A new review suggests slow pyrolysis can reduce environmental risks while recovering materials, metals, and energy from contaminated agricultural biomass. The process involves controlled heating, producing biochar, bio-oil, and gases, with potential applications in soil amendment, water treatment, and metal recovery.
Researchers have developed a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion to analyze halogenated compounds. The method provides a new tool for source identification and fate analysis, contributing to effective management strategies.
A new study reveals that animals and microorganisms work together to break down microbial PHAs, providing a previously overlooked way for animal food webs to access carbon. This discovery opens a new perspective on interactions between microorganisms and animals, highlighting the importance of studying unusual organisms.
A new study reveals that carefully controlled pore structure and surface chemistry can transform nuisance seaweed into an efficient and reusable CO2 adsorbent. Researchers developed a porous biochar from Sargassum tenerrimum, achieving high CO2 adsorption capacity and rapid uptake.
Researchers developed a fishbone-derived catalyst that turns low-density polyethylene agricultural film into olefin-rich liquid products with yields up to 89.32 wt.% and olefin selectivity of 84.03%. The catalyst, combined with phosphoric acid and iron, promotes carbon-carbon bond cleavage and regulates dehydrogenation reactions.
Researchers developed a simple visual method for tracking vapor movement inside a fixed-bed reactor, finding that internal structures can redirect vapors and improve tar production and gas quality. The design increased total tar yield and raised the light tar fraction to as much as 74.42 percent.
Researchers are studying foul-smelling substances to understand what attracts the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, to its favorite meal - open wounds. The goal is to develop better lures for trapping this serious threat to the livestock industry.
The Oregon State University-developed technology allows for the measurement of chemical and biological actions at the femtosecond level, enabling scientists to understand the exact sequences of biochemical reactions. This knowledge helps design effective cleanup methods by identifying vulnerable points in the molecule.
The partnership aims to establish a next-generation C1 biofoundry at DTU to convert CO2, CO, and methane into valuable products. This technology has the potential to reduce industrial emissions and enable circular, climate-positive solutions.
University of Tennessee Knoxville professor Frank Loeffler and his team discovered that bacteria can covalently incorporate polyfluoroalkyl carboxylates into their membrane lipids. This finding may contribute to cleaning up environmental PFAS contamination, although final disposal is still an unsolved issue.
A new study reveals that even low concentrations of pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and other chemicals can subtly alter plant physiology and disrupt soil health, posing wider environmental and human health risks. The review emphasizes the need for stronger regulation and redesign of chemicals to make them safer.
Researchers at The University of Osaka developed a molecular design strategy to reconcile the trade-off between polymer material's durability and degradability. They created a tough material whose enzymatic degradation can be switched on or off using light, allowing for precise programming of its lifetime.
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses sunlight to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of water-repellent chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. The technology could be scaled up for detection or removal from the environment and human body.
Researchers discovered that a significant drop in calcium levels in the ocean led to a massive decrease in carbon dioxide, driving global cooling and ending the planet's greenhouse era. The study suggests that changes in seawater chemistry played a key role in shaping climate history.
Researchers at Duke University traced PFAS contamination to a local textile manufacturing plant in Burlington, NC. The facility was releasing solid nanoparticle PFAS precursors into the sewer system, which were then transformed into regulated forms of PFAS that current tests can detect.
Researchers found that brown anole lizards can withstand extreme lead levels without impairment. Transcriptomic analyses revealed minor effects on brain and liver tissue, with altered genes linked to metal ion regulation.
Researchers found biochar improved soil's ability to hold nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants better growth conditions. Biochar also helps improve water quality by keeping nitrates in the soil and out of groundwater.
Research reveals thousands of chemical compounds derived from coral reefs and seaweeds are available for microbial decomposition and utilization. Microbes can break down previously thought-to-be-harder-to-degrade chemicals, such as benzene rings and steroids.
A team of scientists has discovered that some key hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) decompose into persistent greenhouse gas pollutants, including compounds banned internationally. The chemicals are used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, and in foamed plastics.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have found key indicators for assessing chemical activity and temperature of active bubbles generated by ultrasonic waves. The study provides new insights into the relationship between bubble temperature and chemical activity, enabling more precise control of chemical reactions.
