A new metal-free route for fully recycling PET into premium chemical feedstocks has been developed, overcoming long-standing barriers of incomplete depolymerization and low product purity. The method uses an ionic liquid catalyst and achieves complete PET conversion, delivering high yields of valuable chemicals.
A University of Michigan study reveals that Ghana's informal e-waste recycling industry exposes workers to severe air pollution, compromising their health and the environment. The study finds that urbanization drives population growth, which exacerbates pollution in settlements like Agbogbloshie.
Researchers found elevated levels of lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, and antimony in metal recycling workers' blood and urine, highlighting the need for better cleaning practices and respiratory protection. The study's results emphasize the importance of monitoring rare earth metals and implementing measures to reduce workplace exposure.
The article proposes a circular economy approach to reduce waste, increase durability, and repurpose spacecraft and satellites. Data analysis and digital technologies will be essential for developing sustainable practices.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed a new way to turn textile waste into energy and high-performance cement materials. The production of alternative fuel from textile waste can reduce CO2 emissions during cement production, while also providing an innovative approach to textile waste management.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a novel, non-toxic method to recycle mixed-fiber textiles, utilizing a deep eutectic solvent to separate and recover cotton and polyester components. The process achieves near-complete recycling with minimal damage to materials.
Researchers found that adding biochar to advanced food waste recycling systems can significantly increase hydrogen and methane production. Biochar acts as a natural buffer, keeping pH levels optimal for microbes and supporting robust microbial communities.
A new recycling process recovers nearly all valuable materials from used batteries with high purity, requiring less energy, chemicals, and costs compared to existing methods. The two-step flash Joule heating method separates lithium and transition metals quickly and cleanly.
Researchers have developed a novel chemical conversion method for PET, bottles, textiles, and plastic waste mixtures using an inexpensive iron catalyst. The process achieves a high yield of raw materials with minimal environmental impact.
A new technology developed by Fibarcode uses photonic fibers to create unique codes that can be scanned to verify a garment's fabric content and designer labels. The technology has the potential to increase recycling rates and prevent counterfeiting.
Researchers have developed a new molten salt technique that restores the structure and performance of used high-nickel cathode materials, allowing for more efficient battery recycling. The approach, published in Energy & Environment Nexus, regenerates the material itself so it can be reused in new batteries.
The research partnership aims to develop stronger aluminum alloys for high-performance applications. Three projects focus on reducing iron impurities through electrical or chemical approaches.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found a way to enhance the body's 'first responder' cells, which can boost standard immunotherapies for cancer. By targeting these myeloid cells, it may be possible to improve treatments that interfere with immune suppressive proteins PD-1 and PD-L1.
Researchers at Boston College have identified a novel bacterium that can thrive on spent battery waste, producing protons capable of leaching electrode materials. The bacteria, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, also shows promise in recycling Li-Ion battery cathode materials using iron and stainless steel as food sources.
A team developed an artificial ocean carbon recycling system that captures CO2 from seawater and directly converts it into succinic acid, achieving a carbon capture efficiency of 70%. The system's cost is competitive with existing state-of-the-art technologies.
Researchers unveil new biophysical mechanism termed 'Kiss-Shrink-Run' resolving the 50-year-old controversy on synaptic vesicle release and rapid recycling. This breakthrough offers fresh insights into brain function and disease.
A University of Bath study found that starting university leads to increased recycling and green travel habits. Values and supportive infrastructure play key roles in driving these changes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering have developed a single-step battery cathode recycling process that simultaneously extracts metals from old cathodes and creates new ones. The method outperforms existing techniques in terms of economic efficiency, environmental impact, resource usage, and human ...
A new gas-solid separation method promises cleaner and cheaper recycling of critical elements. The technique uses flash Joule heating to extract REEs in seconds without water or acids, achieving over 90% purity and yield for REE recovery.
Researchers predict EU will need to meet 250 TWh annually for local battery cell production by 2050, offsetting 90 TWh of upstream fossil fuel energy. Maximizing recycling rates could reduce import dependency and future energy demand.
A team of researchers from the University of Ottawa has developed a new workflow to study autophagy, a fundamental cellular mechanism that preserves cell health by recycling and degrading worn-out components. The study reveals novel signaling mechanisms regulating autophagy in response to numerous disease-related stress conditions.
