Technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality

Upcycling biowaste into advanced carbon materials via low-temperature plasma hybrid system: applications, mechanisms, strategies and future prospects

This review focuses on the recent advances in the sustainable conversion of biowaste to valuable carbonaceous materials. This study summarizes the significant progress in biowaste-derived carbon materials (BCMs) via a plasma hybrid system. This includes systematic studies like AI-based multi-coupling systems, promising synthesis strategies from an economic point of view, and their potential applications towards energy, environment, and biomedicine. Plasma modified BCM has a new transition lattice phase and exhibits high resilience, while fabrication and formation mechanisms of BCMs are reviewed in plasma hybrid system. A unique 2D structure can be designed and formulated from the biowaste with fascinating physicochemical properties like high surface area, unique defect sites, and excellent conductivity. The structure of BCMs offers various activated sites for element doping and it shows satisfactory adsorption capability, and dynamic performance in the field of electrochemistry. In recent years, many studies have been reported on the biowaste conversion into valuable materials for various applications. Synthesis methods are an indispensable factor that directly affects the structure and properties of BCMs. Therefore, it is imperative to review the facile synthesis methods and the mechanisms behind the formation of BCMs derived from the low-temperature plasma hybrid system, which is the necessity to obtain BCMs having desirable structure and properties by choosing a suitable synthesis process. Advanced carbon-neutral materials could be widely synthesized as catalysts for application in environmental remediation, energy conversion and storage, and biotechnology.

Ammonia energy fraction effect on the combustion and reduced NOX emission of ammonia/diesel dual fuel

With stringent regulations of internal combustion engine on reducing CO2 emission, ammonia has been used as an alternative fuel. Investigating how engine-related performance is affected by partial ammonia replacement of diesel fuel is essential for understanding the combustion. Therefore, in this study, a three-dimensional numerical simulation model is developed for the burning of two fuels of diesel and ammonia based on relevant parameters (i.e., compression ratio, load, ammonia energy fraction, etc.) in a lab-made diesel engine. The consequences of load and compression proportion on combustion and pollutant emissions are investigated for ammonia energy fractions between 50% and 90%. When the ammonia portion rises, the increased ammonia equivalent ratio causes ammonia to move away from the dilute combustion boundary and accelerates the combustion rate of ammonia. An increase in compression ratio significantly increases the specified thermal performance and combustion efficacy. When the compression ratio is 16, as the ammonia energy fractions increases, due to the increase in the proportion of ammonia, that is, the proportion of nitrogen atoms increases, more NOx is generated during the combustion process. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90%, as the compression ratio increases, the cylinder pressure and temperature increase. The combustion efficiency of ammonia increases, generating more NOx and NOx emissions can reach 0.66 mg/m3. At a compression ratio of 18, the NOx emissions can reach 1.59 mg/m3. However, under medium and low load conditions, as the ammonia fraction increases, the total energy of fuel decreases, and the combustion efficiency of ammonia decreases, resulting in a decrease in the heat released during combustion and a decrease in NOx emissions. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90% and the load is 25%, NOx emissions reach 0.1 mg/m3. This research provides theoretical suggestions for the profitable and use ammonia fuel in internal combustion engines in a clean manner.

NH3 line broadening coefficients and intensities measurement and impurities determination in emerging applications: CCUS, Biomethane and H2

A mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (Mid-IR QCL) coupled with a Single Pass Cell and a Multi Pass Cell, was utilized to measure ammonia (NH3) absorption spectroscopic parameters and determine NH3 impurities toward three emerging applications. We for the first time measured the pressure broadening coefficients perturbed by Air, O2, N2, He, CO2, CH4, and H2 and the line intensities of six NH3 transition lines near 1084.6 cm-1. The measured NH3-He, NH3-Air, and NH3-CO2 broadening coefficients align with HITRAN database, while NH3-H2 coefficients exhibit a maximum discrepancy of 46 %. Deviations between the measured line intensities and HITRAN database are minimal. Nevertheless, the uncertainties of line intensities have been significantly reduced from 20 % in HITRAN to below 3 %. The newly measured line parameters are utilized to address NH3 impurity requirements outlined in CCUS (ISO 27913:2016), Biomethane (EN 16723:2016), and H2 (ISO 14687:2019) standards. Based on the concept of optical gas standard (OGS), the NH3 impurity detection requirements in all three standards have been fulfilled with an uncertainty of 1.35 %. The precision of the NH3-OGS is 800 part per trillion (ppt) with an integration time of 100 s. The repeatability of the NH3-OGS is 130 ppt for a continuous measurement time of 48 min. Notably, the NH3-OGS effectively addresses the highly nonlinear adsorption-desorption dynamics, underscoring the potential of OGS as a calibration-free and SI-traceable metrological gas analysis instrument.

Unveiling Temperature-Induced Structural Phase Transformations and CO2 Binding Sites in CALF-20

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration linked to climate change has created a need for new sorbents capable of separating CO2 from exhaust gases. Recently, an easily produced metal-organic framework, CALF-20, was shown to withstand over 450,000 adsorption/desorption cycles in steam and wet acid gases. Further development and industrial application of such materials require an understanding of the observed processes. Herein, we demonstrate that conditioning as-synthesized CALF-20 single crystal transforms it into a different phase, γ-CALF-20. The transformation resulted in significant structural changes, including the binding of water molecules to Zn(II), accompanied by a reduction of 9% in the unit cell volume. Our experimental findings were supported by the energy-volume dependence of CALF-20 in the presence and absence of water molecules calculated from density functional theory. We have also monitored the sorption process of the dominant greenhouse gas, CO2, on the initial phase of CALF-20 at atomic resolution using in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction under specific pressure. The new understanding of CALF-20 chemistry from these studies should facilitate development of novel sorbents for gas adsorption technologies.

Comparative life cycle assessment of PBAT from fossil-based and second-generation generation bio-based feedstocks

With the increasing demand for plastics, plastic pollution is growing rapidly. A significant amount of plastic has leaked into the environment, leading to severe environmental issues. Biodegradable plastics are considered promising alternatives to conventional durable plastics, and the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastics have received increasing attention. Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a commercial and cost-competitive biodegradable polymer and has been applied in the packaging and agriculture sectors. The environmental performances of PBAT with second-generation feedstocks from forestry waste have been rarely investigated. Since China is the leading global producer and exporter of PBAT polymer, Chinese cradle-to-gate life cycle inventories of PBAT were compiled in this study. A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to explore the potential for environmental performance of PBAT with second-generation bio-based feedstock compared to fossil-based PBAT and conventional plastics. The results showed that feedstocks contributed to more than 70 % of 18 environmental impact categories of fossil-based PBAT. In comparison, PBAT with second-generation bio-based feedstock reduces the environmental loads in 16 impact categories by 15-85 %, and renewable energy substitution has the potential to reduce environmental impacts by 10 %. Bio-based PBAT performs better than PVC, PP, HDPE, LDPE, and PET in 16 impact categories by 15-80 %. Bio-based PBAT has GWP of 3.72 kg CO2 eq, which is 37 % lower than fossil-based PBAT (5.89 kg CO2 eq) and 18-32 % lower than conventional plastics. Since feedstock dominates the environmental performance of PBAT, the development of biomanufacturing technologies for bio-based polymers and chemicals could significantly improve environmental performance of biodegradable plastics and promote the sustainable development of the plastic industry. Results could serve as the basis for environmental impact and mitigation strategies for biodegradable plastics with bio-based feedstocks, as well as the sustainable development of the PBAT industry.

