CuriosiTEA Journal Club 

Student summary by Olivia Hwang Original Source: NEIL SAVAGE, Scientific American, April 2,2025 https://www.scientificamerican.com/custom-media/ul-research-institutes/the-new-materials-that-could-ease-climate-impacts/?mvt=i&mvn=c72419d6bafe46a58cf37beafcb7118d&mvp=NA-SCIEAMER-11239494&mvl=%20%5BHopper%20Native%20Grid%5D Abstract Background: Climate change is a growing issue, and with the world using many petroleum-based materials, a United Nations study reports that water

Student summary by Elizabeth Li Original Source: Alex Parrish, Virginia, June 2nd, 2025 https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/05/eng-me-bartlett-worch-recyclable-circuits.html Image created by Elizabeth Li Abstract Background: So many electronics such as phones, tablets, and computers have been thrown away in the past few years, and the recycling process is proving to be too slow to accommodate so much waste. The amount of electronic waste (e-waste) is piling u

Student summary by Elizabeth Li Original Source: Erin Garcia De Jesús, Sciencenews, July 2nd, 2025 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bioplastic-algae-plastic-mars-space Image created by Elizabeth Li Abstract Background: Getting ahold of enough material to build and sustain a settlement on Mars would be nearly impossible. Even for humans to live there — or anywhere — without plants would be impossible. Mars has an atmosphere too thin to hold liquid water — about 100 times t