Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
MIT engineers create ultralight fabric solar cells that can generate 18 times more power-per-kilogram than conventional solar cells, making them ideal for wearable power fabrics or deployment in remote locations. The technology can be integrated into built environments with minimal installation needs.
Jamie Padgett, a Rice University professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's BRITE Fellows program. With this funding, she will develop methods for infrastructure resilience modeling in response to uncertain, evolving conditions resulting from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters.
Lei Fang's NSF-funded project models interactions between active matter and transport barriers to improve understanding of ocean currents and drone technologies. The study uses a laboratory flow system with tiny zooplankton, brine shrimp, to examine the effect of their movement on transport barriers.
Researchers used bright green lasers and camera equipment to directly visualize aerosol plumes and measure the speed and spread of particles in a toilet flush. The study found that airborne particles shoot out quickly, reaching speeds of 6.6 feet per second and remaining suspended in the air for minutes or longer.
Researchers developed a new lidar technique using 3D flash lidar combined with super-resolution algorithm for hazard avoidance during landing. The technique improved the precision and safety of robotic vehicles on Mars, enabling them to navigate through challenging environments.
Two crops, celery and cordifolium, were cultivated using reused medium from domestic wastewater and standard Hoagland nutrient solution. The results showed that the reused medium was effective in promoting plant growth, with cordifolium exhibiting better performance than celery, despite initial salt toxicity issues.
Researchers propose new structures to capture and condense water vapor from above oceans, providing fresh water for large population centers in subtropical regions. The study assesses the feasibility of this method under climate change conditions.
A new study reveals that high ecosystem resilience is linked to high mortality risk in western US forests, contradicting previous assumptions. The research combines decades of satellite data and ground observations to show a surprising correlation between forest resilience and tree death rates.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed a unique 3D COF with scu-c topology, exhibiting efficient gas adsorption and drug delivery capabilities. The material has been shown to exhibit excellent hydrogen and methane adsorption properties.
Researchers have developed a flexible temperature sensor with high sensitivity, measuring from liquid nitrogen temperatures to 1200℃. The sensor overcomes existing limitations and shows promise for applications in aerospace, steel metallurgy, and more.
Research finds that crowding on public transit makes time seem to pass more slowly, with rushed commutes feeling significantly longer. The study used virtual reality simulations of subway rides and found that crowded trips took around 10% longer than less crowded ones.
A team of researchers from Cornell University has developed a method to study delayed earthquake triggering in laboratory settings. They found that the speed and strength of 'creep fronts' are sensitive to fault stress levels from previous earthquakes, which could potentially serve as local stress meters for predicting seismic events.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that behaviour change campaigns and technology can significantly reduce air pollution in schools. Implementing these interventions can lead to a reduction in outdoor nitrogen dioxide exposure by up to 23% compared to business-as-usual activities.
A joint research team developed a new bioprocess by introducing a genetic circuit that induces cooperation among microorganisms, leading to improved productivity. The consortium, composed of Vibrio sp. dhg and E. coli strain, successfully acclimated to the genetic circuit, increasing 3-HP production 4.3-fold over simple co-culturing.
A new peer-reviewed article highlights the diversity and complexity of chemicals in plastics, which could severely undermine the global plastics treaty's effectiveness. The study identifies over 10,000 chemical substances used in plastic production, leading to varied chemical compositions among different manufacturers.
A study by Hiroshima University researchers detected illegal international mercury trade using discrepancies in mirrored trade data from the United Nations Comtrade. The method, which analyzed export and import statistics, can help assess the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Researchers at Drexel University have conducted a lifecycle analysis of nitrogen reclamation from wastewater, showing that it's technically viable and could help reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production. The study suggests air-stripping technology can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater, producing fertilizer chemi...
A new study by MIT researchers finds that maintaining an indoor relative humidity between 40 and 60 percent is associated with relatively lower rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Indoor conditions outside this range are linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
New research by University of Pittsburgh scientists finds that concrete pavements are sensitive to sharp air temperature variations during the day, even in mild climates. This can lead to devastating consequences for infrastructure, such as potholes and cracks, with thicker pavements being more vulnerable.
