Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
A new study develops a video-based method to measure cardiopulmonary coupling, synchronizing heartbeat and breathing variations without contact. This approach produces consistent results with traditional devices, offering a promising solution for long-term monitoring and comfort.
Scientists develop ultra-selective crystalline membranes to recycle polluted textile wastewater and improve pharmaceutical medicine purity. The technology could significantly reduce energy consumption, enabling large-scale water reuse in industries.
Engineered biochar shows promise in boosting crop yields, suppressing soil-borne diseases, and remediating contaminated land. Purpose-specific design is essential for optimal performance.
A three-year study by the University of Stirling has shown that Himalayan balsam disrupts riverbank stability, causing erosion during high-flow periods. This leads to increased sedimentation, damaging habitats and wildlife, and changes to river shape and structure.
A data-rich review suggests that forest biological resources can offset up to 750 gigatonnes of CO₂ by mid-century if processing efficiency rises and green premiums fall. Engineered beams, biochar, and bioethanol can store carbon for decades, offering a 74% lifecycle GHG cut versus gasoline.
A long-term study in Türkiye examines wolf–human interactions, revealing that conflicts cluster in areas with widespread rural livestock farming. The research highlights the impact of human-driven factors such as road networks and habitat fragmentation on conflict risk.
A new study found that fine rubber crumbs from recycled tires can release high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment, contaminating soil and water. The smallest particles released the most toxic chemicals, posing risks to organisms, plants, and potentially human health.
Researchers found that adding biochar with beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma significantly reduced cadmium stress in crops while improving soil health. The combination restored photosynthetic capacity, biomass production, and enzyme activity, making it a promising solution for sustainable agriculture and soil remediation.
A new study finds that environmental regulations in the US reduce medical costs and financial losses by up to five times more than the costs associated with implementing these rules. The EPA's operating budget is tiny compared to federal spending, yet it helps protect the environment and save lives.
A UAlbany researcher will study how PFAS 'forever chemicals' accumulate in plants, affecting their nutritional quality and safety. The study aims to understand the dynamics of PFAS in soil-plant systems and develop regulatory standards to protect public health.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering has received a $600,379 grant to advance technology targeting harmful algal blooms in Florida's waterways. The project aims to develop novel 3D-printed adsorbent materials for efficient phosphate removal.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme trains environmental engineers for a sustainable future through international mobility and collaboration. Students will spend two years studying in three countries and obtain multiple master's degrees upon completion.
University of Houston engineers have discovered that melatonin helps plants grow by adjusting biological processes to coincide with daily cycles. The hormone also enhances photosynthesis and improves stress tolerance in crops.
A Northwestern University study found that airplane and hospital air mostly contain harmless microbes from human skin, with some potentially pathogenic species in extremely low abundance. The study used worn face masks as a passive tool to monitor indoor air, revealing the invisible world of microbes floating in our shared air.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University found that pre-dissolving CCl₄ in alcohol speeds up its decomposition rate during ultrasonic treatment. High hydrophobic alcohols surface accumulation affects the increase in decomposition rates.
A new resource has been developed to help kelp farmers in Maine reduce their production costs. The tool provides detailed economic analyses and identifies strategies for sustainable business plans. By using this tool, kelp farmers can achieve economic sustainability and improve their bottom line.
A University of Houston scientist teams with international partners to map Antarctica's glaciers, revealing tidal movements and retreat rates up to 700 meters per year. The dataset provides the most detailed view yet of how glaciers interact with the ocean, enabling better understanding and modeling of sea-level rise.
The study found that more than half of the water consumed in the basin is used unsustainably, with only 48% naturally replenished each year. The researchers suggest adopting deficit irrigation practices and repurposing farmland for habitat restoration or solar farms to address the crisis.
The reed leafhopper hosts at least seven species of bacteria, with three being essential for its nutrition. The insect transmits plant diseases SBR and stolbur, causing massive crop failures in sugar beet and potato production.
Marine carbon dioxide removal technologies have the potential to play a role in mitigating global warming, but verifying their effectiveness and ensuring they don't harm the ocean is crucial. The European Marine Board report highlights the need for measures to ensure these technologies are used responsibly.
A McGill University-led research team has demonstrated the feasibility of thermally driven reverse osmosis (TDRO) for desalinating seawater, utilizing low-grade heat from solar thermal and geothermal energy. The cost-effective technique could improve access to water and increase sustainability in infrastructure.
Researchers explore using municipal solid waste as a low-emission, cost-effective feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90%. The study suggests that adopting municipal solid waste-based jet fuels could save airlines money under carbon pricing systems.
Scientists propose 'Environmental Catalytic Cities' with self-purification function to remove air pollutants, using stable and green catalytic materials. This technology could mitigate urban air pollution without extra energy consumption.
Researchers develop distribution-type membrane reactors for efficient carbon dioxide methanation. The study demonstrates the advantages of this approach in controlling reaction rates and temperature profiles. High thermal conductivity membranes produce more methane with selectivity, and their use can accelerate a carbon-neutral society.
The research partnership aims to develop stronger aluminum alloys for high-performance applications. Three projects focus on reducing iron impurities through electrical or chemical approaches.
Researchers at Binghamton University are testing the long-term stability and environmental effects of perovskite solar cells, a more environmentally friendly option, to prevent lead leakage and pollution. The study aims to improve the durability and recyclability of solar panels, enabling widespread adoption of renewable energy sources.
The study found that about 70% of Kansas counties have some form of regulations, with 40% having enabling regulations to accommodate wind development. Counties in western and southern parts of the state tend to have more restrictive regulations, while rural areas with agricultural economies are more likely to have enabling regulations.