"Photo-Thermo-Electric" Dental Implant for Anti-Infection and Enhanced Osteoimmunomodulation

The dental implant market has experienced explosive growth, owing to the widespread acceptance of implants as the core of oral rehabilitation. Clinically, achieving simultaneous anti-infective effects and rapid osseointegration is a crucial but challenging task for implants. The demand for implants with long-term broad-spectrum antibacterial and immune-osteogenic properties is growing. Existing methods are limited by a lack of safety, efficiency, short-lasting anti-infective ability, and inadequate consideration of the immunomodulatory effects on osteogenesis. Herein, a ZnO/black TiO2-x heterojunction surface structure was designed as a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanofilm immobilized on a titanium (Ti) implant surface. This nanofilm introduces abundant oxygen vacancies and heterojunctions, which enhance the photothermal and photoelectric abilities of Ti implants under NIR illumination by narrowing the band gap and improving interfacial charge transfer. The "photo-thermo-electric" implant exhibits excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy against three dental pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Staphylococcus aureus, >99.4%) by destroying the bacterial membrane and increasing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the implant can effectively eliminate mature multispecies biofilms and kill bacteria inside the biofilms under NIR irradiation. Meanwhile, this implant can also induce the pro-regenerative transformation of macrophages and promote osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, in vivo results confirmed the superior antibacterial and osteoimmunomodulatory properties of this dental implant. RNA sequencing revealed that the underlying osteogenic mechanisms involve activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and bone development. Overall, this versatile "photo-thermo-electric" platform endows implants with anti-infection and bone integration performance simultaneously, which holds great potential for dental implants.

Tobacco as a promising crop for low-carbon biorefinery

Energy crops play a vital role in meeting future energy and chemical demands while addressing climate change. However, the idealization of low-carbon workflows and careful consideration of cost-benefit equations are crucial for their more sustainable implementation. Here, we propose tobacco as a promising energy crop because of its exceptional water solubility, mainly attributed to a high proportion of water-soluble carbohydrates and nitrogen, less lignocellulose, and the presence of acids. We then designed a strategy that maximizes biomass conversion into bio-based products while minimizing energy and material inputs. By autoclaving tobacco leaves in water, we obtained a nutrient-rich medium capable of supporting the growth of microorganisms and the production of bioproducts without the need for extensive pretreatment, hydrolysis, or additional supplements. Additionally, cultivating tobacco on barren lands can generate sufficient biomass to produce approximately 573 billion gallons of ethanol per year. This approach also leads to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 76% compared to traditional corn stover during biorefinery processes. Therefore, our study presents a novel and direct strategy that could significantly contribute to the goal of reducing carbon emissions and global sustainable development compared to traditional methods.

Artificial intelligence for geoscience: Progress, challenges, and perspectives

This paper explores the evolution of geoscientific inquiry, tracing the progression from traditional physics-based models to modern data-driven approaches facilitated by significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and data collection techniques. Traditional models, which are grounded in physical and numerical frameworks, provide robust explanations by explicitly reconstructing underlying physical processes. However, their limitations in comprehensively capturing Earth's complexities and uncertainties pose challenges in optimization and real-world applicability. In contrast, contemporary data-driven models, particularly those utilizing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), leverage extensive geoscience data to glean insights without requiring exhaustive theoretical knowledge. ML techniques have shown promise in addressing Earth science-related questions. Nevertheless, challenges such as data scarcity, computational demands, data privacy concerns, and the "black-box" nature of AI models hinder their seamless integration into geoscience. The integration of physics-based and data-driven methodologies into hybrid models presents an alternative paradigm. These models, which incorporate domain knowledge to guide AI methodologies, demonstrate enhanced efficiency and performance with reduced training data requirements. This review provides a comprehensive overview of geoscientific research paradigms, emphasizing untapped opportunities at the intersection of advanced AI techniques and geoscience. It examines major methodologies, showcases advances in large-scale models, and discusses the challenges and prospects that will shape the future landscape of AI in geoscience. The paper outlines a dynamic field ripe with possibilities, poised to unlock new understandings of Earth's complexities and further advance geoscience exploration.

Stable Platform for Mevalonate Bioproduction from CO2

Stable production of value-added products using a microbial chassis is pivotal for determining the industrial suitability of the engineered biocatalyst. Microbial cells often lose the multicopy expression plasmids during long-term cultivations. Owing to the advantages related to titers, yields, and productivities when using a multicopy expression system compared with genomic integrations, plasmid stability is essential for industrially relevant biobased processes. Cupriavidus necator H16, a facultative chemolithoautotrophic bacterium, has been successfully engineered to convert inorganic carbon obtained from CO2 fixation into value-added products. The application of this unique capability in the biotech industry has been hindered by C. necator H16 inability to stably maintain multicopy plasmids. In this study, we designed and tested plasmid addiction systems based on the complementation of essential genes. Among these, implementation of a plasmid addiction tool based on the complementation of mutants lacking RubisCO, which is essential for CO2 fixation, successfully stabilized a multicopy plasmid. Expressing the mevalonate pathway operon (MvaES) using this addiction system resulted in the production of ∼10 g/L mevalonate with carbon yields of ∼25%. The mevalonate titers and yields obtained here using CO2 are the highest achieved to date for the production of C6 compounds from C1 feedstocks.

Sulfur release behavior and sulfur fixation mechanism during biomass microwave co-pyrolysis of Ascophyllum and rice straw

Co-pyrolysis with low-sulfur biomass is expected to improve the yield and quality of bio-fuels, without the usage of calcium-based desulfurizer. Sulfur transformation during microwave fluidized-bed co-pyrolysis between terrestrial and marine biomass (Ascophyllum, AS; Rice straw, RS) was investigated. Sulfur release was promoted during biomass co-pyrolysis, but it was inhibited during pyrolysis between AS and low-sulfur char. Thermal cracking of biomass was promoted during co-pyrolysis between biomass, accelerating the combination of H atoms and -SH radicals. Introduction of low-sulfur bio-char (CA) inhibited the generation of bio-char and the release of sulfur. Released sulfur was captured by -OH/C = C functional groups on bio-char through dehydration reactions/addition reactions, forming mercaptan in bio-char. Furthermore, introduction of microwave and bio-char promoted the cyclization and aromatization reaction, converting mercaptan to thiophene and improving the thermal stability of solid sulfur, and thus increasing in-situ sulfur fixation rate.

Does the digital economy really help reduce industrial carbon intensity? Empirical evidence from intermediate inputs of digital products in China

The booming digital economy is promoting industrial upgrading and transformation, providing an opportunity for the industrial low-carbon development. Based on input-output analysis and panel data regression, the impact of the input of intermediate digital products on Chinese industrial carbon intensity from 1997 to 2017 has been evaluated. The results reveal that the input of China's intermediate digital products can significantly reduce industrial carbon intensity, and significantly reduce the carbon intensity of non-energy-intensive industries. It has also been discovered that the input of intermediate digital product manufacturing can significantly reduce the carbon intensity of different types of industries, while the input of the intermediate digital products services industry has no significant effect on the reduction of industrial carbon intensity. Channel analysis shows that the input of the intermediate digital products can reduce industrial carbon intensity by improving productive efficiency and promoting innovative technology. In the current climate, it is especially necessary to increase the input of the intermediate digital product manufacturing industry in industrial development.

