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Category: sustainability

‘Goldilocks size’ rhodium clusters advance reusable heterogeneous catalysts for hydroformylation

Recent research has demonstrated that a rhodium (Rh) cluster of an optimal, intermediate size—neither too small nor too large—exhibits the highest catalytic activity in hydroformylation reactions. Similar to the concept of finding the “just right” balance, the study identifies this so-called “Goldilocks size” as crucial for maximizing catalyst efficiency. The study is published in the journal ACS Catalysis and was featured as the cover story.

Led by Professor Kwangjin An from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Jeong Woo Han from Seoul National University, the research demonstrates that when Rh exists as a cluster —comprising about 10 atoms—it outperforms both single-atom and nanoparticle forms in reaction speed and activity.

Hydroformylation is a vital industrial process used for producing raw materials for plastics, detergents, and other chemicals. Currently, many Rh catalysts are homogeneous—dissolved in liquids—which complicates separation and recycling. This challenge has driven efforts to develop solid, heterogeneous Rh catalysts that are easier to recover and reuse.

Molecular seal strengthens perovskite solar cells, while pushing efficiency to 26.6%

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are known for their impressive ability to convert sunlight into energy, their low production costs and their lightweight design. They may well be the rising stars of renewable energy, but they are not yet as common as traditional solar panels. PSCs are also notoriously fragile and can break when heated during manufacturing.

But these problems could soon be a thing of the past. For their study published in the journal Science, a team from Xi’an Jiaotong University in China has developed a new method that protects the cells from damage during fabrication.

Physicists eye emerging technology for solar cells in outer space

Solar cells face significant challenges when deployed in outer space, where extremes in the environment decrease the efficiency and longevity they enjoy back on Earth. University of Toledo physicists are taking on these challenges at the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, in line with a large-scale research project supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

One recent advancement pertains to an emerging technology that utilizes antimony compounds as light-absorbing semiconductors. A group of UToledo faculty and students recently published a first-of-its-kind assessment exploring the promising characteristics of these antimony chalcogenide-based solar cells for space applications in the journal Solar RRL, which highlighted the work on its front cover.

“Antimony chalcogenide solar cells exhibit superior radiation robustness compared to the conventional technologies we’re deploying in space,” said Alisha Adhikari, a doctoral student in physics who co-led the team of undergraduate, graduate and faculty researchers at UToledo. “But they’ll need to become much more efficient before they become a competitive alternative for future space missions.”

Reentry and disintegration dynamics of space debris tracked using seismic data

Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop tools that can be used to determine the trajectory, size, nature, and potential impact locations of reentering debris in near real time. This is a critical step toward mobilizing appropriate response operations (7). In this work, we have demonstrated that open-source seismic data are capable of fulfilling this requirement.

Past work has demonstrated the sensitivity of seismometers to reentry-generated shockwaves and explosions of natural meteoroids [for example, (8–10)]. However, the trajectories, speeds, and fragmentation chains of artificial spacecraft falling from orbit are distinct from those of natural objects entering from beyond the Earth‒Moon system. This means that the patterns of debris fallout that artificial spacecraft produce are also potentially more complex; for example, some components such as fuel tanks are structurally reinforced and hence more likely to survive and impact the ground, whereas others (such as solar panels) are deliberately designed to demise during reentry. Therefore, techniques used for natural objects require modification.

AI in Charge: Large-Scale Experimental Evidence on Electric Vehicle Charging Demand

Asynchronous firing and off states in working memory maintenance.

Mozumder, Wang et al. use high-density recordings in macaque prefrontal and parietal cortex to show that working memory is sustained by asynchronous spiking activity without prolonged silent periods. Off states are characterized by relatively decreased information decoding and are synchronized between areas. The balance between asynchronous firing and off states determines memory maintenance.

