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
Researchers developed a novel method for carbon fiber recycling that leverages Joule heat generation, thermal stress, and expansion forces to separate fibers without chemicals. The technique is more effective than traditional methods, preserving longer fibers with higher strength and reducing environmental impact.
The use of plastic in Europe has skyrocketed, with each person generating an average of 36 kg of plastic packaging waste in 2021. KTU researchers conducted a macro-environmental analysis to examine six key areas influencing plastic packaging recycling, including outdated regulations and lower quality recycled plastics. This highlights ...
Researchers at Rice University have successfully recycled carbon nanotube fibers without losing their structure or properties. The discovery positions CNT fibers as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like metals and polymers, offering a solution to waste management problems in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
A new study reveals that US state policies are falling short of reducing food waste, with only California, Vermont, and Arizona projected to achieve the goal. Current policies focus on recycling methods, but experts suggest a shift towards prevention and rescue strategies is needed to address food insecurity.
A new study found that intensive farming and shallow groundwater in the US Corn Belt increase precipitation recycling by almost 30%, providing a significant boost to rainfall during the growing season. The research, published in PNAS, used advanced computer modeling techniques to quantify the impact of these factors on regional climate.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have assessed the technical feasibility of automatically separating marine plastic waste from urban recycling. They found that PET plastic bottles of marine and urban origin can be separated with high effectiveness using an optical separation system.
A global analysis suggests that recycling human and livestock excreta can contribute substantially to meeting the nutrient supply for all crops worldwide. Recycling these nutrients could reduce global net imports of mineral fertilizers by 41% for nitrogen, 3% for phosphorus, and 36% for potassium.
Researchers at Chungnam National University have developed copper-zinc electrodes that can stabilize over time through recycling, preserving their catalytic effectiveness and selectivity for valuable hydrocarbons. This innovation has significant implications for the conversion of CO₂ into sustainable fuels or chemicals.
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has launched a styrofoam recycling project to divert over 900 pounds of EPS waste from landfills each month. The program aims to reuse existing styrofoam materials, reducing the need for styrene and minimizing environmental impact.
Researchers develop efficient way to recycle e-waste containing metals, semiconductors and rare elements; microwave-assisted pyrolysis method effectively recovers copper wires, improving recycling process.
Researchers have developed a method to convert black polystyrene waste into reusable starting materials using sunlight or white LEDs. The technique involves adding carbon black and exposing the mixture to high-intensity light, resulting in efficient breakdown of polymer bonds.
A novel citric-acid-based method has been developed to recycle metals from NCM cathodes with minimal energy usage and lower emissions. The process involves a relatively small amount of citric acid, allowing for efficient separation and reclamation of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese metals.
Mitophagy, a recycling process crucial for cellular health, increases and then declines in midlife brain cells, while lysosomes lose acidity with age. The study highlights the importance of developing new perspectives when studying brain aging in longer-lived species.
Research reveals UK households are 'wishcycling' instead of recycling due to confusing product labels and differing recycling facilities. The study recommends standardization of bin collection services and uniform labelling to make recycling more effective for consumers.
A research team has developed a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology for recycling cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. The novel approach restores the spent cathode to its original state by immersing it in a restoration solution under ambient temperature and pressure, effectively replenishing lithium ions.
A German research team has developed an electrocatalytic method for efficient degradation of polystyrene plastic waste, producing monomeric benzoyl products and short polymer chains. The process uses an inexpensive iron catalyst and can be powered by solar panels, combining recycling with green hydrogen production.
Researchers aim to refine mechanical recycling process through segregation to enhance recycled foam performance. The project will create components suitable for the footwear and automotive industries, reducing environmental impact.
Researchers developed a recyclable high-sensitivity sensor using a dynamic polymer network, addressing the issue of performance degradation in existing sensors. The new material maintains excellent sensitivity and durability through self-healing properties, enabling repeated use and recycling without degradation.
Researchers decode mechanism by which oxidative stress influences cell death, revealing proteasome's role in ferroptosis. Enzyme DDI2 identified as key player in regulating protein recycling, protecting cells from death.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a way to make tough, chemically recyclable polymers without compromising on heat and chemical resistance. This breakthrough could hugely expand the uses of chemically recyclable polymers.
