Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
Researchers analyzed data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which was designed to track large bodies of water. They found that the satellite could measure water levels with moderate to high confidence at over 85% of canal locations in Asia. This discovery could give farmers around the world a powerful new to...
Researchers found that coastal flooding has predictable daily timing across regions, with tides playing a significant role in determining the timing. This study has the potential to improve flood forecasting and emergency planning, particularly as sea levels continue to rise.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo successfully demonstrated a deployable phased-array transceiver in orbit, enabling satellite constellation-based wireless communications. The technology corrects non-planar deformations in the deployable membrane antenna, paving the way for next-generation satellite-based networks.
A new study by Columbia Climate School researchers estimates that natural gas use is the primary source of methane emissions in NYC, equivalent to nearly $300 million in wasted fuel. The findings provide an overlooked pathway for reducing methane emissions while potentially saving consumers millions of dollars.
Vikas Khanna, a leading sustainability scholar, has been appointed Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Pitt. He will focus on integrating AI into curricula, developing public health and computing graduate pathways, and strengthening research in water, environment, and public health. Khanna has a strong track record of resea...
Researchers found that dissolved black carbon's electron-shuttle ability depends on both redox activity and diffusivity, which can alter microbial metabolism and contaminant transformation rates. Higher-temperature DBC exhibited greater electron-shuttle ability and faster apparent diffusion.
USC researchers will lead a $20M NSF effort to develop AI-powered optimization tools for power grids and supply chains. The project aims to improve decision-making in these complex systems and expand AI education for high school students.
Researchers at the University of Bath found that straw could provide a sustainable solution to meet the UK's housing targets, reducing emissions and storing carbon. The study suggests that scaling up straw construction could store between 1.8 and 3.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
Researchers found that natural gas drilling can lead to elevated radium content in local drinking water due to increased salt levels. This can pose serious health risks, including an increased risk of cancer. The study used private water wells and springs to collect samples and found a connection between drilling operations and radium ...
A comprehensive review article presents a detailed technical roadmap for resource recovery of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. The study highlights the need for green and low-carbon recycling technologies, with emerging methods like direct regeneration and novel green solvents showing promise.
The journal focuses on research related to turning solid wastes into useful ecomaterials, aiming to advance a zero-waste society. The editorial team accepts original research, reviews, and industry reports on solid waste valorization, including artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches.
A team from Osaka Metropolitan University created a coconut oil-based fuel that can be added to jet fuel without lowering performance. The fuel blend showed comparable thermal efficiency and reduced hydrocarbon emissions, making it a promising alternative.
Researchers propose 'Thermal Justice' framework to address heat-related inequalities, combining emergency measures with structural changes. The framework prioritizes exposed residents, accessible cooling, and worker protection during heatwaves, while retrofitting housing and expanding green infrastructure between heatwaves.
A new hybrid energy system combines photovoltaics, solar thermal, and passive daytime radiative cooling to provide cooling, electricity, and heating from a single surface. The system achieved cooling of up to 6.5 °C below ambient temperature and electrical power density of 60.6 W/m².
A Virginia Tech team analyzed over 1,000 storm surge events to identify distinct patterns that depend on both storm characteristics and coastal geography. The findings could help engineers design infrastructure to withstand unique flood timelines and support better planning and decision making for coastal communities.
A novel dynamic imine bond adhesive technology enhances commercial filters with improved particle retention and filtration performance, increasing efficiency and lifespan by up to 10-30% and extending filter lifespan by nearly a factor of two.
A UTEP researcher has developed a simple, low-dose leaf spray that can substantially reverse the damage caused by salty soil on tomato plants. The treatment pairs manganese oxide nanoparticles with chitosan and has been shown to increase shoot weight, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity in stressed plants.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Satellite remote sensing allows researchers to monitor water quality by tracking changes in light spectrum, identifying nutrients in the water. This technology holds promise for studying global river health and detecting toxic algal blooms that can shut down water treatment plants.
A team at the University of Basel has developed a modular nanorobot with propulsion and payload modules that can be used in medicine to deliver active substances to specific locations in the body. The technology also has potential applications in industry and environmental technology.
Researchers developed a digital twin framework to predict permafrost degradation in Alaska's thawing permafrost. The framework uses real-time measurements and AI to simulate the physical properties of frozen soil, enabling more accurate predictions of climate change impact.
Historically rare coastal water level extremes are now occurring 12 times more frequently due to sea level rise. The increase is attributed to anthropogenic forcing, leading to a four-fold increase in the likelihood of these events.
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 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 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 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.
Researchers discovered that sea squirts package adhesive materials into nanocondensates, which deliver them to the destination and unpack for use. This mechanism is distinct from mussels' adhesion strategy, providing clues for developing bio-adhesives to assist in seaweed cultivation.
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.
A Harvard study resolves a longstanding climate puzzle by proposing that the Sturtian glaciation could have lasted 56 million years due to oscillating 'snowball' and 'hothouse' conditions. The researchers suggest intense weathering of volcanoes triggered global glaciations, which warmed and retreated over repeated cycles.
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.