Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Balloons are used around the world for celebrations, but they can harm the environment. They do not degrade and can hurt marine life and birds. Because of this, researchers in the United Kingdom are making balloons more eco-friendly.
Scientists at Imperial College London have created the first fully biodegradable balloon called the “Bioloon”. They hope to bring it to market in about two years.
Juliana Cumming is a PhD student at the university and co-creator of the Bioloon. She spent three years developing her biodegradable formula.
In a university laboratory, the 29-year-old showed a flask containing a precious yellow liquid. When it hardens, it turns into a soft, stretchy material that feels like a regular balloon. But it falls apart in nine months, unlike regular balloons.