The team created a new method by adding two different enzymes to the existing reaction, increasing conversion rates from 46% in 7 hours to 80% in 5 hours. This approach also improved fumaric acid production efficiency from 10% to 16%.
A University of Maryland-led study found that burying wood in the right environmental conditions can stop its decomposition and help curb carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers analyzed a 3,775-year-old log and surrounding soil, revealing that it had lost less than 5% carbon dioxide thanks to the low-permeability clay soil.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to degrade perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS), a subgroup of forever chemicals. Using piezocatalysis, the team was able to break down 90.5% of PFOS molecules in water samples, offering a potential solution to environmental pollution.
A research team from Aarhus University has found a method to recycle polyurethane foam into its original components, polyol and isocyanate. The new process recovers up to 82 weight percent of the material, making it possible to reuse them as raw materials in new PUR products.
A team of researchers from POSTECH has introduced a novel approach to balance strength and elongation in metallic materials. By using periodic spinodal decomposition, they created an alloy that boasts both high strength and high elongation, achieving a yield strength of 1.1 GPa with nearly the same elongation as before.
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University propose a room-temperature defluorination method that uses visible light to break down PFAS and other fluorinated polymers into fluorine ions. The method achieved 100% defluorination of perfluorooctanesulfonate within 8 hours of light exposure.
Researchers from Chiba University develop sustainable method for producing biodegradable polymers using cuttlefish ink melanin. Decomposition products are converted into polymeric materials with potential applications in circular economies.
A scientific study published in Scientific Reports found that much of the methane released from the Nord Stream gas pipeline leaked into the Baltic Sea and remained dissolved in the water. The researchers estimated between 10,000 to 50,000 tonnes of methane were left in the sea after the leak.
Research in three Swedish fjords shows that organic carbon is effectively trapped, regardless of oxygen levels. The study highlights the importance of sediments in storing carbon, with up to 18 megatonnes buried annually, representing 11% of global ocean carbon capture.
A study published in Nature reveals that oxidative dearomatization is the key mechanism behind this transformation, resulting in millions of diverse molecules with stable structures. This process allows the organic matter to persist for long periods, preventing it from rapidly returning to the atmosphere.
Researchers at Linköping University discovered a specific reaction called oxidative dearomatisation that transforms biomolecules into millions of diverse molecules, making organic matter resistant to degradation. This process explains the substantial organic carbon sinks on our planet, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers developed a framework to measure plastic pollution emissions, estimating Toronto emitted nearly 4,000 tonnes in one year. The approach will help identify major contributors and inform strategies to reduce emissions worldwide.
Researchers developed a self-cleaning wall paint using waste-valorized titanium oxide nanoparticles, which can bind and break down pollutants, and then degrade them when exposed to sunlight. The paint combines several advantages, including air pollutant removal, longer durability, and reduced production costs.
Researchers have developed a copper(II)-alkylperoxo complex that can selectively oxidize unactivated alkanes, showcasing exceptional reactivity and paving the way for sustainable technology. By manipulating the solvent environment, the team uncovered the unique properties of their catalyst.
Scientists have found polyene pigments in fossilized snail shells that are 12 million years old, providing the world's first evidence of intact pigments in fossils. The discovery was made possible by analyzing the pigments using Raman spectroscopy and sheds new light on the chemical composition of ancient organisms.
Researchers analyzed dolomite rocks and found a high proportion of C-13, indicating strong methane formation by microorganisms in water with low sulphate content. The sediment's chemical development is controlled by crater floor cooling and water supply, not climatic changes.
Research from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences estimates that humans have increased atmospheric mercury levels sevenfold, with a pre-anthropogenic baseline of around 580 megagrams. Human emissions from coal-fired power plants and waste-incineration are responsible for the majority of this increase.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that 'forever chemicals' in soil from firefighting foam can be degraded through a simple and cost-effective method called ball milling. This innovative technique has the potential to revolutionize the cleanup of contaminated sites worldwide, addressing a significant environmental concern.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed soil samples from underneath decomposing human bodies to understand the release of elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, and calcium. The study found unexpected concentrations of these elements in the soils, which could aid investigators in locating missing persons and estimating time of death.
A decade-long study reveals that warmer temperatures lead to significant loss of organic compounds in deep forest soils, affecting carbon sequestration. This finding has implications for natural carbon sinks and soil management practices.
