An underwater light device can ramp up coral feeding rates by up to 50 times, offering a potential lifeline to ecosystems teetering on collapse. The Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA)—about as big as a flashlight—uses programmed light pulses to attract nutrient-rich zooplankton, enabling even heat-stressed corals to regain strength. As ocean temperatures soar and…
Wildfire hazards persist long after flames are extinguished
Fires sweeping through Los Angeles have caused extensive destruction, reducing over 10,000 homes to rubble and claiming at least 27 lives. However, the dangers do not end when the flames are extinguished. Post-wildfire hazards, including toxic chemicals, mudslides, household debris, and dispersed ash, continue to pose significant risks, according to Farshid Vahedifard, professor and Louis…
FAU researchers develop promising solution to combat harmful algal blooms
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science have developed a promising method to address harmful algal blooms (HABs), a growing global environmental concern. The team has created an inventive tool for extracting phosphorus from water — a key contributor to HABs—by converting cyanobacterial biomass, often deemed hazardous waste, into specialized adsorbent…
New optimization model could enhance microgrid efficiency and reliability
Researchers at Incheon National University in South Korea have developed an inventive optimization model designed to improve the operation of microgrids. The model addresses challenges posed by unpredictable energy supply and demand, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and ensure a stable power supply. It could prove particularly valuable in regions with unreliable grid infrastructure or…
KIMM and Hyundai reveal high-pressure ammonia engine
A coalition led by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Hyundai Motor, and Kia has developed “the world’s first engine capable of directly injecting ammonia into the combustion chamber at high pressure.” The coalition reported overcoming longstanding challenges in power stability and emissions. Direct High-Pressure Injection: The engine eliminates the need for gaseous…
Concrete as a potential carbon sink: Ambitious goals, significant hurdles
By replacing conventional concrete aggregates with carbon-based materials, scientists at Empa believe large amounts of CO₂ could be permanently stored in building products. Their concept, “Mining the Atmosphere,” aims to help reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels to 350 parts per million — roughly the 1988 benchmark. To remove CO₂ from the atmosphere is “a very energy-intensive…
DOE commits $136M to industrial decarbonization and advanced manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $136 million for 66 projects designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions in America’s most critical industrial subsectors. The funding aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that can strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, secure supply chains, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Major funding areas Projects…
Polymer editing offers new life for discarded plastics, though challenges remain
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have demonstrated a method for converting plastic waste into higher-value materials. By chemically “editing” polymer chains, they upcycle discarded plastics — such as tire-grade polybutadiene and consumer-grade acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) — into new structures with improved performance. This approach could tackle the nearly…
Battery Buzz: 5 breakthroughs to watch in 2025
Every day seems to bring new developments in rechargeable battery research, with teams racing to surpass conventional lithium-ion technology, which has significant room for enhancement. As the adoption of electric vehicles rises and the need for storing renewable energy becomes increasingly important, the search intensifies for safer, lighter, and more sustainable power sources. Recent breakthroughs…
Satellite SAR data helps reduce landfill maintenance costs by over 30%, researchers report
Maintaining large-scale infrastructure is becoming increasingly challenging as urban populations expand and extreme weather events occur more frequently. Waste landfill facilities, in particular, present difficulties for managers with limited on-site access, resulting in various issues, including environmental pollution. Tapping into free satellite data, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed…
Predicting hazard distances after CO₂ pipeline leaks using full-scale tests and diffusion modeling
Some argue that carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are critical tools for reducing global carbon emissions, though questions remain about their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term impact. Safe and efficient supercritical or dense-phase carbon dioxide (CO₂) transportation is critical for successfully implementing CCUS projects. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, “Carbon capture, utilization,…
Engineered wastewater bacteria could break down microplastics
Recent scientific evidence has brought increasing attention to microplastics—plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter—and their pervasive presence in our environment. While their ubiquity raises legitimate concerns, our 2024 analysis “Microplastics are bad—but ignoring science is worse” reveals that commonly cited statistics about human plastic consumption often lack rigorous scientific validation. Emerging research continues…
Sensor data, reimagined: When 90% less data can fuel 100x gains in efficiency in AI projects
