The approach converts the toxic nonstick coating into harmless ingredients. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. The common coating known as Teflon can keep food from sticking to cookware, but it's notoriously difficult to break down safely. Now, researchers in the United Kingdom have discovered a simple and cost-effective solution to the problem. The results aren't simply eco-friendly--they can also be upcycled into helpful toothpaste and drinking water additives.

The annual award ceremony features miniature operas, scientific demos, and 24/7 lectures. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Does alcohol enhance one's foreign language fluency? Do West African lizards have a preferred pizza topping? And can painting cows with zebra stripes help repel biting flies? These and other unusual research questions were honored tonight in a virtual ceremony to announce the 2025 recipients of the annual Ig Nobel Prizes.