A new catalyst breaks down polyolefin plastics into liquid oils and waxes, which can be upcycled into higher-value products. This process bypasses the labor-intensive step of pre-sorting mixed plastic waste, making recycling more efficient and practical.
MIT researchers developed a sustainable electrolyte that quickly breaks down when submerged in organic solvents, allowing for easy recycling of components. The new material could revolutionize the battery industry by simplifying the recycling process and reducing electronic waste.
Researchers discovered mutations in the SPNS1 gene disrupt cellular recycling, leading to progressive liver and muscle damage. The study offers fresh hope for treatment and sheds light on the importance of phospholipid recycling in maintaining energy balance.
A team from the University of Münster has developed a method for recycling dry-processed lithium ion battery cathodes, separating materials and granulating them for reuse. The process is attractive not only for sustainability but also for cost efficiency.
New research from Edith Cowan University highlights the importance of lithium battery recycling for a circular economy. The recycling process can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water footprint, and carbon footprint compared to mining.
Dynamin 1 regulates EMT progression, cell polarity and migration through N-cadherin endocytosis and recycling, promoting ovarian cancer metastasis. The study identifies DNM1 as a critical regulator of EMT-associated metastasis.
PeroCycle has appointed Grant Budge as its new CEO and opened a £4M seed round to fund pilot deployment and accelerate commercial growth. The technology converts CO2 into carbon monoxide using a perovskite-based catalyst, offering a closed-carbon-loop approach to deep decarbonisation within the steelmaking process.
HKUST researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized atomic-scale mechanism that obstructs efficient LIB recycling. Aluminum impurities infiltrate NCM cathode crystals, altering internal chemistry and suppressing metal leachability. The study equips industry with tools for scalable sustainable battery recovery systems.
A study by researchers at the University of Münster found that deploying end-of-life EV batteries as stationary energy storage devices can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By prioritizing reuse, countries with high renewable energies can save up to 56 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers have engineered a novel enzyme, PET2-21M, to enhance the biodegradation of bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. This breakthrough offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional recycling processes, achieving significant improvements in catalytic activity and substrate efficiency.
Researchers discovered that Caenorhabditis elegans uses both classical secretory pathways and recycling endosomes to secrete vitellogenins. This study provides a comprehensive model of yolk protein secretion, integrating classic secretion with membrane recycling pathways.
Researchers highlight the potential of solvent-based recycling and AI-assisted sorting to recycle complex plastics. However, the study emphasizes that replacing fossil-based plastics with biobased alternatives poses significant challenges, requiring comprehensive approaches and life cycle assessments.
A study in Egypt's agricultural provinces found significant differences in how farmers handle various types of plastics. Mulching films are often directly buried or burned, while covering films are collected for recycling due to their durability. Economic pressure is a major barrier to recycling, with high costs and labor collection ex...
The University of Birmingham and CBMM have partnered to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of Niobium compounds for use in closed-carbon-loop technology. This technology can radically reduce emissions from energy- and carbon-intensive foundation industries such as steel-making.
Research reveals key differences in how ocean viruses affect carbon flow, with potential climate implications. RNA viruses disrupt carbon and nutrient recycling, making it harder for bacteria to break down organic matter.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that weight loss triggers the breakdown and recycling of fats called lipids, potentially leading to improved health outcomes. Weight loss also clears out senescent cells, which are ageing and damaged cells that accumulate in tissues, reducing inflammation and scarring.
Scientists have introduced an innovative approach to trap enzymes within nanoscale protein compartments, simplifying their use and extending their functional lifespan. This reduces costs and enhances reusability, offering a more sustainable pathway for PET recycling.
Researchers developed an efficient tribocatalytic recycling process to recover valuable materials from spent lithium-ion batteries, reducing environmental harm. The method achieves high recovery efficiency with milder reaction conditions, making it a promising alternative to conventional pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy.
Researchers developed a solid-state NMR method to characterize separation and recycling processes of real-life plastic waste mixtures. The technique identified individual components in complex polymer systems, enabling precise tracking of chemical evolution and mapping of conversion processes.
A new recycling technology has been developed to turn used tires into raw materials for rubber and nylon, achieving high selectivity of up to 92% and a yield of 82%. The process uses dual catalysis to convert waste rubber into valuable chemicals.
