Groundbreaking new technology detects near-invisible microplastics in the environment
top of page
The Brighter Side of News features good news, compassionate news and inspirational news from around the world
Sign up for the Brighter Side of News newsletter


In today's world, microplastics – those minuscule particles smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter – are omnipresent.


JJ Shavit
- Jul 16
Egg whites remove salt and microplastics from seawater with 99% efficiency
The breakthrough came during a faculty meeting, where Arnold was sitting, staring at his sandwich's bread, and had an idea.

JJ Shavit
- Mar 21
Researchers Use Egg Whites to Remove Salt and Microplastics from Seawater
The material is an aerogel, a lightweight and porous material that can be used in many types of applications including water filtration.


JJ Shavit
- Feb 5
Novel fabric coating significantly reduces microplastic pollution from washing clothes
In a world swamped by fast fashion – an industry that produces a high-volume of cheaply made clothing at an immense cost to the environment.

JD Shavit
- Nov 22, 2022
Researchers cook up a new way to remove microplastics from water
Researchers at Princeton Engineering have found a way to turn your breakfast food into a new material that can cheaply remove microplastics.

JD Shavit
- Aug 16, 2022
Silk offers an alternative to some microplastics
Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic that are now found worldwide in the air, water, and soil, are increasingly recognized.


JJ Shavit
- Aug 11, 2022
Robotic vehicle makes studying the ocean easy and affordable
Most microplastics sampling requires towing a net behind a boat at a very slow speed, which is both costly and time-consuming.


JD Shavit
- Jun 25, 2022
Tiny fish-shaped robot ‘swims’ around picking up microplastics
Researchers created a light-activated fish robot that “swims” around quickly, picking up and removing microplastics from the environment.


JJ Shavit
- Mar 24, 2022
Okra and Aloe shown to remove microplastics from wastewater
Okra serves as a master thickener of stews and soups. The goo from that fruit and other plants, such as aloe can also clean wastewater.


JD Shavit
- Oct 27, 2021
Irish scientists discover tap water produces a protective shield against microplastics
Tap water produces a natural protective shield against harmful microplastics, which can help prevent household products from releasing them.
bottom of page