Latest news with #JAMSTEC
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Science
- Qatar Tribune
World's first ‘transparent paper cup' developed in Japan
Agencies If you're like me, you probably always worry about foreign matter entering your drink, whether it's a Junebug or a dose of strychnine from one of the many, many people out to get you. That's why I dislike paper cups that make it more difficult to see what's inside at all times. Many in the beverage business agree, just not for the same paranoid reasons. For them, a clear cup highlights the attractive colors of their drinks and acts as a subtle form of advertising to all within eyeshot. Unfortunately, when it comes to transparency, the main options are expensive and fragile glass or plastic which has been rapidly choking our oceans. But now, a research team with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) thinks they have a solution to everyone's cup problems. This team has developed a thick paper that is also transparent. It's sturdy enough and resistant enough to moisture that it can be used as a cup, but it also biodegrades like paper, and when submerged in the sea for four months it almost completely breaks down. That's because it's made of cellophane, the well-known material that looks a lot like plastic but is actually closer to paper because it's made of the same material, cellulose. Cellophane has been around for a long time, but until now it could only be produced in very thin sheets, incapable of forming a sturdy enough cup. JAMSTEC was able to produce cellophane in thickness of 0.3 to 0.7, up to 14 times thicker than previously thought the potential that it could be used in other ways as a plastic substitute, readers of the news online were full of hope and pride in the researchers of their country. 'It's people like this, who think of things the rest of us don't, that are saving the world.' 'This is what we get when institutions get the funding to do proper research.' 'I can't get over learning cellophane tape is actually paper.' 'I have so much respect for people who can invent things like this and it makes me proud to be Japanese.' 'I hope this can completely replace plastic.' 'I'd be happy if they used this instead of paper for straws.' 'I was wondering why marine researchers were doing this, but they want to protect the ocean. That's just wonderful.' 'I just work every day and hang out on weekends, while these people work to make the world better. It's not that Japanese people are amazing. These people are amazing.' 'I've been waiting for something like this that gives me real hope for the future.' Before we get too hopeful, there is a catch. According to JAMSTEC, this material costs about 1,000 times as much as current plastics to produce. That being said, plastics have had a considerable head start, and with some research into mass production of this cellophane, it could still become the norm for packaging and more someday.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Science
- Japan Today
World's first 'transparent paper cup' developed in Japan
By Master Blaster, SoraNews24 If you're like me, you probably always worry about foreign matter entering your drink, whether it's a Junebug or a dose of strychnine from one of the many, many people out to get you. That's why I dislike paper cups that make it more difficult to see what's inside at all times. Many in the beverage business agree, just not for the same paranoid reasons. For them, a clear cup highlights the attractive colors of their drinks and acts as a subtle form of advertising to all within eyeshot. Unfortunately, when it comes to transparency, the main options are expensive and fragile glass or plastic which has been rapidly choking our oceans. But now, a research team with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) thinks they have a solution to everyone's cup problems. This team has developed a thick paper that is also transparent. It's sturdy enough and resistant enough to moisture that it can be used as a cup, but it also biodegrades like paper, and when submerged in the sea for four months it almost completely breaks down. Image: JAMSTEC That's because it's made of cellophane, the well-known material that looks a lot like plastic but is actually closer to paper because it's made of the same material, cellulose. Cellophane has been around for a long time, but until now it could only be produced in very thin sheets, incapable of forming a sturdy enough cup. JAMSTEC was able to produce cellophane in thickness of 0.3 to 0.7, up to 14 times thicker than previously thought possible. ▼ This news report shows that it was easier said than done and took 640 attempts over five years. With the potential that it could be used in other ways as a plastic substitute, readers of the news online were full of hope and pride in the researchers of their country. 'It's people like this, who think of things the rest of us don't, that are saving the world.' 'This is what we get when institutions get the funding to do proper research.' 'I can't get over learning cellophane tape is actually paper.' 'I have so much respect for people who can invent things like this and it makes me proud to be Japanese.' 'I hope this can completely replace plastic.' 'I'd be happy if they used this instead of paper for straws.' 'I was wondering why marine researchers were doing this, but they want to protect the ocean. That's just wonderful.' 'I just work every day and hang out on weekends, while these people work to make the world better. It's not that Japanese people are amazing. These people are amazing.' 'I've been waiting for something like this that gives me real hope for the future.' Before we get too hopeful, there is a catch. According to JAMSTEC, this material costs about 1,000 times as much as current plastics to produce. That being said, plastics have had a considerable head start, and with some research into mass production of this cellophane, it could still become the norm for packaging and more someday. Until then, my legions of foes and Mother Nature's hordes of insects will continue to have the upper hand when it comes to invading my loosely monitored drinks, but at least hope is on the horizon. Source: TV Asahi, JAMSTEC, YouTube/ANNnewsCH Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws -- Sayonara, paper straws? Starbucks Japan rolls out new biomass plastic straws, we test them out -- No more plastic cups — Starbucks Japan aims to get rid of plastic in stores with new initiatives External Link © Japan Today
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
World's first clear paper cup breaks down in just few months. Could this finally replace plastic cups?
