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Category: sustainability – Page 34

Study uncovers technologically appealing trick used by microalgae to manipulate light

Skoltech researchers and their colleagues have uncovered an intricate light manipulation mechanism likely used by microscopic algae to boost photosynthesis.

By studying the interaction of light with the elaborately patterned silicon dioxide shells enclosing the , the team hopes to reveal principles that could eventually be leveraged in light detectors, bio-and chemical sensors, protective coatings against ultraviolet rays, , and other nature-inspired technology, right up to artificial photosynthesis systems using CO2 and water to make fuel.

The study was published in the journal Optica.

Lunar soil could support life on the Moon, say scientists

Scientists have developed a technology that may help humans survive on the moon. In a study published in the journal Joule, researchers extracted water from lunar soil and used it to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and chemicals for fuel—potentially opening new doors for future deep space exploration by mitigating the need to transport essential resources like water and fuel all the way from Earth.

“We never fully imagined the ‘magic’ that the lunar soil possessed,” said Lu Wang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.

“The biggest surprise for us was the tangible success of this integrated approach. The one-step integration of lunar H2O extraction and photothermal CO2 catalysis could enhance energy utilization efficiency and decrease the cost and complexity of infrastructure development.”

Research shows how sulfate ions increase the lifespan, performance of aqueous batteries

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have uncovered a critical molecular cause keeping aqueous rechargeable batteries from becoming a safer, economical option for sustainable energy storage.

Their findings, published in Science Advances, reveal how water compromises battery life and performance and how the addition of affordable salts—such as zinc sulfate—mitigates this issue, even increasing the battery lifespan by more than ten times.

One of the key determinants of the lifespan of a battery—aqueous or otherwise—is the . Chemical reactions at the anode generate and store the battery’s energy. However, parasitic degrade the anode, compromising the battery lifespan.

Design strategies for reshaping stability and sustainability of perovskite solar cells

A research team from the School of Engineering (SENG) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has introduced comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in the commercialization of perovskite solar cells: long-term operational stability. Drawing inspiration from natural systems, these strategies aim to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and adaptability of solar technologies.

Their paper, titled “Bio-Inspired Multiscale Design for Perovskite Solar Cells,” has been published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology.

The approaches focus on leveraging insights from to create that can better withstand environmental stressors and prolonged use.

New Solar Tech Transforms Airborne CO₂ Into Usable Fuel, Turning Global Pollution Into a Powerful Clean Energy Source

IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 Cambridge researchers have developed a solar-powered device that converts atmospheric CO2 into valuable fuel. 🌿 This invention mimics photosynthesis, operating without an external power source, ideal for remote areas. 💡 The technology offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. 🔄 By addressing both energy production

Breakthrough method purifies rare earths element with just water

A rare earth breakthrough could rewrite the rules of recycling.

Scientists at IOCB Prague have developed a cleaner, smarter way to recover these critical elements, crucial to technologies from smartphones to wind turbines.

The technique can efficiently extract metals like neodymium and dysprosium from discarded magnets, bypassing the toxic solvents and waste generated by conventional processes.

With global demand for rare earths soaring, the need for sustainable recovery methods has never been greater.

ICOB Prague’s chelator tech separates rare earths cleanly—and just revealed holmium’s surprise EV comeback.

New biodegradable plastic shines in vibrant colors without dyes or pigments

Plastics are one of the largest sources of pollution on Earth, lasting for years on land or in water. But a new type of brilliantly colored cellulose-based plastic detailed in ACS Nano could change that. By adding citric acid and squid ink to a cellulose-based polymer, researchers created a variety of structurally colored plastics that were comparable in strength to traditional plastics, but made from natural biodegradable ingredients and easily recycled using water.

Many plastics are dyed using specialized colorants, which can make these materials hard to recycle using typical processes. Over time, dyes can fade or leach into the environment, posing risks to wildlife. One way to make these colorants largely unnecessary could be a phenomenon called . This occurs when tiny structures in a material reflect certain wavelengths of light rather than a dye or pigment molecule. Structural color gives peacock feathers and butterfly wings their vibrant hues and dazzling shine, but certain display structural color as well.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a derivative of cellulose often used in foods and pharmaceuticals, is one example of a material that can display structural color. In , it shines in iridescent tones, but its have historically made it difficult to form into a solid plastic. Researchers Lei Hou, Peiyi Wu and colleagues wanted to see if they could fine-tune the chemistry of HPC to create vibrant, structurally colored plastics that worked as well as existing petroleum-based plastics and were environmentally friendly.

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