more quickly, leading them to consume less and ultimately lose weight. Although Ozempic is only approved for people with Type 2 diabetes, another drug, Wegovy, has been approved by the FDA for weight loss in adults with obesity, particularly those who also suffer from high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or other related conditions.
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| Image showing the mechanisms of GLP-1 |
Despite FDA instructions, some doctors have been prescribing Ozempic for off-label use as a weight-loss aid. However, there is disagreement among medical professionals. Some argue that the evidence is insufficient to support prescribing the drug to people who do not meet the FDA-approved criteria, while others believe it could be an effective solution for weight loss.
The potential side effects of Ozempic include nausea, dehydration, fatigue, malaise, and bowel issues, making it important for doctors to carefully monitor patients on the medication. Another concern is the cost—without insurance, Ozempic can cost around $900 a month, making it unaffordable for many. Additionally, there has been a shortage of the drug due to its increasing popularity, which has made it difficult for people with diabetes to access it and receive the crucial help they need from the medication.
In summary, Ozempic and similar drugs are at the center of a heated debate. The long-term effects of these drugs for people without diabetes remain uncertain, which raises concerns. However, given the seriousness of obesity as a health issue, some doctors see it as a promising weight-loss treatment. The debate continues, with key questions still to be answered: Is it safe for non-diabetics? Does the obesity crisis justify broader use? Should these drugs be reserved only for those with diabetes? Hopefully, future research will provide clearer answers to these important questions.
Liquified natural gas, energy transition friend or foe?
