Eco-friendly alternative to Styrofoam developed
In a first, scientists have developed an environmentally-friendly, plant-based material that works better than Styrofoam for insulation.
The foam is mostly made from nanocrystals of cellulose, the most abundant plant material on earth.
The researchers from Washington State University in the US also developed an environmentally friendly and simple manufacturing process to make the foam, using water as a solvent instead of other harmful solvents.
Researchers have been working to develop an environmentally friendly replacement for polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam.
The popular material, made from petroleum, is used in everything from coffee cups to materials for building and construction, transportation, and packaging industries.
However, it is made from toxic ingredients, depends on petroleum, doesn't degrade naturally, and creates pollution when it burns.
While other researchers have created other cellulose-based foams, the plant-based versions have not performed as well as ...