A team of researchers has discovered a novel method for capturing carbon dioxide using clay minerals, expanding the portfolio of absorbent materials for addressing climate change. The study, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, found that certain types of clay can selectively absorb CO2 from the air at low humidity levels.
Diatoms have been shown to decompose minerals in lunar soil, releasing vital nutrients for plant growth, and improve water retention and root growth rates.
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...
Researchers develop advanced materials from plant waste, enhancing wood strength without increasing weight or harming the environment. The treatment used is simple, cost-effective and safe, making it a potential replacement for traditional construction materials.
A Kobe University study finds that carbon-containing meteorites appear less shocked because gases produced during impacts are ejected into space, revealing a new understanding of shock metamorphism. The team's guidelines for future missions also predict the accumulation of highly-shocked material on dwarf planet Ceres.
Researchers successfully achieved triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion of cationic iridium(III) complexes using organically modified hectorite in a green solvent. The efficiency of TTA-UC was enhanced in colloidal clay systems, demonstrating the utility of clay minerals for energy up-conversion.
Research finds that pyrope garnet can retain up to 0.2 wt.% water, potentially dominating water transport via basaltic slabs into the lower mantle. The study also reveals strong pressure-temperature dependence of water solubility in pyrope garnet.
Scientists have discovered a planet with a comet-like tail, shedding surface minerals and evaporating away due to its close proximity to its star. The planet is estimated to disintegrate in about 1 million to 2 million years, leaving behind a long and dusty tail.
A new Princeton startup has developed a technology to boost minerals production from evaporation ponds, doubling the efficiency of lithium and nitrate extraction. The innovation uses a black disc with an anti-fouling coating to accelerate evaporation rates, alleviating the need for large-scale construction of new ponds.
The Curiosity rover has identified high concentrations of carbonate minerals, indicating a carbon cycle operated on ancient Mars. The findings suggest that large amounts of carbon dioxide were locked into the planet's crust, providing insights into the planet's past climate.
Researchers analyzing data from NASA's Perseverance rover uncover mineral-forming events beneath the Martian surface, bringing scientists closer to answering if life existed on Mars. Two separate generations of calcium-sulphate minerals are found in different regions, hinting at multiple potential windows for life to have existed.
PET-based glitter microplastics promote calcium carbonate crystallisation in seawater, altering natural biomineralisation processes in marine organisms. The study's findings suggest that glitter microplastics can degrade rapidly, releasing smaller fragments that are easily ingested by marine life.
Scientists are using fluorescent features in caves to understand how life is supported in extreme environments. The research, presented at the American Chemical Society Spring meeting, explores the chemistry behind these unique formations and their potential applications in astrobiology.
A 30,000-year-old vulture fossil from Central Italy has preserved microscopic feather pigment structures in a mineral phase called zeolite. This new mode of preservation extends the understanding of soft tissue preservation in volcanic rocks.
A recent study by researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology estimates that 25 out of 32 key geological resources have exceeded sustainable water limits. This highlights the need for sustainable water use in resource production, particularly for water-intensive metals like copper.
Research suggests that higher levels of essential minerals such as copper, manganese, and vitamin B12 during pregnancy may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure in middle age. The study analyzed data from over 500 women and found a significant association between these mineral levels and lower blood pressure risk.
Researchers have discovered a novel method for removing toxic arsenic from soil by harnessing the power of bacteria and minerals. The study shows that the interaction between arsenic-oxidizing bacteria and goethite significantly accelerates the conversion of arsenic from its highly toxic form, As(III), into the less harmful As(V).
USU geoscientists Jordan Jensen and Alexis Ault have developed a new forensic tool to investigate the timing of geochemical oxidation reactions in iron-oxide minerals. The tool uses martite and uranium-thorium-helium analyses to shed light on how and when large gaps in the rock record, known as unconformities, formed.
A new book analyzes the Western colonial origins of the mining industry and its post-colonial legacies in the Central African Copperbelt. The research reveals the significant role of Chinese investors in modernizing mines, claiming to support a sustainable future.
The Expand Appalachia project aims to accelerate the identification and characterization of unconventional critical mineral resources throughout the region. The team will assess regional infrastructure, identify industries that could benefit from production, and develop strategies to boost economic growth and attract investment.
