Review
Polymer Science
Mokgaotsa J. Mochane, Sifiso Magagula, Jeremia S. Sefadi, Teboho C. Mokhena
Summary: This review paper discusses the production and application of the biodegradable plastic PBS, and how its properties can be improved and costs reduced by incorporating natural lignocellulosic fibers. The paper introduces methods of bonding PBS with natural fibers and their mechanical properties, as well as the applications in industries such as packaging, automobile, and construction.
Article
Polymer Science
Fernando Elias Guckert, Claudia Sayer, Debora de Oliveira, Pedro H. Hermes de Araujo, Bruno Francisco Oechsler
Summary: This work investigates the lipase-catalyzed bulk polycondensation of diethyl succinate and 1,4-butanediol to produce polybutylene succinate (PBS). The study evaluates the molar mass distribution of PBS and the recovery of the biocatalyst for reuse cycles. The results show promising enzymatic polycondensation reactions with good catalytic activity.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jungkyu Kim, Sangwoo Park, Seungoh Jung, Heecheol Yun, Kyusuk Choi, Gyeom Heo, Hyoung-Joon Jin, Subong Park, Hyo Won Kwak
Summary: This study evaluates the biodegradability of PBS fishing gear in marine sedimentary environments, aiming to address the issue of ghost fishing caused by discarded gear. Through biodegradation analysis, it is found that after 180 days, the PBS gear reduces to carbon dioxide by 27.3%. The remaining PBS shows bulk erosion and no changes in crystallinity and thermal properties. The degradation primarily occurs through surface abrasion and metabolic utilization of hydrolysis products by microorganisms.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
K. S. Savitha, Bharatkumar Ravji Paghadar, M. Senthil Kumar, R. L. Jagadish
Summary: Poly(butylene succinate) is an emerging bio-degradable polymer with wide range of applications. Despite some limitations, its performance can be improved through catalyst systems and copolymerization.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Pilli Sridhar, R. D. Tyagi, Puspendu Bhunia, Prangya Ranjan Rout, Tian C. Zhang, Rao Y. Surampalli
Summary: This study examined GHG emissions during ultrasonication and anaerobic digestion processes, finding that positive net energy and reduced GHG emissions can be achieved with low sonication energy and high solids concentration. Additionally, raising the sludge temperature during sonication can decrease energy input and GHG emissions, and further reductions in GHG emissions can be achieved through methane energy recovery during anaerobic digestion.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Clare Bassi, Rachael Maysels, Rob Anex
Summary: The food system plays a major role in climate change and shifts in consumption patterns, particularly regarding beef consumption, have led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the US diet. From 2003 to 2018, the average GHG emissions of the US diet decreased by over 35%, mainly due to a 40% decline in beef consumption. All demographic subgroups showed a reduction in GHG emissions associated with their diets, but the extent of change varied. Black women had the lowest emissions, while men aged 20-34 had the largest rate of reduction in emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sylvia Sleep, Zainab Dadashi, Yuanlei Chen, Adam R. Brandt, Heather L. MacLean, Joule A. Bergerson
Summary: Life cycle assessments can be helpful in informing decisions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but they may face resistance from stakeholders in industries where study results are scrutinized and contentious. This research evaluated the accuracy of open source life cycle models and found that emerging technologies have significant potential in reducing emissions compared to existing projects.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Nathapong Sukhawipat, Laksana Saengdee, Pamela Pasetto
Summary: The study demonstrates that Caesalpinia sappan L. wood fiber provides good mechanical properties and biodegradability in polybutylene succinate composite films, showing potential as an environmentally friendly material.
