Designing microbe factories for sustainable chemicals
The science is clear: fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. So why is it so difficult for us to stop using them? Economic reasons are at least part of the answer. From our energy grid to the manufacturing of certain textiles and other products.....»»
As EV sales slump, Volkswagen scales back battery factories buildout
VW might only need 170 GWh of cells in 2030 if demand stays depressed. Enlarge / A VW worker on the assembly line at Emden in Germany. (credit: Volkswagen) Volkswagen will wait to see what electric car demand is like be.....»»
What really drives consumers to sign up for community-supported agriculture?
As industrialized food markets harm the environment, sustainable food systems emerge as an effective solution. This includes reducing the distance between where the food is produced and consumed, ensuring that people eat locally produced food. One pr.....»»
Study calls for locally inclusive public health adaptation strategies to climate change
Modern disaster risk reduction strategies must incorporate Indigenous knowledge and local cultural practices to be adoptable and sustainable, according to a descriptive phenomenological study carried out in Kenya by researchers from the University of.....»»
Scientists help turn whisky waste into valuable commodity
A new method to extract valuable bio-based chemicals from whisky distillery waste streams could transform manufacturing and be worth up to £90 million in global chemical manufacturing markets......»»
Study shows effective regulation and monitoring is key to tackling emissions of a super-greenhouse gas
New research has revealed factories globally are not properly destroying one of the most potent greenhouse gases emitted from the production of fluoropolymers like Teflon, and refrigerants......»»
Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients
Tortilla chips and fresh salsa are tasty in themselves, but they could be even more appealing if you grow the ingredients in a sustainable way. Researchers report that cilantro, bell pepper and jalapeño can be cultivated in recycled glass from disca.....»»
Study unveils sustainable solution to vitamin B12 deficiency
In new research published in the journal Discover Food, Dr. Asaf Tzachor, Founder and Academic Director of the Aviram Sustainability and Climate Program at Reichman University, along with a team of researchers from Iceland, Denmark and Austria, repor.....»»
Researchers develop index to quantify circular bioeconomy
As the world faces the challenges of mitigating climate change and providing resources for a growing population, there is increasing focus on developing circular economies for sustainable production. But to evaluate strategies and impacts, it is nece.....»»
Small molecule organic eutectics show potential for replacing plastics
Plastics have long been a mainstay in modern manufacturing, but their environmental impact has increased demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Researchers at The University of Warwick have made significant progress in the search for sustainable alter.....»»
Smart hives and dancing robot bees could boost sustainable beekeeping
Researchers are using big data and smart technologies to improve conditions for bees and guide beekeepers......»»
New twist on synthesis technique promises sustainable manufacturing
James Tour's lab at Rice University has developed a new method known as flash-within-flash Joule heating (FWF) that could transform the synthesis of high-quality solid-state materials, offering a cleaner, faster and more sustainable manufacturing pro.....»»
Plant-microbe interactions underpin contrasting enzymatic responses to wetland drainage
Researchers led by Professor Feng Xiaojuan from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS) have analyzed the divergent responses of carbon-degrading enzymes to wetland drainage and found that enzymatic response to long-term dr.....»»
Elon Musk pitches EVs to fans of Donald Trump even though they haven’t been buying
Musk said the world should move toward sustainable energy and that battery-powered cars could be part of that future, without requiring people to give up the things they like to do......»»
Up-cycling petroleum waste into a high-performance yet sustainable triboelectric nanogenerator
A striking landmark in Vancouver, Canada, "The Big Yellow Sulfur Pile" is a testament to the massive amounts of elemental sulfur produced from the hydrodesulfurization process of petroleum refining......»»
Chemical cocktail from plastics: Pilot study describes degradation and leaching process of plastic consumer products
Plastic waste in rivers and oceans is constantly releasing chemicals into the water. Until now, it was unknown how large these quantities are and which substances are released particularly strongly. In the large-scale P-LEACH project, experts from fo.....»»
More than greenwashing? Sustainable aviation fuels struggle to take off
Alternative fuels are intended to reduce the carbon footprint of airlines. Enlarge / Sustainable aviation fuels could help cut carbon emissions from commercial flights. (credit: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Last.....»»
Researchers discover new mechanism to cool buildings while saving energy
With temperatures rising globally, the need for more sustainable cooling options is also growing. Researchers at UCLA and their colleagues have now found an affordable and scalable process to cool buildings in the summer and heat them in the winter......»»
3D laser printing with bioinks from microalgae
Microalgae such as the diatom Odontella aurita and the green alga Tetraselmis striata are especially suitable as "biofactories" for the production of sustainable materials for 3D laser printing due to their high content in lipids and photoactive pigm.....»»
Biocides are a useful tool to combat antibiotic resistance but appropriate use is vital, scientists suggest
A recent review in the journal Sustainable Microbiology discusses how the use of biocides can promote well-being—but must only be used when there are clear benefits......»»
Chemists develop new sustainable reaction for creating unique molecular building blocks
Polymers can be thought of like trains: Just as a train is composed of multiple cars, polymers are made up of multiple monomers, and the couplings between the train cars are similar to the chemical bonds that link monomers together. While polymers ha.....»»