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A recent publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes a fluid-based building interface to reduce energy use for heating, cooling and lighting by selectively tuning light absorption and dispersion. Models showed that this system could reduce the annual energy consumption by up to 43% compared to existing technologies.
Land subsidence adds to the problem of climate-driven sea-level rise in coastal regions. A recent publication in Nature Sustainability has quantified the relative rates of local land subsidence of 48 major coastal cities worldwide. The study found that relative local land subsidence is more spatially variable than IPCC estimates previously suggested, with cities in Asia suffering the most. The findings could refine predictions of relative sea level rise and better guide actions for planning, designing and implementing protection strategies for coastal cities.
In a recent work published in NatureCommunications, Dr. Benjamin Schäfer and colleagues demonstrate the effect of Braess’ paradox in power grids, both in a lab-scale mimic and through real-world simulations of the German power network. The results lay the groundwork for more sustainable grid development.
A recent publication in Environmental Sciences: Advances reports flame-retardant, colored and soil-biodegradable nanocellulose bioleather with tensile strength and ductility competitive with traditional leather. Further, the researchers report that these microbial biotextiles have a thousandfold reduction in human toxicity levels compared to cow leather with a carbon footprint lower than cow leather, synthetic leather and cotton.
A chemical strategy to separate troublesome americium from lanthanides could help reduce the radiological hazards of spent nuclear fuel and create opportunities for waste re-processing.
Findings from a recent publication in Energy and Buildings show that “net-zero energy” renovations can lead to net-positive energy buildings. But the results also raise concerns for the energy grid and overheating in the summer. The analysis of energy consumption of residential buildings give insight into future performance of a Dutch neighborhood’s deep energy-saving refurbishments.
