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Achieving a circular system for electronics hinges on greener design and effective recycling methods. Now, research presents a more durable printed circuit board that can also be sustainably and effectively recycled.
Oil and gas installations, offshore windfarms and other artificial constructions may enhance marine ecosystems and have been proposed to help meet conservation targets. A study synthesizes existing literature to reveal global patterns in their ecological effectiveness.
A growing population, climate change and the environmental impacts of conventional agricultural practices are worsening food insecurity. New research shows that use of nanofertilizers can increase food production while simultaneously decreasing the negative environmental effects of agriculture.
Phase transitions are detrimental to the cyclability of layered oxide cathodes for next-generation sodium-ion batteries. Now, two complementary studies suggest principles on how to navigate through the vast compositional space for better electrochemical performance.
Polyamides are an important class of polymers, yet their fossil-based manufacturing markedly contributes to environmental pollution. A recent breakthrough unlocks a sustainable pathway to recyclable polyamides produced directly from biomass.
Global food systems, a major driver of biodiversity loss, are exposed to multiple stressors, including geopolitical shocks like wars. A study now shows the impacts of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on the global food market, and the consequences in terms of cropland expansion and biodiversity harm.
Most glass fibre-reinforced plastics (GFRPs) waste currently ends up in either landfills or incineration facilities, resulting in adverse environmental impacts and waste of resources. Now, a flash Joule heating technology can achieve rapid and effective upcycling of GFRPs waste into SiC, a material that has a wide range of applications.
To realize sustainability transitions, there is a need for broad societal support. A study now shows that images can be influential in building that support, even in the case of policy decisions to invest in greener urban transportation, which more sceptical citizens would typically not endorse.
Myriad structures, from purpose-built concrete modules to decommissioned petroleum platforms, have been deployed in US waters to create artificial reefs. Assessing their spatial coverage would help marine spatial planning but the task is challenging. Now a study does that and reveals some important ecological insights.
Whether on a hike, in a remote disaster zone or in your own home, access to clean water is critical. Filtration of freshwater to remove ultrafine particles like micro/nanoplastics, pathogens or other toxic components is unfortunately usually quite expensive, unportable and environmentally unfriendly.
The nitritation process, namely the biological conversion of ammonia to nitrite, is a pivotal approach in sustainable sewage management but remains challenging to implement in practice. Now a strategy shows remarkable efficiency in swiftly initiating and maintaining sewage nitritation, even under industrially relevant conditions.
Eco-sensitive river basins are facing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and rapidly grow their economies. Now, a study identifies the exploitable hydropower potential in low-carbon futures, and the risks of relying on large-scale hydropower projects to integrate variable renewable energy in a decarbonized world.
