# 64. Solution To The Plastic Problem & Smart Fabrics

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-04-05
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics-9TjJzvMJ

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Farbod discuss two major material science breakthroughs: a new recycling method for plastics developed by Dr. Athena Anastasaki’s team at ETH Zurich, and smart fabrics created by a multi-organizational team led by the University of Cambridge. They explain how reversible polymerization can restore PMMA to its original strength, and how conductive threads and fiber supercapacitors enable flexible, battery-free wearable displays and sensors.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics#t=0) Introduction and Plastic Recycling Overview
- [3:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics#t=211) ETH Zurich's Reversible Plastic Process
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics#t=660) Microplastics and Health Impacts
- [16:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics#t=964) Smart Fabrics and Conductive Threads
- [21:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-05-64-solution-to-the-plastic-problem-smart-fabrics#t=1293) Smart Fabric Applications and Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- ETH Zurich (company)
- University of Cambridge (company)
- PMMA (material)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Sam Sarah (company)
- Australian National University (company)

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- [Household Robots Are Now Available, Moonwalker Shoes Help You Walk Faster, And More | Hard Tech #3](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-04-household-robots-are-now-available-moonwalker-shoes-help-you-walk-faster-and-mor) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Ep 334: Radioactive Shrimp Clocks, Funky Filaments, Owning the Hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-08-22-ep-334-radioactive-shrimp-clocks-funky-filaments-owning-the-hardware) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [93% Lower Impact: The Tech Making Sustainable Fashion Competitive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-08-28-93-lower-impact-the-tech-making-sustainable-fashion-competitive) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [320 - CAN THEY SOLVE IT?!? SmartSolve helps companies leave no trace!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-08-08-320-can-they-solve-it-smartsolve-helps-companies-leave-no-trace) (People of Packaging)

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