Articles tagged with "sustainable-materials"
Kia EV4 Redefines the Electric Sedan Experience with Class-Leading Innovation, Spacious Interior & Premium Technology - CleanTechnica
Kia has unveiled the full specifications of the EV4, its first global dedicated electric compact sedan, designed to drive mass adoption of electric vehicles. The EV4 offers exceptional performance, ultra-rapid charging, and a WLTP-estimated range of up to 630 km. It features a bold, innovative design aligned with Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, combining sharp lines and aerodynamic efficiency with sustainability through the use of recycled materials in exterior and interior components. The vehicle achieves a segment-leading drag coefficient of 0.230 Cd, enhancing both aesthetics and efficiency. The EV4 is available in two body styles: a four-door sedan for Korea and North America, and a five-door model tailored for Europe. It is currently on sale in Korea, with global sales planned for the second half of 2025. Notably, the EV4 introduces a front-mounted manual charging door with an enhanced status indicator for user convenience, along with advanced LED lighting as standard across all trims. Kia positions
electric-vehiclesEV4Kiasustainable-materialsenergy-efficiencyelectric-sedanautomotive-technologyWood Pellet Mills Are Prone to Catching Fire. Why Build Them in California?
The article highlights the inherent fire risks associated with wood pellet mills, which produce highly flammable compressed wood products used for heating and grilling. Since 2010, at least 52 fires have occurred at such facilities across the US, with many of the largest mills experiencing fires or explosions. The biomass company Drax, a major player in the industry, has a history of fire-related incidents at its facilities in the UK and Louisiana. Despite these safety concerns and ongoing lawsuits, Drax is moving forward with plans to build two new pellet mills in California, through its partner Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR), claiming that their operations will help mitigate wildfire risks by utilizing dead or dying trees from nearby forests. The proposed mills in Tuolumne and Lassen counties, both forested and wildfire-prone areas, have sparked opposition from local residents and experts who question the safety and environmental impact of manufacturing wood pellets in these regions. Concerns include inadequate communication with nearby communities, potential overharvesting of biomass by
energybiomass-energywood-pelletsfire-safetyrenewable-energywildfire-mitigationsustainable-materialsNew XPENG G6 & G9 Come To Europe - CleanTechnica
XPENG has launched its new G6 and G9 "ultra smart" electric SUVs in Europe as part of its effort to expand sales on the continent. Both models feature advanced 800V architecture and a 5C "supercharging battery" enabling rapid charging from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes. The premium G9 SUV supports a peak charge rate of 525 kW, while the G6 SUV coupe reaches 451 kW, positioning them as class leaders in charging speed. Orders open mid-July, with customer interest already being accepted in several European countries including the Netherlands, Norway, and France. A key innovation in both models is the use of next-generation 5C lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries across all trims, which enhance safety and sustainability by eliminating cobalt and nickel without sacrificing performance. The vehicles also incorporate a fully upgraded intelligent driving suite featuring a MicroFiber capacitance steering wheel, an advanced driving chip, and single-pixel Lof
energyelectric-vehicleslithium-iron-phosphate-batteriesbattery-technologysuperchargingsustainable-materialssmart-mobilityMIT scientists make hydrogel to pull water from air with zero power
MIT scientists have developed an innovative, origami-inspired hydrogel device that passively harvests clean drinking water from atmospheric moisture without requiring any external power source. The black, window-sized panel, made from a water-absorbent hydrogel enclosed in a glass chamber with a cooling polymer coating, exploits natural temperature fluctuations between night and day to absorb and then release water vapor. Tested in California’s Death Valley, one of the driest places on Earth, the prototype successfully extracted up to 160 milliliters of water daily even at low humidity levels (around 21%), demonstrating its effectiveness in arid environments. The hydrogel’s unique composition, stabilized with glycerol to prevent salt leakage, ensures the collected water remains safe to drink without the need for additional filtration. Its dome-shaped, bubble wrap–like surface design increases absorption efficiency by maximizing surface area. Unlike previous technologies that depend on electricity, batteries, or solar panels, this device operates autonomously, making it particularly suitable for resource-limited