Researchers have developed biochar-supported microbial systems to tackle persistent organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides. These integrated strategies have achieved impressive results, breaking down pollutants in industrial wastewater, agricultural soils, and domestic environments.
Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water has evolved through three distinct phases, with a focus on monitoring and treatment challenges. The study reveals growth in research, with cumulative publications expected to reach 7,689 by 2030.
The Japan Science and Technology Agency hosts an international symposium on weather controllability technologies as part of Moonshot Goal 8. The goal aims to mitigate the effects of extreme weather disasters by 2050 through innovative research and development of weather-control technologies.
Researchers found that communities with green infrastructure systems like rain gardens saw a notable reduction in cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc being sent into local waterways. Implementing more of these systems can improve water quality, make cities cooler, and enhance ecosystem services.
The University of Houston's $1 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to address the critical workforce gap in the US mineral industry. The initiative will sponsor high school and community college students for a four-week training camp and immersive field-based learning experiences.
Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology have discovered fluorinated covalent organic polymers (FCOPs) that can remove 67.3% of beta-blockers like atenolol and metoprolol within the first minute. The FCOPs' strong adsorption performance is attributed to their rich structure, which enables multiple synergistic ...
Researchers found that biochar can dramatically reduce erosion by 45% and improve soil's ability to store water, even under intense rainstorms. Biochar also improved soil structure and increased infiltration, making vineyard soils more resilient to extreme weather.
A new study explores how combining biochar with rhizoremediation can greatly enhance soil restoration by breaking down pollutants. Biochar creates a thriving environment where plants and microbes work together to clean the soil naturally, supporting ecosystem restoration.
Researchers discovered that bacteria living in Norway spruce needles can transform soluble gold into solid particles. The findings suggest that certain spruce-associated bacteria can facilitate the formation of gold nanoparticles inside needles, which could lead to environmentally friendly mineral exploration methods.
Hanbat National University researchers have developed a new method for enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells by inducing cobalt exsolution in high-temperature oxidizing atmospheres. This process results in improved electrochemical properties and higher oxygen reduction reaction activity, making it a promising direction fo...
A Peking University study maps the hidden life of river carbon along the upper Yangtze River, revealing how landscape, fire, and sunlight shape the global carbon cycle. The research found that organic carbon changes as it travels from the river's high-altitude headwaters to its densely populated downstream reaches.
Researchers found that pairing biochar with biogas slurry reduces CO2 emissions and alters soil microbial communities, enhancing carbon sequestration. However, the combination also increases CH4 emissions, highlighting a tradeoff.
Polar geoengineering proposals, such as aerosol injection and sea walls, may harm fragile ecosystems and divert resources from deep decarbonization efforts. The Frontiers Forum Deep Dive series explores the limitations of these initiatives and their potential to exacerbate climate change.
Researchers found that highly conductive biochar produces up to 69% more methane in rice soils due to faster electron transfer. The study highlights the importance of biochar's physical properties in determining its impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
The Circular Economy journal has been officially included in ESCI, with all published articles since 2022 eligible for indexing. The journal has attracted significant citation counts, with an average of over 10 citations per article and a CiteScore of 10.0.
Experts say well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas would harm ecosystems and international relations. Researchers analyze proposals like aerosol injection and ocean fertilization, finding they fail to meet scientific criteria.
Five well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to benefit the polar regions and could harm ecosystems, communities, and international relations. Researchers found that these proposals would likely cost billions in setup and maintenance while introducing ecological, environmental, legal, and political challenges.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.
A new study led by Professor Jonghun Kam predicts that Pakistan will experience major floods and severe droughts on a periodic basis, exacerbated by accelerating global warming. The AI model forecasts these extreme weather events every 15 years for the upper Indus River, and roughly every 11 years for surrounding rivers.
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
A new study found that most air cleaning technologies have not been tested on humans and their potential risks are not yet fully understood. Researchers recommend choosing technologies independently tested in real-world environments to reduce illness in homes, schools, or workplaces.
Researchers from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences studied the biological effects of permanent magnetic fields and found that their distribution in space plays a critical role in healing. The study's detailed field maps offer practical guidance for optimizing magnet use in medicine and magnetobiology.
The study developed a three-dimensional heat transfer model to analyze energy pile performance in soft clay soils. The results revealed thermal interference and crowding effects, but also introduced practical multiplier factors to simplify predictions and reduce computational resources.
Scientists have developed high-performance textile fibers from invasive paper-mulberry bark using a simple, scalable route. The coated fibers exhibit excellent tensile strength and antimicrobial properties, outperforming traditional materials like cotton.
A team of researchers from Chung-Ang University has developed an innovative air filter that mimics the way mucus-coated nasal hairs trap particles, achieving remarkable filtration efficiency. The particle-removing oil-coated (PRO) filter is a significant leap forward in air purification, offering improved performance and sustainability.
Drexel engineers create vascular network within cement-based building materials that can help passively regulate surface temperature, reducing energy loss in buildings. The approach is inspired by nature's circulatory system and uses phase-change material to maintain a desired indoor temperature.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
A new palladium-loaded a-IGZO catalyst achieved over 91% selectivity when converting CO2 to methanol, leveraging electronic properties of semiconductors. The study demonstrates novel design principles for sustainable catalysis based on electronic structure engineering.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Restoration efforts have shown promising results, with satellite data indicating that restored peatlands' temperature and albedo improve over time. However, the return of vegetation is slower, emphasizing the need for additional measures.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.
Researchers from MIT found that a single nanoscale dose of lanthanides can make crops more resilient to UV stress and increase seedling growth. The study also uncovered the chemical processes by which lanthanides interact with chlorophyll pigments, strengthening them and helping plants recover from damage.