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1. voda 18 december 2024 08:07

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   Ukraine's Zavalivsky Graphite Plant Shuts Down Amid Rising Costs & Market Struggles
   
   Synopsis: Zavalivsky Graphite, Ukraine’s only natural graphite producer, has halted operations due to rising energy and logistics costs, alongside falling graphite prices. The shutdown impacts industries like electronics, defense, and steel, which rely on graphite. The company’s inability to compete with cheap imports, especially from China, highlights the need for Ukraine to address its tariff policies and seek alternative sources for this crucial raw material.
   Wednesday, December 18, 2024
   
   Ukraine's Zavalivsky Graphite, the country's sole natural graphite production facility, has suspended operations following a combination of rising costs and falling market prices. Operating since 1934, Zavalivsky was a key player in the mining and processing of natural graphite, an essential raw material for various industries including electronics, automotive, and defense. However, the financial strain caused by increasing energy and logistics costs, as well as diminishing demand and prices in the global market, made the company’s operations unsustainable.
   
   The primary factor contributing to the shutdown of Zavalivsky Graphite was the sharp rise in electricity costs. Ukraine has faced significant energy price increases, which have heavily impacted industries reliant on energy-intensive processes like graphite mining. Additionally, the outdated production infrastructure at Zavalivsky has been unable to keep pace with modern industry standards, requiring substantial investment in upgrades to remain competitive.
   
   Voor meer, zie link:
   
   www.oreaco.com/steel/ukraines-zavaliv...
2. voda 30 december 2024 08:16

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   Turning Trash into Treasure: Scientists Transform Microplastics into Supermaterial Stronger Than Steel
   
   Synopsis: In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers have developed a method to transform microplastics into graphene, a material stronger than steel and with wide-ranging industrial applications. This innovative process provides a potential solution to the global plastic pollution crisis, offering both environmental benefits and new opportunities for industries like energy storage, biomedicine, and water purification. The new technique, known as Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma, could reshape the way we recycle plastic waste, turning it into valuable materials.
   
   Microplastics are an increasingly pervasive form of pollution, tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic objects. These particles, less than 5 millimeters in size, are found in vast quantities across oceans, landfills, and even in the air we breathe. They originate from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of everyday plastic products, the shedding of synthetic fibers from clothing, and even microbeads in personal care products like scrubs and toothpaste. In 2023, a study revealed that people ingest an estimated 5 grams of plastic per week, equivalent to the weight of a credit card, through food, water, and air.
   
   The environmental impact of microplastics is staggering. As these particles accumulate in ecosystems, they pose a threat to wildlife, disrupting natural habitats and entering the food chain. Marine animals, from fish to plankton, ingest microplastics, and these particles can then make their way up the food chain, eventually impacting human health. Furthermore, microplastics do not degrade easily, persisting in the environment for years and causing long-term damage. Microplastics have been linked to several health issues in humans, such as hormone disruption, heart disease, and even developmental issues like ADHD and autism in children. Despite growing awareness and the push to reduce plastic waste, microplastics continue to pose a severe challenge globally.
   
   In response to this pressing environmental crisis, researchers around the world have been exploring ways to mitigate plastic pollution and offer solutions that can transform this waste into something useful. Professor Mohan Jacob and Dr. Adeel Zafar, from James Cook University in Australia, have made a groundbreaking discovery that could radically change the way we think about plastic waste. Instead of simply breaking down plastic into smaller, non-degradable pieces, Jacob and Zafar have developed a method to upcycle microplastics, transforming them into graphene, one of the strongest and most versatile materials known to science.
   
   Graphene is a form of carbon that consists of a single layer of atoms arranged in a two-dimensional lattice. This simple structure gives graphene its remarkable properties: it is 200 times stronger than steel, five times lighter than aluminum, and conducts electricity and heat exceptionally well. Because of these qualities, graphene has generated significant interest in a wide range of industries, from energy storage to biomedicine, electronics, and even water purification. The ability to produce graphene from waste materials, especially from something as harmful as microplastics, presents an exciting opportunity to tackle plastic pollution while providing a high-demand material for various industries.
   
   The method developed by Jacob and Zafar utilizes an innovative technique called Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma synthesis. Traditional methods for converting plastic waste into graphene are expensive and energy-intensive. APMP, however, offers a simpler and more environmentally friendly alternative. The process involves the use of microwave plasma at atmospheric pressure, which efficiently breaks down the microplastic particles and transforms them into graphene. Dr. Zafar explained that the APMP process produces graphene at a "remarkably higher" rate compared to conventional methods. This makes it a viable option for large-scale production, offering a potential solution to both plastic waste and the growing demand for graphene.
   
   One of the key advantages of this new method is its efficiency and sustainability. Unlike other techniques, which can involve high temperatures, toxic chemicals, and lengthy processes, the APMP method is relatively simple and energy-efficient. The process also minimizes environmental impact, offering a greener way to produce valuable materials from waste. As a result, it has the potential to scale up quickly, turning the vast amounts of microplastic waste in our environment into a useful resource. Dr. Jacob highlighted that the new method is not only a technological breakthrough but also a step forward in addressing the environmental crisis caused by plastic pollution. By upcycling microplastics into graphene, the researchers have found a way to simultaneously reduce plastic waste and create a material with broad industrial applications.
3. voda 30 december 2024 08:16

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   The demand for graphene is rapidly increasing, particularly in sectors such as energy storage, water filtration, and biomedicine. In the energy sector, graphene is being explored as a material for next-generation batteries and supercapacitors, promising faster charging times, higher energy densities, and longer lifespans. In biomedicine, graphene's unique properties make it ideal for drug delivery systems, cancer therapies, and even tissue regeneration. It is also being investigated for its potential in water purification, where graphene-based filters can be used to remove harmful chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These "forever chemicals" are extremely persistent in the environment and have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues in children. Graphene’s ability to absorb and filter out PFAS could provide a much-needed solution to the contamination of natural resources.
   
   This breakthrough in graphene production could revolutionize the way we approach plastic waste management. Instead of accumulating in landfills or polluting the oceans, microplastics could be transformed into a valuable resource, contributing to the development of advanced technologies. The upcycling of plastic waste into graphene also opens up new economic opportunities, creating a circular economy where waste materials are continually reused and repurposed. By diverting plastic waste from the environment and turning it into high-value materials, this process could reduce the environmental footprint of plastic production and consumption while fostering innovation in materials science.
   
   In addition to its industrial applications, the APMP method could help drive a broader shift towards more sustainable waste management practices. As researchers continue to explore ways to recycle and upcycle plastic waste, new technologies like this one will play a critical role in addressing the growing plastic pollution crisis. The ability to convert microplastics into graphene offers a promising pathway for reducing pollution, creating valuable materials, and contributing to a more sustainable future. With further refinement and scaling of the APMP process, microplastics could one day become a critical resource, not a toxic waste product.
   
   Ultimately, this discovery highlights the potential for science and innovation to solve some of the most challenging environmental problems of our time. By transforming microplastics into graphene, researchers have opened up new possibilities for both tackling plastic pollution and advancing technology. As the global demand for graphene continues to rise, this breakthrough could prove to be a game-changer in both the fight against plastic waste and the development of next-generation materials for a wide range of industries. The combination of environmental sustainability and industrial utility makes this discovery one of the most promising innovations in the field of material science and environmental engineering.