Researchers at University of Limerick in Ireland have discovered a way to efficiently convert low-grade heat into electricity using lignin-derived membranes. The breakthrough technology has significant potential for developing sustainable heat-to-electricity applications, reducing waste heat's environmental impact.
SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 13, 2024
Scientists have developed a method to convert waste carbon dioxide into formic acid, a colorless and pungent liquid with potential as a transportation fuel and petrochemical industry enhancer. The new method efficiently converted CO2 for over 5,000 hours, suggesting cost-effective scalability.
SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024
A new study transforms sewage sludge into activated carbon, reducing energy costs and increasing its industrial value. The process produces a highly porous material useful for decontamination processes like water purification and gas treatment.
SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateFeb 7, 2024
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A new universal figure-of-merit for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices has been introduced to assess performance and balance power density and efficiency. This metric enables the classification of previously reported experimental results, providing a clear picture of TPV device overall performance.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateFeb 7, 2024
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a material to selectively oxidize urea in water, producing hydrogen gas. The material, made of nickel and cobalt atoms with tailored electronic structures, enables the efficient conversion of urea into hydrogen through an electrochemical reaction.
SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2024
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology and Lithuanian Energy Institute investigate the possibilities of plasma gasification to convert surgical mask waste into hydrogen-rich syngas, which shows a 42% higher heating value than biomass. The obtained syngas can be used as clean fuel with low carbon emissions.
SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2024
Researchers have developed an ion-exchange method that captures CO2 at room temperature, paired with an electrochemical cell to purify the gas. The technology has the potential to be powered by industrial waste heat or geothermal energy, reducing emissions and costs.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A team of experts has developed a way to convert polyethylene waste into ethylene and propionic acid through atomically dispersed metal catalysts. This method uses renewable solar energy to produce valuable chemicals with high selectivity, alleviating the need for complex separation processes.
SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2023
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology develop method to treat cigarette butts using pyrolysis, producing oil, char, and gas with real applications in fertilizers, wastewater treatment, energy storage, and biofuels. The process reduces biodiesel production costs by adding triacetin-rich oil as an additive.
SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalJournal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023
Researchers from Ritsumeikan University developed a low-cost, self-powered biosensor for monitoring organic wastewater in freshwater lakes and rivers. The biosensor uses a microbial fuel cell to detect the level of organic contamination in water samples, providing an early warning system for water quality management.
SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalBiochemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023
Lehigh University researchers have developed a technique using machine learning and advanced spectroscopy to characterize waste feedstocks for gasification-produced hydrogen. This process has the potential to eliminate hazards associated with stored coal waste and reclaim valuable resources, while also emitting fewer pollutants than tr...
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Producing new plastic via advanced recycling of post-use plastic reduces GHG emissions by 18-23% and fossil energy use by 65-70%. The study analyzed 2017-2021 data from eight companies and found a further 40-50% reduction when factoring in current end-of-life practices.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateOct 12, 2023
The study identifies 34 pathways that reduce greenhouse gases or specific air pollutants, while 13 increase harmful emissions. Effective uses of biomass include combustion for renewable energy, biodiesel production, and biogas conversion. Conversely, bad pathways include wildfires, open composting, and burning forest material.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalGCB Bioenergy·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 11, 2023
Researchers at the University of São Paulo estimate that Brazil's active legal mines will release 2.55 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere if not managed sustainably. The country's technosols, derived from mine tailings and waste, could offset up to 60% of soil-related emissions, according to a new study.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateSep 15, 2023
A UH research team is developing innovative chemical processes to transform plastic waste into useful materials, aiming to create new ways to reuse and recycle polyolefins. The project seeks to produce durable thermoset materials that can be recycled multiple times, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular plastics economy.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A new technique converts kale waste into phytochemicals for use in health and personal care products, preserving potency and using non-toxic solvents. The method reduces energy consumption and emissions, making it attractive for industry adoption and supporting a circular economy.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSeparation and Purification Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023
Researchers at Leibniz-HKI have confirmed experimentally that bacteria use electrons from hydrogen to produce organic compounds. This breakthrough could make microbial electrosynthesis (MES) a commercially viable technology, producing ethanol and other fuels while storing excess electricity. The study optimized the process for high yie...
SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023
Researchers at GIST have developed an IDT-based polymer with low thermal conductivity and high electronic conductivity, improving thermoelectric performance. The new material demonstrates a 6-fold increase in efficiency compared to conventional materials.
SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2023
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered a new approach to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by substituting hydrogen for oxygen. This substitution reduces thermal conductivity while maintaining high electronic conductivity, leading to improved thermoelectric conversion efficiency.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers at CABBI designed a new wastewater treatment process that simultaneously treats water and recovers biogas, reducing capital costs and energy usage. The process efficiently converts organic contaminants to biogas, achieving simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateMar 24, 2023
A team led by Xueyan Song at West Virginia University has created an oxide ceramic material that solves a longstanding efficiency problem plaguing thermoelectric generators. The breakthrough achieved record-high performance, opening up new research directions to further increase performance and enabling large-scale waste heat recovery.