New analysis of spacecraft observations and laboratory techniques reveals that Mars's red colour is better matched by ferrihydrite, an iron oxide containing water. This discovery transforms our understanding of why Mars is red and suggests that the planet rusted earlier than previously thought.
A new international study suggests that the water-rich iron mineral ferrihydrite may be responsible for Mars' iconic red color. The findings point to a potentially habitable past for Mars, with evidence of liquid water on the planet's surface billions of years ago.
The Lunar Thermal Mapper, built by researchers at the University of Oxford, will map surface temperature and composition of the lunar surface 12 times a day. The mission aims to shed light on the lunar water cycle and guide future robotic and human missions.
Scientists successfully identified fossil filaments of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in gypsum samples from Algeria, providing a methodological framework for detecting biosignatures in Martian sulfate minerals. This technology could be integrated into future Mars rovers or landers.
Researchers found that ancient glaciers carved deep into the Earth's crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process created conditions that allowed complex life to evolve, with the influx of elements changing ocean chemistry at a critical time in evolution.
Clay minerals can significantly impact imbibition in shale reservoirs by creating micro-fractures or blocking flow paths due to hydration swelling and osmotic pressure. The resulting osmotic pressure drives imbibition, highlighting the importance of considering capillary forces and clay mineral properties.
Stanford researchers have developed a practical and low-cost method to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide from the air using common minerals. The new process, known as enhanced weathering, uses heat to transform silicates into materials that capture and store CO2, offering a potentially scalable solution to mitigate global warming.
Researchers analyzed spatial interactions between active fault segments in the L'Aquila Basin, revealing a structural connection between disconnected faults. Thermoluminescence dating indicated tectonic activity began 2.7 million years ago, while stable isotope analysis revealed fault structures formed at depths of 1.5-2 kilometers.
Researchers found evidence of sodium carbonate, halite, and sodium sulfates on Ryugu, indicating liquid saline water once existed within its parent body. This discovery provides insights into the chemical history of Ryugu and sheds light on the loss of liquid water in the outer Solar System.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has identified methanogens that can consume hydrogen and dissolve calcium carbonate, producing methane. This discovery has implications for the sustainable development of bioenergy sources and challenges current understanding of carbonate mineral stability.
Filipino researchers have discovered that Taal volcanic ash can be used as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to expensive materials like concrete and lead. The natural presence of iron-rich minerals in the ash gives it strong radiation attenuation properties, making it effective for shielding against harmful X-rays and gamma rays.
The study reveals that battery production depends on over 35 materials and critical minerals, posing significant human health and environmental risks. Sustainable solutions like green energy systems, tailings backfilling, and circular economy strategies are proposed to mitigate these impacts.
Scientists have discovered complex structures and compounds in asteroid Bennu samples that suggest extraterrestrial brines played a crucial role in the development of organic compounds. The findings indicate that similar brines may still exist on other asteroids and dwarf planets, holding secrets to understanding life's origins.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
The study analyzed material from asteroid Bennu, finding evidence of building blocks of life, water, and energy. The team also discovered evaporites, which have been found on Earth in dried-out salt lakes, providing insights into the asteroid's formation.
A pooled data analysis of 132 studies involving 52,501 participants found that 45% of people with type 2 diabetes have a micronutrient deficiency. Vitamin D was the most common deficiency, affecting 60.5% of those with the condition.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a plant-based method to extract nickel from contaminated soil, providing a potential solution for the US's growing demand for this critical mineral. By manipulating the superplant Camelina sativa, scientists can absorb nickel, produce biofuel oil, and clean polluted soil.
A three-year project aims to proactively ensure circularity of solar panels by providing solutions to barriers throughout the supply chain. The team will develop reverse logistics models and next-generation data-driven supply chains for recycling solar panels and reusing critical materials like silicon and silver.
The article reveals that larger EVs are weighing more than conventional cars and require greater critical minerals to produce, delaying efforts to decarbonize the electricity grid. The growing size of EVs is also making waste processing and recycling hazardous
Kevin Rosso, a senior scientist at PNNL, has been recognized as a Battelle Fellow for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science. He leads research on the role of minerals in energy storage and release, with applications in geothermal energy systems.
