Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
The University of Manchester has received a £4.2 million funding award to tackle the UK's most challenging resilience and security problems. The project, SALIENT, will drive interdisciplinary research on robust supply chains, global order, and technological security.
Researchers found duplicated antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria from environments with higher antibiotic use, increasing the likelihood of evolution and resistance to new treatments. The study suggests using antibiotics more efficiently could address the growing antibiotic resistance crisis.
A groundbreaking technology recognizes human emotions in real time, combining verbal and non-verbal expression data for accurate emotional information extraction. The system features a personalized skin-integrated facial interface that enables self-powered, flexible, and transparent emotion recognition.
A new method for phase-modulated stimulated Raman scattering tomography enables rapid, label-free 3D chemical imaging of live cells and tissues. This technique improves lateral resolution and imaging depth compared to conventional methods.
A groundbreaking research breakthrough has led to the development of the world's most efficient quantum dot (QD) solar cell, retaining its efficiency even after long-term storage. The newly-developed organic PQD solar cells exhibit both high efficiency and stability simultaneously.
Researchers crafted replicas of Early Upper Paleolithic stone age tools and used them for various tasks. They found that combining macroscopic and microscopic traces can help identify tool functions, potentially pushing back the timeline for woodworking innovation.
Researchers explored the potential of anoxic marine basins for large-scale carbon sequestration. The study found that these areas can preserve plant matter, making them ideal for storing biomass. The Black Sea basin emerged as the best option due to its isolation and depth.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
The book offers hope and impetus in the right direction by demonstrating that human courage and reason can help overcome paralyzing fear. It highlights the need for self-reliance, revitalization of human values, personal and local action, and a global perspective to steer humanity towards a modern world.
Scientists at the University of Rochester discovered that even small differences in grain shape can significantly alter grain segregation in dry and wet conditions. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research to better understand and predict geohazards and alleviate segregation issues in industrial flows.
Researchers developed customized adhesive patches using mussel-derived proteins, exhibiting strong underwater adhesion, biocompatibility, and adjustable degradation time. These patches showed successful treatment in animal models, paving the way for personalized medical applications.
Scientists at Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology enhance the photon-number-resolving capability of single-photon detectors by widening superconducting strips. This results in better dynamic range and fidelity, enabling true-photon-number resolution up to 10.
Researchers have engineered T cells with a mutation found in malignant lymphoma cells, making them more than 100 times potent at killing cancer cells. The new approach shows promise against solid tumors and could provide long-term immunity against cancer.
Scientists at Northwestern University and UCSF have developed a new technique to enhance the potency of human T cells against cancer. By studying mutations in malignant T cells, they were able to create T cells that can kill tumors derived from skin, lung, and stomach cancers in mice.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a new modeling framework called TOSCA, which helps improve wind energy forecasts and productivity. The framework can capture the interaction between large wind farms and the oncoming wind, leading to more accurate estimates of power output.
Using optical traps, researchers controlled bacterial aggregation and biofilm development, finding different types of lasers can stimulate or suppress growth. The study opens up possibilities for creating microscopic building materials from bacteria.
Researchers developed a graft polymerization technique to create thermally stable and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries by improving separator performance. The new method outperforms other coating methods in cell performance, showing promise for creating high-safety lithium batteries.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a novel method for quantum infrared spectroscopy, generating a wider range of infrared photons with improved sensitivity. This breakthrough enables compact, high-performance scanners for various applications in environmental monitoring, medicine, and security.
A new bifunctional water electrolysis catalyst made from ruthenium, silicon, and tungsten enables the efficient production of high-purity green hydrogen. The catalyst demonstrates exceptional durability in acidic environments, making it an attractive alternative to traditional precious metal catalysts.
This study utilizes neural network-based point cloud completion to reconstruct 3D models of flowering Chinese Cabbage leaves, achieving full reconstruction with moderate consistency. The results show that the PF-Net algorithm improves the completeness of leaf point clouds under natural occlusion conditions, but struggles with larger mi...
