Skip main navigation

Bamboo houses and hemp clothes

Bamboo houses and hemp clothes: alternative materials
© University of Warwick

A key strategy for reducing the consumption of scarce natural resources is the adoption of green materials. Scientists and researchers are developing an increasing number of materials with a minimal environmental impact or beneficial for the environment.

In this video, a physicist and researcher working with Smart Materials presents two interesting examples. The first one is a special sponge that specifically absorbs oil and has the potential to save our oceans in case of ecological disasters. The second one is a novel plastic material from vegetable wastes that can replace synthetic polymers and that unlike the synthetic polymers is biodegradable and can therefore solve the problem of waste management.

Green materials for a greener world: Athanassia Athanassiou at TEDxRoma YouTube: Green materials for a greener world: Athanassia Athanassiou at TEDxRoma

Talking point

I think that green materials …

  • Can be already profitable and competitive?
  • Will be massively used in future, with more evolved solutions?
© University of Warwick
This article is from the free online

Supply Chains in Practice: How Things Get to You

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now