Physics World Materials Briefing 2021

Climate change, pollution and energy are interlinked themes of this year’s Materials Briefing. The “Materials for energy” section reports on lithium metal batteries; recyclable supercapacitors; and a combined solar energy and desalination system that produces solid salt, rather than liquid brine, as waste. In biomaterials we look at how foam made from pulped wood, rather than carbon-intensive gypsum plasterboard, can improve the acoustics inside buildings. And in polymers, you can learn about a new type of polyethylene fabric that is not only more breathable than cotton, but also has a smaller ecological footprint because it is so easy to manufacture, dye, clean and reuse.

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