The development consists of environmentally friendly polyurethane foams, which are used as shoe soles. Top
The researchers took as a basis the idea to makeplastic directly from algae oil. At the same time, the first biodegradable polyurethane materials obtained by scientists were of rather poor quality. But after a lot of trial and error, biologists managed to turn them into highly effective materials.
The results of the study showed that afterAs shoes have outlived their usefulness, polyurethane bottoms, known as Soleic Foam, along with knitted uppers, completely biodegrade in compost bins or even in the soil or ocean. By comparison, classic shoes with rubber soles will take centuries to decompose.
The group has also developed seaweed-based flip flops using Soleic Foam.
Researchers plan to launch production of new biodegradable shoes.
"I hope we can sell so much of ourshoes that all major fashion brands will be forced to start using biodegradable materials in their shoes and clothing. Think of car companies moving to electric vehicles. They only made the change after Tesla looked like it could put them out of business. If we can make our shoes the best-selling shoes in the world, every brand will switch to this material - this is my dream," says Stephen Mayfield, professor of molecular biology at the University of California, San Diego.
Almost every beach in the world is now covered in plastic debris. The new development, as scientists hope, will help reduce the level of plastic and thereby improve the environment.
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