Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Grace Burleson, Jason Lajoie, Christopher Mabey, Patrick Sours, Jennifer Ventrella, Erin Peiffer, Emma Stine, Marie Stettler Kleine, Laura MacDonald, Jesse Austin-Breneman, Amy Javernick-Will, Amos Winter, Juan Lucena, David Knight, Scott Daniel, Evan Thomas, Christopher Mattson, Iana Aranda
Summary: This study aimed to identify emerging trends in advancing engineering for sustainable development by hosting the ASME 2022 EGD Stakeholder Summit. The study synthesized emerging trends and proposed recommendations, such as adopting emerging cultural mindsets and broadening the goals of engineering, to increase the impact of engineering for sustainable development. Ultimately, this study provides pathways forward for the broader engineering community to contribute effectively to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Gideon Abagna Azunre, Owusu Amponsah, Stephen Appiah Takyi, Henry Mensah
Summary: The article discusses the dominance of economic and spatial informality in cities of the Global South, as well as the different perspectives on the role of informality in urban development. Researchers focused on exploring the productive functions of informality in developing sustainable Ghanaian cities and found that informality plays a vital role in promoting economic, environmental, and social sustainability in cities. The study suggests that viewing informality through a productive lens and adopting more inclusive and pro-poor policies can lead to achieving sustainable city development objectives.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zahra Assarkhaniki, Soheil Sabri, Abbas Rajabifard, Masoud Kahalimoghadam
Summary: Accelerating challenges have led to a growing interest in assessing the resilience and sustainability of future developments. Many countries have adopted the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include resilience as a component of sustainability. However, the SDGs have been criticized for not thoroughly evaluating resilience. This study compares the SDGs indicators with a comprehensive baseline resilience framework (BRF) and evaluates the extent to which the SDGs measure resilience.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Howard Haughton, Jodie Keane
Summary: External debt levels are set to reach unprecedented levels in 2021, particularly for low-income-developing countries and least developed countries, exacerbating the existing debt distress. The international community is facing a significant challenge in alleviating the debt burden of poor countries worsened by COVID-19 to effectively combat its spread. Without historical parallels to the current debt crisis, relief efforts must go beyond debt alone to keep the SDGs on track.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Rosa, Martina Pini, Grazia Maria Cappucci, Anna Maria Ferrari
Summary: This article reviews the evolution of principles and indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of chemical products and processes. It introduces more comprehensive principles, metrics, and indicators that can assess all phases of a chemical product/process life cycle and quantify its environmental impact holistically. The article also highlights the potential of these metrics in evaluating the circularity of chemical products and processes and their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.
CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ta-Wei Wang, Tengxiao Liu, Hongtao Sun
Summary: This article introduces the application of direct recycling methods in conventional lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries, and discusses the potential of dry manufacturing methods in direct recycling.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Maisa Lins, Renata Puppin Zandonadi, Antonio Raposo, Veronica Cortez Ginani
Summary: Food waste is a complex and widely debated issue in current society, resulting in significant global losses each year. Most of the food waste is preventable and occurs mainly at the end of the production chain. It is crucial to identify the main causes of food service failures and develop efficient strategies to reduce waste.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivan N. Derbenev, James Dowden, Jamie Twycross, Jonathan D. Hirst
Summary: This review discusses the use of green chemistry metrics and software tools in research laboratories. It provides an overview of state-of-the-art software designed to aid researchers in planning and conducting chemical experiments and assess the sustainability of reactions and synthetic routes. The increasing digitalization of research presents opportunities for the wider use of computational tools by synthetic chemists and the integration of green chemistry principles into routine laboratory work.
CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Peter Glavic
Summary: A change in human development patterns is necessary, especially in terms of environmental, economic, and social behaviors. The principles of sustainable engineering, including holistic approach, stakeholder engagement, resource efficiency, and consideration of environmental, social, and economic impacts, need to be updated. The principles require the involvement of individual engineers, educators, and associations for further development.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miles Richardson, Iain Hamlin, Lewis R. Elliott, Mathew P. White
Summary: Climate change and biodiversity loss reveal the failure of the human-nature relationship. Nature connectedness is a crucial factor in assessing pro-environmental behaviors and mental well-being. The analysis explores the association between consumption, technology, affluence, and the human-nature relationship, emphasizing the importance of nature connectedness for human and nature's well-being.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiong Xu, Yi Luo, Anand Sreeram, Qiaoyun Wu, Guofu Chen, Shukai Cheng, Zongwu Chen, Xuyong Chen
Summary: With the continuous paving of roads, there is a huge demand for natural aggregate (NA) in highway construction. To alleviate this, the use of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) is considered beneficial. However, engineering asphalt mixtures containing RCA pose challenges, such as higher water-absorption and crushing characteristics compared to NA. Various treatments, including mechanical processing and the use of pozzolanic materials, have been shown to improve the quality of RCA. The structural and material durability of RCA-asphalt pavement depend on its mix design, moisture-induced damage, and temperature properties.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fermin Sanchez-Carracedo, Barbara Sureda, Francisco Manuel Moreno-Pino, Daniel Romero-Portillo
Summary: The study reveals that engineering students perceive they have only achieved about two thirds of the expected sustainability competencies during their university studies. The worst performance is in the application of ethical principles related to sustainability values.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Development Studies
Xiaoman Wu, Abdul Majeed, Dinara G. Vasbieva, Claire Emilienne Wati Yameogo, Nazim Hussain
Summary: This study examines the impact of natural resource abundance and economic globalization on environmental quality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The findings indicate that natural resource abundance significantly improves environmental quality, while economic globalization helps mitigate emission levels. However, trade openness, urbanization, and economic growth have a detrimental effect on environmental quality.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sorin Liviu Jurj, Tino Werner, Dominik Grundt, Willem Hagemann, Eike Moehlmann
Summary: This paper presents an analysis of criticality metrics for evaluating the safety of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and proposes environmentally friendly metrics. It discusses the applicability of these metrics as reward components in Reinforcement Learning (RL) and explores their usefulness for AI training.
Review
Water Resources
Sujit Das, Heidi Fuchs, Ritu Philip, Prakash Rao
Summary: This article points out that water resources are undervalued in the manufacturing sector due to the perception of low water prices. It proposes a framework for a fuller valuation of water in manufacturing and reviews water valuation metrics. By adopting a more comprehensive assessment of water value, it can provide a business case for the development and application of cost-effective water-conserving technologies in the manufacturing sector, thereby improving its sustainability in water resource management.
WATER RESOURCES AND INDUSTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yosef Nikodimos, Wei-Nien Su, Bing Joe Hwang
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive update on the progress of halide solid-state electrolytes (HSSEs) development and their application in all-solid-state Li batteries (ASSLBs). It includes an overview of the conductivity, moisture and phase stabilities of HSSEs, as well as their electrochemical stabilities with Li metal anode and oxide cathode materials. The article also discusses the application of HSSEs in high-voltage ASSLBs and suggests new research directions.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Priyabrata Roy, Debal Deb, Arunan Suganya, Brindaban Roy, Thalappil Pradeep, Tanima Saha
Summary: This study found that many traditional rice landraces contain significant amounts of various B vitamins, while modern rice varieties have lower B vitamin levels. These vitamin-rich traditional rice landraces, if included in the daily diet, may contribute to the nutritional security of the poor.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gaurav Vishwakarma, Bijesh K. Malla, Soham Chowdhury, Sakshi Pradip Khandare, Thalappil Pradeep
Summary: Acetaldehyde in dilute solution can form geminal diol under normal atmospheric conditions. This study discovers the existence of stable acetaldehyde clathrate hydrate (CH) in ultrahigh vacuum at cryogenic temperatures. The formation of CH was confirmed using infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. This finding suggests the possibility of stable CH phase for acetaldehyde in interstellar and cometary environments.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael K. C. Tam, Peter Licence, Audrey Moores, Bala Subramaniam, David T. Allen, Julio F. Serrano
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fikiru Temesgen Angerasa, Chia -Yu Chang, Endalkachew Asefa Moges, Wei-Hsiang Huang, Keseven Lakshmanan, Yosef Nikodimos, Jyh-Fu Lee, Nigus Gabbiye Habtu, Meng-Che Tsai, Wei-Nien Su, Bing Joe Hwang
