HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Model may predict where and when an oil spill will reach land
Researchers from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) Foundation have developed a model for predicting where and when an oil spill will make landfall, improving response times and cleanup efforts.
After sewage treatment service, steel slag strengthens concrete
The same slag used to effectively remove pollutants during municipal wastewater processing can be reused again as a component in concrete manufacture.
Watch: Soil is the new concrete
A new class of construction materials could be produced on-site using local soils as additive manufacturing feedstock.
Nuclear bombs help conservationists estimate whale shark age
Researchers from Rutgers University are using nuclear bombs to accurately estimate the age of whale sharks. This is the first time that whale sharks’ age has been properly verified.
Study: Concrete umbrellas could offer shade, protection against storm surges
To protect against future storm surges, a team from Princeton is developing plans for kinetic concrete umbrellas to be placed along coastlines.
Biohybrid reactor yields organic feedstocks for use on Mars or Earth
A new biohybrid reactor system may offer a sustainable means of producing fuel, pharmaceuticals and other materials in future Martian colonies as well as on Earth.
Scientists testing life-saving qualities of 'bouncy' pavement
In a bid to prevent fall-related accidents and injuries, scientists on behalf of the U.K.’s Sustainable, Accessible, Safe, Resilient and Smart Urban Pavements (SAFER) project are conducting trials of pavement composed of tire scrap on roadways in Sweden.
Trio to test carbon dioxide-to-methanol process
The process will combine captured CO2 with hydrogen obtained either as a by-product from a nearby refinery or from water electrolysis within an existing carbon capture facility at the site.
Industrial gas news roundup: March 2020
A smattering of industrial gas news from the past several months.
Transcritical use of carbon dioxide refrigerant
Environmental regulations have curtailed the use of synthetic refrigerants, which has renewed interest in carbon dioxide as an alternative.
Chemical boundary engineering yields stronger steel
When applied to plain steels with carbon content of only up to 0.2 wt %, the method yields ultimate strength levels beyond 2.0 gigapascal and ductility exceeding 20%.
Astronaut urine can be used as an unlikely building material for space modules
Researchers from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology found the astronaut’s urine could be used as a building material for creating space modules for major space agencies on the moon
This plastic material is made to be recycled
The plastic can be disassembled into its constituent parts at the molecular level and then repeatedly reassembled into a different shape, texture and color without loss of performance or quality.
Designing solar cells for submerged service
Underwater solar cells have the potential to harvest power at depths up to 50 m in very clear waters with efficiencies of 55% to 65%.
Researchers combine starch, cellulose for biodegradable plastic
A research team from Osaka University in Japan has developed a bioplastic that degrades in seawater amid a growing plastic waste crisis impacting the world’s oceans.
Improved adsorption of metals from water by modified nanocarbons
The adsorption affinity of nanocarbons for metals is being magnified by a combination of amino group addition and solution plasma processing.
Team develops essential-oil based anti-bacterial film for hospitals
A plastic technology company has developed a plastic film impregnated with nano-capsules of essential oil for protecting hospital surfaces from microbe exposure.
Will 3D printing shift into high gear in the Covid-19 fight?
Governments have sought to enlist automakers, including Ford, General Motors, Ferrari and Nissan, to ramp up production of ventilators and other medical equipment that face shortages and are critical to saving lives.
Australia produces a medical radioisotope as a true theranostic agent
Scandium-47 has been produced in the Open Pool Australian Light-water Reactor as a beta-emitting radioisotope for targeted cancer therapy.
Opening plastic packaging may be contributing to microplastic pollution
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have conducted a study on how many microplastics are being generated from daily activities, like opening a bag or plastic bottle.