Researchers are using cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and geophysical techniques to improve mine planning, predict slope behavior, and prioritize worker safety. The goal is to fundamentally change how mines are planned and operated, making them more sustainable and productive.
Researchers warn that refining nickel, cobalt, and other minerals for electric vehicle batteries could increase sulfur dioxide emissions by up to 20% in China and India. The study highlights the need for countries to think strategically about building clean supply chains as they develop decarbonization plans.
The MINE-THE-GAP project aims to bridge the gap in mining's environmental and social impacts by providing reliable mining indicators using advanced satellite data and artificial intelligence. The project will provide mine-level indicators, including on land use, waste generation, and extracted minerals.
Researchers from UniSA have developed a simple strategy to increase seawater evaporation rates, making desalination more energy-efficient and sustainable. By introducing clay minerals into a photothermal hydrogel evaporator, they achieved a 18.8% higher evaporation rate for seawater compared to pure water.
A research team from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg observed how sediment particles align during deposition in real-time using state-of-the-art technology. They found that clay particles adopt a certain orientation very early on, contradicting a common hypothesis about the alignment of clay particles.
Researchers have discovered preserved biosignatures in volcanic caves, including calcium and sodium sulfates, indicating past microbial activity. This finding highlights lava tubes as potential refuges for microbial life, shedding light on the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a library of basalt-based spectral signatures to help identify the presence of water on exoplanets. By analyzing small spectral differences between basalt samples, scientists can determine if an exoplanet once had running surface water or water in its interior.
A team of scientists has determined that a meteorite from Mars, the Lafayette Meteorite, was exposed to liquid water 742 million years ago. The minerals in the meteorite formed when there was liquid water present on the Martian surface, providing insight into the planet's past.
New research led by the University of Southampton found that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy increase children's bone mineral density in mid-childhood. Children born to mothers who received extra vitamin D supplementation had stronger bones and were less likely to break them.
The report analyzes Africa's potential to transition from raw material extraction to refining minerals and assembling or manufacturing batteries. With the right investment and policy environment, African countries could generate an additional $6.8 billion in annual revenues and create approximately 3,500 good-quality jobs by 2030.
A study by University of Michigan researcher Chris Emproto found that 94% of minerals are named after men, while just 2.8% are named after women. The researchers analyzed nearly 6,000 mineral names and found that growth in the proportion of women among new minerals named for people stalled decades ago.
Researchers found that rising temperatures accelerate weathering of rocks in the Canadian Arctic, leading to increased CO2 release and a positive feedback loop. This process could contribute significantly to climate change, with predicted emissions doubling by 2100 under moderate emission scenarios.
Researchers used instruments on board Curiosity to measure the isotopic composition of carbon-rich minerals and discovered extreme evaporation, suggesting a climate that could only support transient liquid water. This finding rules out life on Mars' surface but leaves open the possibility of an underground biosphere.
Researchers found inorganic nanostructures surrounding deep-ocean hydrothermal vents that mimic molecules essential for life. These structures can harness energy and convert it into electricity, sparking interest in applying this technology to industrial blue-energy harvesting.
The study reveals desugared sugarcane extract contains significant amounts of proteins, minerals, and phenolic acids, exhibiting strong radical scavenging activity and α-glucosidase inhibition, suggesting its potential for antioxidant and antidiabetic applications.
Researchers discovered that wheat and lettuce plants actively grab, transport, and utilize solid mineral particles from their roots to shoots. This study provides crucial insights into the direct uptake routes of plants in their soil environment, potentially altering how we manage crop nutrition and soil health.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A new strategy for massive water production on the Moon has been proposed by Chinese researchers, utilizing reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen. The study reveals that one ton of lunar regolith can generate over 50 kg of water, enough for 50 people for a day.
Researchers found the stone's age and chemical composition matched rocks from northeast Scotland, differentiating it from Welsh bedrock. The discovery suggests a high level of societal organization and implies long-distance trade networks along the British coast.
Seven rock samples collected along the fan front of Mars' Jezero Crater show evidence of minerals formed in water, suggesting a watery environment. While organic matter cannot be confirmed, these rocks may hold the key to finding remnants of ancient Martian life.