A new surveillance constellation concept aims to detect and track near-Earth asteroids, providing early warning and tracking capabilities. The system consists of six space-based surveyors and a mothership, which work together to monitor the orbits of potentially hazardous asteroids.
Researchers developed sustainable concrete by replacing synthetic reinforcement with natural fibres and industrial by-products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. The new material exhibits superior strength and lower water absorption compared to traditional concrete.
A machine learning multi-city model is developed to predict municipal solid waste generation in China, using a wide range of feature variables. The model shows good performance with an R-squared value of 0.939 and is suitable for predicting MSW generation in China.
The need to reduce diabetes care product waste is a pressing issue, with disposable devices generating enormous amounts of plastic. Experts, including Professor Lutz Heinemann, are exploring strategies to increase recycling and sustainability in the industry.
Researchers aim to create intelligent drones that can autonomously inspect coal waste storage facilities, detecting cracks and deformities with thermal and visual images. The drones will be equipped with AI-based software to identify potential hazards, providing a faster and long-term solution to prevent environmental damage.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters found that natural gas transported by interstate pipelines contains hazardous air pollutants and known human carcinogens. The study analyzed industry-reported data and found surprising levels of harmful air pollutants, including benzene, mercury, radon, and hydrogen sulfide.
A recent study published in One Earth explores the potential for utilizing urban tree waste to reduce global warming potential in the United States. The researchers found that adopting eco-friendly uses for urban tree waste could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities.
Researchers at RMIT University developed a method to recycle disposable PPE into stronger concrete, increasing strength by up to 22% and improving resistance to cracking. The study aims to create a circular economy approach for healthcare waste, reducing landfill waste and creating valuable resources.
Researchers investigated bioaerosol emissions from municipal solid waste landfilling, finding high levels of culturable bacteria and fungi. The study highlights the need for source control measures to reduce pollution and protect human health, particularly in areas with active-working zones.
Penn State researchers have developed a method to extract valuable rare earth elements like neodymium from electronic waste using bio-based micro- and nanoparticles created from organic materials. This process can efficiently separate metals from refuse, providing a more sustainable solution than traditional mining methods.
Researchers developed a lifecycle assessment-based framework to manage offshore oil spill cleanup waste. The study suggests combining centrifugation and landfilling as the most suitable remediation approach for low-impact spills.
Researchers found that sponges release mucus to unclog their internal filter systems, which also serves as a food source for fish. The study published in Current Biology highlights the unique adaptation of sponges to manage their waste and environment.
A NASA scientist will lead a team in characterizing and understanding Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) with a $848,013 grant. The project aims to predict PHA close approaches and issue warnings to prevent asteroid impacts.
A new distributed recycling system using microwave irradiation recovers 97% of manganese oxide and zinc from spent alkaline batteries, outperforming conventional methods. The system's potential to reduce annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Japan is estimated at 26,500 GJ and 1.54 Gg-CO2 eq, respectively.
A new Boston-area study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that natural gas used in homes contains varying levels of volatile organic chemicals. The research found that even small amounts of hazardous air pollutants could impact indoor air quality and degrade outdoor air quality when gas leaks occur.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are developing AI-powered robots that can operate autonomously in hazardous environments. The 'hot-robotics' project aims to improve robot autonomy for tasks like decommissioning legacy power stations and inspecting nuclear reactors.
Researchers identify fast-fashion waste as a result of low environmental awareness and desire for varied clothing options. The study proposes policy solutions to reduce waste, including sustainable disposal and production tax incentives.
A study in Macao explores the potential for urban mining, analyzing building material stock-flow process and future trends. The research establishes a dynamic MFA model to clarify driving forces of urban building resources, providing data support for recycling and waste management.
The study reveals that the U.S., Brazil, and China are top suppliers of global plastic packaging waste, with North and South America responsible for most production and consumption. The researchers emphasize the need for producers and consumers to share responsibility and costs to reduce plastic use.