materialshydrogelwater-harvestingclean-water-technologyenergy-free-devicesustainable-materialsMIT-innovationNew method turns carbon emissions into solid cement ingredients
Researchers at the University of Michigan, led by chemist Charles McCrory, have developed a novel method to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and convert it into metal oxalates, stable solid compounds that can serve as precursors for cement production. This approach aims to transform CO₂, typically viewed as a waste product, into valuable building materials, potentially reducing the carbon footprint of construction. The work is part of efforts by the Center for Closing the Carbon Cycle (4C), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, which focuses on converting captured carbon into useful fuels and industrial products. The team’s innovation centers on using trace amounts of lead as a catalyst to convert CO₂ into metal oxalates via electrochemical reactions. By employing specially designed polymers, they reduced the lead catalyst to parts per billion—levels comparable to natural impurities—addressing previous environmental and health concerns associated with higher lead usage. In the process, CO₂ is electrochemically transformed into oxalate ions, which then combine with metal ions released from an electrode to form solid metal oxalates. These solids are stable and do not revert to CO₂ under normal conditions, making them promising for cleaner cement production. While electrolysis of CO₂ is already being scaled up industrially, the researchers note that further work is needed to scale the metal oxalate production step, but they remain optimistic about its feasibility. This breakthrough offers a potential pathway to reduce the environmental impact of traditional Portland cement manufacturing, which is energy-intensive and a major source of global carbon emissions. By turning pollution into building blocks, the research opens new avenues for sustainable construction materials and carbon capture utilization. The study detailing these findings was published in the journal Advanced Energy.
carbon-capturecement-productionsustainable-materialscarbon-dioxide-utilizationenergy-efficient-constructionmetal-oxalatesgreen-building-materialsWorld Environment Day Calls On You To #BeatPlasticPollution - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the urgent call by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for global action to #BeatPlasticPollution, the theme of World Environment Day 2025. It emphasizes the critical importance of addressing the full lifecycle of plastics—from production to disposal—rather than relying solely on recycling. With over 460 million tons of plastic produced annually, plastics and microplastics have become pervasive pollutants, infiltrating terrestrial and marine ecosystems, soils, the atmosphere, and even human bodies, including lungs, blood, and fetuses. This widespread contamination poses serious threats to human health, planetary ecosystems, and economic stability. The article also notes that plastics contribute significantly to carbon emissions and are filling oceans, harming marine life and coastal communities. South Korea, the 2025 World Environment Day host, is identified as the fourth largest producer of plastic polymers globally, underscoring the challenge of plastic pollution even among environmentally engaged nations. The article draws attention to the prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, which constitute about 50% of microplastics in wastewater and 12% of global solid waste, highlighting ongoing research into biodegradation methods. Looking ahead, plastic production is projected to triple by 2060 unless decisive global measures are taken. A key upcoming event is the August 2025 vote in Geneva on a global plastics treaty aimed at banning certain plastics, though progress faces resistance from petrochemical-producing countries. Advocates stress the need to “turn off the plastics tap” and implement systemic changes to reduce plastic pollution worldwide.
materialsplastic-pollutionmicroplasticscircular-economysustainable-materialsenvironmental-impactpolymer-productionScientists accidentally create material that harvests water from air
materialsnanomaterialswater-harvestingcapillary-condensationenvironmental-technologysustainable-materialsenergy-efficient-solutionsWorld-first: Gene-edited spider produces glowing red silk threads
materialsgene-editingspider-silkCRISPR-Cas9biotechnologyadvanced-textilessustainable-materialsSolid-state battery breakthrough promises 100x charging power
solid-state-batteriesenergy-storagesodium-batteriesionic-conductivitysustainable-materialsbattery-technologyenergy-density