Nitrogen inputs promote wetland carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions in China: a meta-analysis

Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient in wetland ecosystems. Changing in nitrogen nutrient status has a great effect on wetland carbon and nitrogen cycling. However, there is much uncertainty as to wetland greenhouse gas emissions response to nitrogen inputs in China. In this study, we synthesized 177 paired observations from 27 studies of greenhouse gases emissions related to nitrogen additions across wetland in China. The results showed nitrogen inputs significantly contributed to wetland carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions but had no significant effect on methane (CH4). We further analyze the relationship between greenhouse gases emissions and soil properties, climate factors under nitrogen inputs. Regression analyses introducing explanatory variables showed that high nitrogen inputs (12 g N m-2 yr-1-24 g N m-2 yr-1) contributed more significantly to wetland CO2 and N2O emissions. Compared to other wetland types, alpine peatlands have a greater impact on CO2 and N2O emissions following nitrogen input. In addition, high altitude (> 1500 m and ≤ 3500 m) could promote wetland CO2 and N2O emissions more significantly after nitrogen input, but ultra-high altitude (> 3500 m) reduced CO2 emissions. CO2 and N2O emissions were more significantly promoted when mean annual temperature (MAT) was positive, and CO2 emissions increased with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP). Wetland CO2 emissions can be significantly promoted when soil is acidic, while N2O emissions can be significantly promoted when soil is alkaline. N2O emissions increased with increasing of soil total nitrogen (TN) and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. These findings highlight the characteristics of wetland greenhouse gas emissions following nitrogen input, and improve our ability to predict greenhouse gas emissions and help meet carbon neutrality targets.

Does the implementation of economic policies connected to climate change depend on monetary policy mandates and financial stability governance structures?

The objective of the proposed research study is to examine how the economic policy mandates and governance frameworks of central banks affect the implementation of climate-related economic measures. Empirical evidence supports a positive correlation between the adoption of climate-related economic policies and a broader mandate for monetary policy. The existing body of research contradicts the idea that an enhanced framework for governing economic stability will result in higher implementation of financial measures related to climate change. The study, which focuses on China from 2015 to 2023, concludes that enhanced economic stability governance, founded on less integrated arrangements, leads to more successful implementation of climate-related financial measures. For other criteria such as central bank independence, the existence of a democratic government, and membership in the Sustainable Banking Network, a positive and statistically significant influence is seen across all specifications. Physical risks associated with climate change, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms, as well as transition risks represented by variables like per-person CO2 emissions, policies aimed at mitigating climate change, and the financial capacity to carry out climate adaptation plans, must also manifest. Even after accounting for a new dependent variable and several alternative model parameters, the findings hold up well. We employ a fixed-effects panel regression approach to control for unobserved heterogeneity and isolate the impact of time-varying variables on renewable energy production. This methodology ensures robust and consistent estimates, providing clear insights into how monetary policy adjustments influence renewable energy investments.

Exploring Uncharted Territory: Spectroscopic Evidence on a Novel Tetrel Bond with -C≡C- Triple Bond

This study presents an investigation of the 2-butynyl alcohol···CO2 adduct, combining pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy with quantum chemical calculations. Two distinct isomers have been observed in the pulsed jet with a relative population ratio of 3/2. It marks the first instance of microwave spectroscopic evidence, to the best of our knowledge, suggesting the existence of a CCO2···π-C≡C- tetrel bond (π-C≡C-···π*CO2 interaction) in both observed isomers. This study highlights the importance of noncovalent interactions involving CO2 in reactant complexes, paving the way for more efficient applications of CO2 by understanding the physical basis of these noncovalent bonds.

Fibres-threads of intelligence-enable a new generation of wearable systems

Fabrics represent a unique platform for seamlessly integrating electronics into everyday experiences. The advancements in functionalizing fabrics at both the single fibre level and within constructed fabrics have fundamentally altered their utility. The revolution in materials, structures, and functionality at the fibre level enables intimate and imperceptible integration, rapidly transforming fibres and fabrics into next-generation wearable devices and systems. In this review, we explore recent scientific and technological breakthroughs in smart fibre-enabled fabrics. We examine common challenges and bottlenecks in fibre materials, physics, chemistry, fabrication strategies, and applications that shape the future of wearable electronics. We propose a closed-loop smart fibre-enabled fabric ecosystem encompassing proactive sensing, interactive communication, data storage and processing, real-time feedback, and energy storage and harvesting, intended to tackle significant challenges in wearable technology. Finally, we envision computing fabrics as sophisticated wearable platforms with system-level attributes for data management, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and closed-loop intelligent networks.

N-Heteroatom Engineered Nonporous Amorphous Self-Assembled Coordination Cages for Capture and Storage of Iodine

Radioactive iodine isotopes from nuclear-related activities, present substantial risks to human health and the environment. Developing effective materials for the capture and storage of these hazardous molecules is paramount. Traditionally, nonporous solids were historically considered ineffective for adsorbing target species. In this study, we investigate the potential of four nonporous, amorphous, self-assembled coordination cages (C1, C2, C3, and C4) featuring varying numbers of nitrogen atoms within the core (pyridyl/triazine unit) and specific cavity sizes for iodine adsorption. These coordination cages demonstrate remarkable adsorption abilities for iodine in both vapor and solution phases, facilitated by enhanced electron-pair interactions. The cages exhibit high uptake capacities of up to 3.16 g g-1 at 75 °C, the highest among metal-organic cages and up to 434.29 mg g-1 in solution, highlighting the efficiency of these materials across different phases. Even at ambient temperature, they show significant iodine capture efficiency, with a maximum value of 1.5 g g-1. Furthermore, these robust materials can be recycled, enduring at least five reusable cycles without apparent fatigue. Overall, our findings present a "N-heteroatom engineering" approach for the development of recyclable amorphous containers for the capture and storage of iodine, contributing to the mitigation of nuclear-related risks.

Identifying resource-conscious and low-carbon agricultural development pathways through land use modelling

Increasing agricultural production with current resources and technology may lead to increased GHG emissions. Additionally, large population countries like India face substantial challenges in terms of food demand, agro-ecological heterogeneity, carbon footprint and depleting natural resources, thus increasing the decision complexities for policymakers and planners. We aim to examine the potential of producing more food from available agricultural land with low-carbon (reduced GHG emissions) and resource-conscious (optimal resource use) options. The current study develops multiple calorie production and emission-centric land use using a land use optimization model wherein the calorie production and emission objective, resource and emissions constraints, and food production targets interact across multiple spatial levels. The capabilities of the developed model are demonstrated with a case study in India targeting ten crops (grown over two seasons) covering three food groups (cereals, legumes, and oilseeds). Three hypothetical scenarios for each objective of maximizing calories production (Calories-nation, Calories-group, Calories-crop) and minimizing GHG emissions (Emissions-nation, Emissions-group, Emissions-crop) are developed concerning targets of national crop production (Calories-nation, Emissions-nation), state food groups production (Calories-group, Emissions-group), and state crop production(Calories-crop, Emissions-crop), with different spatial levels of constraints. A maximum growth of 11% in calorie production is observed in Calories-nation while mitigating 2.5% emissions. Besides, the highest emission reduction of around 30% is observed in Emissions-group but with no change in calorie production. Emission scenarios can spare up to 14.8% land and 18.2% water, while calorie production-maximization scenarios can spare a maximum of 4.7% land and 6.5% water. The optimization-based methodology identifies the regions of altered land use by proposing appropriate crop substitution strategies, such as increasing oilseeds in Rajasthan and soybean in east Maharashtra. Many states show conservative production growth and emission reduction with state-level crop production targets (Calories-crop), suggesting crop redistribution within the state alone will not be sufficient unless improved technologies are introduced. The maximum growth and mitigation potential estimated in this study may be affected by climate shocks; therefore, introducing the improved technologies needs to be coupled with a crop redistribution mechanism to design climate-resilient and futuristic land use systems. The proposed land use model can be modified to incorporate climate change effects through consideration of scenarios of changed crop yields or through direct/indirect coupling with dynamic crop simulation models.

