Episode 9: The Future of Biomass Waste: Hydrogel Innovations and Sustainable Solutions

In this episode, we'll be discussing how hydrogels can provide sustainable solutions to the challenges of biomass waste from agricultural crops or other plants. Approximately 140 billion metric tons of biomass waste are generated annually from agriculture. This waste often contains cellulose, which makes up 38-50% of the waste, and is underutilized, burned, or left to dispose of itself, causing air pollution, soil and water contamination, and climate change. The challenges of biomass waste generated by agriculture are significant, but with innovative solutions like the production of cellulose hydrogels, we can turn this waste into a valuable resource that benefits both the economy and the environment.  As researchers continue to explore the potential of these materials, we can expect to see even more innovative applications emerge in the years to come.