The study reveals that US landfilled plastic waste is worth $4.5-9.9 billion and has an embodied energy equivalent to 12% of industrial sector energy consumption. The researchers estimate 44 million metric tons of plastic waste in the US, highlighting the need for better recycling techniques.
Researchers developed an enzyme that can break down plastic waste in hours, making it a promising solution for the world's plastic problem. The enzyme, called FAST-PETase, has the potential to revolutionize recycling and reduce global landfill waste by billions of tons.
A new study reveals rapid degradation in air quality and increases in urban exposure to hazardous pollutants in tropical megacities. The research found significant annual increases in pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, attributed to emerging industries and residential sources.
Researchers from NTU Singapore have developed a new method using pyrolysis to convert challenging plastic waste into hydrogen and carbon nanotubes. The converted energy could power up to 1,000 five-room apartments for a year.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to turn treated plastic waste into an effective carbon dioxide sorbent, capable of removing CO2 from flue gas streams. The process involves heating plastic waste in the presence of potassium acetate, producing particles with nanometer-scale pores that trap CO2 molecules.
Colorado State University researchers have developed a system that creates renewable energy while diverting waste from landfills, producing valuable products like sustainable aviation fuel and cleaning solvents. The ReSOURCE system can offset the carbon dioxide equivalent of 6.2 million cars a year.
A new recycling method using a low-cost, dip-coating process converts common plastic waste into highly functional materials. These materials can selectively separate oil/water mixtures and exhibit self-cleaning properties.
A new study suggests that the majority of ocean plastics are on the seafloor or difficult to monitor, with an estimated 540 million metric tons trapped on land. The research estimates that large plastics and microplastics account for only a small percentage of total ocean plastic waste.
Researchers have developed a sustainable methodology to utilize biomass waste for efficient remediation of antibiotic pollution. Fe-contaminated biomass waste ferns are used to synthesize highly active single atom catalysts, demonstrating an appealing strategy for pollutant control and other applications.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a simple and rapid chemical recycling process for polycarbonates, breaking down plastic waste within 20 minutes at room temperature. The new process can convert waste into its chemical constituents, preserving product quality over an infinite number of cycles.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provide valuable insights on managing C&D waste and reducing carbon emissions in building refurbishment projects. By upcycling generated waste, carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, with a potential reduction of around 40% compared to traditional practices.
A University of Toronto study found high levels of hazardous chemicals in Canadian nail salons, with exposures up to 30 times higher than in homes and 10 times higher than in e-waste handling facilities. The study urges government and product manufacturers to make safer personal care products and safer spaces for workers and customers.
Swine waste lagoon construction dates have been established for the first time using satellite imagery, providing insights into their environmental impact. The study focused on North Carolina and found that approximately 16% of lagoons were already in place before 1987.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to extract rare earth elements from fly ash, bauxite residue, and electronic waste using flash Joule heating. This process improves yields and reduces the use of strong acids, making it a more sustainable solution for recycling these materials.
Researchers found that rural areas have similar levels of oxidative potential as urban areas, challenging the misconception that air pollution is more toxic in urban settings. The study also showed that summertime agricultural activity can produce PM2.5 particles that are just as toxic as those from urban settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the generation of medical waste, with daily output surging from 200 tons to over 29,000 tons in September 2020. The study also highlights the need to update emergency medical waste treatment strategies and manage personal protective equipment waste effectively.
A new open-source tool called SwolfPy helps solid waste systems achieve environmental goals by assessing various options in one place. The tool identifies the range of best possible options for users, depending on their priorities.
Researchers at Penn State have been awarded a $3.4 million contract from the REMADE Institute to develop a flexible, two-stage chemical recycling process for mixed plastic waste. The process aims to decompose multiple types of plastic and convert them into valuable chemicals that can be used to create new products.
A new study reveals that circular waste management systems can effectively reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, with the potential to eliminate open burning of waste by 2050. The researchers estimate that this could account for almost a quarter of global methane emissions.
A Spanish study has found that each patient undergoing anaesthesia generates up to 1kg of plastic waste, with plastic wrappers being the most common item. The study suggests that up to 60% of this waste could be recycled and highlights the need for improved waste management strategies.
