Latest news with #JapanAgencyforMarine-EarthScienceandTechnology
Qatar Tribune
4 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
5 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
SoraNews24
7 days ago
- 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 Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Japan to launch offshore 'blue carbon' study for CO2 capture, storage
The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp, and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023. © KYODO
Kyodo News
20-05-2025
- Science
- Kyodo News
Japan to launch offshore "blue carbon" study for CO2 capture, storage
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 11:21 | All, Japan The Japanese government will launch offshore "blue carbon" research aimed at capturing carbon dioxide through cultivated sea plants and storing it in the deep sea to accelerate decarbonization, sources familiar with the matter said Monday. The government hopes these plants will play a key role in mitigating climate change, as CO2 is highly soluble in water, and marine vegetation grows by absorbing dissolved CO2. Coastal and ocean plants, such as mangroves and kelp, are known to absorb and store more carbon than terrestrial vegetation. Blue carbon typically refers to carbon trapped in the deep sea after being captured by marine ecosystems through photosynthesis, while green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. The Environment Ministry will commission the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, major oil distributor Eneos Corp., and others to study how seaweed behaves when submerged at considerable depths and to assess the environmental impact of such carbon capture and storage projects, according to the sources. Although CO2 emissions in Japan have declined mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy and the restart of nuclear reactors, the government still needs to boost carbon capture efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Japan relies heavily on forests to capture CO2, with about 45 million tons absorbed in fiscal 2023. However, their absorption capacity has been declining due to the aging of trees. "If we can demonstrate a technology to enable CO2 fixation on the seafloor, it could be a significant source of (CO2) absorption," a senior official of the ministry said. Japan aims to capture 1 million tons of CO2 by fiscal 2035 and 2 million tons by fiscal 2040 through blue carbon, compared with some 34 tons absorbed by coastal plants in fiscal 2023. Related coverage: Japan aims for all new vehicles to use biofuel by early 2030s Japan to mull setting target of 60-66% emissions cut by FY 2035 Japan firms' plans for CO2 export, storage in Southeast Asia on rise