A new recycling process for rare-earth elements has been developed, promising to significantly advance recycling technology and support global efforts towards carbon neutrality. The selective extraction–evaporation–electrolysis (SEEE) process achieved recovery rates of 96% for neodymium and 91% for dysprosium, with both metals reaching...
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have developed a clearer picture of how crucial machinery in the human cell's recycling process for obsolete and misshapen proteins—known as proteasomes—are formed. The research team shed new light on how two protein chaperones bind on the top of the alpha subunit ring as it is constructed.
A new recycling process reduces environmental impact by eliminating energy-intensive methods, producing harmful waste streams. The innovative technique recovers critical metals with high purity (>95%) and yield (>85%), addressing critical metal shortages and negative environmental impacts.
Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
A new type of mussel-inspired adhesive has been developed that can be deactivated 'on command' through oxidation, allowing for efficient repair and recycling. The biobased adhesive loses its stickiness without becoming dramatically hydrophobic, making it easier to remove.
Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University created a novel glucose sensing system using heterogeneous CuxO nano skeletons from electronic waste. The method employed laser-induced transfer techniques to fabricate electrodes with high sensitivity and stability, achieving detection limits of 0.34 μM.
A novel method for the selective chemical recycling of PET has been developed, allowing for the recovery of polyester from textile waste. The method uses alcohols and an inexpensive iron trichloride catalyst to yield diethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol with high selectivity.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for chemical plastics recycling that breaks down long-chain polymer molecules into monomers, creating high-quality plastics. The approach involves adding a powdered catalyst to molten plastic and stirring it with an impeller, resulting in improved mixing and fewer byproducts.
The Rice University Sustainability Institute has partnered with Chevron to establish a graduate fellowship program supporting innovative sustainable energy solutions. This year's fellows are tackling critical energy challenges, including recycling lithium-ion batteries and developing cost-effective solar-driven technologies.
Researchers at NREL create a novel resin called PECAN that performs on par with industry standards and outperforms certain thermoplastic resins. The process allows for the complete breakdown of blades in six hours, making it possible to recycle and reuse components.
The ocean's twilight zone plays a crucial role in regulating marine phytoplankton productivity, which is essential for the marine food chain. Researchers have found that warming temperatures can strengthen the recycling of nutrients between the ocean layers, with significant implications for climate change projections.
Researchers at SickKids have identified a novel recycling mechanism in mitochondria that allows damaged cristae to be removed and replaced, restoring normal function. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction.
A new substrate material developed at MIT, University of Utah, and Meta enables not only the recycling of materials and components but also scalable manufacture of complex multilayered circuits. The material's design allows for easy processing and dissolving, making it suitable for recycling precious metals and microchips.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science develop a new efficient method for Z-alkene synthesis using a recycling photoreactor coupled with HPLC technology. The study yields good yields of Z-alkenes after 4–10 cycles, representing an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach.
A research team at Rice University has pioneered a new method to extract purified active materials from battery waste, enabling efficient separation and recycling of valuable battery materials. The technique uses solvent-free flash Joule heating to create unique features with magnetic shells and stable core structures.
Researchers at NREL are exploring ways to design sustainable perovskite solar panels that minimize environmental impact. They suggest replacing expensive metals with low-cost alternatives and establishing recycling pathways for specialized glass components.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed biodegradable and recyclable luminescent polymers that can break down under heat or mild acid. The material showed a tenfold increase in light-emitting efficiency, making it suitable for applications such as displays and medical imaging.
A new article assesses the reliability and robustness of a spatial microsimulation method for calculating carbon tax incidence. The authors demonstrate the approach's ability to generate granular household-level estimates, providing unique insights into the distributional consequences of carbon taxes. They find that different revenue r...
A team of Penn State researchers reconfigured the design of solid-state lithium batteries to enable easy recycling. They inserted polymer layers at the interfaces between the electrode and electrolyte, which helped separate components during the recycling process.
