-
New Sustainable System Extracts Drinkable Water From Air
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a sustainable system that pulls drinkable water from the air using common natural materials like discarded food scraps, stray branches and seashells. Their system, termed “molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels,” can convert various organic materials into sorbents — substances that absorb liquids. By combining these sorbents…
-
New Sustainable Way to Recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries
Researchers at the University of Leicester have crafted a new method to sustainably recycle lithium-ion batteries using an unlikely ingredient: cooking oil. This innovative technique could pave the way for more eco-friendly and cost-effective recycling processes crucial to advancing green technologies. The team, led by Andy Abbott, a professor of physical chemistry, and Jake Yang,…
-
Stockholm University Researchers Develop Eco-Friendly Hair Conditioner
In an inspiring leap towards sustainable personal care, researchers at Stockholm University have developed a fully bio-based hair conditioner that leverages the natural properties of lignin gel emulsions. This innovative formulation offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional haircare products, which often rely on synthetic ingredients derived from petroleum and oleochemicals. Conventional hair…
-
Better Geothermal Systems Key to Reliable Clean Energy
Traditionally, geothermal energy has been heavily dependent on favorable geographical conditions, such as hot, permeable rock formations and ample underground fluid reserves. This made geothermal exploration limited to volcanically active regions, including Japan, New Zealand and parts of the western United States. However, new advancements, originally developed for oilfields, hold the promise of unleashing geothermal…
-
Breakthrough in Fog Harvesting Brings Hope to World’s Driest Regions
In a stark landscape where annual rainfall barely registers, scientists have pioneered a method that could transform water accessibility for tens of thousands living in arid regions. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, has demonstrated the effectiveness of “fog harvesting” as a viable water source in Chile’s Atacama Desert — one of the…
-
New Study Warns Climate Change Impacting Global Cocoa Production
Cocoa is a critical cash crop for millions of smallholder farmers and supports a global chocolate industry worth over $100 billion annually. However, a new study led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Westlake University in China, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz in Brazil, and the University of Göttingen in Germany, warns that…
-
Using Gene Editing to Produce CoQ10-Producing Rice
A team of Chinese scientists has broken new ground in agricultural biotechnology by developing rice that produces CoQ10, a crucial compound for human health, using targeted gene editing. The research — led by Chen Xiaoya, a professor in the the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences/Shanghai Chenshan Research Center,…
-
Using AI to Improve Infrastructure for Better Sustainability and Resilience
From predicting potholes to designing more durable concrete, artificial intelligence is transforming the future of infrastructure. A new study from the University of Mississippi, published in the International Journal of Pavement Engineering, explored the capabilities of different AI algorithms to predict moisture damage in asphalt pavements with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials. “The goal of…
-
Solar-Powered Device Converts C02 From Air Into Sustainable Fuel
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar-powered reactor that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air and converts it into sustainable fuel. This innovative device, detailed in an article published in Nature Energy, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach carbon capture and fuel production, marking a significant stride…