A UH-led research team has developed a cost-effective method for removing harmful chemicals and heavy metals from coastal waters by utilizing native aquatic plants. The system, which includes floating aquatic plants and synthetic mats, can help restore ecological balance and keep communities healthy.
Scientists have successfully triggered chemical reactions in AgI using mechanical energy equivalent to 420,000 atmospheres. This approach allows for solvent-free synthesis and could lead to the discovery of new battery electrolytes. The research used computational modeling to predict the behavior of the material under extreme pressure.
Researchers have developed a new method for recycling high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into fully recyclable and biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to cleave polymer chains, reducing carbon emissions and pollution associated with HDPE.
Researchers found that bodies with lower BMI had decreased bacterial diversity, while those with higher BMI maintained constant diversity. The study suggests intrinsic factors like disease and medication load may impact microbial life in the surrounding soil.
A plasma-based approach may one day convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and produce fuels, fertilizers on the red planet. The system could play a critical role in life-support systems and future human settlement on Mars.
Harvard researchers develop new method to extend the lifetime of organic molecules in organic aqueous flow batteries, improving their commercial viability. The approach works by periodically providing a shock to revive decomposed molecules, resulting in a net lifetime increase of up to 260 times.
Researchers found that chemical pre-treatment can help microorganisms break down plastics more quickly. The process makes carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen from the plastic's molecular structure more accessible for bacteria to use as food.
Scientists at Ural Federal University have developed a simpler and more effective method for synthesizing titanium-based nanocomposite coatings. The new approach allows for the production of wear-resistant coatings with controlled properties, suitable for various applications such as aircraft and biomedicine.
Researchers developed a new framework to extract meaningful vectorial metrics from Mueller matrix elements, providing insights into exotic material characterization and precise cancer boundary detection. The framework establishes a universal metric for calculating different physical properties of target objects.
A study at the University of Illinois identified trace metals in rocket fuel propellant and developed a method to slow decomposition using chelating agents. The researchers found that adding these agents could form stable complexes, sequestering metal ions and preventing them from reacting with the propellant.
A new procedure uses high-intensity pulses of light to dramatically accelerate the removal of organic micropollutants from water. The treatment can degrade pollutants at extraordinary rates, making it an ideal solution for high-throughput water treatment applications.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a framework to understand how herbicides interact and drift onto unintended plants, affecting crops and the environment. The study found that genetically modified crop introduction influences herbicide use rates and practices, leading to increased drift.
Researchers used a new X-ray technique to identify substances quietly eating away at the Mary Rose's timbers, contributing to its decay. The technique, developed by Kirsten Marie Ørnsbjerg Jensen, allows for better preservation of cultural artefacts and archaeological relics.
Researchers used computer simulations to predict the presence of hydroxyl radicals, which clean pollutants from the atmosphere. The study showed that traditional models had widely varying forecasts due to uncertainties in gas emissions, and that better models can aid in combating climate change.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have created a glowing DNA enzyme called Supernova, which catalyzes a chemiluminescent reaction. This breakthrough uses artificial evolution to identify light-producing deoxyribozymes in a vast library of DNA molecules, opening up new possibilities for point-of-care assays and high-throughput screens.
Researchers developed a biodegradable polymer called polylactide (PLA) with RNA-inspired breaking points, which can break down faster in seawater. The degradation rate of the polymer can be tailored depending on the amount of breaking points, offering a potential solution to marine pollution.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel antibacterial material called NANO-LPPO that can prevent infection and facilitate treatment of skin wounds. The material combines lipophosphonoxins with a nonwoven nanotextile, which releases active substances in response to bacterial presence.
Researchers created a biodegradable coating from natural polysaccharides that protects food from bacteria and toxins while decomposing harmlessly. The coating increased the shelf life of fruits by 2.5-8 times, and its use doesn't contaminate the environment.
Researchers developed a portable PLOT-cryo device to screen cargo for hazardous materials. The instrument can detect low concentrations of chemicals and requires minimal sniffing time, making it suitable for busy port inspections.
Researchers have developed a polymer that self-destructs upon activation, using low-temperature stability to break apart quickly. The material has been used in a rigid-winged glider and nylon-like parachute fabric for airborne delivery, and its potential applications include environmental sensors and building materials.