Decomposing "refrigerants," a potent greenhouse gas, using industrial waste
A research team has developed a technology to decompose refrigerants, a greenhouse gas 1,300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, using challenging-to-handle industrial waste......»»
Nature"s own chemistry could help reduce waste and improve health
Researchers are studying chemical processes in nature to develop new, cleaner means of chemical production and computers that can communicate with the human body......»»
Managing space debris through space law
It's becoming increasingly crowded in the orbits around Earth that are popular for space travel. And that's not just due to satellites—there's also more waste material, which is compromising safety. Ph.D. candidate Zhuang Tian is conducting researc.....»»
3D imaging allows researchers to observe degradation of micro- and nanoplastics with unprecedented detail
In a global first, University of Waterloo researchers have used 3D imaging technology to understand the fine details of microplastics, paving the way for more effective methods of plastic waste recycling......»»
Composite plastic degrades easily with bacteria, offers environmental benefits
Billions of tons of plastic waste clutter our world. Most of it has accumulated on the ground and in the oceans or disintegrated into tiny particles known as microplastics that pollute the air and the water, penetrating vegetation and the bloodstream.....»»
Remaking History: Raise Water Using Fire With Thomas Savery’s “Miner’s Friend”
Re-create Thomas Savery’s proto-steam engine — the first industrial machine to use fossil energy. The post Remaking History: Raise Water Using Fire With Thomas Savery’s “Miner’s Friend” appeared first on Make: DIY Project.....»»
Optoelectronic diamond device reveals an unexpected phenomenon reminiscent of lightning in slow motion
Diamond is in many ways the ultimate material. Besides its enduring aesthetic value, diamond is also a highly versatile industrial material. While its claim as the hardest substance known to science has been usurped by ultra-rare minerals and newly d.....»»
The 15 top methane-emitting nations lack policies to rein them in
While the United States and China have taken important steps to reduce their methane emissions, other significant producers of the potent greenhouse gas rarely have concrete national plans to mitigate it, according to a new University of Maryland ana.....»»
Researchers create new tool to analyze embodied carbon in more than 1 million buildings in Chicago
The built environment—which includes the construction and operation of buildings, highways, bridges and other infrastructure—is responsible for close to 40% of the global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change......»»
Scientists uncover hidden source of snow melt: Dark brown carbon
Wildfires leave potent climate heaters behind in their wake, particles that enhance the absorption of sunlight and warm the atmosphere. Dropped on snow like a wool poncho, these aerosols darken and decrease the surface reflectance of snowy places......»»
Scientists present Europe"s new greenhouse gas budget
The goals outlined in the Paris Agreement on climate include limiting climate warming to below 2°C and reaching a global peak of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. To meet these targets, scientists need comprehensive accounting of the gre.....»»
Beef industry can reduce emissions by up to 30%, says new research
Greenhouse gases resulting from human activity have been the largest driver of climate change since the mid-20th century—especially from agriculture. The U.S. beef industry alone is responsible for 3.3% of the nation's total emissions, and even wit.....»»
AirTags key to discovery of Houston"s plastic recycling deception
One Houston resident was suspicious of the city's "all plastic accepted" recycling program, and used AirTags to discover where the plastic waste actually ended up.Apple employs an advanced robot named Daisy to disassemble old iPhones.Brandy Deason, w.....»»
Schemes linking company bosses" pay to cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are ineffective, research shows
Schemes linking corporate executives' pay to how far their firms cut their greenhouse gas emissions are ineffective, new research says......»»
Copper-based catalyst paves the way for sustainable ammonia production
Ammonia plays a critical role in food production and industrial development, with a global market size of approximately 175 million metric tons and a market value of $67 billion. Likewise, it is a high-energy-density carrier, making it a key player i.....»»
FAA lets SpaceX get back to launches, but Polaris Dawn awaits good weather
SpaceX got the OK to fly again from the Federal Aviation Administration and didn't waste any time knocking out launches from both Florida and California early Saturday, but the crewed Polaris Dawn launch remains on hold because of weather......»»
Catalytic process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new, recycled plastics
A new chemical process can essentially vaporize plastics that dominate the waste stream today and turn them into hydrocarbon building blocks for new plastics......»»
Drowning tomatoes for science
I can barely hear Esther Ngumbi over the roar of greenhouse fans as she shows me around her rooftop laboratory in Morrill Hall. The benches are full of tomato plants, and the tomatoes don't look good. Half of the plants are submerged in bins of water.....»»
The impact of human activity on air quality: A look at aerosol pollution before and after the Industrial Revolution
A recent study led by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences sheds new light on how human activities have altered the composition of the atmosphere over time, particularly focusing on secondary organic aerosols (SOA)......»»
Nanoplastics put stress on trees and impair photosynthesis
It is well known that more and more plastic waste is ending up in soil and bodies of water. Researchers are particularly concerned about tiny micro- and nano-sized particles. It remains unclear how and to what extent they are able to enter living org.....»»
Exploring functional organic materials for the energy transition
Carbon, of all things, could help us to push forward the decarbonization of our industrial society. Functional carbon particles, known as carbon dots, can transform sunlight into energy and extract hydrogen from water. Prof. Dr. Dirk M. Guldi, a chem.....»»