A Universal Biomacromolecule-Enabled Assembly Strategy for Constructing Multifunctional Aerogels with 90% Inorganic Mass Loading from Inert Nano-Building Blocks

Inert inorganic nano-building blocks, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and boron nitride (BN) nanosheets, possess excellent physicochemical properties. However, it remains challenging to build aerogels with these inert nanomaterials unless they are chemically modified or compounded with petrochemical polymers, which affects their intrinsic properties and is usually not environmentally friendly. Here, a universal biomacromolecule-enabled assembly strategy is proposed to construct aerogels with 90 wt% ultrahigh inorganic loading. The super-high inorganic content is beneficial for exploiting the inherent properties of inert nanomaterials in multifunctional applications. Taking chitosan-CNTs aerogel as a proof-of-concept demonstration, it delivers sensitive pressure response as a pressure sensor, an ultrahigh sunlight absorption (94.5%) raising temperature under light (from 25 to 71 °C within 1 min) for clean-up of crude oil spills, and superior electromagnetic interference shielding performance of up to 68.9 dB. This strategy paves the way for the multifunctional application of inert nanomaterials by constructing aerogels with ultrahigh inorganic loading.

Health-Oriented Emission Control Strategy of Energy Utilization and Its Co-CO2 Benefits: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China

Reducing air pollutants and CO2 emissions from energy utilization is crucial for achieving the dual objectives of clean air and carbon neutrality in China. Thus, an optimized health-oriented strategy is urgently needed. Herein, by coupling a CO2 and air pollutants emission inventory with response surface models for PM2.5-associated mortality, we shed light on the effectiveness of protecting human health and co-CO2 benefit from reducing fuel-related emissions and generate a health-oriented strategy for the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Results reveal that oil consumption is the primary contributor to fuel-related PM2.5 pollution and premature deaths in the YRD. Significantly, curtailing fuel consumption in transportation is the most effective measure to alleviate the fuel-related PM2.5 health impact, which also has the greatest cobenefits for CO2 emission reduction on a regional scale. Reducing fuel consumption will achieve substantial health improvements especially in eastern YRD, with nonroad vehicle emission reductions being particularly impactful for health protection, while on-road vehicles present the greatest potential for CO2 reductions. Scenario analysis confirms the importance of mitigating oil consumption in the transportation sector in addressing PM2.5 pollution and climate change.

The microbial carbon pump and climate change

The ocean has been a regulator of climate change throughout the history of Earth. One key mechanism is the mediation of the carbon reservoir by refractory dissolved organic carbon (RDOC), which can either be stored in the water column for centuries or released back into the atmosphere as CO2 depending on the conditions. The RDOC is produced through a myriad of microbial metabolic and ecological processes known as the microbial carbon pump (MCP). Here, we review recent research advances in processes related to the MCP, including the distribution patterns and molecular composition of RDOC, links between the complexity of RDOC compounds and microbial diversity, MCP-driven carbon cycles across time and space, and responses of the MCP to a changing climate. We identify knowledge gaps and future research directions in the role of the MCP, particularly as a key component in integrated approaches combining the mechanisms of the biological and abiotic carbon pumps for ocean negative carbon emissions.

Toward the generation of pure coral genomes with experimental and bioinformatic improvements

Stony corals, the primary architects of coral reef ecosystems, are largely underrepresented in omics studies despite their importance. The presence of endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae algae complicates the extraction of pure coral DNA, posing a challenge for genomic research. Here, we devised a comprehensive methodological framework that incorporates various experimental treatments to achieve 99% purity in coral DNA extraction and a robust bioinformatics pipeline to guarantee the assembly of high-quality, contamination-free coral genomes. Validation of our framework using Acropora millepora samples demonstrated its efficacy and superiority in obtaining high-quality pure coral genomes using easily accessible adult colony. This integrated framework serves as a critical foundation for large-scale genome-enabled research on stony corals, providing insight into coral evolution and conservation.

Biomass waste-assisted micro(nano)plastics capture, utilization, and storage for sustainable water remediation

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have become a significant environmental concern due to their widespread presence in the biosphere and potential harm to ecosystems and human health. Here, we propose for the first time a MNPs capture, utilization, and storage (PCUS) concept to achieve MNPs remediation from water while meeting economically productive upcycling and environmentally sustainable plastic waste management. A highly efficient capturing material derived from surface-modified woody biomass waste (M-Basswood) is developed to remove a broad spectrum of multidimensional and compositional MNPs from water. The M-Basswood delivered a high and stable capture efficiency of >99.1% at different pH or salinity levels. This exceptional capture performance is driven by multiscale interactions between M-Basswood and MNPs, involving physical trapping, strong electrostatic attractions, and triggered MNPs cluster-like aggregation sedimentation. Additionally, the in vivo biodistribution of MNPs shows low ingestion and accumulation of MNPs in the mice organs. After MNPs remediation from water, the M-Basswood, together with captured MNPs, is further processed into a high-performance composite board product where MNPs serve as the glue for utilization and storage. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) results demonstrate the environmental friendliness and economic viability of our proposed full-chain PCUS strategy, promising to drive positive change in plastic pollution and foster a circular economy.

Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective

Environmental pollution is escalating due to rapid global development that often prioritizes human needs over planetary health. Despite global efforts to mitigate legacy pollutants, the continuous introduction of new substances remains a major threat to both people and the planet. In response, global initiatives are focusing on risk assessment and regulation of emerging contaminants, as demonstrated by the ongoing efforts to establish the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention. This review identifies the sources and impacts of emerging contaminants on planetary health, emphasizing the importance of adopting a One Health approach. Strategies for monitoring and addressing these pollutants are discussed, underscoring the need for robust and socially equitable environmental policies at both regional and international levels. Urgent actions are needed to transition toward sustainable pollution management practices to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Light-Driven De/Rehydrogenation of a LiH Surface under Ambient Conditions

Lithium hydride (LiH), a saline hydride with a hydrogen density of 12.6 wt %, is highly thermostable, which hinders its extensive application in hydrogen storage. In this study, we demonstrate a distinct photodecomposition of LiH under ambient conditions. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) illumination induces hydrogen release and creates surface hydrogen vacancies on LiH. The subsequent H- migration enables hydrogen desorption and the accumulation of vacancies at the subsurface, resulting in the generation of metallic Li clusters. Rehydrogenation, on the contrary, can be charged under UV-vis illumination in 1 bar H2. Such phenomena show that the thermodynamic and kinetic limits in the re/dehydrogenation of LiH can be broken under illumination, which allows hydrogen storage over the LiH surface at temperatures ∼600 K lower than those of the corresponding thermal process. This work provides new insights into the interaction of semiconducting hydrides and photons and opens an avenue for the development and optimization of materials for hydrogen storage and related photodriven reactions.

