Tag: tech lovers

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Scientists Use Bacterial Cellulose To Develop Alternative To Plastic

Close up of bacteria under a microscope

MNK Blog

Scientists Use Bacterial Cellulose To Develop Alternative To Plastic

Is This The End To Plastic Food Packaging?

Hello Tech Lovers!

Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong have created a biodegradable material, that could be used for food packaging instead of plastic

To make the material transparent, biodegradable, and an edible material. The team worked with bacterial cellulose – an organic compound derived from bacteria. However, bacterial cellulose does not react well to moisture in the air. To solve the issue, the scientists added soy proteins to the material and coated it with an oil-resistant composite.

Chemistry professor at the university, and study author, To Ngai – told Phys.org, “This approach offers, a promising solution to the challenge of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials – that can replace single-use plastics on a large scale.”

The material can completely degrade in two months, and since it is edible, is safe for wildlife.

Read the full story, via Phys.org here

Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals.

Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech

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Plastic Eating Microbes Found In The Alps

A close up of plastic watse

MNK Blog

Plastic Eating Microbes Found In The Alps

A Chilling End To Plastics

Hello Tech Lovers!

In the Alps, microbes that can east plastic at low temperatures have been discovered.

Microorganisms capable of destroying plastic polymers have previously been discovered and as a result, scientists and businesses have latched onto bioengineering enzymes found in bacteria and fungi, as a means to tackle plastic pollution.

picturesque scene of a wooden shack on a hillside with the alps mountains in the background

However, since the majority of those found require high temperatures to function, the industry has been limited due to the process been costly and not carbon neutral.

The most effective performers are two fungi discovered by the Swiss Federal Institute, which work at just 15 degrees Celsius. They are capable of digesting biodegradable polyester-polyurethane (PUR), and two commercially available biodegradable mixtures of polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA.)

PUR is commonly used in artificial textiles, PBAT is used widely in industries for packaging, and PLA is found in biomedical applications.

A total of nine fungi, and eight, bacteria species from multiple genera found, are able to digest PUR. And a total of 14 fungi and three bacteria, managed to eat mixtures of PBAT and PLA

During the hunt for a microbe capable of digesting in the cold, the team studied 19 strains of bacteria and 15 fungi growing on plastic that had been left behind, or intentionally buried in Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland.

Scientists let isolated microbes grow as single-strain cultures in a dark laboratory at 15 degrees Celsius. Molecular techniques were used to identify them.

In the study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, in total, 59% of strains, including 11 fungi and eight bacteria, could digest PUR at 15 degrees Celsius

Read the related blog post, ‘Scientists Use Mushrooms To Make Biogradable Computer Chips’ here

Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?

Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech

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Scientists Use Mushrooms to Make Biodegradable Computer Chips

MNK Blog

Scientists Use Mushrooms to Make Biodegradable Computer Chips

The Future Of Computer Chips

Hello Tech Lovers!

The skin from the stems of a mushroom could potentially offer a sustainable alternative to insulative substrates in computing chips.

Scientists are looking at alternatives to common components like the mircochip, as production of electronic devices increases. Peeling the skin from the mycelium of a mushroom can protect chips from heat up to 392°F (200°C.)

The equivalent of the scale of ewaste produced each year

Scientists from Johannes Kepler University in Austria, discovered that once dried, the skin was found to be not only heat resistant, but lasted for years – withstanding being bent and folded thousands of times without wearing or tearing.

The fungus, Ganoderma lucidum grows on dead rotting wood in European mountains. As it reaches maturity, it creates a fibrous skin to protect its own substrate which if peeled, can be used to protect microchips.

Currently computing chip bases tend to be made with un-recyclable plastic materials and the increase of electronic devices has not been paired with an increase in their lifespan. Throwing them away is more economical for users than replacing individual parts. “The vast number of devices produced every day along with the decrease of their lifetime inevitably results in the generation of enormous amounts of electronic waste,” wrote the authors of a paper published in Science Advances.

“Circular economy and recycling concepts alone cannot solve the growing waste crisis. Electronics research, and especially electronic materials research, thus must shift its focus from strictly high-functionality concepts to sustainable, cost-effective approaches.”

Read the full report here

Read the related blog post, ‘Over 50 Million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste Is Produced Each Year here

Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?

Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech

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MNK Launch PROHOOD® – All-in-one Laptop Case, Privacy Shield, Sun Shade & Germ Blocker.

Business man uses PROHOOD to hide his computer screen from others to protect his privacy whilst using his laptop at a trtain station

MNK Press

MNK Launch PROHOOD®

All-in-one Laptop Case, Privacy Shield, Sun Shade & Germ Blocker.

