Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alexandru Giurca, Nicolas Befort, Amos Taylor
Summary: The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for transformative policies to address the health, socio-economic, and environmental challenges. European Union initiatives such as the European Green Deal have the potential to support sustainable transformation, but there is a need for more radical pathways to move beyond business as usual.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sanja Radovic, Sabolc Pap, Lydia Niemi, Jelena Prodanovic, Maja Turk Sekulic
Summary: This review summarizes low-cost technologies for the treatment of pharmaceutical-loaded wastewaters, focusing on the commonly found NSAIDs - diclofenac and naproxen. The evaluated technologies include adsorption, coagulation/flocculation, algal ponds, and constructed wetlands, as well as their hybridization/combination technologies. The review highlights the simplicity, availability, cost-effectiveness, environmental-friendliness, and high efficiency of these technologies for the removal of diclofenac and naproxen under environmentally relevant conditions. The results show that hybrid/combined systems can overcome the inhibition of coexisting species and achieve a higher removal rate compared to single technologies.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhengli Han, Christian Frydendahl, Noa Mazurski, Uriel Levy
Summary: This article introduces a cost-effective and fast full-range electrically controlled RGB color display. It utilizes plasmonic metasurfaces and MEMS technology with common materials such as aluminum and silicon oxide, allowing for color filter modulation and transmission control. The display demonstrates high-speed response and adjustable transparency, which is significant for future ultrafast displays.
Article
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
Christoph Groeger
Summary: This text discusses the data challenges of AI in industries and emphasizes the necessity of a data ecosystem for industrial enterprises.
COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM
(2021)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Biological
Shilaan Alzahawi, Benoit Monin
Summary: This passage points out that quantification is crucial for psychology and is the foundation of its scientific status. Although some argue for the adoption of qualitative methods, inferential statistics are still necessary. Instead of discarding useful tools, the focus should be on using inferential statistics in a more thoughtful manner.
BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lucia Doyle, Ingo Weidlich
Summary: The piping network is essential for DHC, and proper insulation is crucial for its efficient functioning. PET foam has shown promise as an alternative material for DHC, with the ability to withstand high temperatures.
Article
Agronomy
Steliana Rodino, Ruxandra Pop, Cristina Sterie, Andreea Giuca, Eduard Dumitru
Summary: This article explores how circularity can be measured and evaluated in the agricultural sector. It identifies relevant indicators and tools for assessing circularity in the agri-food chain and analyzes methodologies for measuring the restorative capacity and effectiveness of the agricultural system. The study provides valuable insights for implementing the circular economy in agriculture.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shashi, Piera Centobelli, Roberto Cerchione, Myriam Ertz, Eugenio Oropallo
Summary: Sustainable and circular construction aims to reduce emissions and waste by reusing and recycling materials, leading to economic benefits and resource conservation for future generations.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Chiamaka Linda Mgbechidinma, Otobong Donald Akan, Chunfang Zhang, Mengzhen Huang, Nsemeke Linus, He Zhu, Sherifah Monilola Wakil
Summary: There is a strong link between increasing global population, food demand, industrialization, and agricultural waste. Decomposing food by-products release toxic heavy metals, degrading microbes, and enzymes into the environment, contributing to global change and a high carbon economy. The production of biosurfactants from waste material promotes a circular economy and sustainable development.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Soundouss Maliki, Gaurav Sharma, Amit Kumar, Maria Moral-Zamorano, Omid Moradi, Juan Baselga, Florian J. Stadler, Alberto Garcia-Penas
Summary: New developments require innovative ecofriendly materials with biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatility. Chitosan, the second most abundant material in the world, has unique properties that can be used for various purposes, promoting the design and development of sustainable materials. For example, it can be used as an alternative for food packaging or in sustainable agriculture. Chitosan can also reduce pollution in other industrial processes. This review highlights important advances in the sustainable use of chitosan for promoting circular economy.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xue-Chao Wang, Aoife Foley, Yee Van Fan, Sandro Nizetic, Jiri Jaromir Klemes