Emerging bio-capture strategies for greenhouse gas reduction: Navigating challenges towards carbon neutrality

Greenhouse gas emissions are significantly contributing to climate change, posing one of the serious threats to our planet. Addressing these emissions urgently is imperative to prevent irreversible planetary changes. One effective long-term mitigation strategy is achieving carbon neutrality. Although numerous countries aim for carbon neutrality by 2050, only a few are on track to realize this ambition. Existing technological solutions, including chemical absorption, cryogenic separation, and membrane separation, are available but tend to be costly and time intensive. Bio-capture methods present a promising opportunity in greenhouse gas mitigation research. Recent developments in biotechnology for capturing greenhouse gases have demonstrated both effectiveness and long-term benefits. This review emphasizes the recent advancements in bio-capture techniques, showcasing them as dependable and economical solutions for carbon neutrality. The article briefly outlines various bio-capture methods and underscores their potential for industrial application. Moreover, it investigates into the challenges faced when integrating bio-capture with carbon capture and storage technology. The study concludes by exploring the recent trends and prospective enhancements in ecosystem revitalization and industrial decarbonization through green conversion techniques, reinforcing the path towards carbon neutrality.

Silicon in paddy fields: Benefits for rice production and the potential of rice phytoliths for biogeochemical carbon sequestration

Silicon (Si) biogeochemical cycling is beneficial for crop productivity and carbon (C) sequestration in agricultural ecosystem, thus offering a nonnegligible role in alleviating global warming and food crisis. Compared with other crops, rice plants have a greater quantity of phytolith production, because they are able to take up a lot of Si. However, it remains unclear on Si supply capacity of paddy soils across the world, general rice yield-increasing effect after Si fertilizer addition, and factors affecting phytolith production and potential of phytolith C sequestration in paddy fields. This study used a meta-analysis of >3500 data from 87 studies to investigate Si supply capacity of global paddy soils and elaborate the benefits of Si regarding rice productivity and phytolith C sequestration in paddy fields. Analytical results showed that the Si supply capacity of paddy soils was insufficient in the major rice producing countries/regions. Dealing with this predicament, Si fertilization was an effective strategy to supply plant-available Si to improve rice productivity. Our meta-analysis results further revealed that Si fertilization led to the average increasing rate of 36 % and 39 % in rice yield and biomass, which could reach up to 52 % and 46 % with the increasing doses of Si fertilizer, respectively. Especially, this strategy also improved the potential of phytolith C sequestration through the increased phytolith content and rice biomass, despite that this potential might have a decline in old paddy soils (≥ 7000 year) compared to in young paddy soils (≤ 1000 year) due to the slow migration and dissolution of phytoliths at millennial scale. Our findings thus indicate that a deep investigation on the benefits of Si in agroecosystem will further improve our understanding on regulating crop production and the potential of biogeochemical C sequestration within phytoliths in global cropland.

Spatially Confined Microcells: A Path toward TMD Catalyst Design

With the ability to maximize the exposure of nearly all active sites to reactions, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) has become a fascinating new class of materials for electrocatalysis. Recently, electrochemical microcells have been developed, and their unique spatial-confined capability enables understanding of catalytic behaviors at a single material level, significantly promoting this field. This Review provides an overview of the recent progress in microcell-based TMD electrocatalyst studies. We first introduced the structural characteristics of TMD materials and discussed their site engineering strategies for electrocatalysis. Later, we comprehensively described two distinct types of microcells: the window-confined on-chip electrochemical microcell (OCEM) and the droplet-confined scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Their setups, working principles, and instrumentation were elucidated in detail, respectively. Furthermore, we summarized recent advances of OCEM and SECCM obtained in TMD catalysts, such as active site identification and imaging, site monitoring, modulation of charge injection and transport, and electrostatic field gating. Finally, we discussed the current challenges and provided personal perspectives on electrochemical microcell research.

Algal-bacterial consortium promotes carbon sink formation in saline environment

INTRODUCTION

The level of atmospheric CO2 has continuously been increasing and the resulting greenhouse effects are receiving attention globally. Carbon removal from the atmosphere occurs naturally in various ecosystems. Among them, saline environments contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle. Carbonate deposits in the sediments of salt lakes are omnipresent, and the biological effects, especially driven by halophilic microalgae and bacteria, on carbonate formation remain to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to characterize the carbonates formed in saline environments and demonstrate the mechanisms underlying biological-driven CO2 removal via microalgal-bacterial consortium.

METHODS

The carbonates naturally formed in saline environments were collected and analyzed. Two saline representative organisms, the photosynthetic microalga Dunaliella salina and its mutualistic halophilic bacteria Nesterenkonia sp. were isolated from the inhabiting saline environment and co-cultivated to study their biological effects on carbonates precipitation and isotopic composition. During this process, electrochemical parameters and Ca2+ flux, and expression of genes related to CaCO3 formation were analyzed. Genome sequencing and metagenomic analysis were conducted to provide molecular evidence.

RESULTS

The results showed that natural saline sediments are enriched with CaCO3 and enrichment of genes related to photosynthesis and ureolysis. The co-cultivation stimulated 54.54% increase in CaCO3 precipitation and significantly promoted the absorption of external CO2 by 49.63%. A pH gradient was formed between the bacteria and algae culture, creating 150.22 mV of electronic potential, which might promote Ca2+ movement toward D. salina cells. Based on the results of lab-scale induction and 13C analysis, a theoretical calculation indicates a non-negligible amount of 0.16 and 2.3 Tg C/year carbon sequestration in China and global saline lakes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The combined effects of these two typical representative species have contributed to the carbon sequestration in saline environments, by promoting Ca2+ influx and increase of pH via microalgal and bacterial metabolic processes.

Break down the decentralization-security-privacy trilemma in management of distributed energy systems

Distributed energy systems encompass a diverse range of generation and storage solutions on the user side, where decentralized management schemes to maximize the overall social welfare are preferred considering their dispersed ownership. However, either security or privacy problems occur in recently proposed schemes. Here we report a decentralized framework leveraging the strengths of blockchain and parallelizable mathematical algorithms to overcome these potential drawbacks. The system owners bid cost functions and operating constraints through masked but coupled management subproblems, which are redistributed by the blockchain to be verifiably solved by competent peers. Such processes are iteratively executed as decisions and shadow prices are exchanged among participants, until an equilibrium is reached. The interactive framework ensures decentralized, privacy-preserving, and secure management of multiple energy sources, and reduces the total cost by 3.0 ~ 7.5% in the test system. Our results benefit the energy prosumers and promote a more active and competitive power grid.

Game-theoretic modeling in regulating greenhouse gas emissions

This research introduces an innovative framework for addressing the escalating issue of greenhouse gas emissions through the integration of game theory with differential equations, proposing a novel model to simulate the regulatory dynamics between emission sources and legislative actions. By blending advanced mathematical modeling with environmental science, this paper underscores the critical necessity for pioneering, proactive strategies in environmental management and policy formulation. Central to our approach is the simulation of interactions within a game-theoretic context, aiming to delineate optimal strategies for emission sources and regulatory bodies, factoring in legislative constraints and environmental ramifications. The methodology employs a system of ordinary differential equations, capturing the dynamic, non-stationary nature of atmospheric processes and offering a realistic portrayal of the challenges in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the study introduces a fee-based regulatory mechanism designed to encourage emission reductions, highlighting the economic implications of such strategies. Significantly contributing to environmental management, this research presents a detailed model capable of predicting the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions over a decade, considering the potential impact of technological innovations in emission control. The conclusion emphasizes the promising role of artificial intelligence in refining environmental governance, acknowledging the complexities and limitations inherent in predictive modeling. Aimed at policymakers and environmental scientists, this paper serves as a strategic tool for informed decision-making, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to develop sustainable, effective solutions to combat one of the most critical environmental challenges facing the globe today.