A transparent cup that's strong, sustainable, and actually vanishes in the ocean? It might sound like a stretch in our plastic-heavy world, but it's very much a reality thanks to a team of Japanese researchers who are reimagining the future of packaging, one cup at a time. For decades, the beverage industry has relied on glass or plastic to show off the vibrant colours of their drinks. Glass looks great but breaks easily and costs a pretty penny. Plastic is cheap and convenient, but its environmental toll is written across beaches and oceans worldwide. The world has been waiting for a material that combines the best of both: clarity, strength, and sustainability, without the baggage. But the story doesn't stop at good looks. This material is a multitasker. It shrugs off moisture, holds its shape, and can even be made from recycled wastepaper or old clothes. Drop it in the sea, and within four months, it's almost entirely broken down by marine microbes, a far cry from the centuries it takes for plastic to disappear. In lab tests, the transparent paperboard held up against leaks, resisted repeated soakings, and kept its cool (and heat) when filled with beverages. Of course, every breakthrough has its hurdles. Right now, producing a single cup costs lakhs of rupees, which is hardly a bargain. But plastics had decades to get cheap, and researchers believe that with the right manufacturing tweaks, costs could soon be slashed to just a few times that of regular paperboard. If that happens, the days of plastic-choked oceans and fragile glassware might finally be numbered. So, the next time you pick up a drink, imagine a future where you can see what's inside, enjoy your beverage guilt-free, and know that your cup will quietly return to nature when its job is done. JAMSTEC's transparent paperboard is a glimpse of packaging's next chapter, where style and sustainability finally go hand in hand.
SoraNews24
15-06-2025
- Science
- SoraNews24
World's first 'transparent paper cup' developed in Japan
I can see clearly now. The cellophane has come. If you're like me, you probably always worry about foreign matter entering your drink, whether it's a Junebug or a dose of strychnine from one of the many, many people out to get you. That's why I dislike paper cups that make it more difficult to see what's inside at all times. Many in the beverage business agree, just not for the same paranoid reasons. For them, a clear cup highlights the attractive colors of their drinks and acts as a subtle form of advertising to all within eyeshot. Unfortunately, when it comes to transparency, the main options are expensive and fragile glass or plastic which has been rapidly choking our oceans. But now, a research team with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) thinks they have a solution to everyone's cup problems. This team has developed a thick paper that is also transparent. It's sturdy enough and resistant enough to moisture that it can be used as a cup, but it also biodegrades like paper, and when submerged in the sea for four months it almost completely breaks down. That's because it's made of cellophane, the well-known material that looks a lot like plastic but is actually closer to paper because it's made of the same material, cellulose. Cellophane has been around for a long time, but until now it could only be produced in very thin sheets, incapable of forming a sturdy enough cup. JAMSTEC was able to produce cellophane in thickness of 0.3 to 0.7, up to 14 times thicker than previously thought possible. ▼ This news report shows that it was easier said than done and took 640 attempts over five years. With the potential that it could be used in other ways as a plastic substitute, readers of the news online were full of hope and pride in the researchers of their country. 'It's people like this, who think of things the rest of us don't, that are saving the world.' 'This is what we get when institutions get the funding to do proper research.' 'I can't get over learning cellophane tape is actually paper.' 'I have so much respect for people who can invent things like this and it makes me proud to be Japanese.' 'I hope this can completely replace plastic.' 'I'd be happy if they used this instead of paper for straws.' 'I was wondering why marine researchers were doing this, but they want to protect the ocean. That's just wonderful.' 'I just work every day and hang out on weekends, while these people work to make the world better. It's not that Japanese people are amazing. These people are amazing.' 'I've been waiting for something like this that gives me real hope for the future.' Before we get too hopeful, there is a catch. According to JAMSTEC, this material costs about 1,000 times as much as current plastics to produce. That being said, plastics have had a considerable head start, and with some research into mass production of this cellophane, it could still become the norm for packaging and more someday. Until then, my legions of foes and Mother Nature's hordes of insects will continue to have the upper hand when it comes to invading my loosely monitored drinks, but at least hope is on the horizon. Source: TV Asahi, JAMSTEC, YouTube/ANNnewsCH Images: JAMSTEC ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Japan Times
13-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Japan unveils new deep-sea probe for 8,000-meter dives
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, or JAMSTEC, unveiled on Monday a deep-sea explorer capable of reaching a depth of 8,000 meters, the most capable of such probes that the country has. The explorer, Urashima 8000, is an improved version of the Urashima vehicle, which can dive to a depth of 3,500 meters. Researchers hope that detailed study of the topography of the seabed such as around the Japan Trench can help uncover the mechanism behind the occurrence of giant earthquakes. The Urashima is an autonomous probe under development since 1998. It can navigate without a crew on board by following a route entered into a built-in computer and can avoid obstacles by itself. It was used to study landslides and volcanoes on the seabed. The Urashima 8000 is 10.7 meters long and weighs 7 tons. The design of the previous version of the probe was refined so that equipment on board can withstand the water pressure at 8,000 meters below sea level, while the propeller was modified to enable faster diving. According to JAMSTEC, the Urashima 8000 has reached a depth of about 6,600 meters so far in test dives. It is slated to dive to a depth of 8,000 meters in the Japan Trench off the Boso Peninsula in eastern Japan in July. In November, the probe will conduct a survey of the sea area where the magnitude 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in March 2011. It is set to begin full-scale operations in fiscal 2026.