Summary: Energy conversion from chemical to electrical energy through electrochemical processes using fuel cells is a promising advanced technology to address global environmental issues. However, the development of cathode materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) still faces challenges due to their practical requirements for activity and stability. Introducing oxides into the electrocatalysts is an important way to improve performance. Therefore, hybrid metal-oxide-carbon materials with high conductivity, electronic interaction, and carbon corrosion resistance are strongly recommended as support materials for Pt nanoparticles to develop Pt-based electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bikila Nagasa Olana, Leyela Hassen Adem, Shawn D. Lin, Bing-Joe Hwang, Yi-Chen Hsieh, Gunther Brunklaus, Martin Winter
Summary: This study investigates the influence of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and lithium difluorophosphate (LiPO2F2) dual additives on the cycling stability of lithium metal batteries using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The results show that the presence of these additives can suppress the formation of SEI species on the copper anode, improving the cycling stability. LiPF6 reacts with the copper anode to form LixPFy, leading to a reduction peak at approximately 1.44V in constant voltage (CV) analysis. FEC leads to the continuous formation of poly(FEC) during the first lithiation cycle, while EC and DEC are electrochemically reduced to (CH2OCO2Li)2 and Li2CO3. The redox of LiPO2F2 and the decomposition of LiPF6 are partly suppressed by the presence of FEC.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shih-Huang Pan, Kuan-Yu Lin, Wen-Xiang Wu, Bing Joe Hwang, Jyh-Chiang Jiang
Summary: The development of next-generation rechargeable lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) is crucial for improving the performance of existing lithium-ion batteries. However, uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) in lithium-metal anodes limit their practical applications. A study found that magnesium (Mg) doping on the Li anode may aid in the formation of a stable SEI layer, improving the electrochemical performance of LMBs. In this study, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations were used to investigate the interfacial reactions between the electrolytes and the Mg-doped Li metal anode surface. The results showed that the Mg-doped lithium anode promoted the decomposition of LiPF6 and solvents, leading to the formation of a denser SEI layer.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Gaurav Vishwakarma, Rajnish Kumar, Thalappil Pradeep
Summary: Through multiple studies in a simulated interstellar environment, we have discovered several molecules' clathrate hydrates (CHs). These CHs play an important role in the chemical processes of the interstellar medium, contributing to the chemical evolution and formation of planetary systems as well as the origin of life.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yugao Ding, Liu Feng, Zhe Zhang, Sihao Zhang, Xuelian Zhang, Yingzhan Li, Xiong Fang, Xiaowen Hu, Xiaojing Wang, Kam Chiu Tam, Guofu Zhou, Zhen Zhang
Summary: In this study, lignocellulose nanoparticles were extracted from cattle dung through simple methods, indicating that these particles naturally occur in cattle dung and possess good emulsifying ability. The obtained nanoparticles stabilized Pickering emulsions were used as templates to prepare phase change material microcapsules with high thermal stability and phase change enthalpy.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael K. C. Tam, Ivet Ferrer, Joachim Loo, Milad Kamkar, Peter Licence
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yosef Nikodimos, Martin Ihrig, Bereket Woldegbreal Taklu, Wei-Nien Su, Bing Joe Hwang
Summary: Researchers assess the solvent-free fabrication of inorganic solid electrolyte membranes for all-solid-state Li batteries, discussing the advantages and future prospects of this method.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathan Grishkewich, Nishil Mohammed, Kayden Toffolo, Kam Chiu Tam
Summary: This study introduces a process unit using sustainable adsorbents for wastewater treatment with promising results. It proposes a method for in-situ production and loading of cellulose nanocrystal-alginate (CNC-ALG) hydrogel beads in a fixed bed column for adsorption processes. The experiments and mathematical modelling demonstrate the effectiveness and regenerability of the adsorbents, with similar maximum adsorption capacities observed in both batch and continuous modes of operation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pillalamarri Srikrishnarka, Dhivyaraja Kumaran, Amoghavarsha Ramachandra Kini, Vishal Kumar, Ankit Nagar, Md Rabiul Islam, Ramamurthy Nagarajan, Thalappil Pradeep
Summary: Fouling on glass surfaces reduces solar panel efficiency and increases water consumption for cleaning. Super hydrophobic coatings on glass allow water droplets to carry away dirt particles, enabling self-cleaning. Observing the interaction between charged particles and surfaces provides insights into effective cleaning methods.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Biswajit Mondal, Arijit Jana, Jayoti Roy, Astrid Campos Mata, Akhil S. Nair, Ananthu Mahendranath, Soumyabrata Roy, Biswarup Pathak, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Thalappil Pradeep
Summary: Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a class of metal oxyanion clusters with promising catalytic potential. In this study, the structures of ternary molybdenum oxo-sulfide clusters were successfully determined, showing excellent electrocatalytic activity.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Efrata Getachew Mekonnen, Kassie Nigus Shitaw, Bing-Joe Hwang, Yitayal Admassu Workie, Ebrahim M. Abda, Menbere Leul Mekonnen
Summary: In this study, a fungal-produced chitosan-copper nanozyme with efficient laccase activity was developed. The nanozyme exhibited multi-oxidation state copper and low degree of deacetylation chitosan, and showed superior catalytic performance and stability, highlighting its significance in environmental remediation.
