A new nanofiltration process developed at MIT can curb the hazardous waste generated from aluminum production.

In recent years, di-silicate (Yb₂Si₂O₇) has been extensively studied due to its outstanding performance and is regarded as one of the most promising materials for environmental barrier coatings (EBCs). However, the decomposition and volatilization of Yb₂Si₂O₇ during the thermal spraying process present a challenge to the stability of these coatings. Teak, renowned for its exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and durability, provides a new direction for EBC development with its distinctive layered structure. A research team has skillfully utilized the decomposition characteristics of Yb₂Si₂O₇ during spraying, precisely controlling the composition and nanostructure of the Yb₂Si₂O₇ coatings to emulate the layered structure of teak. This has resulted in the development of a novel environmental barrier coating (EBC). This innovative design not only marks a breakthrough in coating technology but also introduces new opportunities for advancements in the field of EBC protection.

To foster a sustainable public health environment, a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has collaborated with experts from international universities, utilising big mobility data and advanced sensor technology to study urban air pollution. Their study has highlighted the significance of daily travel patterns, and race and ethnicity in assessing differences in residents’ exposure to air pollution, offering new insights for authorities worldwide when developing air pollution mitigation measures. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Cities.

A team from HZB and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS) in Dresden has gained new insights into lithium-sulphur pouch cells at the BAMline of BESSY II. Supplemented by analyses in the HZB imaging laboratory and further measurements, a new picture emerges of processes that limit the performance and lifespan of this industrially relevant battery type. The study has been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Energy Materials.

Researchers in Japan have found that the taller the Japanese black pine trees (Pinus thunbergii) along the coast, the deeper their roots penetrate the ground. Deeper roots make trees more resistant to damage from tsunamis and strong winds. Their findings suggest that the resilience of coastal P. thunbergii trees may be improved by inducing deep root growth, specifically in short trees.

In a new paper in Nature Communications, researchers in the Center for Precision Engineering for Health (CPE4H) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn Engineering) describe minimal versatile genetic perturbation technology (mvGPT).

Capable of precisely editing genes, activating gene expression and repressing genes all at the same time, the technology opens new doors to treating genetic diseases and investigating the fundamental mechanisms of how our DNA functions.