Articles tagged with Industrial Production
A team of scientists at KAUST has created adjustable and biodegradable nanofiltration membranes from date seeds using an environmentally friendly process. The new membranes demonstrated excellent performance in oil and solvent filtration experiments, outperforming traditional methods.
A new study examines the 'skunk' smell and other emissions from cannabis production, finding they can be equivalent to livestock operations. The review highlights gaps in knowledge about cannabis emissions and their impact on air quality.
Swine waste lagoon construction dates have been established for the first time using satellite imagery, providing insights into their environmental impact. The study focused on North Carolina and found that approximately 16% of lagoons were already in place before 1987.
Research reveals that approximately 3 out of 4 Fusarium infections of northern Vietnamese bananas are caused by F. tardichlamydosporum and F. odoratissimum, with wild bananas potentially acting as a sink for the disease. The study's findings suggest that concrete measures can be taken to control the future spreading of the disease.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a method to produce non-alcoholic beer that tastes like regular beer, improving its flavor and sustainability. The technique involves using micro-factories of yeast cells to release hop aroma molecules, eliminating the need for expensive aroma hops.
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.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new way to simulate tens of thousands of bubbles in foamy flows. This allows for predictive simulations in scales ranging from microfluidics to crashing waves, opening up possibilities for industrial applications such as food production and drug development.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a novel catalyst that significantly improves the efficiency of propylene production. The catalyst utilizes carbon dioxide efficiently and exhibits high selectivity, stability, and long-term reusability.
Researchers developed a low-cost and simple method to produce perovskite photovoltaic materials on an industrial scale, paving the way for creating lightweight and flexible solar cells. The new technique reduces waste and toxic byproducts associated with manufacturing perovskite photovoltaics.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.
Research led by the University of Bristol and Peking University has found that China is responsible for over half of the global increase in dichloromethane emissions since 2011. The chemical, used as a solvent in various industrial applications, poses a significant threat to ozone layer recovery.
The global plastics supply chain has a significant impact on the climate, with production accounting for 96% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The use of coal-based energy in plastic production is driving this growth, with emissions quadrupling since 1995 and causing health issues like air pollution and asthma.
Researchers have discovered that certain strains of Aspergillus can be used to degrade aflatoxins in crops, reducing the risk of food contamination. This biological control method utilizing biocontrol products is currently the most effective way to produce safe and healthy foods and feeds.
Engineered bacteria produce medium-chain olefins that can replace oil and gas in syntheses. The process uses glucose as a feedstock and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
A combined experimental and computational study published in Nature Catalysis introduces a new class of complex metal hydride catalysts that can synthesise ammonia at temperatures as low as 300°C and pressures as low as 1 bar. These catalysts have the potential to pave the way for more sustainable means of ammonia production.
Researchers from Louisiana State University uncover salt workers' residences and outdoor areas where fish were salted and dried. The discovery sheds light on the organization of the salt industry and its importance to inland cities during the Classic Maya civilization.
A comprehensive assessment of polyurethane in the US reveals complexities that affect its recovery and recycling. The study highlights opportunities to enhance circularity and increase bio-based content of polyurethanes.
A new study of 25 years of recalls at publicly traded companies found that newly tenured CEOs are more likely to announce a product safety recall. The study also reveals that once CEOs have been in their role for about three years, they are more likely to allow recalls to go unannounced.
Researchers from NTU Singapore found significant increases in pollutant emissions at major international seaports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions rose by over 100% in some ports, with container ships and dry bulk carriers experiencing the largest spikes.
A new study published in Global Strategy Journal finds that governance model and outsourcing location are linked, producing more accurate data points and saving time. By considering both factors together, companies can encourage a stronger return on investment and avoid biases that arise from separate analysis.
Chemists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a method to produce cement by milling instead of burning lime, reducing CO2 emissions. The process could be implemented on an industrial scale, but further development is needed.
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.
