//www.koonmotors.com/news/earth_climate/sustainability/ Sustainable development. Read current events articles on sustainable agriculture and sustainable living. How can sustainability be achieved? en-us Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:53:42 EDT Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:53:42 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/earth_climate/sustainability/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230908170858.htm Researchers have shown that table salt outperforms other expensive catalysts being explored for the chemical recycling of polyolefin polymers, which account for 60% of plastic waste. The research shows that sodium chloride could provide a safe, inexpensive and reusable way to make plastics more recyclable. The team also showed that table salt and other catalysts could be used in the recycling of metallized plastic films -- like those used in potato chip bags -- which are currently not recyclable. Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:08:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230908170858.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230908125958.htm A research team has evaluated the feasibility of ammonia-based power generation through techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses. Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:59:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230908125958.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906143446.htm As the Earth's human population grows, greenhouse gas emissions from the world's food system are on track to expand. A new study demonstrates that state-of-the-art agricultural technology and management can not only reduce that growth, but eliminate it altogether by generating net negative emissions -- reducing more greenhouse gas than food systems add. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:34:46 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906143446.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112443.htm A recent study has unveiled a significant breakthrough in photoelectrode development. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:24:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112443.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125016.htm By adding a naturally-occurring polymer that makes wood more porous, scientists have engineered trees easier to disassemble into simpler building blocks. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:50:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125016.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124918.htm Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) provide our portable devices like tablets and mobiles -- and increasingly also vehicles -- with power. As the share of volatile renewable energy needing electricity storage increases, more and more LIBs are needed, lithium prices rise, resources dwindle, and the amount of depleted batteries that contain toxic substances increases. Researchers introduce a novel approach for the recovery of lithium from used LIBs. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:49:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124918.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124850.htm A 'living material,' made of a natural polymer combined with genetically engineered bacteria, could offer a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to clean pollutants from water. Researchers developed their living material using a seaweed-based polymer and bacteria that have been programmed to produce an enzyme that transforms various organic pollutants into harmless compounds. In tests, heir material decontaminated water solutions tainted with a pollutant from textile manufacturing: indigo carmine, a blue dye that is used to color denim. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:48:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124850.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121712.htm As climate change continues to pose severe challenges to ensuring sustainable food supplies around the world, scientists are looking for ways to improve the resilience and nutritional quality of potatoes. Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop. A team has now created a potato super pangenome to identify genetic traits that can help produce the next super spud. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:12 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121712.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131808.htm A new study found that 12% of Americans, mostly men or people aged 50-65, consume half of all beef on a given day, contributing to adverse health and environmental impacts. Educational programs targeting this group may help reduce consumption and address environmental concerns, as beef production has high greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for awareness and messaging. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:18:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131808.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125841.htm Methylcyclohexane is very promising as a hydrogen carrier that can safely and efficiently transport and store hydrogen. However, the dehydrogenation process using catalysts has issues due to its durability and large energy loss. Recently, researchers have succeeded in using solid oxide fuel cells to generate electricity directly from methylcyclohexane and recover toluene for reuse. This research is expected to not only reduce energy requirements but also explore new chemical synthesis by fuel cells. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:58:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125841.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105521.htm A team of researchers is designing novel systems to capture water vapor in the air and turn it into liquid. They have developed sponges or membranes with a large surface area that continually capture moisture from their surrounding environment. Mon, 28 Aug 2023 10:55:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230828105521.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122044.htm 'Eco-friendly' paper drinking straws contain long-lasting and potentially toxic chemicals, a new study has concluded. Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:20:44 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122044.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111832.htm 碳泥浆,它由一个暂停carbon particles in a solvent, are used to mass-produce battery electrodes. However, there are no adequate methods to evaluate whether the particles are uniformly dispersed in the slurry during the manufacturing process. In a recent study, researchers used an innovative approach, combining viscosity and electrochemical impedance measurements, to accurately assess the dispersibility of slurries, opening doors to enhanced electric vehicles and fuel cell batteries. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:18:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111832.