Press Release

MNK, Tech Protection. Announce the release of their long-awaited PROHOOD®. A splash-proof, water repellent, quick-drying, shock-absorbing laptop protector with an integrated splash resistant, water repellent, dark hood. Developed in the UK and inspired by his worldly travels, MNK founder – Adam Gibbs designed PROHOOD® to offer you the ultimate laptop accessory. It protects your device, your privacy and you.

    Fed up with knocks, bumps, scratches and dirt on your expensive machine? PROHOOD® can help protect it.
  • Annoyed with the sun and other light sources causing glare on your laptop? PROHOOD® can block it – reducing screen glare by 80% – 90%
  • Your laptop is the dirtiest device you use. Hiding on your laptop is a whole host of harmful bacteria, around 25% of which is bacilli – a bacteria that can cause meningitis and food poisoning. Keyboards contaminated with a mix of harmful germs could potentially make you very ill – Use the wipe clean, protective canopy of PROHOOD® to cover your laptop from straying cough and sneezes.
  • A Visual Hacker only needs one piece of valuable information top unlock a large scale data breach. PROHOOD® conceals your screen – keeping your sensitive data safe.
  • By donating your old laptop case to MNK you could help reduce landfill waste and claim a discount.

Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here

Read the full article via PRFire here

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The innovative products to improve your work from home experience

pretty girl typing on her laptop inside a PROHOOD sat at a garden table. MNK

MNK Press

Outdoor Working

With warmer weather and sunnier skies, getting outside with your laptop can seem very inviting.

The challenges are often poor visibility due to sun glare, and overheating. One of the best products for working from home has to be the new PROHOOD® laptop case.

This is a splash-proof, water repellent, quick drying, shock absorbing laptop case. Magnetic fasteners let you attach the canopy which blocks direct sunlight. The hood also acts as a privacy shield (ideal if you work with confidential material), covers from germs and protects from spills. Add a cold drink and sunscreen and you’re ready to get out working in the sunshine.

Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here

Original article by Louise Goss – The Homeworker Magazine

Read the full article on the Homeworker here

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Maldon based MNK launches new all-in-one laptop case

MNK - Founder In Garden With PROHOOD Laptop Case

MNK Press

Maldon based MNK launches new all-in-one laptop case

A small business owner has launched a unique new product which aims to be the ultimate laptop accessory.

The new laptop accessory was a lockdown project for Maldon resident Adam Gibbs. Adam founded MNK after being inspired by his travels across the globe.

He says he’s always had an eye for design and a passion for problem-solving.

Over the past few years he has decided to transform his ideas and branch out on his own. With his business, the 46-year-old aims to provide high quality, lightweight and robust solutions to protect tech and reduce landfill waste.

He has now revealed his debut product which is an all-in-one laptop case, privacy shield, sun shade and germ blocker. The product, designed and developed by himself, claims to be splash-proof, water repellent, quick-drying, shock-absorbing and slim. It boasts an integrated splash resistant and water repellent dark hood which also conceals the screen.

Adam says PROHOOD® the new laptop case, can reduce screen glare by 80 to 90 per cent. If not in use the hood can be hidden by magnetic fasteners.

The all-in-one has been developed to cut down on the need for replacements and therefore reduce landfill waste.

Adam said: “It is with great pleasure that I announce the release of PROHOOD® – When you don’t want to pay for expensive repairs or upgrades and want to protect your laptop from knocks and bumps, scratches and scrapes, dust and grime, spills and germs and keep your privacy, this new and versatile case offers protection from all that and then some.”

The businessman has also teamed up with Computers For Charity to collect old laptop cases which the charity then passes on with its computer donations. By donating their old laptop case to MNK, customers could help reduce waste and claim a discount.

Shop PROHOOD® as featured in the article here

Original article by Jessica Day-Parker

Read the full original articlehere

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Over 50 million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste is Produced Each Year

Pile of waste on landfill site. Tonnes Of Electrical Waste Is Generated Each Year. MNK

MNK Blog

Over 50 million Tonnes Of Electrical Waste is Produced Each Year

The Scale Of EWaste

Hello Tech Lovers!

According to the Global E-waste Monitor, in one year, a staggering 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste are generated. That is the equivalent to just over six kilograms for every person on the planet. Europe and the US alone contribute to almost one-half of the total e-waste generated annually.

One-half of all e-waste is personal devices, such as computers, screens, smartphones, tablets and TVs – that’s equivalent to a mass of 4,500 Eiffel Towers! 40 million tonnes of e-waste are discarded in landfill, burned or illegally traded and treated in a sub-standard way every year.

