The incorporation of recycled plastics into asphalt mixtures has gained increasing interest as a means to enhance pavement performance while reducing environmental burdens associated with plastic waste. This study examines the use of recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) in asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures produced following the Superpave volumetric mix design. A Hybrid Dry Mixing (HDM) procedure was applied to improve dispersion and prevent clumping, in which aggregates were pre-coated with asphalt binder before introducing finely ground HDPE and PET at dosages of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by weight of aggregates. A multi-scale experimental program was conducted to evaluate the thermal, chemical, rheological, volumetric, and compactability responses of plastic-modified mixtures. The thermal and degradation behavior of HDPE and PET were characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), while chemical features were assessed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Short-term-aged binders were extracted and recovered using a closed-system asphalt analyzer and rotary evaporator, enabling evaluation of rheological properties through Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and rotational viscosity (RV) testing. Superpave volumetric properties were determined across multiple asphalt contents, and compactability was quantified using gyratory compaction parameters, specifically the Compaction Energy Index (CEI) and densification slope (K id ). Results show that HDPE softens at mixing temperatures and partially interacts with the binder phase, influencing binder availability, mixture stiffness, and compaction resistance. PET remains solid during mixing and acts as a rigid particulate component, affecting internal structure, void distribution, and densification behavior. These mechanisms explain the observed variations in binder demand, volumetric compliance, and compaction trends across all dosages. The HDM procedure produced uniform mixtures without clumping and is compatible with typical plant operations, supporting its practical relevance for integrating recycled plastics into asphalt pavement construction. • HDM achieved uniform dispersion of HDPE and PET without clumping. • HDPE softened in the mix, while PET acted mostly as a filler. • HDPE stiffened with binder; PET Softened the binder. • Both plastics lowered Gmm and increased the required asphalt content. • All plastic mixtures met Superpave volumetric limits.

Mitigating cell lysis in PET hydrolase production: Nuclease supplementation and growth-decoupled co-cultivation enable scalable enzymatic PET recycling.

Artificial intelligence-assisted mining of polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases.

Friction-adaptive hydrogel coating for mechanical-immune synergy in ligament-to-bone integration.

Graphene oxide integrated PET waste-derived Cu-BHET metal-organic frameworks with superior antioxidant activity and accelerated wound healing performance.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely produced thermoplastics, valued for its durability and low cost, yet it contributes significantly to global environmental pollution. The discovery of PET-degrading enzymes in Actinobacteria inspired a bioinformatics search for novel PET hydrolases in Streptomyces species from Chile's Atacama Desert. We selected PETS26b for detailed characterization. Genomic context revealed conserved CAZymes adjacent to PETS26b. Biochemical characterization showed optimal activity at 28°C and pH 8.0. PETS26b exhibited broad substrate specificity toward p-nitrophenyl esters, with superior catalytic efficiency toward p-nitrophenyl octanoate (kcat/Km = 2.92 × 106 M-1 s-1) relative to other reported esterases. The enzyme also hydrolyzed PET powder and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), and deacetylated glucose pentaacetate, consistent with generalist esterase activity. Overall, docking analyses revealed favorable docking scores for 4-nitrophenyl esters and PET-related substrates within the active site, with predicted docking scores showing good agreement with experimental kinetic data. Moreover, PETS26B accommodated variably acetylated carbohydrate oligosaccharides, displaying particularly favorable binding scores for highly acetylated substrates. These findings highlighted the versatile roles of PET-degrading enzymes in the degradation of plant biomass esters.

Carbon footprint of monomer recycling for mixed synthetic textiles - a grave-to-gate analysis.

Microplastics in simulated digestion: Surface modifications, enzyme interference, and chemical migration.

Sustainable acoustic metamaterials from recycled plastic bottles: A comprehensive review for circular noise control in the built environment

Metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 for upcycling of terephthalic acid into levulinic acid.

Spatial heterogeneity of microplastic pollution and associated emerging contaminants in tropical estuarine environments: Novel insights into distribution, bioavailability, and ecological risk.

Upcycling PET waste into CoNi-based electrocatalysts for ethylene glycol oxidation integrated with energy-efficient H2 evolution.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) catalytic recycling process based on Vibrio natriegens formate metabolism

Photochemical C-N coupling via adsorption modulation: Selective synthesis of glycine from waste plastic/biomass-derived polyols and nitrate.

Kilogram-scale upcycling of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) into carbon dots as efficient flame retardants for poly(butylene terephthalate) composites

Commercial carbon cloth as a metal-free and flexible SERS substrate for detection of organic molecules

Radula-mediated feeding drives selective ingestion of elongated microfibers by a freshwater snail.

Sustainable photoreforming polyethylene terephthalate plastics into valuable chemicals with hydrogen generation over TiO2-carbon nanotubes composite

Radiotherapy is a standard treatment for oral cavity cancers, but it often induces toxicities that compromise quality of life. Intraoral immobilization devices help mitigate these effects by minimizing patient movement and reducing unnecessary radiation dose to organs at risk and improving the reproducibility of fractionated radiotherapy sessions. Currently, intraoral prostheses are commonly fabricated from polystyrene or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), each with limitations: polystyrene deforms easily during treatment sessions, while PMMA, although more rigid, has high production costs, restricting access for many patients. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), a material widely used in dental appliances, represents a promising alternative for the fabrication of intraoral prostheses. This study simulated a head and neck radiotherapy treatment using a prototype skull irradiated with a 6 MV photon beam. Three immobilizers were fabricated from polystyrene, PMMA, and PETG. The performance of the PETG device was evaluated using dose–volume histogram (DVH) analysis and by comparing doses calculated with the treatment planning system (TPS) to those measured experimentally with EBT3 radiochromic films. The PETG immobilizer produced less dose scattering than PMMA and, unlike polystyrene, provided sufficient positional stability to enable accurate reproduction of the anatomical position from computed tomography. This precision supports improved target volume delineation, reduces treatment-related toxicities, and ultimately enhances patient quality of life. Consequently, PETG emerges as a viable alternative to the traditionally used materials, PMMA and polystyrene. • PETG intraoral immobilizer ensures precise anatomical reproducibility and reduces radiation dose scattering compared to PMMA and polystyrene. • Experimental validation with DVHs and radiochromic films confirms immobilizer stability and effectiveness in head and neck radiotherapy. • PETG offers an alternative material for intraoral prostheses, improving patient quality of life.

Dual-scale bionic sensor with high stretchability for AI-enabled squatting motion monitoring.