Articles tagged with Sustainability
Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.
Researchers found evidence of early ozone loss dating back to the late 1950s, linked to carbon tetrachloride use, in contrast to CFCs' later role. This discovery reveals that modern monitoring tools could have detected earlier signs of human-induced depletion.
University of Michigan researchers developed a framework to help stakeholders consider economic, environmental, and social trade-offs in EV battery development. The framework aims to balance the needs of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, drivers, and recyclers, to achieve better outcomes for batteries and electric vehicles.
A new study suggests that data centers can lower average energy costs by providing grid flexibility during high-cost periods. The researchers found cost savings of up to 5% in Texas, 4% in the Mid-Atlantic region, and 2% in western U.S. states by shifting more than 20% of their consumption to non-peak hours.
MIT researchers developed a framework that allows users to apply constraints to algorithmically generated structures, making them more buildable. The approach has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in construction by up to 90% by designing structures with multiple materials and taking into account materials' properties.
A new review compares conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, showing how microwave heating can tailor biochar for removing metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. Microwave-derived biochars often show higher surface area, stronger mesoporosity, and greater retention of oxygen-containing functional groups.
A new study from Penn State researchers found that sending a simple acknowledgment message to customers can boost repeat participation in recycling and reuse programs, making sustainable behavior more sustainable over time. The study showed that acknowledgment emails tripled consumer participation in a dining service's reuse program.
Researchers have designed a clay material that can absorb and retain ethylene gas, slowing down the ripening process of fruits and vegetables. This innovation has the potential to reduce food waste and improve fruit flavor by allowing for later harvesting in the ripening process.
Researchers have identified a mechanism to improve energy efficiency by converting wasted heat into electricity using hollow silicon nanotubes. This technology has the potential to replace rare metals with abundant silicon, leading to more efficient thermoelectric devices.
The system uses two AI agents to comb through publicly available data and conduct life cycle assessments, achieving an average error rate of 5%-19% similar to expert-led LCAs. The team also developed a new method to bypass detailed data collection and estimate carbon footprints for unknown devices using 'nearest-neighbors' approach.
The study demonstrates how environmentally responsible strategies can be integrated into chemistry classes while maintaining academic rigor. Students at Georgia State University conducted a redesigned experiment as part of their coursework, experiencing green chemistry concepts directly in the lab.
A new review highlights the potential of biochar's intrinsic redox properties to enhance pollutant degradation, microbial processes, and energy recovery. Biochar can act like an electron shuttle or buffer, transferring electrons more efficiently than highly conductive materials in stressed environments.
UC San Diego Health has received multiple awards from Practice Greenhealth for its achievement and innovation in health care sustainability, including the Greenhealth Leader Award and Circle of Excellence Award. The institution's commitment to operations supporting healthier patients, staff, and communities is recognized nationally.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia developed an octopus-inspired soft robotic arm with integrated tactile sensors, enabling autonomous grasp and manipulation in aquatic environments. The system combines distributed tactile sensing and decentralized control to detect contact and adapt grip autonomously.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework to detect and classify shell-crushing sounds, enabling the quantification of predator impacts on mollusk populations. The system uses multi-step approaches and demonstrates strong performance in controlled tank conditions and field settings.
A new study identifies five central lock-ins that slow down the transformation of Europe's food system, including fragmented policy, hard-to-change dietary habits, market structures, environmental costs, and crises. The researchers offer recommendations in the form of principles to address these interconnected problems.
A new study published in Biochar shows that the temperature used to produce biochar plays a decisive role in controlling nitrogen losses during food waste digestate composting. Hardwood biochar made at 400 °C reduced total nitrogen loss by 46.3% compared with composting without biochar, outperforming biochars made at 300 °C and 800 °C.
A qualitative study in Norway finds that seashore play is key to fostering emergent ocean literacy in early childhood education for sustainability. The research highlights the importance of collaborative exploration, relationships, and play in supporting environmental awareness.
A new study suggests that commercial marketing logics can hinder the effectiveness of promoting degrowth, a concept proposing an equitable reduction in production and consumption. Instead, non-commercial messaging led by institutions empowering communities is proposed as a more effective approach to shaping values and worldviews.
Researchers at MIT have developed a low-temperature process to extract battery-grade lithium from hard rock minerals, minimizing waste and costs. The closed-loop system can produce useful materials, including lithium salts, alumina, and silica, with an estimated cost reduction of half compared to traditional methods.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers links multinational activity to greater deforestation and biodiversity loss in Africa. Multinational firms are found to have a much larger environmental impact than domestic firms, driven by factors such as sector concentration and the 'pollution haven' effect.
Researchers have developed a chemical upcycling method that converts existing plastics into new materials with rapidly degrading properties. This process has the potential to tackle global plastic pollution issues by replacing non-biodegradable plastics.
The University of Manchester is developing new technologies to recover valuable materials from hard-to-recycle waste, including disposable vapes and cars. The project aims to break down these materials at a molecular level and recover valuable components that can be reused.
Binghamton University has achieved a gold star rating through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability's STARS program. The university excelled in research, public engagement, and coordination and planning, with notable initiatives including smart energy research and environmental justice efforts.
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 at Yokohama National University developed a new recyclable resin that can be reused multiple times without losing quality. The resin uses reversible photodimerization to form bonds that can be broken and re-formed, enabling high-precision stereolithography.
