Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
A new review by the University of East London found no direct evidence showing whether domestic gardens reduce pollution levels or improve household air quality. Despite covering vast areas of Britain's towns and cities, researchers discovered a huge gap in understanding the role of domestic gardens on air quality.
Two Lehigh University AI projects have been selected for funding from the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. The RIVER-AI project will improve flood- and water-level prediction, while the REACT project aims to accelerate reactor-scale fusion energy by developing an AI-enabled digital twin. These awards strengthen Lehigh University...
Researchers at Hasanuddin University developed a biodegradable plastic film with oxygen-scavenging properties, using cellulose from fermented coconut water to improve strength and functionality. The film breaks down quickly in soil, but maintaining flexibility and barrier performance remains a challenge.
A University of Houston professor is using artificial intelligence to connect roadway crash data, identifying pavement conditions associated with elevated crash risk. The study assesses pavement structure, surface condition, road geometry and crash records, helping transportation agencies select candidate pavement-safety projects.
MIT researchers developed framework to make climate-informed energy siting choices, showing how location affects energy system resilience and reducing blackouts. Climate-informed energy siting reduces energy shortfalls by up to fivefold in regions like New England and Texas.
Hydrogen displays varying behavior when in vanadium, but researchers have now discovered the role of crystal symmetry in controlling its quantum behavior. Highly symmetric structures allow hydrogen to tunnel between sites, while distorted structures suppress this effect.
Researchers have discovered a complex layering system around phytoplankton cells, with water-repellent substances concentrated near the surface. This finding has significant implications for models of interactions between phytoplankton and bacteria, and could improve our understanding of the oceans' carbon cycle.
A study found that forecast error types influence public emotion during disasters, with anxiety and worry being the most common emotions. The researchers suggest that communicating forecast uncertainty effectively could improve public trust and reduce emotional distress during future extreme weather events.
A new study suggests that pairing iron and manganese modified biochar with carefully chosen irrigation strategies can reduce cadmium and mercury buildup in rice. FMBC helped stabilize both metals while reshaping microbial processes to control methylmercury formation.
A new winged composite pile system can enhance uplift resistance while reusing excavated soil, reducing off-site transport and minimizing waste. The study found that the optimal wing diameter varies with pile length, and shaft diameter has little effect on uplift resistance.
A modular nanorobot with a magnetic propulsion module and payload capsule has been developed by researchers at the University of Basel. The system can be adapted to different applications and has shown promise in delivering therapeutic agents to cancer cells, reducing viability by 16% within 72 hours.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel approach to carbon capture using whey and tofu by-products. The material absorbs CO2 at a high rate, outperforming conventional methods, and can be reused, reducing energy consumption.
Researchers found that ground subsidence has undergone phases of variable change, creating significant implications for coastal communities. The rate of vertical land motion is nonlinear in many coastal areas, particularly in Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta.
A new study by UTEP researchers found that photovoltaic panels in Alamogordo, New Mexico, lose only 2-3% of their power output to dust accumulation, significantly lower than comparable desert regions worldwide. This suggests that the region's wind patterns and responsiveness to rain make it an ideal location for solar energy facilities.
Researchers from Virginia Tech found that airborne particles have an outer alkaline shell, contradicting the traditional view of uniform droplets. This discovery has significant implications for understanding air quality and climate change.
A new five-year field study suggests that pairing annual biochar amendment with water-saving irrigation can reduce methane emissions from paddy fields. Continuous biochar use maintained and strengthened methane mitigation over time, while a one-time application's effect weakened.
A new study found that pairing biochar with beneficial Bacillus bacteria can improve phosphorus availability in soil, reshape the root-zone microbial community, and strengthen root architecture. This leads to increased fruit-cluster branching and a 23.53% increase in cherry tomato yield.
Researchers used game theory to identify promising porous carbon materials made from agricultural and industrial waste. The study found that certain samples, such as rice straw-KOH-level 2, performed well in terms of surface area and pore volume, making them suitable for applications in soil amendment, water conservation, and pollutant...