Summary: This article introduces a virtual special issue containing papers related to renewable and sustainable energy research presented at a conference. The papers cover a wide range of topics including energy storage technology, battery optimization, and energy recovery. Additionally, there are studies on cooling strategies for photovoltaic panels, gasification combined cycle power generation systems, and heat pump optimization.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Shiyuan Yin, Fu Jia, Lujie Chen, Qinru Wang
Summary: This paper uses a meta-analysis method to investigate the relationship between circular economy practices and enterprise performance based on existing empirical studies. Through systematic literature review, 41 papers published between 2005 and 2021 on this topic were identified. The key finding supports the positive impact of circular economy practices on firms' commercial and ecological sustainability. The results also indicate that industry type, enterprise scale, and country moderate the relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable performance. This study provides valuable insights for managers to confidently adopt circular economy practices for improving both commercial and ecological performance, while resolving the mixed results in the existing literature.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Matthew Abunyewah, Salifu Yusif, Angela Erdiaw-Kwasie
Summary: Research shows that building organizational competencies and dynamic capabilities is crucial for achieving sustainable advantage. This study explores the antecedents of sustainable services by examining institutional factors, contextual factors, and strategic factors in relation to the adoption of circular economy in service organizations. The findings demonstrate that organizational factors form the foundation for circular economy practice adoption, and circular economy knowledge enhances this relationship. Additionally, the adoption of circular economy contributes to sustainable service provision through service longevity, sharing, and ownership. The results highlight the relevance of circular economy indicators in predicting sustainable service outcomes and provide managerial implications.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jean-Claude Boldrini, Nicolas Antheaume
Summary: The research presents a process and tools to facilitate the development of circular business models and contribute to building circular ecosystems by visualizing and connecting stakeholders. The claims have been tested in various contexts with 400 students and practitioners involved in 9 business cases.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Alberto Ruggerio
Summary: This review analyzes the main theoretical definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, their potentials and limitations, emphasizing the differences between their meanings. The article selected works that provide substantive definitions from a complexity theory perspective and discusses the criticisms of the concept of sustainable development, the emergence of the concept of sustainability in the 1990s, and new alternatives such as degrowth and buen vivir. The results also highlight the potential of sustainability as a developing framework for scientific research and environmental management.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yui Kawasaki, Sayaka Nagao-Sato, Misa Shimpo, Kahori Fujisaki, Emi Yoshii, Rie Akamatsu, Petra Warschburger
Summary: This study qualitatively describes sustainable dietary behaviors (SDBs) that Japanese and German adults can implement in their lives, and quantitatively compares the similarities and differences in understanding SDBs between the two samples. The study found that Japanese participants were more focused on food waste prevention, while German participants were more focused on solving environmental problems.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kechun Chen, Yuan Ding, Liming Yang, Zhihao Wang, Haoxuan Yu, Difan Fang, Yufa Feng, Liying Hu, Chenxi Xu, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo, Liang Chen
Summary: This study proposes a targeted repair scheme for the recovery of graphite anodes from spent LIBs by systematically characterizing and analyzing the structure and composition of spent graphite (SG). The results show that the repair scheme achieves effective SG repair and the repaired graphite anode displays excellent lithium storage performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Takao Ueda, Shigeki Koyanaka, Tatsuya Oki
Summary: Fires caused by accidental crushing of batteries are a serious issue in the e-waste recycling process. A new in-line sorting system that uses X-ray scanning and deep learning has been developed to accurately detect batteries. Through a validation study, the system achieved higher accuracy compared to other existing programs.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hannes Geist, Frank Balle
Summary: Research on circular economy often lacks empirical data, especially in the theory of circular process design and design for remanufacturing. This study systematically collected and analyzed engineering data on seven remanufacturing processes in the European automotive remanufacturing industry for the first time, providing empirical support for circular engineering challenges, potentials, and solutions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Li, Fan Lue, Nanlin Liao, Hua Zhang, Na Yang, Pinjing He
Summary: This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bingchun Liu, Haoyang Wang, Xiaoqin Liang, Yibo Wang, Zijie Feng