For decades, the Nyquist-Shannon theorem—a foundational principle of signal processing—dictated that fully sampling a signal at or above twice its highest frequency was essential for capturing critical information. Now, a Pennsylvania startup called Lightscline suggests we may be entering a “post-Nyquist era.” According to a recent Nature Scientific Reports paper, the company’s neural-network-based software, inspired…
New material could transform carbon capture at much lower cost
In collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, researchers at Teesside University are developing a novel material called CalyChar that could significantly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide at a fraction of the cost of current technologies. This material can potentially capture 3.5–5 million tons of CO2 annually in the U.K. and nearly 30 million tons globally by…
30 architectural monuments to R&D
The architecture of progress extends beyond laboratories and research hubs. Here, in these 30 architectural monuments, you’ll find a unique blend of R&D centers alongside actual tributes to innovation, like the spiraling Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. From the biotech brilliance Louis Kahn envisioned at the Salk Institute in 1959 to the plant-filled spheres of…
This week in battery research: Lithium-ion battery pack prices see the biggest price drop in years
Lithium-ion battery packs experienced the most significant price drop in seven years. A promising new material could help batteries achieve over 20,000 charge and discharge cycles before reaching the 80% capacity threshold, maximizing their value. Two new battery technologies could replace lithium-ion, and the Biden administration significantly boosted battery production and charging infrastructure with a…
Study explores solid-phase manufacturing to upcycle metal scrap into high-value alloys
A new study by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) demonstrates that scrap aluminum from industrial waste can be directly transformed into high-performance alloys without conventional melting processes. Published in Nature Communications, the study outlines a method called solid phase alloying, which provides a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable pathway for…
Enhancing weatherproofing for solar cells
Dr. Tim Kelly and his team at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have made key discoveries about why solar cells made with lead halide perovskite degrade prematurely. These discoveries could advance the reliability of a new generation of solar cells. In experiments conducted at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron, Kelly, a professor of chemistry…
Researchers explore sunlight-based recycling for black plastic waste
A new method for recycling black polystyrene plastics, such as coffee lids and food containers, could help divert these materials from landfills. The approach, reported in ACS Central Science, uses sunlight or white LED light to transform black and colored polystyrene waste into reusable chemical components. Black plastics are notoriously difficult to recycle due to…
Next-generation battery technologies: Finding sustainable alternatives to Lithium-Ion batteries
In recent years, the global demand for batteries has significantly increased. This demand is driven by incorporating energy storage in the power sector, expanding solar and wind power use, and rising interest in electric vehicles globally. Governmental investments and new regulations worldwide support this development and the rise of clean energy. The lithium-ion battery (LIB)…
2024’s R&D Sustainability Innovator of the Year is looking for global collaborators
In the pursuit of sustainable energy, some inventors think big. Zhiyu (Jerry) Hu, Ph.D., thinks small — at the nanoscale. His work in thermoelectric devices is transforming how we understand and harvest energy, turning minute temperature differences into reliable power sources. For much of his life, Hu has found inspiration not just in fire but…
WHOI scientists discover fastest degrading bioplastic in seawater
Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have identified cellulose diacetate (CDA) foam as the fastest-degrading bioplastic tested in seawater, offering a promising alternative to traditional plastics like Styrofoam. The study, led by Collin Ward and his team, was published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. It revealed that foamed CDA degrades 15 times…
Argonne scientists develop sustainable aviation fuel from waste, slashing emissions by up to 70%
Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new technology that could significantly impact the aviation industry and the environment by turning waste streams into cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This novel invention, dubbed “membrane-assisted anaerobic digestion” (MAAD), converts high-strength organic wastewater from sources like breweries and dairy farms into volatile fatty acids, which can be further…
ISS Research could pave the way for earlier cancer diagnosis
Researchers are exploring the potential of the International Space Station’s microgravity environment to improve the sensitivity of biosensors used for cancer detection, leading them to investigate a compelling possibility: Could the key to earlier cancer detection lie in the behavior of bubbles in space? Studies on the ISS are showing that it just might, as…
This week in R&D: Eli Lilly opens large R&D center in Boston, Cisco cuts 5,900 jobs
The R&D World Index (RDWI) was up 2.91% with Cisco leading at 8.78%, in spite of its lay-off announcement. In the week ending August 16, the index closed at 3878.49 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.91% (or 109.53 basis points). Twenty-one RDWI members gained value last week from 0.95%…