The project aims to shape future international engineering guidance for coastal infrastructure as climate change increases storm surge risk. Researchers will gather environmental data on saltmarsh systems and work with international partners to develop practical hybrid green-grey infrastructure solutions.
A new study found that excavated urban soils in South Korea emit measurable amounts of CO2 and CH4, highlighting a previously overlooked climate cost. Researchers suggest simple practices like soil capping and biochar amendment could be integrated into construction workflows to mitigate these emissions.
A new study warns that the UK's failure to protect the most vulnerable people from extreme heat is becoming a public health threat. The research highlights gaps in building regulations, weak enforcement, and low public awareness as key factors contributing to the problem.
A study finds that US forests are at risk of releasing stored carbon due to droughts, pests, and fires exacerbated by climate change. The researchers recommend increasing buffer pools in carbon-credit systems to account for these risks.
A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.
A new approach using Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics offers a direct fix for estimating nutrient uptake length in streams. The zero-order method substantially outperforms the first-order approach under saturation, providing more accurate estimates of stream filtration capacity.
The GlycoHBF dataset maps protein and glycosylation landscapes across 15 human body fluids, providing a crucial reference framework for research. The study establishes the baseline molecular profiles of healthy and non-malignant body fluids, enabling differentiation between normal physiological variation and pathological changes.
Researchers discover hydrogen radicals play central role in PFAS degradation under high-energy UV light, breaking down molecules into smaller, less persistent compounds. This breakthrough provides a clearer understanding of the underlying mechanism and challenges previous assumptions.
Researchers found that improved lighting design combined with modern LED technology can reduce household energy use and enhance comfort. The study showed a 15.3% reduction in energy consumption by optimising lighting planning and positioning using software-based approaches.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an AI-driven framework to extract and analyze historical flood insurance maps, uncovering significant changes in flood hazard areas. The study reveals that flood risks have expanded in two areas and reduced in one, with critical consequences for resilience and exposure.
Harvard engineers develop new method to preserve long molecular chains in natural rubber, resulting in composite materials that are both stiff and tough. The innovation has the potential to cut waste, reduce tire dust pollution, and open new avenues for high-performance elastomers.
Researchers find crab shell waste alters microbial communities on biodegradable plastics, reducing breakdown rate. The effect persists even without direct contact, suggesting biochemical compounds released from crab shells trigger changes in the plastisphere.
Quaise Energy is building the world's first power plant using superhot geothermal energy, with the goal of producing at least 50 megawatts of clean electricity. The project aims to harness temperatures greater than 300 degrees C and validate its long-held hypothesis that higher subsurface temperatures can improve power production.
Researchers have found that asphalt releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can cause respiratory problems and even lung cancer. As pavement ages, these VOCs become more toxic and can lead to neurological damage. Scientists are working on developing less-toxic asphalt formulations using algae.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed energy-efficient geometries for elastocaloric cooling elements using 3D printing. The technology uses shape-memory alloys to release heat when stretched and absorb it when released, promising a cleaner alternative to traditional cooling methods.
The Universitat Jaume I and AICE have established a joint GEA research laboratory to promote joint research and innovation in environmental engineering. The lab aims to foster knowledge transfer, train PhD graduates, and collaborate with companies in the region.
Emerging AI technologies are enabling faster, smarter, and more integrated solutions to global challenges. AI-powered systems can track pollution levels, detect anomalies, and predict future risks in water, soil, air, and waste systems.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that dragonfly visual protein detects red light similarly to mammals. This finding has potential applications in medical fields relying on red light-sensing, such as optogenetics.
A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.
Researchers found that combining biochar with beneficial bacteria significantly improves phosphorus availability, reshaping plant development and increasing crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes. The study also showed that this approach can enhance soil fertility and crop productivity without increasing fertilizer inputs.
A new study reveals excavated urban soils as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Biochar application and soil capping can dramatically reduce emissions by up to 96%, offering a practical climate solution for urban development.