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192945.htm A new review argues ever-present microplastics could promote gene transfer among microbes, potentially resulting in greater antibiotic resistance. The review calls for more research on microplastic-microbe interactions where our food is grown. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:29:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192945.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122615.htm A new study finds that standalone solar photovoltaic irrigation systems have the potential to meet more than a third of the water needs for crops in small-scale farms across sub-Saharan Africa. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122615.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122613.htm Climate impacts such as dry, hot summers reduce the growth and increase the mortality of trees in the Black Forest because they negatively influence the climatic water balance, i.e., the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. That is the central finding of a long-term study of the influence of climate and climate change on trees in the Black Forest. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122613.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122519.htm Researchers have finally solved the long-standing puzzle of why graphene is so much more permeable to protons than expected by theory. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:25:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122519.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111653.htm 家庭水果和蔬菜生产、分配ments and gardens, could be key to a healthy and food-secure population, a new study has found. 星期二,2023年8月22日11:16:53美国东部时间 //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111653.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111630.htm The entire contiguous U.S. has experienced massive urban expansions and the Atlantic Coast shows outstandingly high rates. Urban expansion has substantially squeezed the space of tidal flats and affected surrounding environments. In new urban areas, tidal flats have undergone considerable degeneration with more significant patterns as they get closer to new urban locations. Tidal flats protect against the ocean's destructive powers such as hurricanes. Without some inland spaces to move around, they will likely disappear, which will have dire consequences for beachfront communities. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111630.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230821174253.htm The world needs greener ways to make chemicals. In a new study, researchers demonstrate one potential path toward this goal by adapting hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:42:53 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230821174253.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818153123.htm New research reveals a promising breakthrough in green energy: an electrolyzer device capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane in a manner that is both scalable and economically viable. Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:31:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818153123.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817164011.htm Conventional wisdom among ecologists holds that the more species there are inhabiting an ecosystem, the less vulnerable any one species will be to a threat like a parasite. A new study of tadpoles illustrates how overlapping biological and environmental factors can complicate how we value protecting diverse animal communities. The researchers found that environmental pollutants like road salt influence whether increased biodiversity helps or hinders disease outbreaks in wildlife, which can complicate how we value protecting diverse animal communities. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:40:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817164011.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163607.htm Humans have a positive view of nature. But is this due to an approach we have learned while growing up, or is it something we are born with? The answer is 'Both', according to researchers. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:36:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163607.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114220.htm Could plants be the answer to the looming threat of microplastic pollution? Scientists found that if you add tannins (natural plant compounds that make your mouth pucker if you bite into an unripe fruit) to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that can trap virtually all microplastic particles present in water. While the experiment remains a lab set-up at this stage, the team is convinced that the solution can be scaled up easily and inexpensively. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114220.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114213.htm 芦荟治疗滑雪已经使用了几个世纪n ailments, promote digestive health and heal wounds. But while aloe sap is in high demand, the peels are thrown away as agricultural waste. Now, after identifying several bioactive compounds in extracts from the peels that deter insects from feasting on crops, scientists report that these peels can act as a natural insecticide. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:42:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816114213.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230815131812.htm Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers converts surplus electric energy into transportable hydrogen energy as a clean energy solution. However, slow oxygen evolution reaction rates and high loading levels of expensive metal oxide catalysts limit its practical feasibility. Now, researchers have developed a new tantalum oxide-supported iridium catalyst that significantly boosts the oxygen evolution reaction speed. Additionally, it shows high catalytic activity and long-term stability in prolonged single cell operation. Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:18:12 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230815131812.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122405.htm Imagine using insects as a source of chemicals to make plastics that can biodegrade later -- with the help of that very same type of bug. That concept is closer to reality than you might expect. Researchers will describe their progress to date, including the isolation and purification of the insect-derived chemicals and their conversion into their bioplastics. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:24:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122405.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115532.htm Buckwheat's high-precision chromosomal-level genome sequence has been deciphered, a key step toward unraveling the evolution of the buckwheat genome and the origins of the cultivated crop. By altering specific genes using a method independent of common genome-editing techniques, the researchers successfully developed a self-fertile buckwheat variety as well as a new type of the crop with a sticky, mochi-like texture. This breeding method may contribute to a more diverse range of orphan crops than what is possible with existing genome editing technologies. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:55:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115532.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115524.htm Although many Americans dutifully deposit their plastic trash into the appropriate bins each week, many of those materials, including flexible films, multilayer materials and a lot of colored plastics, are not recyclable using conventional mechanical recycling methods. In the end, only about 9 percent of plastic in the United States is ever reused, often in low-value products. With a new technique, however, chemical engineers are turning low-value waste plastic into high-value products. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:55:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115524.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115445.htm Maize roots secrete certain chemicals that affect the quality of soil. In some fields, this effect increases yields of wheat planted subsequent to maize in the same soil by more than 4%. While the findings from several field experiments show that these effects are highly variable, in the long term they may yet help to make the cultivation of grains more sustainable, without the need for additional fertilizers or pesticides. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:54:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115445.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809004907.htm Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of conservation educational activities in the Cape Verde Island of Maio. Wed, 09 Aug 2023 00:49:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809004907.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230808151242.htm As climate change progresses, rising temperatures may impact nitrogen runoff from land to lakes and streams more than projected increases in total and extreme precipitation for most of the continental United States, according to new research from a team of climate scientists. Tue, 08 Aug 2023 15:12:42 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230808151242.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230804161748.htm Researchers have developed a way to make a promising, sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics more biodegradable. A team has made a bio-based polymer blend that's compostable in both home and industrial settings. Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:17:48 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230804161748.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803125603.htm Engineers have developed a new kind of membrane that separates chemicals within wastewater so effectively that they can be reused, presenting a new opportunity for industries to improve sustainability, while extracting valuable by-products and chemicals from wastewater. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:56:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803125603.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803113007.htm A research team recently developed a stable artificial photocatalytic system that is more efficient than natural photosynthesis. The new system mimics a natural chloroplast to convert carbon dioxide in water into methane, a valuable fuel, very efficiently using light. This is a promising discovery, which could contribute to the goal of carbon neutrality. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:30:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803113007.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803112922.htm A new scientific article shows how the donut model, which examines the overall sustainability of societies, can be applied to transport. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:29:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803112922.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230801105003.htm Nature-based solutions (NBS) can help grand challenges, such as climate change and food security, but, as things stand, communities outside of Europe do not stand to benefit from these innovations. New research has found that more than 60% of NBS are located in Europe, with other regions showing poor use of the technologies. Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:50:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230801105003.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144234.htm Researchers are making progress on the design of a solar battery made from an abundant, non-toxic and easily synthesized material composed of 2D carbon nitride. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:42:34 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144234.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144156.htm Chemists develop mineral plastics with numerous positive properties from sustainable basic building blocks and, together with biologists, demonstrate the material's excellent microbiological degradability. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:41:56 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144156.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144007.htm As sea levels rise and flooding becomes more frequent, many countries are considering a controversial strategy: relocation of communities. A Stanford analysis of planned relocations around the world reveals a blueprint for positive outcomes. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:40:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727144007.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727143937.htm The link between tree diversity and spider populations can help homeowners and other land managers better plan tree plantings to naturally mitigate the effects of climate change. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:39:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230727143937.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725123020.htm If you were ever to see sewage sludge up close, you might be hard-pressed to find any redeemable value; however, researchers now see it another way. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:30:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725123020.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725122949.htm Researchers have created a robot capable of conducting experiments more efficiently and sustainably to develop a range of new semiconductor materials with desirable attributes. The researchers have already demonstrated that the new technology, called RoboMapper, can rapidly identify new perovskite materials with improved stability and solar cell efficiency. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:29:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725122949.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122636.htm New research focuses on optimizing a promising technology called pyrolysis, which can chemically recycle waste plastics into more valuable chemicals. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:26:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122636.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122539.htm Scientists have found that competition between strains of beneficial bacteria in the soil degrades the service that the bacteria provide to their hosts. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:25:39 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122539.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230722205255.htm Chemists have demonstrated that water remediation can be powered in part -- and perhaps even exclusively -- by renewable energy sources. Sat, 22 Jul 2023 20:52:55 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230722205255.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230721113258.htm A team of chemists have developed an entirely new method for generating critically important fluorochemicals that bypasses the hazardous product hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas. The findings could achieve an immense impact in improving the safety and carbon footprint of a growing global industry. Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:32:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230721113258.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125000.htm Scientists recently launched the Climate Solutions Explorer -- a comprehensive resource that visualizes and presents vital data about climate mitigation, climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and risks arising from development and climate change. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:50:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125000.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720124903.htm Flexible spheres of the biomolecule chitosan, made from shrimp waste, can be used for catalysts that generate hydrogen gas from borohydride salts. A research team now shows how the spheres can 'breathe out' hydrogen bubbles without breaking. This is an important step towards practical and safe hydrogen storage and release units. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:49:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720124903.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720124624.htm Engineers have created a device that turns sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency by integrating next-generation halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective and scalable device. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:46:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720124624.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719221513.htm A team researchers has discovered molecular crystals capable of capturing iodine -- one of the most common radioactive fission products -- and other pollutants. The versatile crystals could be used for nuclear waste management and other energy-related applications and move the world closer to a net-zero future. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 22:15:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719221513.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719221430.htm Researchers are exploring new methods for optimizing carbon-based catalysts. The team's findings could lead to better materials for making greener, more sustainable products with renewable carbon. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 22:14:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719221430.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719112628.htm Researchers are developing a layered photocatalyst that can be used to produce hydrogen very efficiently from water. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:26:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719112628.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230718164242.htm A bifacial perovskite solar cell, which allows sunlight to reach both sides of the device, holds the potential to produce higher energy yields at lower overall costs. Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:42:42 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230718164242.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717175940.htm Consumers in the richer, developed nations will have to accept restrictions on their energy use if international climate change targets are to be met, warn researchers. The big challenge is to identify the fairest and most equitable way that governments can curtail energy use, a process known as energy demand reduction. The research team analyzed several scenarios to identify a potential solution. Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:59:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717175940.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714131126.htm Many landscapes in the tropics consist of a mosaic of different types of land use. How people make use of these different ecosystems, with their particular plant communities, was unclear until now. Researchers, many of them from Madagascar, have now investigated this. When considering biodiversity, forests often get the most attention. But this research shows that rural households use a wide range of plant species and services provided by many nearby ecosystem types. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:11:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714131126.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714113430.htm Tucked into the hillsides of Italy, Portugal, and Spain, some of the world's most famous -- and most difficult to maintain -- vineyards are heralded for their unique flavor profiles and centuries of tradition. But as extreme weather and changing socioeconomic conditions make this so-called 'heroic viticulture' even more challenging, scientists worry these grapes and their cultural histories are at risk. Researchers argue that farmers and scientists must work together to protect some of the world's most celebrated wines. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:34:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714113430.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713142013.htm As part of ongoing efforts to develop materials that could enable alternative energy sources, researchers have produced a titanium oxide nanofilament material that can harness sunlight to unlock the ubiquitous molecule's potential as a fuel source. Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:20:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713142013.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713141912.htm Researchers use CRISPR techniques to modify lignin levels in poplar trees. Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:19:12 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230713141912.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712203749.htm Scientists have shown it's possible to grow fungi in thin sheets that could be used for fire-retardant cladding or even a new kind of fungal fashion. Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:37:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712203749.htm