Ritsumeikan University researchers have developed a soft robotic microfinger that enables direct interaction with insects through tactile sensing. The study shows great promise towards realizing human interactions with the microworld and has applications in augmented reality technology.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a VR system that enables users to share their visual and sensory experiences on Segways with remote collaborators. The system reduced VR sickness by 54% and improved user experience, promising new possibilities for remote collaboration.
A new study by MIT researchers shows that mobile phones can collect useful structural integrity data while crossing bridges. The study found that information about bridge vibrations can be extracted from smartphone-collected accelerometer data, and that this method could add years to a road bridge's lifespan. By leveraging crowdsourced...
Researchers developed an AI-based model that combines artificial intelligence and weather forecast models to predict extreme wildfire danger with high accuracy. The new method can produce forecasts of extreme fire danger out to one week at finer scales (4km x 4km resolution), increasing its utility for fire suppression and management.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed technology to produce itaconic acid, a source material for bioplastic, using E. coli bacteria. This breakthrough enables mass production of bioplastic from steel mill gases, potentially transforming the plastics industry.
Researchers have engineered a microbe to break down and upcycle mixed plastics into building blocks for next-generation materials. The process converts deconstructed plastic waste into polyhydroxyalkanoates or beta-ketoadipate, ideal for applications such as automotive parts.
A new analysis by University of Kansas researchers shows that tectonic drivers, such as river steepness and seismic activity, dominate the strength of connectivity in hillslopes across the continental United States. High connectivity zones are associated with increased landslides, while low connectivity zones promote wetland development.
Researchers at Rice University have received National Science Foundation support to speed up the analysis of wastewater for coronaviruses from hours to seconds. The team will develop bioelectric sensors that deliver immediate notice about the presence of viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers detected a spectral softening around 10 TeV in the high-energy cosmic ray proton spectrum, suggesting the proton energy spectrum is not consistent with a single power law variation. The study contributes to understanding of cosmic ray acceleration by supernovae and propagation mechanism.
Using biofertilizer on 80% of their planted area, Brazilian soybean growers enjoy environmental and economic benefits by employing the microbiome instead of chemical fertilizers. The use of biofertilizer saves farmers huge amounts of money, with costs significantly lower than chemical fertilizer.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that households with solar panels and batteries can significantly reduce their annual electricity costs when charging electric vehicles. With off-peak charging, EV owners can save up to 39.6% on energy costs, making it a more affordable option for environmentally-friendly driving.
MIT researchers create a low-power, sound-harvesting camera that captures color photos and transmits data wirelessly. The autonomous device can run for weeks without power, enabling scientists to explore remote oceans and monitor climate change impacts.
A study has mapped streamflow alterations across the continental US, using measurements from over 7,000 stream gauges. The dataset provides valuable data for determining societal impacts on ecosystems and setting environmental flow standards.
The project aims to improve climate change predictions for cities, including strategies for adapting to and mitigating changes. Penn State brings expertise in measurement and modeling of the urban atmospheric boundary layer and the interplay among buildings, climate, and human health.
A new study examines the impact of sea level rise on building foundations and proposes a method for inspection and repair to lower costs. The researchers estimate that the annual repair cost for foundations in Mobile, Alabama, could total $90 million by 2100.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that high levels of horizontal gene transfer help keep microbiomes stable and efficient, allowing for the creation of bespoke systems for environmental cleanup and biofuel production. The study suggests a dynamic division of labor among microorganisms enables robustness and flexibility.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows significant pH differences within nanopores, impacting engineering processes like clean-water generation and decarbonization technologies. Understanding these findings can improve predictions and system performance.
Researchers at WVU are using robots to analyze potential hazards and provide walkability maps in retail environments, aiming to reduce occupational injuries. The team plans to test the robots after hours in an actual retail space, combining camera data with wheel speed measurements to estimate slip risks.