Assessing the impacts of crop production on climate change: An in-depth analysis of long-term determinants and policy implications

This research investigates the long-term determinants of carbon emissions in three diverse regions-Europe and Central Asia (ECA), Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-spanning 1990 to 2020. Utilizing advanced econometric models and analyses, including the Regularized Common Correlated Effects Estimator (rCCE), Common Correlated Effects Estimator (CCE), and Mean-Group (MG) approach, the study explores the intricate relationships between carbon emissions, crop production, emissions per agricultural production, energy consumption, renewable energy consumption, per capita GDP, and population. Region-specific nuances are uncovered, highlighting the varying dynamics: ECA exhibits intricate and non-significant relationships, SSA showcases significant effects of population dynamics and green technology adoption, and the MENA region reveals a nuanced interplay between emissions per agricultural production.The findings underscore the universal efficacy of green technology adoption for mitigation. Strategies for mitigating carbon emissions in the agricultural sector require diversified energy transition approaches, emphasizing efficiency enhancements, green technology adoption, and tailored population management strategies based on regional intricacies. Counterfactual simulations indicate the potential efficacy of strategic measures targeting crop production to reduce carbon emissions, while acknowledging the nuanced relationship between economic growth and emissions. Policymakers are urged to recognize the persistence in emission patterns, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to transition towards more sustainable trajectories. Overall, the research provides essential insights for crafting effective policies at both regional and global scales to address the complexities of climate change mitigation in the agricultural sector.

What influences the performance of carbon emissions in China?-Research on the inter-provincial carbon emissions' conditional configuration impacts

The severe global warming issue currently threatens humans' existence and development. Countries and international organizations have effectively implemented policies to reduce carbon emissions and investigate low-carbon growth strategies. Reducing carbon emissions is a hot topic that academics and government policy-making departments are concerned about.Through necessary condition analysis (NCA) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA), this paper investigates local governments' configuration linkage effect and path choice to improve carbon emission performance from six dimensions: energy consumption, industrial structure, technological innovation, government support, economic development, and demographic factors. The research findings include the following: (1) Individual condition does not represent necessary conditions for the government's carbon performance. Among the two sets of second-order equivalence configurations(S and Q) (five high-level carbon performance configurations), those dominated by economic development or low energy consumption can produce high-level carbon performance. Therefore, the six antecedent conditions dimensions work together to explain how the government can create high levels of carbon performance. (2)According to the regional comparison, China's eastern, central, and western regions exhibit similarities and differences in the driving forces behind high carbon emission performance. All three regions can demonstrate carbon emission performance when all the factors are combined. However, when constrained by the conditions of each region's resource endowment, the eastern region emphasizes the advantage of economic and technological innovation, the central region favors government support and demographic factors, and the western region prefers upgrading industrial structure based on a specific level of economic development.

Exploring Cu-Doped Co3O4 Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Aqueous Zn-Air Batteries

The efficiency of oxygen electrocatalysis is a key factor in diverse energy domain applications, including the performance of metal-air batteries, such as aqueous Zinc (Zn)-air batteries. We demonstrate here that the doping of cobalt oxide with optimal amounts of copper (abbreviated as Cu-doped Co3O4) results in a stable and efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction (ORR) and evolution (OER) reactions in aqueous Zn-air batteries. At high Cu-doping concentrations (≥5%), phase segregation occurs with the simultaneous presence of Co3O4 and copper oxide (CuO). At Cu-doping concentrations ≤5%, the Cu ion resides in the octahedral (Oh) site of Co3O4, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD)/Raman spectroscopy investigations and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. The residence of Cu@Oh sites leads to an increased concentration of surface Co3+-ions (at catalytically active planes) and oxygen vacancies, which is beneficial for the OER. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements reveal favorable d-orbital configuration (high eg occupancy ≈ 1) and a low → high spin-state transition of the Co3+-ions, which are beneficial for the ORR in the alkaline medium. The influence of Cu-doping on the ORR activity of Co3O4 is additionally accounted in DFT calculations via interactions between solvent water molecules and oxygen vacancies. The application of the bifunctional Cu-doped (≤5%) Co3O4 electrocatalyst resulted in an aqueous Zn-air battery with promising power density (=84 mW/cm2), stable cyclability (over 210 cycles), and low charge/discharge overpotential (=0.92 V).

Mixed ensiling plus nitrate destroy fiber structure of rape straw, increase degradation, and reduce methanogenesis through in vitro ruminal fermentation

BACKGROUND

Better utilization of rape straw can provide alternative strategies for sustainable ruminant and food production. The research reported here investigated changes in the carbohydrate composition of rape straw as a result of mixed ensiling with whole-crop corn or inoculated with nitrate, and the consequent effects on ruminal fermentation through in vitro batch culture. The three treatments included: rape straw and corn silage (RSTC), and ensiling treatment of rape straw with whole-crop corn (RSIC) or with calcium nitrate inoculation (RSICN).

RESULTS

Ensiling treatment of rape straw and whole-crop corn or plus nitrate enriched lactic acid bacteria and lactate. The treatments broke the fiber surface connections of rape straw, leading to higher neutral detergent soluble (NDS) content and lower fiber content. Ensiling treatments led to greater (P < 0.05) dry matter degradation (DMD), molar proportions of propionate and butyrate, relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Prevotella, and lower (P < 0.05) methane production in terms of g kg-1 DMD, molar proportions of acetate, and lower acetate to propionate ratio than the RSTC treatment. The RSICN treatment led to the lowest (P < 0.05) hydrogen concentration and methane production among the three treatments.

CONCLUSION

Ensiling treatments of rape straw and whole-crop corn destroy the micro-structure of rape straw, promote substrate degradation by enriching the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Prevotella, and decrease methane production by favoring propionate and butyrate production. Nitrate inoculation in the ensiling treatment of rape straw and whole-crop corn further decreases methane production without influencing substrate degradation by providing an additional hydrogen sink. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Acenaphthylene-Based Chromophores for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Properties, and Theoretical Calculations

A set of acenaphthylene dyes with arylethynyl π-bridges was tested for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Crucial steps for the extension of the conjugated system from the acenaphylene core involved Sonogashira coupling reactions. Phenyl, thiophene, benzotriazole, and thieno-[3,2-b]thiophene moieties were employed to extend the conjugation of the π-bridges. The systems were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and by UV-vis absorption and emission. The spectroscopic characterization showed that the last three bridges resulted in red-shifted absorption and emission spectra relative to the parent phenyl-bridged compound, in accordance with TD-DFT calculations. The phenylethynyl derivative 6a achieved a conversion efficiency of 2.51% with Voc, Jsc, and FF values of 0.365 V, 13.32 mA/cm2, and 0.52, respectively. The efficiency of this compound improved to 3.15% with the addition of CDCA (10 mM), representing the best efficiency result in this study. The overall conversion efficiency of the other aryl derivatives 6b-d proved to be significantly inferior (14-40%) to that of 6a due to a significant decrease of Jsc.

Land Resources for Wind Energy Development Requires Regionalized Characterizations

Estimates of the land area occupied by wind energy differ by orders of magnitude due to data scarcity and inconsistent methodology. We developed a method that combines machine learning-based imagery analysis and geographic information systems and examined the land area of 318 wind farms (15,871 turbines) in the U.S. portion of the Western Interconnection. We found that prior land use and human modification in the project area are critical for land-use efficiency and land transformation of wind projects. Projects developed in areas with little human modification have a land-use efficiency of 63.8 ± 8.9 W/m2 (mean ±95% confidence interval) and a land transformation of 0.24 ± 0.07 m2/MWh, while values for projects in areas with high human modification are 447 ± 49.4 W/m2 and 0.05 ± 0.01 m2/MWh, respectively. We show that land resources for wind can be quantified consistently with our replicable method, a method that obviates >99% of the workload using machine learning. To quantify the peripheral impact of a turbine, buffered geometry can be used as a proxy for measuring land resources and metrics when a large enough impact radius is assumed (e.g., >4 times the rotor diameter). Our analysis provides a necessary first step toward regionalized impact assessment and improved comparisons of energy alternatives.