Researchers at Arizona State University explore alternative approaches to catalysis, a chemical process crucial for industrial applications. The study aims to develop synthetic catalysts that can improve on nature's designs, leading to the production of carbon-neutral fuels.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a non-toxic alternative to traditional cyanide-based gold extraction processes. The new chloride-based method, called EDRR, achieves an impressive 84% gold recovery rate, surpassing the 64% recovered with traditional cyanide methods.
A new study by University of Utah researchers found that energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments had limited impact on reducing CO2 emissions. However, policies aimed at improving energy efficiency had no effect, while investment in renewable energy sources led to increased levels of CO2 emissions in the residen...
ORNL is increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the US agricultural sector through science-based changes in practices. The lab has discovered a single gene that can make crops more drought-tolerant and productive, while also pulling CO2 from the atmosphere.
A study by the University of the Basque Country analyzed the nutritional profile and level of processing of food products sold in vending machines. The results show that 48.6% of the products were classified as low-quality, while 73.8% were ultra-processed.
Physicists developed an electrical technique to study the Leidenfrost effect, revealing the temperature at which vapor layers form and collapse. The results show that stable vapor layers can be sustained at 240 degrees Celsius, with a minimum heat of 140 degrees Celsius required for their existence.
A breakthrough IVF method has been developed to significantly improve in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in cattle, reducing pregnancy issues and increasing overall meat and milk production. The new process improves live birth rates with a high accuracy rate, offering vast potential for the cattle breeding industry.
Researchers developed predictive models to estimate yogurt spoilage caused by yeast, including the effect of bioprotective cultures. The models were validated with actual data from a European dairy and can help yogurt producers make informed decisions to reduce economic losses due to food waste.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have devised a new method for producing urea, a key compound in fertilisers, through electrocatalysis. This approach produces urea five times more efficiently than previous methods and has the potential to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
A clean US hydrogen economy is achievable but requires a comprehensive strategy and infrastructure development. The US needs to consider the production, transport, storage, use, and economic viability of hydrogen to make it viable on a societal scale.
Researchers develop method to produce high-quality gypsum binders from synthetic calcium sulfate dihydrate, surpassing natural gypsum in several parameters. The new material can replace natural gypsum in countries without gypsum stone deposits, reducing production costs and simplifying technology.
Researchers have developed a way to control multiple genes in yeast cells, paving the way for more sustainable production of bio-based products. The study demonstrates the use of dCas12a to regulate gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, unlocking its potential for producing pharmaceuticals, fuels, and food additives.
Researchers develop low-cost DNA biomarker technique to trace cocoa beans back to specific farms of origin. This approach could help end slavery and child labor in the global cocoa industry by providing consumers with accurate information about the ethics of their chocolate purchases.
Researchers at KAUST found that a sweet spot for membrane thickness exists to optimize separation performance, with thicker films showing higher microporosity but thinner films posing unexpected transport resistance
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new method to convert methane into valuable chemicals using photocatalysts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste. The process uses light as an energy source to break down methane bonds, creating fuel and chemical products.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University developed a scalable method to produce polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes using electrospinning. The membranes demonstrate high chemical stability and biocompatibility, making them suitable for various industries such as petrochemicals, aerospace, and medicine.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on coffee production, particularly in smallholder farms. Labor shortages, border restrictions, and economic downturns have created conditions conducive to the spread of Coffee Leaf Rust, a disease that can devastate coffee crops.
A Rutgers University-led study warns that COVID-19's socio-economic disruptions will drive the coffee industry into another severe production crisis. The researchers conclude that managing coffee leaf rust outbreaks requires a blend of scientific and social solutions to safeguard farmers' livelihoods.
Researchers discover that twisting liquid bridges breaks them more effectively than stretching, reducing contamination and speeding up the dispensing process. The 'edge fracture' mechanism is identified as the underlying cause of this phenomenon.
