Science & Tech
Styrenyx breaks down waste polystyrene, a common hard plastic, into its original building block: styrene monomer. This includes flame-retardant-laden and other distressed feedstocks that are otherwise difficult to recycle. It uses controlled temperatures, with no catalyst required, and is the result of 8 generations of development, over 20
Science & Tech
TrackMyTrash is a service that would allow a user to discover the path that their recycled material is taking. This service would utilize reports from recycling plants, post-production companies, and innovators in recycled materials. All information would be compiled in an online database and app, allowing anyone to find
Science & Tech
What if the key to making stronger, more sustainable plastics isn't changing their ingredients, but rearranging their molecules? (EurekAlert!, 2026). Researchers at Virginia Tech have undergone experimentation with creating new molecular structures for degradable plastics while maintaining the properties that plastic should have. The researchers joined the ends
Science & Tech
For the past 6 years, Hawaii has been implementing recycled plastic into its roadways instead of letting it end up in a landfill. This technology has been dubbed polymer-modified asphalt (PMA), which is more durable and elastic, allowing it to withstand Hawaii's unique weather patterns. The plastic
Science & Tech
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have found a new ingredient to make cookies: PET plastic. “We were trying to develop technologies for plastic upcycling to make more valuable products. We thought, why not focus on making food? Because plastic is carbon and food is carbon,” explains Associate Professor Lahiru
Science & Tech
German creatives and scientists have created a new lightweight substitute for polystyrene, made out of an unusual material: popcorn. The popcorn kernel is an ideal natural resource for eco-friendly composite materials that can be used to produce not only insulation, flakeboard, and packaging but also furniture and children’s
2026-27 Capstone
Based on the Primary Research Survey, running errands was the most common reason for car trips. Instead of simply being passengers, children can choose the stops they want to make using physical tokens such as grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, or Grandma’s house. These tokens are placed into the
2026-27 Capstone
When we think about the frequent usage of a car, you might think of road-trips or long distance drives. But the reality is different. According to US Department of Energy, a majority of U.S. vehicle trips are less than 6 miles long, while only about 6.9% are
2026-27 Capstone
For decades, driving technology has focused on making driving easier and safer. A 2025 Kelley Blue Book article reports that 43% of nearly 18,000 car shoppers wanted hands-free semi-autonomous highway driving, making it one of the most wanted new car features. Just a year ago, hands-free
2026-27 Capstone
A Quora question asks, “What are some common errands people do weekly or monthly?” The examples that follow are simple: “Groceries, mail, driving to work, etc.” These are ordinary parts of everyday life, but they also explain why people repeatedly get back into their cars. For families, these trips normally
2026-27 Capstone
AI is moving beyond the screen. China has announced a goal of putting more than 10,000 humanoid robots into commercial use by the end of 2026, with applications in manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare. The important change is the shift from AI as software to AI as something that
2026-27 Capstone
Grocery shopping is part of everyday family life, but getting to the store is also part of the experience. USDA research found that transportation access affects how households get their groceries. The car is not just how people get to the store. It can affect how they shop. A car