Operando Mobile Catalysis for Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction

Metal atoms on the support serve as active sites for many heterogeneous catalysts. However, the active metal sites on the support are conventionally described as static, and the intermediates adsorbed on the support far away from the active metal sites cannot be transformed. Herein, we report the first example of operando mobile catalysis to promote catalytic efficiency by enhancing the collision probability between active sites and reactants or reaction intermediates. Specifically, ligand-coordinated Pt single atoms (isolated MeCpPt- species) are bonded on CeO2 and transformed into mobile MeCpPt(H)CO complexes during the reverse water gas shift reaction for operando mobile catalysis. This strategy enables the conversion of inert carbonate intermediates on the CeO2 support. A turnover frequency (TOF) of 6358 mol CO2  molPt -1  ⋅ h-1 and 99 % CO selectivity at 300 °C is obtained for reverse water gas shift reaction, dramatically higher than those of Pt catalysts reported in the literature. Operando mobile catalysis presents a promising strategy for designing high-efficiency heterogeneous catalysts for various chemical reactions and applications.

Biochar affects compressive strength of Portland cement composites: a meta-analysis

One strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from cement production is to reduce the amount of Portland cement produced by replacing it with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Biochar is a potential SCM that is an eco-friendly and stable porous pyrolytic material. However, the effects of biochar addition on the performances of Portland cement composites are not fully understood. This meta-analysis investigated the impact of biochar addition on the 7- and 28-day compressive strength of Portland cement composites based on 606 paired observations. Biochar feedstock type, pyrolysis conditions, pre-treatments and modifications, biochar dosage, and curing type all influenced the compressive strength of Portland cement composites. Biochars obtained from plant-based feedstocks (except rice and hardwood) improved the 28-day compressive strength of Portland cement composites by 3-13%. Biochars produced at pyrolysis temperatures higher than 450 °C, with a heating rate of around 10 C min-1, increased the 28-day compressive strength more effectively. Furthermore, the addition of biochar with small particle sizes increased the compressive strength of Portland cement composites by 2-7% compared to those without biochar addition. Biochar dosage of < 2.5% of the binder weight enhanced both compressive strengths, and common curing methods maintained the effect of biochar addition. However, when mixing the cement, adding fine and coarse aggregates such as sand and gravel affects the concrete and mortar's compressive strength, diminishing the effect of biochar addition and making the biochar effect nonsignificant. We concluded that appropriate biochar addition could maintain or enhance the mechanical performance of Portland cement composites, and future research should explore the mechanisms of biochar effects on the performance of cement composites.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42773-024-00309-2.

Urban heat mitigation by green and blue infrastructure: Drivers, effectiveness, and future needs

The combination of urbanization and global warming leads to urban overheating and compounds the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events due to climate change. Yet, the risk of urban overheating can be mitigated by urban green-blue-grey infrastructure (GBGI), such as parks, wetlands, and engineered greening, which have the potential to effectively reduce summer air temperatures. Despite many reviews, the evidence bases on quantified GBGI cooling benefits remains partial and the practical recommendations for implementation are unclear. This systematic literature review synthesizes the evidence base for heat mitigation and related co-benefits, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes recommendations for their implementation to maximize their benefits. After screening 27,486 papers, 202 were reviewed, based on 51 GBGI types categorized under 10 main divisions. Certain GBGI (green walls, parks, street trees) have been well researched for their urban cooling capabilities. However, several other GBGI have received negligible (zoological garden, golf course, estuary) or minimal (private garden, allotment) attention. The most efficient air cooling was observed in botanical gardens (5.0 ± 3.5°C), wetlands (4.9 ± 3.2°C), green walls (4.1 ± 4.2°C), street trees (3.8 ± 3.1°C), and vegetated balconies (3.8 ± 2.7°C). Under changing climate conditions (2070-2100) with consideration of RCP8.5, there is a shift in climate subtypes, either within the same climate zone (e.g., Dfa to Dfb and Cfb to Cfa) or across other climate zones (e.g., Dfb [continental warm-summer humid] to BSk [dry, cold semi-arid] and Cwa [temperate] to Am [tropical]). These shifts may result in lower efficiency for the current GBGI in the future. Given the importance of multiple services, it is crucial to balance their functionality, cooling performance, and other related co-benefits when planning for the future GBGI. This global GBGI heat mitigation inventory can assist policymakers and urban planners in prioritizing effective interventions to reduce the risk of urban overheating, filling research gaps, and promoting community resilience.

Climate change and dairy farming sustainability; a causal loop paradox and its mitigation scenario

It is arguable at this time whether climate change is a cause or effect of the disruption in dairy farming. Climate change drastically affects the productive performance of livestock, including milk and meat production, and this could be attributed to the deviation of energy resources towards adaptive mechanisms. However, livestock farming also contributes substantially to the existing greenhouse gas pool, which is the causal of the climate change. We gathered relevant information from the recent publication and reviewed it to elaborate on sustainable dairy farming management in a changing climatic scenario, and efforts are needed to gather this material to develop methods that could help to overcome the adversities associated with livestock industries. We summarize the intervention points to reverse these adversities, such as application of genetic technology, nutrition intervention, utilization of chemical inhibitors, immunization, and application of metagenomics, which may help to sustain farm animal production in the changing climate scenario.

Proportional impact prediction model of coating material on nitrate leaching of slow-release Urea Super Granules (USG) using machine learning and RSM technique

An accurate assessment of nitrate leaching is important for efficient fertiliser utilisation and groundwater pollution reduction. However, past studies could not efficiently model nitrate leaching due to utilisation of conventional algorithms. To address the issue, the current research employed advanced machine learning algorithms, viz., Support Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Network, Random Forest, M5 Tree (M5P), Reduced Error Pruning Tree (REPTree) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to predict and optimize nitrate leaching. In this study, Urea Super Granules (USG) with three different coatings were used for the experiment in the soil columns, containing 1 kg soil with fertiliser placed in between. Statistical parameters, namely correlation coefficient, Mean Absolute Error, Willmott index, Root Mean Square Error and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency were used to evaluate the performance of the ML techniques. In addition, a comparison was made in the test set among the machine learning models in which, RSM outperformed the rest of the models irrespective of coating type. Neem oil/ Acacia oil(ml): clay/sulfer (g): age (days) for minimum nitrate leaching was found to be 2.61: 1.67: 2.4 for coating of USG with bentonite clay and neem oil without heating, 2.18: 2: 1 for bentonite clay and neem oil with heating and 1.69: 1.64: 2.18 for coating USG with sulfer and acacia oil. The research would provide guidelines to researchers and policymakers to select the appropriate tool for precise prediction of nitrate leaching, which would optimise the yield and the benefit-cost ratio.

A scientometric analysis and recent advances of emerging chitosan-based biomaterials as potential catalyst for biodiesel production: A review

Chitosan is a widely available polymer with a reasonably high abundance, as well as a sustainable, biodegradable, and biocompatible material with different functional groups that are used in a wide range of operations. Chitosan is frequently employed in widespread applications such as environmental remediation, adsorption, catalysts, and drug formulation. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential applications of chitosan and its chemically modified solids as a catalyst in biodiesel production. The existing manuscripts are integrated based on the nature of materials used as chitosan and its modifications. A short overview of chitosan's structural characteristics, properties, and some ideal methods to be considered in catalysis activities are addressed. This article includes an analysis of a chitosan-based scientometric conducted between 1975 and 2023 using VOS viewer 1.6.19. To identify developments and technological advances in chitosan research, the significant scientometric features of yearly publication results, documents country network, co-authorship network, documents funding sponsor, documents institution network, and documents category in domain analysis were examined. This review covers a variety of organic transformations and their effects, including chitosan reactions against acids, bases, metals, metal oxides, organic compounds, lipases, and Knoevenagel condensation. The catalytic capabilities of chitosan and its modified structures for producing biodiesel through transesterification reactions are explored in depth.