A Texas Tech University researcher found that lithium ion batteries are a growing source of pollution in air and water due to the use of PFAS chemicals. The study suggests that these pollutants can have environmental persistence and ecotoxicity comparable to PFOA, highlighting the need for new technologies and recycling solutions.
A novel process for extracting metals from spent alkaline batteries has been developed, offering a promising solution for recycling critical materials. The technique achieves high extraction efficiencies of 99.6% for zinc and 86.1% for manganese, making it cheaper and more energy-efficient than existing methods.
A nationwide bottle deposit program could significantly increase the rate of plastics recycling in the US, from 24% to 82%, according to MIT researchers. With the right policies in place, including sufficient demand for recycled material, PET bottles can be safely made into new products with high quality and minimal processing.
Researchers found raw material demand for electric vehicles will nearly double by 2050 if current trends continue. Implementing circular economy strategies such as ride-sharing, recycling, and solid-state batteries can halve resource demand or maintain it at 2015 levels.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have found that a chain reaction involving phosphorus recycling played a key role in ancient ocean anoxia. This self-amplifying loop led to rapid and prolonged marine anoxia, which could still pose a threat today due to human activities influencing nutrient dynamics.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have identified a molecular mechanism in plant cellular recycling, crucial for managing environmental stress. The ESCRT machine plays a key role in sealing autophagosomes, allowing plants to recycle damaged cell components and recover valuable resources.
Researchers have designed a new way to recycle steel using an electrochemical pathway that removes contaminants like copper, reducing carbon emissions. The process generates liquid iron and sulfur as by-products and has potential for higher-grade product creation.
Researchers are developing solutions to recycle solar panels and recover strategic metals like silver and copper, reducing waste and creating jobs.
Researchers have developed cutting-edge techniques for optimizing battery design, manufacturing processes, and recycling methods to enhance energy density, performance, and safety. Machine learning techniques are also highlighted for early fault detection and prevention of thermal runaway in real-time.
A team of researchers from Okayama University developed a novel phenothiazine-based organic photoredox catalyst with enhanced stability and recyclability. The new catalyst, PTHS, features a spiral structure that provides improved stability and can be recycled multiple times without losing catalytic activity.
Researchers developed a method to recycle cement using electric arc furnaces, significantly reducing emissions from concrete and steel production. The process can replace up to half of cement in concrete with recycled cement, producing zero-emission cement if powered by renewable energy.
Researchers mapped wastewater flows on farms and found that copper and zinc footbath water causes fluctuations in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in slurry, highlighting opportunities to reduce AMR pollution through proper waste disposal or recycling.
A UTA chemist has developed a new method to separate and recycle mixed plastics using supercritical fluid chromatography. The technique can differentiate oils created from various plastics, holding promise for improving recycling rates and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Engineers have modelled a new way to recycle polystyrene that could make the material reusable. The technique uses pyrolysis to break down polystyrene into parts that can be reformed into new pieces of the material, reducing energy consumption and increasing yield.
Researchers discovered that spliceosomes, responsible for removing introns from genes, can remain active and engage with removed introns, potentially reinserting them into the genome. This finding suggests a possible role of spliceosomes in our DNA recycling and adds complexity to the genome.
A new review introduces innovative biotic and abiotic methods for recycling and upcycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. These methods utilize microbial and chemical catalysis to depolymerize PET into basic monomers, which can be repurposed or converted into high-value products.
Researchers have developed cold sintering to recycle materials repeatedly without a decrease in quality. This process combines powder-based materials into dense forms at low temperatures and allows for recycling multiple times.
Lysosomes are critical for cellular degradation through endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy, recycling essential components. Research has developed tools to study lysosomes in cultured cells, C. elegans, and mice, with novel assays needed to understand diverse physiological and pathological conditions.
The new method uses femtosecond lasers to form glass-to-glass welds, eliminating the need for plastic polymer sheets that hinder recycling. The recycled materials can be easily reused, extending the life of solar modules.
A comprehensive analysis of over 200 scientific articles reveals the fundamental importance of scavengers and carrion in wetlands, benefiting soil, plants, birds, and mammals. The study highlights five different functions performed by scavengers during carrion consumption, including nutrient recycling and pathogen control.