Summary: The expansion of the photovoltaic market has resulted in a significant increase in PV waste. Therefore, conducting scientific research to determine the importance of the circular economy for sustainable growth in the PV industry is essential. The study demonstrates that accurate prediction of PV installed capacity and quantifying the importance of recycling in balancing the supply and demand of raw materials can be achieved through a multi-factor installed capacity prediction model and recovery potential prediction.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chuanzhen Zhang, Baojing Gu, Xia Liang, Shu Kee Lam, Yi Zhou, Deli Chen
Summary: Reactive nitrogen is crucial for agriculture and human nutrition, but mismanagement can have detrimental effects on human health and ecosystem services, hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Progress towards nitrogen-related targets varies across countries, highlighting the need for integrated management to achieve overall synergies.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alessandro Gatto, Marijke Kuiper, Corina van Middelaar, Hans van Meijl
Summary: This study examines the economic and environmental effects of transitioning towards more circular food systems in the European Union (EU27) by feeding animals with low-opportunity-cost feed and better utilizing local feed resources. The results show that providing subsidies for circularity and promoting the use of low-cost feed can increase animal production, but also have negative impacts on land use and emissions. On the other hand, promoting domestic feed sourcing through import tariffs can decrease animal production and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. However, complementary policies are needed to mitigate drawbacks and enhance benefits of a more circular agri-food system.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinbo Zhang, Liu Chen, Yulei Xie, Pingjian Yang, Zheng Li, Huaicheng Guo, Yang Zhang, Lirong Liu
Summary: This study examines the impact of carbon taxes on low-carbon development and climate change mitigation. By constructing a cross-system bi-layer model, the study finds that reasonable carbon taxes can promote the stability of the energy network, reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants, and optimize production efficiency and the structure of the energy system. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects and implementation pathways of carbon taxes.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Konstantin Born, Mehmet Metehan Ciftci
Summary: Increasing recycling of metals is important for reducing reliance on mining, but it cannot fully meet future metal demand. Primary production of metals is expected to continue rising, highlighting the need for alternative circular economy strategies such as demand reduction and mitigating harmful impacts of primary metal production.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinqiu Ma, Lin Huang, Jiahui Li, Wei Cao, Yumei Cai
Summary: Afforestation and reforestation, such as China's Grain for Green Program, have shown to effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to carbon sink capacity. This study highlights the significant carbon potential of the program and its potential application in other countries to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Arlind Dervishaj, Kjartan Gudmundsson
Summary: This paper reviews digital tools for supporting the Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment and provides suggestions. The study identifies limitations in the functionalities of current tools, including a lack of representative data for LCA and underdeveloped circularity indicators. Further development is needed in terms of interoperability aspects, integration of more sources of data for LCA and circularity, and possibilities for a comprehensive evaluation of design choices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamadreza Y. Azarfam, Anuj Maheshwari, Frank D. Blum, Siddhesh Chaudhari, Clinton Switzer, Ranji Vaidyanathan, Jay C. Hanan, Sudheer Bandla
Summary: This study introduces a feasible method for manufacturing recycled composites using post-consumer carpets and recycled resin. The resulting composites have impressive strength and modulus, surpassing commercial thermoplastics and making them suitable for structural applications. This research presents a promising approach to address carpet landfilling and reduce reliance on additives.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pujiang Shi, Tianle Huang, Hong Kit Lim, Chiew Kei Tan, Jong-Min Lee, Chor Yong Tay
Summary: This study developed a highly porous bioadaptive 3D sponge-like construct from plastic materials in discarded keyboards for advanced in vitro applications. The findings demonstrate the potential of using discarded keyboards as a waste-to-resource feedstock to achieve waste reduction and maximize value-capture.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kuo-Jui Wu, Hailing Qiu, Caiyan Huang, Anthony S. F. Chiu, Ming-Lang Tseng
Summary: Government resource allocation practices for achieving carbon neutrality should be guided by dynamic system theory to identify potential dynamics. Carbon intensity control dynamics have a significant influence on other dynamics.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)