Environment

Plasma Processing of Water and Inedible Biomass for pH Control and Nutrient Recycling

Researchers at Kennedy Space Center have developed a technology that generates plasma activated water in pH ranges that allow for the addition of nitrates and other nutrients to the water while maintaining a healthy pH for plants.

Snail-Inspired Robot Could Scoop Ocean Microplastics

Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists have developed a robot prototype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas, and lakes.

The Path to Net-Zero with Green Propane

A promising technology in green energy capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane is being developed at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Behold: The First Battery Prototype Using Hemoglobin

Researchers have developed a battery that uses hemoglobin as an electrochemical reaction facilitator, functioning for around 20-30 days.

RISING STAR AWARDS 2024

  Women have been making significant improvements to engineering and are at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development. SAE Media Group shines the spotlight on their achievements with its inaugural...

A Novel Strategy to Stabilize Zinc-Ion Batteries

Researchers constructed an electrocrystallization strategy to induce zinc texture growth. The adsorption of DMA induces Zn (002) texture growth and inhibits harmful side reactions.

Climate-Friendly Sodium-Ion Batteries to Rival Li-ion Batteries

The transition to a society without fossil fuels means that the need for batteries is increasing at a rapid pace. One option is a sodium-ion battery, where table salt and biomass from the forest industry make up the main raw materials.

My Opinion: Why Microgrids?

Microgrids are an excellent way of addressing multiple challenges facing our national electricity supply. They support resiliency and flexibility and offer a sensible way to integrate renewables.

TELEPORT: A New, Better Way to Extract Lithium

A research team from the University of Virginia has found a way to extract lithium from geothermal brines. The team’s method is called Targeted Extraction of Lithium with Electroactive Particles for Recovery Technology (TELEPORT).

Lengthening the Lifespan of Concrete with Bacteria

A team at Drexel University has engineered a grid of BioFibers that can be embedded within a concrete structure to improve its durability, prevent cracks from growing, and even enable self-healing.

A Green Li-ion Battery-Recycling Method

Researchers have improved on approaches that dissolve the Li-ion batteries in a liquid solution to reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals used in the recycling process.

5 Emerging Technologies in Manufacturing

This feature explores five transformative currents shaping the future of manufacturing and heralding a new era of improved production, efficiency, and sustainability.

Sustainable Manufacturing: Re-Imagining Production

Given that manufacturing is responsible for 37 percent of global energy consumption, industry is feeling the pressure to address the challenge. Here are a few key trends that are accelerating the push to become more sustainable.

Single Drop of Ethanol to Revolutionize Nanosensor Production

Macquarie University engineers have developed a new technique to make the manufacturing of nanosensors far less carbon-intensive, much cheaper, more efficient, and more versatile — substantially improving a key process in this trillion-dollar global industry.

New System Uses Only Solar Energy to Generate Hydrogen

The system harnesses the sun's heat to directly split water and generate hydrogen — a clean fuel that can power long-distance trucks, ships, and planes, while in the process emitting no greenhouse gas emissions.

Add-On Device Makes Home Furnaces Cleaner and Safer

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an affordable add-on technology that removes more than 99.9 percent of acidic gases and other emissions to produce an ultraclean natural gas furnace.

Baking Soda Could Turn Concrete into an Effective Carbon Sink

Recent discoveries by MIT engineers have revealed that introducing new materials into existing concrete manufacturing processes could significantly reduce their carbon footprint without altering concrete's bulk mechanical properties.

5 Most-Popular Quizzes of 2023

Find out which five of our quizzes were the most popular in 2023.

Navajo Pottery-Inspired Ceramic Water Filter

Navajo pottery-inspired water filtration system developed by engineers at The University of Texas at Austin can effectively and cheaply disinfect water.

Sustainability Strategies Drive the Future of Industry

As companies invest in the development of eco-friendly products and strategies, they will reap the rewards from increased consumer confidence, financial incentives, greater resiliency, and the ability to drive profound social change.

Pump Considerations for Energy-Efficient Industrial Hydraulic Systems

Pump systems have advanced technically over many years. The recent innovations in demand-based variable speed hydraulic pump systems are the next step in lowering energy costs, reducing noise, and allowing for proactive maintenance opportunities.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on using kirigami to produce a stronger adhesive, one on taking electric vehicle technology to the next level, one on the SPARK Electric Racing Team, and one on the Electric Vehicle Club at Purdue University.

Remote Robot Automates Amazon Reforestation Project

A pilot project between ABB Robotics and US non-profit organization Junglekeepers demonstrated the role cloud technology can play in making reforestation faster, more efficient, and scalable.

New Technique for Environmentally Friendly Battery Recycling

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have created a new and efficient way to recycle metals from spent electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The method allows recovery of 100 percent of the aluminum and 98 percent of the lithium in EV batteries.

Power Converters with Edge Intelligence: Toward Greener, Resilient, and Sustainable Energy Systems

Recent advances in integrated circuits, machine learning, and computing have opened up several possibilities to make informed assessments and decisions regarding the health and operational performance of modern power conversion systems.