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For decades, phosphorus recovery from wastewater has largely relied on organic carbon supplementation, which affects the sustainability of the recovery process. Research has now found a methanotrophic polyphosphate-accumulating organism capable of low-carbon phosphorus recovery.
Electrochemical processes enable the efficient removal of persistent water pollutants, yet real-world applications are hindered by electrolyte addition and low overall energy efficiency. A device design now addresses these challenges, enabling electrolyte-free operation while coupling cathodic and anodic processes to improve treatment and energy efficiencies.
High temperatures disrupt sleep worldwide, with disproportionate impacts on older adults, women and populations in lower-income countries. A study uses climate change simulations to project future global sleep erosion and, in turn, the decline in childhood general cognitive ability and associated socioeconomic costs.
Soft robots inspired by living organisms hold the promise of gentle, adaptable interactions with the natural world, but leave behind persistent waste. Now scientists show a fully compostable robotic system that addresses this limitation by offering durable performance and decomposing safely into the soil at the end of its life.
Growing demand for nuclear fuel is accelerating the need for sustainable uranium resources that ensure long-term supply and mitigate environmental risks. A study now presents an intriguing self-powered methodology that utilizes the motion of falling water droplets to drive uranium recovery from salt lakes.
Reusing materials from spent lithium-ion batteries is a key strategy for developing a sustainable supply chain, but we need to deepen our understanding of the associated environmental impacts. Now, a model-based analysis shows that pretreating end-of-life batteries is critical for enhancing the sustainability of recycling.
The growing demand for therapeutic peptides has intensified concerns about the sustainability of current synthetic processes, which typically rely on excess reagents and, most critically, large volumes of solvents. In the pursuit of more sustainable practices, scientists now report a water-based synthetic protocol.
