Articles tagged with Environmental Engineering
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.
A team of researchers at Harvard University has demonstrated the growth of green algae inside shelters made from bioplastics in Mars-like conditions. The experiments show a closed-loop system that can sustain itself and grow over time, offering a potential solution for sustainable habitats in space.
A new study by NERC finds that long-term funding has driven the UK's offshore wind industry, providing 17% of total UK electricity and supporting 32,000 jobs. The investment is expected to grow to 100,000 by 2030.
Researchers developed an electrochemical conversion technology that achieves unprecedented performance in CO2-to-alcohol conversion, achieving a Faraday efficiency of 66.9%. The technology selectively produces allyl alcohol, a multi-carbon high-value-added compound, with potential applications in various industries.
Researchers seek to harness protein cage encapsulation to combine and regulate multiple enzymes, creating a 'nano-reactor' that breaks down toxic substances more efficiently. The goal is to expedite the biodegradation process and reduce harmful intermediates.
A new study from Tulane University reveals that parts of New Orleans are sinking at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing up to 2 inches of elevation loss annually. The findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the city's flood defenses remain effective.
Researchers have developed single-atom nanozymes to monitor and control environmental pollutants. These nanozymes show great potential in addressing environmental challenges due to their innovative design and mechanisms.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
In a groundbreaking pilot project, South Sioux City has constructed a 4,000-foot stretch of Foundry Road using two million recycled plastic bags. This innovative asphalt blend aims to reduce plastic waste while improving road durability under varied weather conditions.
Researchers develop annotation-free avian population estimation approach using multimodal perception model, achieving high accuracy without explicit object localization. The method is tested on the Wetland-Bird-Count dataset, outperforming existing weakly supervised and unsupervised methods.
The NIMS Award 2025 honors Prof. Tsutomu Miyasaka, Prof. Henry J. Snaith, and Prof. Nam-Gyu Park for their pioneering work on perovskite solar cells and the incorporation of a critical element that improved stability and efficiency. The award ceremony will take place at the Tsukuba International Congress Center on November 11.
Quaise Energy has successfully demonstrated its novel drilling technique on a full-scale oil rig, aiming to prove that clean, renewable geothermal energy can power the world. The company's three-tier approach involves replacing conventional drill bits with millimeter-wave energy to create deeper holes and access supercritical water.
Scientists develop sustainable alternative to cement, using recycled glass and construction waste to create durable and green construction material. The breakthrough innovation offers practical applications in urban infrastructure development and disaster-prone regions.
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
A new IIASA-led study uses satellite imagery and machine learning to monitor street-level greenery in cities worldwide. The results show a global decline of 0.3-0.5% per year, with sharper declines in Asia and Oceania. Uneven distribution raises concerns about fairness and access to green space.
Triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, enhancing robotic autonomy and efficiency. The technology has the potential to reshape future robotic capabilities, particularly in industrial automation, healthcare, and smart home applications.
A NTU Singapore study found that robust air pollution control measures can prevent 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia by 2050. Implementing stringent emission reduction measures could drop annual deaths by 22,000 under a business-as-usual scenario.
A landmark study by Prof. Yong Sik Ok charts biochar's global market potential as a carbon-negative technology aligned with ESG goals, UN SDGs, and Net Zero pathways. The study provides actionable guidance for governments, industry leaders, and research institutions to integrate biochar into their climate portfolios.
A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a new method to recover rare earth elements from old electronics, such as tablets and phones, using solid-phase extraction technology. This method aims to reduce energy use, cut down on solvents, and streamline the process, making it more environmentally friendly and commercially viable.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a framework to enable decentralized artificial intelligence-based building automation, allowing devices to cooperate directly without central servers. The system learns user preferences over time, adjusting automatically, and provides fine-grained control without programming.
MIT researchers have developed a way to produce large amounts of silk microneedles to deliver agrochemicals and nutrients to plants, showing promising results in treating chlorosis and adding vitamin B12 to tomato plants. The technology has the potential to serve as a new kind of plant interface for real-time health monitoring and biof...