The equivalent of the scale of ewaste produced each year

The reason I set up MNK, was to help reduce landfill waste of laptops and tablets. I provide robust protection so consumers can better protect their devices, also reducing expensive repair bills and or costly renewals. I have also partnered up with the charity, Computers For Charity whereby I collect old and unused laptop cases, sleeves and covers and pass them onto the charity when they donate their laptops.

One huge cause of ewaste is, technology being discarded early – way before it’s depreciated or, even near the end of it’s lifespan.

Every year new mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, are released with consumers acting quick to snap up the latest gadget. They are only too quick to throw away their “old” devices. Electrical equipment can last longer than the twelve month period people have them for, yet they swiftly adopt the, ‘out with the old and in with the new’ attitude as soon as the big tech giants announce a new product.

So far, smartphone and laptop manufacturers have done little to react to the environmental waste problem. To avoid further mountains of waste, tech companies could act by offering cheaper and quicker repairs, extending the time between new product releases, better access to repair parts, and the products could also be designed to be repaired easily.

Better protection too of technology devices will help reduce costly repair bills, premature renewals and reduce landfill waste. Such as the shock absorbing, splash proof and water repellent laptop case pictured below.

girl looks down and strokes dog while she holds her laptop case - click to view MNK - PROHOOD Laptop Case and Privacy Shield

View our range of robust and lightweight tech protection here including the PROHOOD® Laptop Case with its protective privacy screen / sun shade.

Read the full report here

Find out more on Computers For Charities here

Don’t forget to check out the blog archive below for more posts from me and why not subscribe to the blog to be the first to hear when a new post is available, also get the low down on new product arrivals?

Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech

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Your Laptop Computer Is The Dirtiest Tech Device You Use

Bacteria Growing In Petri Dishes. Did You Know Your Laptop Is The Dirtiest Tech Device You Own. MNK

MNK Blog

Your Laptop Computer Is The Dirtiest Tech Device You Use

How To Safely Clean Your Laptop Or Computer

Hello Tech Lovers!

Well, that is a gruesome title isn’t it! Not to fear, here are what’s hiding on your laptop and how to reduce them. And, if you haven’t read my last blog post – 3 Top Tips On How To Safely Clean Your Laptop Computer – And The Cleaning Products To Use. You can do so from the this link.

Hiding on your laptop is a whole host of bacteria. Your laptop is the dirtiest device you use and the most likely germs hiding on your laptop can lead to skin infections and pharyngitis.

If the rise of the Pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the regular cleaning of our hands and covering of our faces to reduce the spread of the Corona Virus. But, did you know your tech devices are already covered with harmful bacteria and the warmth of your computer is the perfect breeding ground for such germs.

A bacteria that can cause meningitis and food poisoning is one of the main culprits – Bacilli. Around 25% of harmful bacteria found on laptop keyboards is this nasty germ. So, you might want to think twice, before unwrapping your lunch time burrito after scrolling through your emails!

Your computer keyboards, mouse, mobile phones and track pads are all susceptible to housing bacteria that could potentially make you very sick according to a report by Tap Warehouse. This is all without the added germs being spread from straying coughs and sneezes. With so many germs found on the average laptop caused by cough splutter and sneeze mucus, laptop users could be permanently at risk of sickness. The average sneeze can send 10,000 contagious germs into the air at speeds of over 100 mph!

Get the perfect cover – use a PROHOOD® by MNK. It’s the quickest and easiest way to protect your laptop from the spread of germs. Easy to maintain too, with it’s wipe clean properties. It’s splash proof, water repellent and quick drying! Take a look here

  • View all the ghastly bacteria on your devices and at what percentage here
  • Buy your PROHOOD® here
  • Buy your tech device cleaning equipment here
  • Get your hand cleansing gel here
  • Read the full Tap Warehouse report here
Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech
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Merry Christmas Tech Lovers!

two smiling black women sitting in front of a christmas tree - one has an ipad mini in her hand showing it to the other

MNK Blog

Merry Christmas!

And A Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas – Tech Lovers!

Christmas is a time for new tech – devices like, computers, laptops, mobile phones, data storage and more. These products all need protection from daily use including, knocks and bumps, spills and scrapes, smears and germs.

That’s where we come in, MNK specialise in tech protection. We provide you with high quality, lightweight and robust solutions to protect your tech – extending the life of your devices.

We have launched our online store and our premier product, PROHOOD® Laptop Case. It’s available now and we plan to release more laptop cases, and other protective cases for tech devices throughout 2022.

As well as protective cases we sell, computer cleaning products like, screen cleaner, microfibre cloths, air dusters and more.

Also, we have teamed up with the good folks at, Computers For Charities to help reduce landfill waste – find out more about our involvement via the website.

Buy your tech protection, tech cleaning tools and view our charity work MNK

Hope you all have a great New Year’s Eve!

Adam – MNK Founder

#ProtectYourTech