A team from Tokyo Institute of Technology has developed a method to remotely monitor nuclear reactors using antineutrinos. The approach, published in the Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, could help prevent the manufacturing of materials for nuclear weapons.
A study by ETH Zurich identified a physical mechanism causing the Brumadinho dam collapse. The researchers found that creep deformation in fine-grained tailings led to the dam's failure, highlighting the need for new monitoring systems and risk analysis tools.
Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.
A recent study suggests that the Arctic cold snap significantly contributes to the heightened uptake of carbon dioxide by the East Sea. The research found that the internal circulation along the East Coast strengthened due to the Arctic cold wave, leading to a surge in carbon dioxide absorption. This phenomenon presents a promising sol...
The study introduces a novel dataset and evaluation system for aerial visible-to-infrared image translation, offering advantages in lower costs, higher efficiency, and enhanced downstream task performance. This technology has significant potential applications in surveillance, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.
Researchers develop non-toxic colloidal quantum dots enabling high-performance shortwave infrared photodetectors and image sensors. The new material exhibits remarkable performances, including a spectral range of 350-1600nm.
Research using a high-resolution climate model found that global warming amplifies the strength of typhoons in East Asia, leading to increased intense rainfall and powerful storms. The study suggests that continued escalation of global warming will result in stronger typhoons and more extensive occurrences of extreme precipitation events.
Researchers at UNIST developed a novel one-pot process for growing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a predatory bacterium with potential as 'living antibiotics'. This approach eliminated the need for multiple vessels and reduced growth time by over 50%, enabling large-scale cultivation without compromising efficacy.
Researchers unveiled a two-dimensional Metal Organic Framework (MOF) that showcases negative thermal expansion and unique origami tessellation patterns. The MOF's deformable net topology enables origami-like movement in response to temperature changes.
A team of UVA civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists have developed a web-based decision-support tool, called the Climate Equity Atlas, to help residents deal with the challenges caused by climate change. The tool combines historical environmental data and socioeconomic data to create a sophisticated predictive ...
Miniaturized electrochemical sensors offer low-cost, time-efficient analysis and high specificity and sensitivity for toxic heavy metal detection. However, limitations in selectivity, detail, and interference by foreign species hinder on-site analysis.
The 2023 Geothermal Rising Conference highlights growing interest in superhot rock geothermal, with papers validating its viability for high power output and small spatial footprint. Researchers are developing new technologies to access these resources, including millimeter wave energy to drill deeper holes.
The study found that 3D integration can lead to significant heat spreading and crosstalk, reducing heater efficiency by up to -43.3% and increasing thermal crosstalk by up to +44.4%. However, optimizing design variables, such as spacing between µbumps and interconnect linewidth, can minimize the thermal penalty of 3D integration.
Researchers at West Virginia University are using artificial intelligence to analyze habanero peppers and develop new methods for predicting genetic traits. The goal is to improve crop yields and prevent genetic diseases, with potential applications in human health.
Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.
A novel contamination-detection method enables faster and safer T-cell therapy production, reducing the risk for patients and speeding up treatment. The method uses cutting-edge technology to identify harmful microorganisms within 24 hours.
A West Virginia University research team aims to remove human-made radio interference from cell phones, televisions and radar systems to improve astronomical signal detection. The project will develop new algorithms and hardware with potential applications beyond astronomy.
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University is developing a low-cost, safe, and controlled cancer treatment using programmable bacteria. The $20 million project aims to create an efficient bacterial therapeutic that can target cancer cells with high precision, reducing side effects and costs.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an autonomous excavator called HEAP to construct a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The excavator uses sensors, machine vision, and algorithms to place stones in the desired location, achieving a high level of precision and speed.