SourceWest Virginia University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateMar 14, 2023
Two research projects aim to convert rejected plastic wastes into materials for construction industries. The first project uses anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis to produce biogas and bio-oils, while the second project employs plasma technology to break down single-use plastics and create biodegradable polymers.
Researchers analyzed 46 waste samples and proposed production opportunities for sustainable fuels, biogas, electricity, chemicals, and organic fertilizer. The study aims to reduce food waste and its environmental impact by finding alternative uses for industrial waste products.
SourceOhio State University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJan 25, 2023
A team from the University of Cambridge has created a solar-powered reactor that can transform two waste streams, CO2 and plastics, into valuable products. The system produces syngas for sustainable liquid fuels and glycolic acid for the cosmetics industry, offering a promising step towards a circular economy.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Synthesis·DateJan 9, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Scientists at Aston University are developing processes to capture low-cost energy from rice straw, with the goal of powering Indonesia's households and reducing air pollution. The project aims to increase energy extraction from rice straw from 35% to 70%, providing a sustainable source of locally generated energy.
A team at the University of Manchester has received funding to develop a novel hydrogen separation technique, which could make clean energy production cheaper and more sustainable. The project aims to overcome cost barriers for commercial hydrogen extraction from unrecyclable wastes, supporting ambitious clean energy targets.
SourceUniversity of Manchester·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2022
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.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
A team of researchers proposes converting discarded surgical masks into a burnable fuel through pyrolysis, yielding a carbon-rich oil with high heating value. The study suggests this method offers better environmental performance compared to conventional waste management approaches.
SourceCactus Communications·JournalBioresource Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2022
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.
SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022
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.
SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 9, 2022
A research team at PNNL has developed a system that converts waste carbon from sewage, food crops, and algae into fuels while removing impurities. The electrocatalytic oxidation fuel recovery system generates hydrogen to power its own operation, making it potentially carbon-neutral.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalApplied Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2022
Scientists at EPFL have developed a novel method to convert banana peels into valuable hydrogen and solid-carbon biochar through flash pyrolysis using a Xenon lamp. This innovative technique generates around 100 liters of hydrogen per kg of dried biomass, making it a promising renewable energy solution.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalChemical Science·DateJan 25, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
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.
SourceINRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment·JournalWaste Management·DateDec 10, 2021
A new process for decentralized hydrogen production has been developed, using chemical-looping to produce high-purity hydrogen directly from biogas. The technology is now ready for commercial use and could make hydrogen production more competitive with other methods.
SourceGraz University of Technology·TypeCase study·DateOct 28, 2021
Researchers at Korea Maritime and Ocean University have created a state-of-the-art catalyst for urea-based fuel cells using inexpensive nickel chalcogenides, outperforming precious metal-based catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies in remote areas and beyond.
SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021
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.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A UCLA-led team develops a breakthrough in microbial fuel cells by adding silver nanoparticles to bacteria, boosting electron transport efficiency and generating more electricity. The innovation could lead to practical applications of renewable energy from wastewater treatment.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021
A European project developed standard solutions for energy refurbishment, considering various climate zones. These packages include prefabricated façades, decentralized ventilation systems, and smart ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort. Pilot sites showed significant savings and improvements in tenant well-being.
A UMD researcher has been awarded a $6 million grant from the US Department of Energy to create sustainable products like biofuels and bioplastics from food waste. The project aims to understand waste sources, characterize municipal solid waste, and produce renewable resources.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
The Basque Country has significant potential for recovering and reusing industrial waste heat, with Bizkaia province showing the highest concentration. The research found that 90% of companies with waste heat temperatures above 400°C can recover their investment within five years.
SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateAug 18, 2021
Researchers have developed a high-performing thermoelectric material that converts heat to electricity with record-high efficiency, making it suitable for widespread industrial applications. The purified tin selenide in polycrystalline form overcomes earlier oxidation problems, enabling the production of low-cost and efficient devices.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021
A team of scientists at NTU Singapore has developed a way to convert tamarind shells into carbon nanosheets, which can be used as an energy storage material in vehicles. The process is eco-friendly and reduces waste, making it a promising alternative to industrially produced counterparts.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalChemosphere·DateJul 13, 2021
A Pittsburgh research team has been awarded $500,000 by the NSF to develop a thermoelectric semiconductor using tungsten disulfide. The goal is to improve thermoelectric efficiency and pave the way for widespread use of these devices in various applications.
The Science Walden Pavillion at UNIST converts human waste into biodiesel and heat energy using a waterless toilet system and microbial energy production system. The project aims to establish an ecosystem that supports technology innovation and drives economic diversification.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateMay 30, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Cornell researchers are developing an enzyme-based process to convert biomass waste into auto fuel, offering a cheaper alternative to oil. The process breaks down plant fibers into fermentable sugars using thermophilic bacteria enzymes.