New redox flow battery could store grid scale green energy more cheaply
From University of Cincinnati 09/09/23 Redox-flow battery eliminates costly and inefficient membrane. Jimmy Jiang envisions a future where every house is powered by renewable energy stored in batteries. In his chemistry lab, Jiang and his students at the University of Cincinnati have created a new battery that could have profound implications for the large-scale energy […]
Papertronics: Eco-friendly computer components made entirely of paper could tackle e-waste
From Binghamton University 29/08/23 Imagine if you could build an electronic device made entirely of paper. A nontoxic, cost-effective and biodegradable alternative to silicon- and plastic-based components would be a game-changer for a planet quickly filling up with the “e-waste” of discarded gadgets and single-use sensors. That’s the vision of Binghamton University Professor Seokheun […]
New sustainable method for making lactic acid, critical in food production, using waste jackfruit seeds
From Nanyang Technological University 28/08/23 Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a sustainable and more effective technique for making lactic acid, by using discarded jackfruit seeds. Lactic acid plays an indispensable part in the industrial production and preservation of nearly all the food we consume, being used in various stages of the manufacturing […]
21st century mining boom in tropics is degrading rivers, new analysis shows
From Dartmouth College 24/08/23 Through deforestation, erosion, and the transmission of sediment downstream, mining is having detrimental impacts on the environment Gold and mineral mining in and near rivers across the tropics is degrading waterways in 49 countries, according to a Dartmouth-led study. Published in Nature, the findings represent the first physical footprint of river […]
Rare earths: Team finds more abundant replacements for elements used in phone displays
From University of Basel 17/08/23 Expensive noble metals often play a vital role in illuminating screens or converting solar energy into fuels. Now, chemists at the University of Basel have succeeded in replacing these rare elements with a significantly cheaper metal. In terms of their properties, the new materials are very similar to those used […]
‘Planting’ rocks in farms could help remove carbon from atmosphere
From American Geophysical Union 17/08/23 Farmers around the world could help the planet reach a key carbon removal goal set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) by mixing crushed volcanic rocks into their fields, a new study reports. The study also highlights wet, warm tropics as the most promising locations for this climate […]
Sustainable bubble wrap alternative inspired by ancient Japanese art form
By Superinnovators 16/08/23 Scotch™ Brand, a name synonymous with adhesive products, has introduced a new innovation in the packaging industry. The Scotch™ Cushion Lock™ protective wrap is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic cushion wrap. Made from 100% recycled paper, this product is designed to be easily recycled in curbside bins. The Cushion Lock protective […]
New technique for making plant-based meat more palatable without adding fat
From University of Leeds 16/08/23 One of the biggest obstacles to the uptake of plant-based alternatives to meat is their very dry and astringent feel when they are eaten. Scientists, led by Professor Anwesha Sarkar at the University of Leeds, are revolutionising the sensation of plant proteins, transforming them from a substance that can be […]
Making renewable, infinitely recyclable plastics using bacteria
By DOE/LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY 04/08/23 Plastic waste is a problem. Most plastics can’t be recycled, and many use finite, polluting petrochemicals as the basic ingredients. But that’s changing. In a study published today in Nature Sustainability, researchers successfully engineered microbes to make biological alternatives for the starting ingredients in an infinitely recyclable plastic known […]
This road is made from plastic waste and old tires
From UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA 20/07/23 Millions of roads across the United States are constructed with asphalt pavement that’s deteriorating over time. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are using recyclables, including plastic waste, as a sustainable solution to fix America’s fracturing road system. In partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), researchers from […]