Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Macromolecules with Tunable Fluorescence via Photochemical Step-Growth Polymerization.

ACS macro letters·2026

Same author

Understanding Wavelength-Dependent Photopolymerizations via Nano-Second Resolved Transient Spectroscopy.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026

Same author

Following the formation of single-chain nanoparticles generated by interblock crosslinking within diblock copolymers: a Monte Carlo simulation study with adjustable interaction strength between the blocks.

Soft matter·2026

Same author

Wavelength-Dependent 3D Printing: Introducing 3D Printed Action Plots.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026

Same author

Wavelength-resolved heterodimer [2 + 2] photocycloadditions for reversible surface grafting.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Solar Flow Synthesis of Polymer Nanoparticles: Scaling Local Experiments to Global Potential.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026

Same journal

PCSK5 promotes angiogenesis and cardiac repair after myocardial infarction.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

PfApiAT2 is a proline transporter essential for the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum by the mosquito vector.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

Transient distortions of the South Atlantic Anomaly radiation environments driven by electric fields.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

Structural basis of the regulation by CDK11 kinase of early spliceosome activation and evidence for its proofreading by DHX15 helicase.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

Structural and mechanistic insights into primer synthesis initiation by DNA primase.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

Changes in heritability and shared environmentality of educational attainment across twentieth-century Norway.

Nature communications·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

Published on: November 14, 2018

Microspheres from light-a sustainable materials platform.

Laura Delafresnaye^1,2, Florian Feist³, Jordan P Hooker^4,5

¹School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2 George St, Brisbane, 4000, QLD, Australia. laura.delafresnaye@qut.edu.au.

Nature Communications

|September 1, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a novel, light-induced polymerization method for synthesizing specialized polymeric microspheres using only sunlight. This sustainable approach avoids heat, initiators, and additives, offering a versatile new route for advanced materials.

More Related Videos

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Published on: February 26, 2021

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres HOPMs via Microfluidic Technology

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres HOPMs via Microfluidic Technology

Published on: May 16, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Approach and Microsphere-PCR Amplification for Single-Stranded DNA Amplicons

Published on: November 14, 2018

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Published on: February 26, 2021

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres HOPMs via Microfluidic Technology

Fabricating Highly Open Porous Microspheres HOPMs via Microfluidic Technology

Published on: May 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Photochemistry

Background:

Growing demand for specialized polymeric materials synthesized through sustainable and mild processes.
Limitations of traditional thermally driven particle synthesis methods, often requiring harsh conditions and additives.

Purpose of the Study:

Introduce a novel, light-driven platform for the synthesis of monodisperse polymeric microspheres.
Develop a sustainable and efficient method for particle fabrication applicable even with sunlight.

Main Methods:

Utilized a light-induced step-growth precipitation polymerization process.
Employed a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction between a photoactive monomer (2-methylisophthaldialdehyde, MIA) and a bismaleimide dienophile.
Conducted synthesis at ambient temperature without initiators, surfactants, additives, or heating.

Main Results:

Successfully produced monodisperse polymeric microspheres with sizes ranging from 0.4 to 2.4 μm.
Demonstrated particle stability in both dry and solution states.
Showcased the potential for surface functionalization to create fluorescent particles or modify hydrophilicity.

Conclusions:

Established a powerful, purely light-driven platform for microsphere synthesis, including facile synthesis by sunlight.
Highlighted the unconventional and sustainable nature of this approach compared to traditional methods.
Opened new avenues for the synthesis of novel polymeric materials with tunable properties.