The Acer i-Seed is an eco-friendly artificial seed that uses drones to monitor soil temperature. Made from biocompatible and compostable materials, it replicates the aerodynamics of natural Acer seeds and becomes luminescent in response to temperature changes.
Plants capture more carbon on weekends when industrial production decreases and fewer people commute, finding similar patterns during COVID-19 lockdowns. This improvement in air quality could enhance natural carbon sequestration and mitigate climate change.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a miniature, injectable glucose biosensor and wearable device that enables user-friendly, minimally-invasive continuous glucose monitoring. The device addresses challenges associated with existing CGMs, including size and skin tone compatibility.
A research team employed deep learning techniques to scrutinize dam operation patterns, achieving remarkable accuracy in forecasting dam water levels. The study demonstrates the potential of an artificial intelligence model trained on extensive big data to surpass conventional physical models.
A team of researchers from POSTECH has introduced a tungsten oxide coating to protect the membrane-electrode assembly in hydrogen fuel cells. The coating prevents electrochemical reactions that lead to catalyst degradation, resulting in improved performance retention rates.
Researchers developed a new 3D inkjet printing system that works with a wider range of materials, including slower-curing materials. The system utilizes computer vision to automatically scan the print surface and adjust the amount of resin deposited in real time.
A novel system for slip prevention of unmanned rovers has been developed by researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology. The system uses strain displacement data to detect the traveling state of the rover and prevent slipping incidents. It also detects environmental obstacles, such as rocks and stones.
Scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology develop biopolymer-blended protective layer to stabilize zinc anodes in metal batteries. The film facilitates uniform nucleation of zinc, reducing the formation of twig-like crystals and improving battery longevity.
A research team developed a multi-model projection system using the self-calibrating Effective Drought Index to predict drought and recommend cumulative precipitation for recovery. The required rainfall for drought recovery was estimated at 170 mm, 310 mm, and 440 mm for March, April, and May respectively.
Researchers at UTSA have discovered a novel strategy to inhibit the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. They identified a peptide-binding domain that can disrupt the virulence of V. cholerae, preventing intestinal colonization and biofilm formation.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for rapid and accurate detection of influenza viruses. The probes showed high sensitivity and specificity, detecting the virus even at low concentrations, with a remarkable accuracy of over 99%.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
The study successfully enhances energy conversion efficiency by over twice that of conventional cells while reducing production costs by a factor of 3,000. This breakthrough could lead to widespread adoption in energy harvesting applications generating energy from waste heat.
Researchers have developed catalysts that combine iridium and ruthenium, preserving their excellent attributes and improving activity and stability. The study also explores the importance of carefully selecting candidate materials and retaining superior properties even after nanostructure formation.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new simulation method using AI to predict powder mixing with high accuracy and low computational costs. This breakthrough enables large-scale and long-duration powder mixing processes, set to enhance product quality and streamline production.
Researchers from the UMA developed an open-source platform called Open Twins to create more accessible and versatile digital twins. This platform enables the simulation of real-world assets based on virtual replicas, predicting future behaviors and detecting anomalies, leading to more efficient companies that make data-driven decisions.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned pesticide, enabling an environmental sensor without damaging its native metabolism. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for detecting other toxic substances like drugs and birth control pills in water supply.
Researchers created a hydrogel mat with magnetic microparticles that mimic the forces of exercise. The team found that regularly exercising muscle cells resulted in longer, aligned fibers, and improved contraction capabilities.
UBC Okanagan researchers have developed sensors that can detect erosion and breaches in protective coatings, reducing inspection time and error risk. The AI-enabled sensors can also distinguish individual layer erosion within multi-layer coatings, enabling proactive monitoring and addressing of equipment degradation.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which phages evade CRISPR-Cas immune systems in bacteria, revealing a potential approach to make gene editing safer and more efficient. This discovery could lead to the development of bespoke anti-CRISPRs to neutralize CRISPR-Cas systems and provide an alternative to antibiotics.