Research in Singapore finds that households relying heavily on air-conditioning are less likely to adopt energy-saving habits and support collective climate action. The study highlights the need for city-scale heat mitigation strategies alongside individual adaptation.
Southeast University and Korea University researchers developed advanced copper catalysts to convert CO₂ into valuable fuels. Their strategy integrates tandem effects, synergistic interactions, and geometric control to enhance reaction pathways, reducing energy barriers for C₂+ product formation.
The new center aims to make mobility systems more sustainable and efficient by leveraging AI, autonomy, digital infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making. Stanford faculty members across five schools are affiliated with the center, which will be funded through corporate partnerships.
The publisher achieved a 35% reduction in supply chain emissions through sustainable digital publishing, plastic-free packaging, and optimized book supply chains. Taylor & Francis trained over 70,000 researchers in low-income regions to publish their work, enhancing access to research and knowledge.
Research suggests that jellyfish bycatch can provide high-quality collagen without compromising quality. This circular bioeconomy solution offers new economic opportunities for small-scale fisheries while reducing waste. The collaboration with fishers revealed a willingness to participate in recycling jellyfish bycatch, but also highli...
A new study reveals that even the most remote corners of the ocean are contaminated with zinc from human sources, surpassing natural zinc levels. Zinc from fossil fuel combustion and industrial emissions dominates the upper layer of the South Pacific, posing a potential threat to marine life and nutrient balances.
A new international study introduces a novel theory of change and an approach to the development of legal systems, highlighting the need for profound rethinking in Finland and worldwide. Small, strategic regulatory changes can trigger macro-level shifts, according to the model developed in the study.
A new study from the University of Surrey shows that firms celebrated for strong financial performance may actually be inefficient when environmental impact is included. The research developed a new way to measure sustainable corporate efficiency, combining traditional financial metrics with environmental data.
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.
A new study estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region's current vegetable production. This could supply around 28% of Europe's vegetable demand for 190 million Europeans.
Researchers have developed a non-toxic, stretchy hemp-derived thermoplastic that can extend up to 1,600% of its size. The material has a high glass transition temperature, making it suitable for producing transparent plastic films, coatings, and other common materials currently made from petroleum-based materials.
A new study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production examines the link between corporate political spending and ESG disclosure among S&P 500 companies. The researchers found that firms with higher lobbying expenditures tend to score lower on sustainability transparency, particularly when it comes to environmental disclosure.
Emerging microwave-based techniques significantly enhance biochar's ability to remove contaminants from water and soil while improving energy efficiency. Biochar has gained attention as a sustainable solution for managing agricultural residues, food waste, and other organic by-products.
Biofortifying staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize can reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and improve nutrition. Researchers have developed high-protein rice with elevated essential amino acids, which can also help manage blood sugar levels.
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.
A new framework proposes a continuum of urbanity, challenging traditional thinking about urban and rural spaces. The study explores how urban, rural, and wild features are interconnected, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and human well-being in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
MIT researchers have created an 'EnergAIzer' method that generates reliable results in seconds, allowing data center operators to optimize resource allocation and reduce energy waste. The tool leverages patterns from AI workloads and software optimizations to provide fast but accurate power estimates.
A new technique uses a single image to forecast solar panel energy production and maximize output. The method estimates the amount of energy that will be produced based on the angle of the sun, shadows, reflections, and weather patterns, allowing for more accurate placement and optimization of solar panels in urban areas.
The upcoming international forum will explore engineered biochar's potential to advance carbon capture and sustainable resource recovery. Recent advances in biochar design, including structural engineering and hybridization with nanomaterials, will be showcased.
Researchers at NUS CDE have developed biowaste coatings that improve the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals, achieving high selectivity rates and reducing reliance on PFAS. The coatings, made from crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons, and plant matter, offer a cost-effective pathway to climate technology.
A team at Virginia Tech developed a water-based process to create multilayer bioplastic films that are both high-performing and easier to manufacture. The method avoids toxic solvents and matches current industrial production speeds, making it viable for real-world use.
Researchers developed a heat-tolerant cutinase enzyme that combines structural rigidity with flexibility, enabling efficient degradation of PET at high temperatures. This discovery provides new insights into designing enzymes for sustainable plastic recycling and addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste.
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.
The Mabuchi Laboratory won the Grand Prize at ADP 2026 for its narrative-driven design approach. The 'Keyaki Monogatari' project incorporates universal metaphors for peace and challenges capitalist society, offering irreplaceable value to clients.
Researchers propose using terrain to deter conflict while delivering environmental benefits through restored forests, wetlands, and peatlands. These interventions support carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity recovery, acting as a form of deterrence by denial.
Natalie Bennett argues that the current food system is unsustainable, with half of global calories coming from just three crops. She proposes alternative approaches rooted in indigenous experience, such as permaculture and agroecological methods.
A new method creates flexible microsupercapacitors on vegetable-tanned leather using a CO2 laser, enabling eco-friendly and durable energy storage. The technology has potential applications in wearable electronics, smart clothing, and skin-mounted sensors.
A new JACR study suggests radiology departments should optimize use of linens and disposable supplies to reduce environmental impact and costs. The study found that linens (35%) and other single-use supplies (34%) accounted for most of ultrasound's greenhouse gas emissions.
The Frontiers Research Foundation has endorsed the One Health Data Convergence Declaration of Intent, aiming to make existing and future research data interoperable and coherent. This declaration sets out a shared framework to unlock data for the benefit of One Sustainable Health for All.