Fast Depolymerization of PET Bottle Mediated by Microwave Pre-Treatment and An Engineered PETase.

Invited for this month's cover is the groups of Prof. Minna Hakkarainen, Prof. István Furó and Assoc.

Fast Depolymerization of PET Bottle Mediated by Microwave Pre-Treatment and An Engineered PETase.

Recycling plastics is the key to reaching a sustainable materials economy. Biocatalytic degradation of plastics shows great promise by allowing selective depolymerization of man-made materials into constituent building blocks under mild aqueous conditions. However, insoluble plastics have polymer chains that can reside in different conformations and show compact secondary structures that offer low accessibility for initiating the depolymerization reaction by enzymes.

The need for fully bio-based facemasks to counter coronavirus outbreaks: A perspective.

The onset of coronavirus pandemic has sparked a shortage of facemasks in almost all nations. Without this personal protective equipment, healthcare providers, essential workers, and the general public are exposed to the risk of infection. In light of the aforementioned, it is critical to balance the supply and demand for masks.