Off-the-shelf kitchen chemistry could make Li–S batteries thinner

Demand is booming for batteries that are faster, thinner and cheaper. We want electric cars and bikes that travel further, devices that last longer, charge quicker and cost less. Today, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) set the benchmark. But after decades of research, this technology is approaching its limits, and each new gain is harder to achieve.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are a promising next-generation technology. They store far more energy than LIBs by weight and are made from cheap, readily available materials.

But here’s the catch. Current Li–S batteries take up around 1.5 to 2.0 times more space than LIBs. In other words, their volumetric capacities are much lower. That’s a serious bottleneck because in many real-world applications, space matters more than weight. From portable electronics, electric vehicles to aerospace systems, every inch of space matters.

Eco-Friendly Agrochemicals: Embracing Green Nanotechnology

In the pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices, researchers are increasingly turning to innovative approaches that blend technology and environmental consciousness. A recent study led by M.R. Salvadori, published in Discover Agriculture, delves into the promising world of green nanotechnology in agrochemicals. This research investigates how nanoscale materials can enhance the effectiveness of agrochemicals while minimizing their environmental footprint. The findings suggest that this novel approach may revolutionize crop protection and nutrient delivery systems.

Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials exhibit unique properties that differ significantly from their bulk counterparts. These properties can be harnessed to improve the delivery and efficacy of agrochemicals. For instance, nanosized fertilizers can increase the availability of nutrients to plants, enhancing growth and reducing waste. This targeted approach is essential in combating soil nutrient depletion and ensuring food security in an era of burgeoning global population.

Traditional agrochemicals often come with the burden of negative environmental impacts, including soil and water contamination. The introduction of green nanotechnology aims to address these concerns by developing more biodegradable and environmentally friendly agrochemicals. By using nanomaterials derived from natural sources, researchers hope to create a symbiotic relationship between agricultural practices and ecological health. This paradigm shift could pave the way for a new era of environmentally responsible farming.

Greener method recovers critical metals from spent batteries

Researchers have developed a breakthrough method to recover high-purity nickel, cobalt, manganese and lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries using a mild, sustainable solvent.

The process, detailed in the journal Sustainable Materials and Technologies, offers a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional high-temperature or chemical-intensive recycling methods.

Globally, around 500,000 metric tons of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have already accumulated, and about 10% of spent batteries are fully recycled in Australia.

Silicon Is Coming to Smartphone Batteries for a Big Energy Boost

A novel lithium-ion battery that uses silicon in its anodes may have the highest energy density of any battery currently commercially available. Its manufacturer, Enovix, says it has shipped the new battery to a leading smartphone company for a debut in mobile phones later this year.

Many of the lithium-ion batteries that power everything from mobile devices to electric cars use graphite in their anodes. However, for decades, researchers have investigated silicon as a replacement for this graphite. In theory, silicon offers roughly 10 times the energy density of graphite in lithium-ion batteries.

“Basically, graphite holds on to lithium using holes in its structure,” says Raj Talluri, CEO of Enovix. “In contrast, with silicon in the anodes—usually a silicon oxide or a silicon carbide—lithium actually chemically combines with the silicon to form a new material. This lets a silicon-based anode hold on to much more lithium than graphite during charging. When the battery discharges, the silicon material goes back to its original state.”

Drought tolerance mechanisms across C3 and C3–C4 intermediate photosynthetic types revealed by physiological and gene expression profiling

Abiotic stress, particularly drought, significantly reduces crop yields and threatens global agricultural sustainability. This study investigated drought and recovery responses in four plant species with contrasting photosynthetic types: Triticum aestivum (C3), Helianthus annuus (C3), Chenopodium album (intermediate-C4), and Alternanthera brasiliana (C4-like). Drought markedly reduced plant fresh biomass (up to 80% in H. annuus) and relative water content, particularly in C. album. Oxidative damage intensified, with H. annuus showing the greatest increase in hydrogen peroxide (258%) and C. album exhibiting the highest malondialdehyde accumulation (284%). Antioxidant enzymes were strongly activated; catalase activity increased dramatically in C. album (837%) and H. annuus (630%).

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