Upcycled materials created by our Material for Sustainability Research Group, in collaboration with The Tyre Collective, have gone on display at a high-profile exhibition in London's Oxo Tower.

Dr Maria Crespo-Ribadeneyra led a collaboration with the start-up, where batteries and pressure sensors were created from waste tyre wear particles. The items are on display at Material Matters, part of the London Design Festival, which aims to spotlight innovative materials in design and architecture.

The Tyre Collective state that tyre wear is the second largest microplastic pollutant in the ocean. Six million tonnes of tyre wear particles are released globally each year, and London's 2.6 million vehicles emit around nine thousand tonnes of the particles annually. A significant proportion of this ends up in our waterways and soil. Dr Crespo-Ribadeneyra and The Tyre Collective's work offers a sustainable solution to the problem: once captured, this pollution can be upcycled into a variety of high-tech applications.

Dr Crespo-Ribadeneyra said: "I am delighted with this collaboration with The Tyre Collective to upcycle tyre wear into smart materials. Our progress in developing batteries and pressure sensors is a stepping stone for future work together in more exciting projects, aligned with a circular economy mindset. Our aim is to make a significant impact on the environment by reducing pollution and conserving resources. I am excited to see our work on display at Material Matters and to share it with the world."

Material Matters runs from 20-23 September 2023.

Watch the below video to hear more about Maria's work, and find out more about The Tyre Collective on Instagram