A new study presents a framework combining biochar engineering with artificial intelligence to design next-generation materials tailored for specific pollutants. The work highlights how advanced data-driven approaches can accelerate the development of sustainable water treatment technologies.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies when applied at optimal nitrogen levels. However, high nitrogen inputs may actually increase methane emissions, highlighting the need for careful management of fertilizer inputs.
A new aquaculture facility is being built in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, to support Benizake salmon farming using 'The Third Water'. The facility will have a capacity over eight times larger than the existing tank and aims to raise fish from eggs and ship them two years later.
A new study by the University of Stirling found that beaver-created wetlands had 19% more species than other types of wetland. The research team believes their findings could hint at the scale of past biodiversity loss associated with a lack of beaver-dependent wetlands.
A new model developed by MIT scientists suggests that the hydroxyl radical, a key air cleanser, may boost methane breakdown levels due to rising water vapor but also reduce them due to increased biogenic emissions, resulting in a small net gain in its effectiveness.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers found that diamond dust is not suitable for strategic stratospheric aerosol injection due to its effects on acid rain, ozone layer degradation and human health. The study's results reduce the viability of using a 'diamond shield' to cool the planet.
A comprehensive meta-analysis reveals that biochar functions as a highly active biological regulator, restructuring the earth to boost porosity and moisture retention. Biochar disrupts the soil's nitrogen cycle by suppressing specific enzyme activities, slowing down processes like nitrification and denitrification.
A new study reveals that transforming biomass from dedicated energy crops into biochar could provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping China move closer to its carbon neutrality goals. Biochar can lock carbon in soils for decades or even centuries while improving soil health.
A study by Jeonbuk National University researchers highlights the potential risks of chemical-enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) sewage sludge, but also shows that thermal treatment can lead to secondary heavy metal pollution. The team recommends using lower pyrolysis temperatures to enhance sustainability.
A three-year grant from the Great Lakes Water Authority funds a research team led by Wayne State University to improve phosphorus removal efficiency at the GLWA Water Resource Recovery Facility. The project aims to reduce harmful algal blooms and ensure compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
Aging silicon-rich biochar reduces cadmium uptake in leafy vegetables, improving plant resistance to heavy metal stress. The material reshapes soil microbial communities, contributing to reduced cadmium availability.
The Global Coral Tech Transfer Project brings together SECORE International, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and FUNDEMAR to share coral breeding techniques and technologies for large-scale restoration. The partnership aims to create a comprehensive toolbox for boosting reef resilience worldwide.
Researchers found that diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) exposure significantly increases conjugative transfer frequency of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria, particularly through oxidative stress and altered cell membrane permeability. This study provides a mechanistic framework for understanding the ecological risks posed by DIBP.
A new research project, (not)NOISY, aims to predict cumulative underwater noise produced by tidal turbine arrays before they are built. The team will develop advanced models and AI-assisted tools to quantify how noise travels through marine environments, supporting informed decision-making.
A new study from Jeonbuk National University finds that current national climate pledges are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature goal. The analysis projects a potential warming of 2.48°C by 2300 if countries follow existing plans, highlighting the need for stronger and more immediate action.
A study found that WWTP upgrades improved river water quality by reducing total nitrogen concentrations. The upgrade triggered significant shifts in bacterial communities' composition and nitrogen-cycling functions, while viral communities adjusted their functional strategies.
Researchers found widespread occurrence of tri-OPEs and di-OPEs in the Tibetan Plateau's terrestrial ecosystem. The study confirmed the trophic dilution behavior of OPEs along a representative food chain, with bio-transformation and metabolism playing key roles.
Research from Princeton University reveals that nations globally underreport greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater facilities by up to 27%. Accurate estimates are crucial for sound public reporting and practical decision-making in the wastewater sector. The study finds that wastewater systems offer strong options for emissions reduc...
Scientists have discovered how engineered biochar and microbes work together to enhance phytoremediation by improving soil conditions and stimulating beneficial microbes. The study found that modified biochar substantially increased plant growth, boosted photosynthesis, and promoted the transfer of cadmium from roots to stems and leaves.