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Cambridge Researchers Create Solar Reactor to Convert Plastic Waste

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar-powered reactor using acid photoreforming to break down plastics such as nylon and polyurethane.
The process converts plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable chemicals.
The reactor uses acid from old car batteries and has shown high hydrogen yields, running more than 260 hours without loss.
This approach could help address the plastic waste crisis, where only 18% is recycled.

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Story summary

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar-powered reactor using acid photoreforming to break down plastics such as nylon and polyurethane.
The process converts plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable chemicals.
The reactor uses acid from old car batteries and has shown high hydrogen yields, running more than 260 hours without loss.
This approach could help address the plastic waste crisis, where only 18% is recycled.