Researchers developed a new framework that connects molecular scale processes with reactor-scale models for catalytic depolymerization of plastics. The findings offer a powerful tool for designing catalyst architectures and identifying reaction conditions to boost selectivity of value-added products.
A new study found that people recycle 47% more bottles when offered a lottery-style refund, rather than the traditional 10-cent deposit return. This approach increases the thrill of possibly winning a big prize, making recycling more enjoyable and motivating.
The teXirc project aims to create novel, scalable textile materials that are easily recyclable and biodegradable. The researchers will incorporate low-density functional groups into polyethylene-like crystallinity to enable efficient breakdown during recycling processes.
A new study found that most Americans overrate the climate impact of actions like recycling and underrate high-impact choices like skipping long flights or eating less meat. Active learning interventions boost climate literacy and commitment to impactful lifestyle changes, but must be paired with strategies supporting collective action.
Carbon-based low-dimensional materials from cigarette butts show unique physical and chemical properties, with potential applications in renewable energy. Recent advances in recycling CBs waste are summarized, highlighting its use as a building material in triboelectric nanogenerators and flexible batteries.
A new analysis from UC Davis suggests that lithium-ion battery recycling could play a big role in meeting growing global demand for lithium, potentially reducing the need for new mines. Recycling could mitigate supply constraints and reduce carbon emissions associated with combustion engine vehicles.
The study focuses on reuse, recycling, and resource optimization to drive efficient and sustainable consumption. Circular economy principles reduce waste, maximize resource efficiency, and promote product longevity.
A recent study shows that electric vehicle manufacturers can reduce their material demands by nearly 15% by adopting a circular manufacturing system decision-making model. This approach enables product design that facilitates eventual remanufacture and reuse, or recycling, resulting in production cost savings of 18.6% and overall carbo...
A low-cost method to bind polyethylene and polypropylene together, creating a high-quality plastic recycling additive. The researchers used an organic alkyl peroxide to graft hydrogen molecules onto the polymers, forming a copolymer material that can be added to mechanical recycling processes.
Researchers have developed a novel metal-free catalytic approach for upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into valuable products like dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene carbonate (EC). The method achieves impressive yields under mild conditions, showcasing its potential for large-scale industrial implementation.
Researchers develop new recycling concept using fatty acids to extract silver from electronic waste, making it financially viable. The process uses light and diluted hydrogen peroxide, resulting in a sustainable separation method.
A new study suggests that boosting copper recycling rates can significantly mitigate resource scarcity and cut down carbon emissions from extraction processes. Recycling rates between 60% and 80% could decrease primary copper demand and ease the burden on natural reserves.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a technique using soundwaves to separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes from catalyst-coated membranes. This breakthrough addresses critical environmental challenges posed by PFAS, which contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications.
A new low-energy chemical recycling method using boron and gallium can convert common silicone waste into useful chlorosilanes with high efficiency and yield. This approach offers a promising new chemical pathway toward circularity in silicone materials, addressing both resource sustainability and emissions reductions.
A new recycling process for silicones has been developed, reducing environmental impacts by bringing materials back to an earlier state. The chemical recycling method gives direct access to high-quality silicone materials without loss of properties, making it a game-changer for the sector.
Researchers at Tsinghua University developed a ball milling-assisted technique to revitalize aged LiCoO₂ cathodes, achieving high discharge capacity and initial Coulombic efficiency. The method offers compelling advantages over conventional recycling pathways in terms of efficiency, cost, and environmental footprint.
A new study in Advanced Manufacturing shows how to make recycled plastic pretty again with custom colors using a free and open source software package called SpecOptiBlend. This breakthrough paves the way for economic distributed recycling of waste plastic into low-cost 3D printed products.
Researchers at University of Nottingham use transmission electron microscopy to observe real-time growth and contraction of Palladium nanoparticles. The study reveals a unique cyclic process where nanoparticles grow, dissolve, and re-grow, potentially leading to the development of new efficient catalysts.
A novel chemical method breaks down rubber waste into valuable precursors for epoxy resins, reducing molecular weight and producing functional materials with strength similar to commercial resins. The process is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and more efficient than traditional recycling techniques.