Researchers developed advanced imaging methods to study the life cycle of liquid foams, revealing that micelles play a crucial role in determining foam stability. The findings could aid in developing new products and improving industrial processes.
A new analysis suggests that U.S. climate emissions from meat and dairy production are being understated due to undercounting of methane emissions. Methane emissions from North American livestock may be 39-90% higher than previously estimated, with potential consequences for global warming.
Despite its commitment to tackling carbon emissions, Wellcome's £28 billion endowment holds significant stakes in fossil fuels. The charity has refused divestment despite criticism and the success of other institutions that have made similar moves.
Researchers warn that hydrogen-based fuels are not a straightforward solution for climate targets, as they come with significant costs and energy losses. Direct electrification alternatives are often more economic and efficient.
The study reveals that random close packing of spheres exhibits common universal critical properties, despite the diversity of its details. The researchers showed that jammed states are marginally stable and can be described under a unified framework.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya researchers reveals Netflix's diverse strategy for original feature films, which includes premieres, film festivals and local production. The platform has increased its investment in in-house production and distribution to offer unique content and differentiate itself from rival platforms.
Researchers have developed a new separation method using chemically modified cotton wool to separate single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into metallic and semiconducting specimens. The method achieves high efficiency and scalability, making it suitable for industrial applications.
Researchers demonstrate commercialization of photonic MEMS switches fabricated on silicon-on-insulator wafers using regular photolithographic and dry-etching processes. The switch design includes a 32x32 matrix of replicated elements, achieving excellent light power loss, optical bandwidth, and switching speed.
Researchers found that improved ranching management practices in regions like Brazil and the US can lead to substantial emissions reductions. The study analyzed 12 strategies for reducing beef production emissions worldwide and identified increased efficiency and enhanced land management as key factors.
Researchers at KAIST discovered that plasma jets produce more stable interactions with water surfaces compared to neutral gas jets, reducing bubbling and splashing. The study's findings will help improve our understanding of plasma-liquid interactions and their applications in various industrial fields.
Using spatially structured ultrashort laser pulses, materials can be modified with diverse effects, from marginal refractive index changes to destructive microscale explosions. This technology allows true micron-scale material processing due to extremely short exposure times and low thermal diffusion.
The study reveals chemical traces of grapes in medieval amphorae, suggesting a prosperous wine trade across the Mediterranean. The discovery implies that the Islamic community in Sicily produced and exported wine, contradicting previous assumptions about their consumption habits.
Researchers developed a two-step amination strategy to enhance the intrinsic activity of M-N/C catalysts, leading to improved current density and Faraday efficiency. The new method enabled CO2 electrocatalytic reduction at an industrial level, with a remarkable current density of over 400 mA cm−2.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a stable and reusable nickel phosphide nanoparticle catalyst that exhibits high activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of glucose to sorbitol. The catalyst produces D-sorbitol with yields over 99%, making it suitable for sustainable, low-cost production in various industries.
Researchers at Aarhus University are developing a new type of battery that can be recharged in just six minutes and has a range of 350 kilometres. The goal is for the battery to have a lifespan of at least 20 years and be virtually maintenance-free.
Researchers have found that three ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons are being emitted globally, including one recently discovered. The majority of these emissions originate from Asia and southeastern France, suggesting a link to the fluorocarbon industry.
Researchers at KAIST develop novel biosynthetic pathways for short-chain primary amines through retrobiosynthesis, expanding the strategy for bio-based production of chemicals. The team successfully produced multiple short-chain primary amines using Escherichia coli strains and renewable resources.
Industry incumbents face difficult choices during technological disruption, such as cannibalizing successful offerings or investing in both. The study's generalized model can capture variations in adopter segments, including leapfroggers, switchers, opportunists, and dual users, to estimate cannibalization and coexistence.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a unique method to extract valuable metals like zinc from fly ash produced by incinerating solid waste. This innovative approach can help reduce environmental pollution and increase the profitability of waste incineration, while also promoting a more circular economy.