Using biofuels to power the future
Internal combustion engines are being superseded by EVs. However, electrifying the whole transport sector is likely to take decades. In the interim, biofuels offer a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Lou Reade reports
The case for Carbon capture and storage (CCUS)
Fossil fuels have great advantages as energy sources and are hard to replace. The resilience of demand means that the only way even to come close to meeting the climate goals of the Paris Agreement may be by using carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) at scale.
Applied chemistry
Read the latest applied chemistry highlights for January 2025 by Nigel P Freestone, University of Northampton, UK
Advances in the fight against 'bad' cholesterol
Two clinical trials have shown promising results in the fight against ‘bad’ cholesterol, known as lipo-protein(a). Some people are genetically predisposed to have high levels of lipoprotein(a), increasing their risk of heart disease, but at present there is little they can do about it. The results of the two studies mean that two potential therapies can pass into Phase III trials, offering hope to high risk patients.
The technosphere: An overlooked store of carbon that is getting bigger
Most research focuses on carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Now economists have estimated that each year people add around 400m tons of carbon to long-lasting products such as plastics and buildings. Although these products could be considered a carbon sink, proper waste management is essential to prevent them from becoming environmental hazards, they say.
Brand owners rely on contract services
The outlook is bright for contract services providers and their customers, according to Contract Packaging & Manufacturing: Drivers of Machinery Investments, a report published by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) and produced in conjunction with DDR/REACH.
Measuring the impact of chemicals in plastics
US scientists have estimated the impact of removing toxic chemicals from plastics. The group focused on two chemicals with known toxicity that are produced in large quantities – bisphenol A (BPA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). They also looked at brominated flame retardants or PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). It is known these chemicals may leach from plastics, leading to human exposure from everyday activities.
C&I Leader: Reproducibility, all over again
Reproducibility underpins the scientific method – the observational method for acquiring knowledge that has been fundamental to the conduct of science since at least the 17th century.