Influence of super-optimal light intensity on the acetic acid uptake and microalgal growth in mixotrophic culture of Chlorella sorokiniana in bubble-column photobioreactors

This study seeks to determine the influence of super-optimal light intensity on acetic acid uptake and its associated impact on the cellular composition of Chlorella sorokiniana in a semi-batch mixotrophic cultivation setup. Unicellular green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana is grown in a 1L bubble-column photobioreactor at light intensities from 6000 to 14,000 lx (≈81 to 189 µmol.photons.m-2.s-1). We find that microalgal acetic acid utilization reduces as illumination increases from an optimal 10,000 lx (≈135 µmol.photons.m-2.s-1) to a super-optimal zone (>10000 lx). This lowers microalgal growth (2.75 g/L) and acetic acid intake, which peak at 6 mL/L (10000 lx) and drop to 2 and 1 mL/L at 12,000 and 14,000 lx, respectively. Concurrently, the maximum lipid yield decreases from 0.66 g/L (10000 lx) to 0.54 g/L (12000 lx) and 0.42 g/L (14000 lx). Hence, super-optimal illumination not only disturbs phototrophy but also affects the heterotrophic component, creating an imbalance between the two.

Tunnel engineering of gas-converting enzymes for inhibitor retardation and substrate acceleration

Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), formate dehydrogenase (FDH), hydrogenase (H2ase), and nitrogenase (N2ase) are crucial enzymatic catalysts that facilitate the conversion of industrially significant gases such as CO, CO2, H2, and N2. The tunnels in the gas-converting enzymes serve as conduits for these low molecular weight gases to access deeply buried catalytic sites. The identification of the substrate tunnels is imperative for comprehending the substrate selectivity mechanism underlying these gas-converting enzymes. This knowledge also holds substantial value for industrial applications, particularly in addressing the challenges associated with separation and utilization of byproduct gases. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the emerging field of tunnel engineering, presenting a range of approaches and analyses. Additionally, we propose methodologies for the systematic design of enzymes, with the ultimate goal of advancing protein engineering strategies.

Potassium-Promoted Limestone for Preferential Direct Hydrogenation of Carbonates in Integrated CO2 Capture and Utilization

Integrated CO2 capture and utilization (ICCU) via the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction offers a particularly promising route for converting diluted CO2 into CO using renewable H2. Current ICCU-RWGS processes typically involve a gas-gas catalytic reaction whose efficiency is inherently limited by the Le Chatelier principle and side reactions. Here, we show a highly efficient ICCU process based on gas-solid carbonate hydrogenation using K promoted CaO (K-CaO) as a dual functional sorbent and catalyst. Importantly, this material allows ∼100% CO2 capture efficiency during carbonation and bypasses the thermodynamic limitations of conventional gas-phase catalytic processes in hydrogenation of ICCU, achieving >95% CO2-to-CO conversion with ∼100% selectivity. We showed that the excellent functionalities of the K-CaO materials arose from the formation of K2Ca(CO3)2 bicarbonates with septal K2CO3 and CaCO3 layers, which preferentially undergo a direct gas-solid phase carbonates hydrogenation leading to the formation of CO, K2CO3 CaO and H2O. This work highlights the immediate potential of K-CaO as a class of dual-functional material for highly efficient ICCU and provides a new rationale for designing functional materials that could benefit the real-life application of ICCU processes.

Robust changes in global subtropical circulation under greenhouse warming

The lower tropospheric subtropical circulation (SC) is characterized by monsoons and subtropical highs, playing an important role in global teleconnections and climate variability. The SC changes in a warmer climate are influenced by complex and region-specific mechanisms, resulting in uneven projections worldwide. Here, we present a method to quantify the overall intensity change in global SC, revealing a robust weakening across CMIP6 models. The weakening is primarily caused by global-mean surface warming, and partly counteracted by the direct CO2 effect. The direct CO2 effect is apparent in the transient response but is eventually dominated by the surface warming effect in a slow response. The distinct response timescales to global-mean warming and direct CO2 radiative forcing can well explain the time-varying SC changes in other CO2 emission scenarios. The declined SC implies a contracted monsoon range and drying at its boundary with arid regions under CO2-induced global warming.

Enhancing photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction with silicon photonic crystals

The effectiveness of silicon (Si) and silicon-based materials in catalyzing photoelectrochemistry (PEC) CO2 reduction is limited by poor visible light absorption. In this study, we prepared two-dimensional (2D) silicon-based photonic crystals (SiPCs) with circular dielectric pillars arranged in a square array to amplify the absorption of light within the wavelength of approximately 450 nm. By investigating five sets of n + p SiPCs with varying dielectric pillar sizes and periodicity while maintaining consistent filling ratios, our findings showed improved photocurrent densities and a notable shift in product selectivity towards CH4 (around 25% Faradaic Efficiency). Additionally, we integrated platinum nanoparticles, which further enhanced the photocurrent without impacting the enhanced light absorption effect of SiPCs. These results not only validate the crucial role of SiPCs in enhancing light absorption and improving PEC performance but also suggest a promising approach towards efficient and selective PEC CO2 reduction.

Increase CO2 recycling of Escherichia coli containing CBB genes by enhancing solubility of multiple expressed proteins from an operon through temperature reduction

IMPORTANCE

In a previous study, we successfully engineered Escherichia coli capable of endogenous CO2 recycling through the heterologous expression of the Calvin-Benson Bassham genes. Establishing an efficient gene expression environment for recombinant strains is crucial, on par with the importance of metabolic engineering design. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to further mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by investigating the effects of culture temperature on the formation of inclusion bodies (IB) and CO2 fixation activity in the engineered bacterial strain. The findings demonstrate that lowering the culture temperature effectively suppresses IB formation, enhances CO2 recycling, and concurrently increases the accumulation of organic acids. This temperature control approach, without adding or modifying compounds, is both convenient and efficient for enhancing CO2 recycling. As such, additional optimization of various environmental parameters holds promise for further enhancing the performance of recombinant strains efficiently.

Sustainability metrics of environmental sustainability in Iranian manufacturing sector: achieving through human resources

The paper investigates the impact of green human resource management (GHRM) on operatives' green actions in Iranian businesses. GHRM is a human resource management approach that prioritizes environmental and social responsibility. The study uses a random sample of 385 managers and employees from Iran's industrialized businesses in all regions. The research uses partial least square structure equations modeling to evaluate the suggested framework. The results show that GHRM practices affect corporate social responsibility, green attitudes inside the workplace, and green activities taken by workers. In addition, a green mentality and a commitment to corporate social responsibility encourage environmental activities in the workplace. The green psychosocial environment and corporate social responsibilities are intermediaries between green human resources development and individual green behaviour in Iranian businesses. The study suggests that incorporating sustainability metrics into the human resource management system is vital for achieving a sustainable future in industrial development. The research has important implications for businesses around the world, particularly those in the manufacturing sector, by encouraging them to adopt more environmentally responsive methods, including reducing resource usage.