by Eric Melby Back in January, I wrote a post about the potential hazards of traditional cleaning chemicals. Based on questions and comments from friends and family, I am going to continue on that path, …
consumer products
Not Your Daddy’s Sunblock – Why Thick, White Sunblock is a Thing of the Past
by Joel Pederson As a child, I spent many summer days at the beach in southern California. I remember playing in the surf, collecting shells, watching sea lions, and seeing the white noses of the …
The Chemical Story Behind Non-Petroleum-Based Plastics
by Joe Buchman Every year, millions of tons of plastic are discarded into landfills, where they will take hundreds of years to break down. New biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution to this problem. Let’s …
Nano Contaminants: How Nanoparticles Get Into the Environment
by Sam Lohse Nanoparticles and the Environment Series, Part I (click here for part II) More than a year ago on this site, I talked to you about how nanoparticles were already all around us, …
Turning Plastic Bags into Carbon Nanotubes
by Merve Dogangun I was surprised to learn recently that plastic bags can be turned into a new material called carbon nanotubes. Prior to this, all I had heard about plastic bags was about the …
Cleaning without chemicals? Part I – The use and hazards of traditional cleaning chemicals
by Eric Melby This is part one of a two (maybe three…definitely four at the most) part series What motivated me to explore the chemical world of cleaning? Is it possible to have nice smelling …
Nature’s nanotechnology, bio-mimicry, and making the superpowers of your dreams a reality
by Devrah Arndt Only over the past 20 years have we begun to harness the unique properties of nano-scale materials, while nature has been using nano- “technology” since the beginning of time to prevent infections, …
How do Lithium Ion Batteries Work? A Nanotechnology Explainer.
by Julianne Troiano During a recent visit to Home Depot I came face to face with a lithium-ion battery, nanotechnology, and my interest in making a wooden-framed mirror. I had my eyes on some shiny, …
New Filter Gives Drinking Water a Silver Lining
by Adam Nikolaus The next time that you go to your sink and pour a glass of water, take a second to think about what’s in it. It likely has a little bit of chlorine, …
Paper or Plastic? Sustainability is a Multi-Dimensional Problem
by Sam Lohse Part 1 in the “How is That Sustainable?” Series “Paper or plastic?” This was the question you always used to get once you’d made it through the checkout line to the grocery …