Category: Innovation

Earlier this week we featured an article about two highschool students that developed a novel water filtration device that uses sound waves to remove microplastics from water. They are now working on a way to implement this technology across a wide range of industries and use cases that are badly in need of such a device.

However, researchers just recently discovered another method of removing microplastics contamination from drinking water that is right at your fingertips.

A group of scientists discovered that simply boiling water can remove between 25% and 90% of the microplastics present.

In a study conducted by Guangzhou University, researchers tested two types of tap water—hard water and soft water. Hard tap water is richer in minerals, especially calcium carbonate (limescale), compared to soft water. Anyone who uses an electric kettle or coffee maker is familiar with the limescale buildup that requires periodic cleaning. When the scientists boiled the hard tap water, the calcium carbonate precipitated out of the solution, effectively trapping a variety of plastic particles ranging in size from 5 to 10 micrometers. Remarkably, 90% of these particles were captured in the limescale layer.

The researchers noted, This simple boiling water strategy can ‘decontaminate’ [nano and microplastics] from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption,” in their paper published in February. Even in soft water, which contains less calcium carbonate, roughly 25% of the microplastics were removed. It’s worth noting that most bottled water sold in the U.S. is hard water, as is much of the tap water across the country. Some brands use reverse osmosis or other methods to dissolve minerals, then sell the water as either soft water or ‘mineral water’ after re-adding minerals.

It is estimated that there may be as much as 7 credit cards’ worth of plastic circulating in your body at any given time. While the long-term effects of this contamination are still unknown, studies in mice have found microplastics in every organ, including the brain and placenta.

If you don’t want to wait for the slower, more comprehensive solutions, like the sonic filter, filtering and boiling your drinking water could be a great option. Or just drink tea I guess.

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with Tokyo University of Science and Taiheiyo Cement Corporation, has developed a groundbreaking method to recycle concrete from a demolished school building and carbon dioxide from the air into new bricks strong enough to be used in house construction.

The process involves pulverizing the old concrete into a fine powder, which is then mixed with captured carbon dioxide. The mixture is then pressurized in layers using molds and heated to form solid concrete blocks. This innovative technique not only makes it easier and more feasible to recycle old materials but also traps carbon dioxide, reducing environmental impact. Moreover, these “refreshed” blocks can be reprocessed into new blocks if the buildings are later demolished.

The researchers explain that the recycled concrete blocks undergo a carbonation process over three months, which typically takes years in natural conditions. During this process, compounds like portlandite and calcium silicate hydrate in the concrete are transformed into calcium carbonate, strengthening the material over time. To expedite this process while ensuring the recycled blocks remain strong, the team pressurizes the carbonated powder with a calcium bicarbonate solution, then dries it to solidify the blocks. This recent experiment builds on previous efforts by layering and compacting the material inside molds, resulting in denser and stronger blocks compared to earlier methods.

This research is part of the C4S project (Calcium Carbonate Circulation System for Construction), led by Professor Takafumi Noguchi, with material development headed by Professor Ippei Maruyama. The project’s goal is to create durable recycled concrete blocks, known as “calcium carbonate concrete,” by incorporating carbon dioxide from the air or industrial exhaust. “As part of the C4S project, we intend to construct a real two-story house by 2030,” says Professor Maruyama. “In the coming years, we plan to scale up to a pilot plant, improve production efficiency, and develop larger building elements as we work towards commercializing this material.”

Two high school students have developed a novel water filtration device that uses sound waves to remove microplastics from water. The device, which leverages high-frequency acoustic waves to trap up to 94% of microplastic particles in a single pass, has shown promise in lab tests. The students are now using prize money from a prestigious award to scale up their invention.

Microplastics are pervasive, found in the atmosphere, on Mount Everest, and in the deepest parts of the ocean. They have also been detected in various human organs. Their ability to effect human hormone production and health is a very real concern. Addressing this widespread contamination is challenging, but Justin Huang and Victoria Ou from Woodlands, Texas, may have found a solution.

Their device, no larger than a pen, uses ultrasonic sound waves to push microplastics away from the water’s exit point. This method improves on previous designs that used ultrasonic waves to address microplastics in wastewater and drinking water.

After receiving the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations and first place in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, Huang and Ou plan to refine their technology. They hope to enhance it with professional equipment and prepare it for large-scale production.

During their research, they discovered that wastewater treatment plants lack effective microplastic regulation due to cost and regulatory gaps. Huang and Ou envision their technology being used in wastewater treatment plants, industrial textile facilities, rural water sources, laundry machines, and even fish tanks.

A recent study found that adding honey to yogurt helps the beneficial bacteria in yogurt survive longer in the GI tract. This finding supports the ancient Greek recognition of honey as a medicinal food, valued for over 2,000 years.

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, bacteria found in yogurt, are crucial for a healthy gut microbiome and can enhance bowel function throughout digestion. The study highlights that up to 25% of Americans experience unsatisfactory bowel function, indicating significant digestive issues for many.

The study compared yogurt with honey to yogurt with sugar over two 2-week periods. Although the study didn’t achieve all its goals, it did show that yogurt with honey increased Bifidobacterium animalis levels in participants’ stools. The authors suggest future research should include individuals with specific digestive issues like constipation or IBS.

Chris Kresser, co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, noted that while the study’s outcomes were mixed, honey’s health benefits are well-documented.

Nepal and China’s largest drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations, have signed an agreement to supply heavy lift drones to help clear trash from Mount Everest. These drones will be operated by Sherpas, who have long been responsible for removing waste from the mountain. The drones will allow them to access dangerous areas without risking their lives.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality have agreed to use these drones commercially after a successful test in April. The SPCC works to remove trash and bodies from Everest’s slopes, requiring climbers to carry down a certain amount of garbage or forfeit a $4,000 deposit.

The Khumbu Icefall, a particularly dangerous part of the climb, has claimed the lives of nearly 50 Sherpas between 1953 and 2023. The use of drones aims to reduce fatalities in this area. While there are concerns about job loss, the priority is safety. Sherpas will be trained to operate the drones, which cannot function at higher altitudes.

The drones have a load capacity of 30 kg at Camp I, but this decreases to 18 kg at Camp II, 6,400 meters above sea level. The SPCC is committed to removing trash and bodies, especially as warmer temperatures uncover old waste, threatening to pollute the water sources in the region.