Shimla, Nov. 27 -- A Shoolini University researcher, Itika Kainthla who is an assistant professor of physics, has turned Himalayan pinecones into eco-friendly, high-carbon alternatives to coal for chemical manufacturing, a statement issued by the university said on Wednesday. This low-cost, eco-friendly innovation could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower industrial carbon emissions while producing styrene, a key chemical used in plastics. The material is comparable to high-quality anthracite coal. Laboratory tests showed exceptional performance, achieving 60% conversion and 78% selectivity in converting ethylbenzene.htc...