The potential collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) current system would have far-reaching impacts on global climate. Several recent studies suggest that a collapse might occur sooner than previously theorized.
Read MorePrintable electronic inks and their associated print processes tend to rely on environmentally hazardous chemicals, which offsets the benefits of printed electronics in application. Engineers at Duke University developed a water-only printing process for fabricating printed electronics.
Read MoreElectrocaloric materials have potential to replace liquid refrigerant in cooling systems, thus avoiding the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. But currently, electrocaloric devices can only operate within a small temperature span. A recent study reported a new electrocaloric prototype with greatly improved temperature span and cooling power.
Read MoreThe world is facing a fundamental sustainability crisis. Scientists have a role to play in not only developing new materials and technologies to combat the crisis but also in communicating about the situation to the public. Several ACerS members have made significant strides in this regard with the release of a new paper and helping to establish a new international alliance.
Read MoreIncorporating practices commonly regarded as sustainable into an individual or group’s workflow does not always guarantee environmental benefits. Researchers from the Technical University of Darmstadt published a case study that shows the importance of critically evaluating perceived green technologies before adoption.
Read MoreThe eggs of brood parasitic birds have evolved in response to host bird defense strategies. An international group of researchers used imaging techniques and conceptual frameworks from the field of grain boundary engineering to understand how structural features affect eggshell strength.
Read MoreCleaning water affected by acid mine drainage is an expensive process, which makes it difficult for rural communities to remediate local waterways. Rural Action, an Appalachian-based nonprofit, has a project called True Pigments that aims to fund the water treatment process by selling pigments made from iron oxide extracted from the mine drainage.
Read MoreRadiative coatings can passively cool buildings without the use of mechanical refrigeration equipment. Two recent papers describe the development of ceramic and glass radiative coatings that demonstrate resistance to environmental stimuli and potential for mass production.
Read MoreMicrobially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a biomimetic process that can be used to grow bioceramic products, such as columns and bricks, in an environmentally friendly manner. Researchers at the University of Cape Town fine-tuned the MICP process to create ceramic tiles that demonstrate mechanical properties on par with conventionally fired ceramics.
Read MoreCollecting waste glass is only the first step in creating a circular glass recycling system—there must also be end-use markets for the collected glass. A recent open-access study showed that waste glass could be used as packaging material for high-power automotive lighting applications, such as headlamps and side turn lamps.
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