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Metal whispering: Finding a better way to recover precious metals from electronic waste

Inspired by nature's work to build spiky structures in caves, engineers have developed technology capable of recovering pure and precious metals from the alloys in our old phones and other electrical waste.

Mar 1st, 2021

Vegetable proteins replace petroleum-based raw materials

Just like cellulose, lignin and fats, proteins are renewable raw materials. Their potential for the chemical industry remains largely untapped.

Mar 1st, 2021

Green fuels for aviation

The goal of a new joint initiative called SynFuels is to develop a process for producing kerosene from renewable resources. In this way liquid fuel mixtures of the highest quality, which would allow the most residue-free combustion possible and thus be suitable for aircraft propulsion, should be obtainable using carbon dioxide and hydrogen from renewable resources.

Feb 25th, 2021

There is no one-size-fits-all road to sustainability on 'Patchwork Earth'

Science and policy need to incorporate diversity and complexity of the world when thinking about a sustainable future.

Feb 22nd, 2021

Recycling carbon emissions to useful chemicals

Researchers have developed a bioelectrosynthetic process in which electroactive bacteria convert CO/CO2 into useful metabolites like acetate and volatile fatty acids using electricity as the reducing power.

Feb 18th, 2021

More sustainable recycling of plastics

Chemists have developed a method for more sustainable recycling of polyethylene-like plastics.

Feb 17th, 2021

Bendable concrete and other CO2-infused cement mixes could dramatically cut global emissions

Given the scale of the industry and its greenhouse gas emissions, technologies that can reinvent concrete could have profound impacts on climate change.

Feb 15th, 2021

Transparent wood is coming, and it could make an energy-efficient alternative to glass

In recent years, materials scientists have been experimenting with making wood transparent. Making wood see-through, and retaining its high mechanical properties, would provide a good alternative to glass from a sustainable and renewable source.

Feb 12th, 2021

Study reveals platinum's role in clean fuel conversion

Identifying specific platinum atoms activated in a water gas shift reaction catalyst could guide the design of less costly efficient catalysts.

Feb 10th, 2021

Bioplastics in the sustainability dilemma

Scientists investigate the factors affecting the global land use impacts and CO2 emissions of plant-based plastics.

Feb 5th, 2021

They can capture more carbon than they emit. So why aren't wooden buildings mainstream?

There are various ways to store excess carbon dioxide. One way is to have it hidden in buildings. A new type of zero emission buildings achieves this by using wood for almost everything - from beams to pillars and staircases. Concrete is to be found only in the foundations and the ground floor.

Feb 2nd, 2021

Synthesizing valuable chemicals from contaminated soil

Researchers use electrolysis to produce dichloro and dibromo compounds in a safer and more environmentally friendly manner.

Jan 29th, 2021

New catalyst moves seawater desalination, hydrogen production closer to commercialization

Seawater is abundant and cheap, making it a tempting resource to meet the world's growing need for clean drinking water and carbon-free energy. Now researchers have reported a new catalyst that can be made quickly and inexpensively, bringing the technology closer to commercial reality.

Jan 28th, 2021