ENVIRONMENT & SCIENCE
Research Initiatives
Researchers Convert Plastic Waste into Acetic Acid Using Sunlight
A research team at the University of Waterloo, Canada, has developed a light-driven chemical reaction to turn plastic waste into acetic acid.
Led by Professor Yimin Wu, the system uses sunlight as the primary energy source and operates at room temperature.
This method is energy-efficient, works on mixed plastic streams, and avoids the emission of additional carbon dioxide.
Acetic acid is a valuable industrial chemical used in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Led by Professor Yimin Wu, the system uses sunlight as the primary energy source and operates at room temperature.
This method is energy-efficient, works on mixed plastic streams, and avoids the emission of additional carbon dioxide.
Acetic acid is a valuable industrial chemical used in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Key Facts / Static GK
Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar.
University of Waterloo is located in Canada.
University of Waterloo is located in Canada.
Practice Quiz — 11 March 2026
Q1. Who has been appointed as the 30th Governor of Himachal Pradesh?
Answer: (C) Kavinder Gupta — Kavinder Gupta was sworn in as the 30th Governor of Himachal Pradesh, replacing Shiv Pratap Shukla.
Q2. Jishnu Dev Varma succeeded whom as the Governor of Maharashtra?
Answer: (B) Acharya Devvrat — Jishnu Dev Varma succeeded Acharya Devvrat, who was holding the additional charge as Maharashtra Governor.
Q3. Who is the newly appointed Supreme Leader of Iran as of March 2026?
Answer: (C) Mojtaba Khamenei — Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the third Supreme Leader of Iran in March 2026.
Q4. Which of the following statements regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) extension is correct?
Answer: (C) Central assistance for the project is ₹3.59 lakh crore. — The Union Cabinet extended JJM to December 2028 with a total outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore and central assistance of ₹3.59 lakh crore.
Q5. Which airport was recently granted International status by the Union Cabinet in March 2026?
Answer: (B) Madurai Airport — The Union Cabinet approved the declaration of Madurai Airport as an International Airport.
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