Education & Training

A team of researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science has created an innovative plastic designed to combat microplastic pollution.

In a recent conversation with Plastics Engineering, SPE’s spokespersons outlined the organization’s role in supporting the Global Plastics Treaty.

The editor’s choice for November 2024 in SPE’s Polymer Composites journal is “Introducing Diels-Alder reaction with carbon nanotubes for the enhanced repair performance of epoxy resin modified asphalt.”

Polish researchers have evaluated hydrogel microspheres made from chitosan and carrageenan as effective vitamin carriers for skin care.

The temperature that the polymer experiences upon entering the mold and during solidification directly affects several part properties, ranging from surface appearance to mechanical performance.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) recently hosted its annual event in Baltimore, bringing together over 150 professionals focused on the pressing issue of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, many SMEs face challenges, including limited resources, that slow AI adoption. This includes not only the plastics industry, but is a bottle neck across all fields.

Bioinspired hydrogels show promise in developing artificial photosynthesis. This can provide solutions to complex challenges in sustainable energy and hydrogen generation.

Tooling digitalization can be the solution for today’s manufacturing systems, where the tool failures can cause as much as 20% downtime, leading to significant productivity and profit losses. 

As sustainability becomes a global priority, biopolymers derived from bacteria are emerging as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional oil-based plastics.