Researchers have enhanced technology to lift small particles using sound waves, achieving stable lifting of particles from surfaces. By fine-tuning control using an adaptive algorithm, they have improved the stability of their 'acoustic tweezers' technology, which could be deployed in space and other environments with minimal contact.
Researchers at MIT develop a new flow model that optimizes individual turbine control to maximize wind farm energy production. The algorithm increases energy output by up to 32% in real-world experiments, with potential gains of over $1 billion per year.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science develop a method to determine the number of samples required for accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in urban rivers. The study found that at high MP concentrations, two replicate samples are sufficient to measure MP concentrations accurately.
A new study uses high-resolution regional model experiments to explore how lake surface temperatures may affect the climate of the Great Lakes region. Small differences in lake surface temperatures can have a significant impact on summer climate and fuel extreme weather events.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a novel method to measure oxygen concentration in high-temperature environments without physical contact. The method uses a phosphorescent material that varies its phosphorescence depending on the surrounding oxygen concentration.
Researchers found that rapid vegetation recovery in Fukushima reduced suspended sediment levels and turbidity effects. The study highlights the need for future remediation projects to include measures like revegetation to mitigate downstream environmental impacts.
Researchers from GIST have developed an amphibious artificial vision system with a panoramic field-of-view based on the Fiddler crab's eye structure. The system overcomes limitations of current artificial visions, enabling imaging in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
A study found that exposure to urban greenness has unequal effects on men's and women's mental health, with women benefiting from walking and leisure activities but facing safety concerns. Researchers call for gendered equity in park planning to address these disparities.
University of Arizona researchers Erin Ratcliff and Roger Angel are working on scaling paper-thin solar technology using perovskites. They aim to develop a low-cost quality control method to detect defects during manufacturing, enabling the production of robust and high-quality perovskite-based photovoltaics.
The new system, S4, offers a high-resolution view of stressed specimens comparable to or better than established technologies like DIC. It also overcomes optical challenges posed by cement in concrete, providing a reliable strain measurement technology.
Research has found that some metal-rich suspended sediment from the disaster remains in circulation, causing ongoing impacts on water quality and aquatic life. The study estimates it will take about a decade for the lake to substantially flush out the finest fraction of these tailings solids.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Researchers explore the emergence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols, including sources and detection strategies. The study highlights the need for monitoring and understanding the relationship between human, animal, and environmental microbiomes to counter the spread of AR.
A citizen science project called Snow Spotter analyzed tree-snow interactions to improve predictions of summer water supplies. The study found that snow in Washington's trees becomes 'cemented' and never leaves, while Colorado's trees experience frequent snowfall but dry conditions.
Old World vultures are vulnerable to chronic chemical exposure through the food chain, posing a threat to ecosystem health. Environmental chemicals such as legacy and emerging pollutants contribute to their decline, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
A new mathematical model has been developed to reproduce the experimental results of topological change in a partially miscible VF pattern. The researchers successfully incorporated phase separation effects and the Korteweg force into the classical miscible VF model.
A team led by UMass Amherst food scientist Matthew Moore has received a $750,000 grant to develop portable biosensors for detecting noroviruses and mycotoxins in foods. The technology aims to provide quick, cheap, and effective detection without lab testing.
Recent papers in ACS Environmental Au explore the impact of aerosol acidity in the southeastern U.S. and the effects of environmental films on native ecosystems. The journal also investigates electrospun nanofibrous membranes for controlling airborne viruses.
Researchers investigate microplastic risks using nanotoxicology lessons, standardizing particles for reproducible studies. Scientists aim to replicate real-world situations in lab simulations to understand human gut and lung cell effects.
Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate water supply in an inter-utility agreement, finding that cooperation can benefit both water supply and financial needs. The study found that more flexible agreements allow utilities to adapt to changing conditions, reducing financial risk.
Environmental advocates argue that chemical recycling doesn't eliminate single-use plastics, which remain a significant pollution concern. The Biden administration is seeking comment on exempting industry processes from Clean Air Act regulations, amid growing state legislation encouraging advanced recycling.