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  ISTC team makes sustainable aviation fuel additive from recycled polystyrene

  Jan 13, 2025 9:30 am

  A groundbreaking study by Illinois Sustainable Technology Center researcher Hong Lu and his team addresses a major hurdle in transitioning U.S. commercial aircraft to sustainable aviation fuels. They developed a cost-effective method to convert waste polystyrene, a common hard plastic, into ethylbenzene, an additive that enhances the performance of sustainable jet fuels. This innovative approach not only improves fuel characteristics but also offers a practical solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels in aviation.

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  Flying squirrel documented in Brownfield Woods

  Dec 20, 2024 12:00 pm

  A University of Illinois student researcher recently identified a Southern flying squirrel in a university natural area for the first time in recent memory.

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  Toad discovery brings together Syrian, Illinois scientists

  Dec 18, 2024 2:30 pm

  The Syrian Spadefoot Toad has been rediscovered in the war-torn country with the help of Syrian community scientists and Illinois researchers.

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  Warm, wet November wraps up fall

  Dec 18, 2024 8:15 am

  November wrapped up a mild, dry fall with more mild temperatures, including several warmer-than-normal days, to tie the 10th warmest November since 1895, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

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  Are climate-related calamities erasing Illinois’ cultural history?

  Dec 16, 2024 8:00 am

  In a new report, scientists with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey describe how increased flooding, erosion and other effects of human-induced climate change are degrading many of the state’s cultural sites. ISAS research archaeologist Andrew White, a co-author of the report, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about the scope of the problem. 

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  ISTC scientists study PFAS in the food chain as part of EPA grant

  Nov 22, 2024 10:00 am

  Prairie Research Institute scientists are leading a cross-disciplinary team awarded a $1.6 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to investigate crop plant uptake of forever chemicals and develop innovative techniques to reduce their entry into the food chain.

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  Study tracks PFAS, microplastics through landfills and wastewater treatment plants

  Nov 19, 2024 10:15 am

  Scientists analyzed the liquid waste, or leachate, released by four Illinois landfills and the inflows and outflows of associated wastewater treatment plants to determine the fate of two contaminants: microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The findings are reported in the journal Science of the Total Environment. 

  
  

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  ‘World building’ in a video games class

  Nov 13, 2024 9:45 am

  The Concept Art for Video Games class at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign requires students to collaborate on a cohesive visual design for a video game and gives then insight into how the video game industry works. 

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  PRI launches new Critical Minerals Research and Development Center to advance domestic supply, innovation

  Nov 11, 2024 8:00 am

  The Critical Minerals Research and Development Center will drive interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships to advance responsible extraction, processing, and sourcing practices. By focusing on Illinois' potential as a source for critical minerals, PRI aims to enhance supply chain resilience and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

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  Warm and dry, but enjoyable, October

  Nov 5, 2024 3:30 pm

  Most of last month was somewhat to extremely dry across Illinois, marking the state’s 10th driest October on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

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