Research on more sustainable materials and systems. Covers nature-inspired manufacturing, resource disparities, mood-supporting materials, and low-carbon concrete.
A sustainable management model is proposed for the Duernas Saltworks to preserve its geological heritage, cultural landscape and support rural development. The model aims to balance conservation, artisanal production and community engagement.
Researchers developed an AI model to optimize water usage in agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. The model identifies cause-and-effect relationships between water availability, crop needs, and industrial expansion, generating recommendations for each state.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
The University of Stuttgart is ranked first worldwide for its innovative capacity in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings. The institution has achieved the highest possible score in the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure category, reflecting its research and teaching's impact on sustainable development.
A EU research project has found that reducing average living space per person can lead to significant CO2 emission reductions in the European building sector. By minimizing living spaces, emissions can be reduced by up to 90%, meeting the EU's 2.0-degree climate target by 2050.
A two-year field study shows that biochar-derived from rice straw improves soil health and crop resilience to saline-sodic stress. Biochar enhances nitrogen metabolism, increases yield, and reduces oxidative stress, making it a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in salt-affected regions.
A new study found that increased transparency through EU regulations has led to more stakeholder criticisms of companies' environmental and social practices. As a result, companies are under greater scrutiny to maintain responsible business conduct and close the gap between their actions and public expectations.
Researchers develop a comprehensive framework to predict drilling instability in backfilled ground, considering strength differences and asymmetry. The proposed design criterion aims to reduce inclined drilling deviations by at least 10 millimeters per meter of depth.
Researchers have found that oyster meat extract can effectively reduce TNF-α-induced intestinal inflammation by interrupting NF-kB signalling pathways and decreasing COX-2 enzyme expression. This natural supplement has potential as a sustainable solution for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new food preservation solution using pumpkin peel, creating a nanomaterial that slows deterioration of fruit and reduce transport damage. The material showed good biocompatibility and was effective in suppressing microbial growth and preserving freshness.
A new study by Swansea University introduces a One Health Sustainability Framework linking biodiversity, ecological condition, and environmental sustainability with wellbeing outcomes in nature prescribing. The framework highlights the need to understand what kinds of nature and how much are needed to support health in a sustainable way.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A recent study reveals that oil crops like coconut, oil palm, and soybean cause more species extinction than previously thought. The research found that these three crops are responsible for 75% of biodiversity loss caused by oil crops worldwide.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
A study by Southeast University and Korea University provides a roadmap for converting biomass into renewable energy and chemicals. The researchers highlight the potential of biomass chemical looping (BCL) for producing hydrogen, methanol, and other low-carbon products.
The TSESOM framework proposes a dynamic service ecosystem approach to manage sustainable operations in botanic gardens, integrating biodiversity research and ecosystemic thinking. It offers a flexible tool for transformative collaboration and innovation, supporting planetary health and global sustainability transitions.
A Danish study reveals that financial compensation alone is insufficient to persuade landowners to restore low-lying soils as wetlands. The decision-making process is influenced by factors such as responsibility, professional pride, and attachment to the land, highlighting a mismatch between policy design and farmers' actual thoughts.
Researchers at Okayama University of Science have successfully cultivated juvenile chum salmon in a land-based aquaculture system using third water. The project aims to establish fully closed-cycle aquaculture, which could fundamentally change the future of salmon production and contribute to long-term sustainability.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new framework, 'gentle power,' introduces a collaborative approach to conservation that combines trust, shared expertise, and ecological outcomes. This approach has been successful in Tokyo's Zushi-Onoji satoyama landscape, supporting biodiversity while maintaining water cycles and agricultural productivity.
Scientists have developed a new manufacturing method that preserves silk's crystalline structure, creating strong, transparent plastic-like materials. These materials can twist terahertz light and may enable components of 6G networks to be made from upcycled silk.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles for most US drivers. The analysis considers individual driving patterns, meteorological data, and fuel prices to provide a comprehensive picture of emissions and costs.
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...
Prof Chandra Sekhar, a globally respected leader in the industry, has made lasting contributions through his technical expertise and research leadership. He is internationally recognised for his work in indoor environmental quality, ventilation, and energy-efficient building performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.