Researchers detected emerging synthetic antioxidants in e-waste recycling dust, including hindered phenol and sulfur antioxidants. The study highlights the need for further research on their environmental behaviors and toxicities.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new use for e-waste plastics by repurposing them as an alternative to laboratory cell culture containers. The team found that over 95% of human stem cells seeded on e-waste plastics remained healthy after a week, comparable to cells grown on conventional plates.
Researchers used NMR analysis to determine lipid content in organic waste, achieving higher accuracy and speed than Soxhlet method. The new technique is faster, more accurate, and environmentally friendly, paving the way for improved anaerobic digestion processes.
A new research study has provided a better understanding of how cells remove damaged proteins through a process similar to waste collection. The study found that an enzyme called DegP is activated by high temperatures, neutralizing harmful proteins and maintaining cellular health.
Researchers from Brazil and international collaborators demonstrate the conversion of low-cost waste biomass into bioplastic, electronic devices, and other high-value materials. The study highlights the potential of this approach to address global waste management challenges and promote a circular economy.
The report reveals that electronic waste generated in the region rose by 50% between 2010 and 2019, with only 3.2% collected and safely managed. The regional e-waste total jumped from 1.7 Mt to 2.5 Mt, with Russia generating the most e-waste.
Researchers developed a simpler, greener method for producing Grignard reagents using environment-friendly paste-based technology. This new process drastically cuts down on the use of hazardous organic solvents and could lead to reduced production costs and environmental benefits.
Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a new method for synthesizing primary amines, used in over half of all pharmaceuticals, significantly reducing energy usage and chemical waste. This breakthrough aims to speed up drug discovery by making it easier to synthesize new chemical structures for testing.
A new study projects that more than eight million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste have been generated globally, with over 25,000 tons entering the global ocean. The research highlights the need for improved medical waste management in developing countries and calls for global action to reduce plastic pollution.
Researchers examine how heat affects salt and brine in underground tests to refine computer models and inform policymakers about spent nuclear fuel disposal. The understanding gained will help assess the viability of salt beds as a safe storage option for radioactive waste.
Researchers at California State Polytechnic University use catalytic pyrolysis to upcycle plastic waste into a valuable fuel source. The process converts primary organic waste into a sustainable fuel or other valuable chemicals.
Researchers found that 44.3% of the Mbendjele BaYaka population had hazardous alcohol consumption, associated with mental and physical health harms like high blood pressure and increased diarrhoea rates. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement and socioeconomic changes to address the underlying drivers of poor health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plastic pollution, with global waste generation increasing by twice the amount in 2020 compared to 2019. To address this issue, researchers advocate for a transition to novel sustainable practices and technologies, including biodegradable plastics and efficient recycling processes.
A new process recovers rhodium, palladium, gold and silver from electronic waste in seconds, producing a byproduct clean enough for agricultural land. The flash Joule heating method uses significantly less energy than traditional lab methods, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
The Army has pledged $5.2 million to Rice University's research on flash Joule heating, a process that turns waste into graphene and other valuable materials. The technology can recover precious metals from electronic waste and toxic metals from contaminated soil.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
A new project at Lehigh University aims to improve waste-to-energy conversion processes using AI and spectroscopy. The team will develop a rapid detection and analysis system for municipal solid waste streams, enabling real-time characterization and process control.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to generate renewable biofuel additives from organic waste using nuclear radiation. This process could help increase the proportion of petrol with renewable content from 5% to 20% by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
A new framework from Cornell University's Fengqi You and Xiang Zhao provides a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of plastic waste chemical recycling. The framework quantifies climate change and human toxicity, offering insights into optimal technologies and market dynamics.
A recent study employs machine learning to guide the design of novel materials for CO2 capture, identifying elemental composition and textural properties as key factors. The research team's findings suggest prioritizing adsorption parameters and surface area optimization for high CO2 adsorption efficiency.
A longitudinal study by SMU and the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment aims to quantify and qualify the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. The five-year study will examine the effects on recycling rates, waste reduction, and economic benefits in Singapore.