Article
Polymer Science
Azadeh Sadeghi, Amirhossien Mottie, Shirin Kiani, Saba Nemati Mahand, Hossein Ali Khonakdar
Summary: By incorporating acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) into polybutylene succinate (PBS), the mechanical properties and fouling resistance of filtration membranes were enhanced. Increasing the content of ABS led to improved tensile strength and elastic modulus, enabling the membranes for wastewater pretreatment with higher rejection rates and permeate flux.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Narie Rinke Dias de Souza, Bruno Colling Klein, Mateus Ferreira Chagas, Otavio Cavalett, Antonio Bonomi
Summary: This study compares the similarities and differences of key decarbonization programs and their GHG calculators, as well as established LCA models for assessing 2G ethanol. The research found that by harmonizing different models, the discrepancies in emissions for various feedstocks producing 2G ethanol were significantly reduced.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Conall Mahon, Maneesh Kumar Mediboyina, Donna Gartland, Fionnuala Murphy
Summary: This paper presents a life cycle assessment of heat supply scenarios towards replacement of fossil-based energy systems through a case study in Tallaght, Ireland. The study found that waste heat-fed heat pump and biomass-based district heating systems have lower environmental impact compared to a conventional gas boiler system, but the impacts are similar when using 2030 electricity data.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katja Oehmichen, Stefan Majer, Franziska Mueller-Langer, Daniela Thraen
Summary: The use of sustainable biofuels in the aviation sector can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the reduction of emissions from air traffic. The life cycle assessment showed that the production of some sustainable aviation fuels resulted in lower emissions compared to others. The use of multiblend fuels also led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 35%.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hamza Pervez, Yousaf Ali, Antonella Petrillo
Summary: Building construction serves important social and economic purposes, but also has negative environmental impacts. The use of off-site modular construction methods can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the environmental performance may vary by region, requiring specific assessment. This study in Pakistan shows that modular construction produces significantly lower GHG emissions compared to conventional methods, indicating the need for widespread adoption to reduce environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiu-yu Ge, Qiang Dou
Summary: Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was toughened by incorporating ductile biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and biobased epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). The addition of a reactive reagent (Joncryl ADR 4370 S) enabled the formation of graft copolymers in situ, resulting in significantly improved compatibility and mechanical properties of the bio-blends. The study utilized various characterization techniques to investigate the compatibility, rheology, crystallization, mechanical properties, and microstructures of the bio-blends. The biodegradable and biobased supertough PLA/PBS/ESO blends exhibited excellent tensile strain at break and impact strength, attributed to the combination of ESO and 4370S.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rohit Kalvakaalva, Mollie Smith, Stephen A. Prior, G. Brett Runion, Emmanuel Ayipio, Caroline Blanchard, Daniel Wells, David Blersch, Sushil Adhikari, Rishi Prasad, Terril R. Hanson, Brendan T. Higgins
Summary: This study used life cycle assessment to quantify the environmental impacts of decoupled biofloc aquaponics systems. The results showed that electricity, heating fuel, and feed were the major contributors to global warming potential and cumulative energy demand. Efforts to balance fish and plant production and reuse post-plant effluent are important in minimizing the environmental footprint of decoupled systems.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Omar Montero, Pauline Brischoux, Simon Callegari, Carolina Fraga, Matthias Ruetschi, Edouard Vionnet, Nicole Calame, Fabrice Rognon, Martin Patel, Pierre Hollmuller
Summary: This study examines the actual performance and optimization measures of using air source heat pumps in existing multi-family buildings. The results show that these systems are able to meet the heat demand and provide the required temperature, while also offering significant environmental benefits.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
K. Narula, C. Ploiner, G. Getzinger, M. K. Patel
Summary: This paper presents a comparative assessment of energy efficiency policies for heat demand reduction and heat decarbonisation in the buildings sector of Austria and Switzerland. The assessment reveals the need for significant increase in renewable heat supply and the challenges involved. Energy savings from energy efficiency improvements are largely offset by activity and wealth effects. Austria relies more on public subsidies for heating, while Switzerland focuses on leveraging private investment to achieve similar energy savings.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Xiang Li, Alina Walch, Selin Yilmaz, Martin Patel, Jonathan Chambers
Summary: This study addresses the problem of resource allocation in district heating and cooling networks through the proposed optimal spatial allocation method. The method maximizes the utilization of thermal resources and contributes to achieving carbon-neutral energy systems.
COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arthur Rinaldi, Selin Yilmaz, Martin K. Patel, David Parra
Summary: This study compares different flexibility options for supporting renewable energy integration and provides recommendations based on energy system modelling. The main findings include that electric boilers have greater flexibility potential compared to demand-side response with wet appliances, heat pump replacement of heating systems requires more electricity storage, the operation of heat pumps and electric boilers shifts from night to midday, leading to increased deployment of photovoltaic systems, and the retrofitting rate has a significant impact on the required storage capacity for heat pump deployment.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Oluwaseun Nubi, Stephen Morse, Richard J. Murphy
Summary: Globally, population growth and urbanization have led to increased electricity demand and waste generation. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) approaches offer a solution to these issues. This research uses a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach to compare the sustainability impacts of different WtE technologies in two Nigerian cities. The results show that WtE adoption offers sustainability benefits, particularly for Lagos.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jorge Moreno, Dirk-Jan Van de Ven, Jon Sampedro, Ajay Gambhir, Jem Woods, Mikel Gonzalez-Eguino
Summary: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement are two transformative agendas that set the benchmarks for nations to address urgent challenges. The pathways followed by nations involve synergies and trade-offs between and within these agendas. Implementing policies to address critical aspects and understanding implications for other dimensions is crucial.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rocio Martinez-Cillero, Ben Siggery, Richard Murphy, Alvaro Perez-Diaz, Ian Christie, Sarah Jane Chimbwandira
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Minghui Wu, Jhuma Sadhukhan, Richard Murphy, Ujjwal Bharadwaj, Xiaofei Cui
Summary: The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated life cycle assessment and life cycle costing framework for composite materials in the aviation industry. By using a case study of replacing an aluminium door with a composite door, the study simulated the integrated environmental and economic performances using the proposed framework. Results showed that energy consumption was the hotspot, and the choice of composite waste treatment routes had a negligible effect on the life cycle assessment outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Andries, Stephen Morse, Richard J. Murphy, Jhuma Sadhukhan, Elias Martinez-Hernandez, Myriam A. Amezcua-Allieri, Jorge Aburto
Summary: Satellite-observed night-time light (NTL) data can be used to explore lighting brightness at different spatial and temporal scales, but most applications have been on larger scales. This paper analyzes the potential of NTL data for local indicators and finds that it can support many social indicators but has mainly been explored at global or country scales. A case study in Durango State, Mexico shows that lower NTL radiance is associated with higher levels of social deprivation, but more research is needed to establish the link at local scales.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Timothy M. Chukwu, Stephen Morse, Richard J. Murphy
Summary: The study investigated the perceived health impacts of poor air quality in two cities in Nigeria and found that it not only has an association with COVID-19 infection but also worsens the infection and intensity of the disease. The research also revealed that older individuals are more vulnerable to the health impacts of poor air quality and that most respondents, especially younger ones, obtain air quality information through electronic media. Proper waste management was identified as the primary action to address poor air quality.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Suckling, S. Morse, R. Murphy, S. Astley, C. Boy, J. C. G. Halford, J. A. Harrold, A. Le-Bail, E. Koukouna, H. Musinovic, A. Raben, M. Roe, J. Scholten, C. Scott, C. Westbroek
Summary: Due to the negative health effects of excessive sugar consumption, there is increasing interest in replacing added sugar with non-nutritive sweeteners and sweetness enhancers. This study assesses the environmental impacts of the sweetness enhancer thaumatin, produced from Thaumatococcus daniellii fruit, through a life cycle assessment. Results show that thaumatin can reduce the environmental impact of providing sweet taste in food and beverage products.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Suckling, S. Morse, R. Murphy, M. Raats, S. Astley, J. C. G. Halford, J. A. Harrold, A. Le-Bail, E. Koukouna, H. Musinovic, A. Raben, M. Roe, J. Scholten, C. Scott, C. Westbroek
Summary: This study quantitatively assesses the environmental impact of aspartame and neotame as non-nutritive sweeteners, finding that they have great potential to replace added sugar with reduced environmental impact. However, there are significant uncertainties related to life cycle inventory data and data derivation method.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Pooya Hoseinpoori, Richard Hanna, Jeremy Woods, Christos N. Markides, Nilay Shah
Summary: This paper adopts a whole-system approach to explore different strategies related to the future role of the gas grid in low-carbon heat systems. The findings suggest that the total system transition cost is relatively similar despite variations in infrastructure requirements, fuel or resource mix, and cost distribution among scenarios. The analysis highlights the importance of considering trade-offs between short- and long-term energy security risks and consumer investments when determining the roles of low-carbon gases and electrification for decarbonizing heating. Additionally, combining different strategies, like integrating heat pumps with increased thermal storage capacity and installing hybrid heat pumps with gas boilers, can effectively moderate infrastructure requirements, consumer costs, and reliability risks.
ENERGY STRATEGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Michael Gargaro, Richard J. Murphy, Zoe M. Harris
Summary: Climate change impacts have reduced agricultural productivity, affecting global food security. Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), using technology-based production systems, can mitigate climatic and pest threats, ensuring consistent crop development. This meta-analysis identifies key factors influencing CEA crop production, particularly in lettuce cultivation. On average, CEA systems yield twice as much as field-based agriculture, with influencing factors including cultivar variety, season, nutrient delivery method, and lighting type. Vertical farming studies show even higher yields per area. These findings contribute to our understanding of CEA growth and highlight its ongoing research in the agricultural industry.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Minghui Wu, Jhuma Sadhukhan, Richard Murphy, Ujjwal Bharadwaj, Xiaofei Cui
Summary: The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated framework for assessing the environmental impacts and economic costs of carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials in the aviation industry. The study focuses on the displacement of conventional metal products with composite products and provides a graphical tool for visualising the integrated environmental and economic performances. The results show that energy consumption is a major concern and the choice of waste treatment routes has minimal effects on the outcomes. Labour cost is the most significant factor in door production costs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2023)
