Articles tagged with "sustainable-technology"
Direct Air Carbon Capture Is Scaling Up, With Mineralization
The article discusses the evolving landscape of carbon capture technologies, with a particular focus on direct air capture (DAC) and mineralization as promising approaches for long-term carbon sequestration. While federal support for carbon capture in the US is declining—highlighted by the Department of Energy’s recent cancellation of a $3.7 billion decarbonization demonstration program—global efforts continue to advance. The article contrasts various carbon capture methods, noting that biofuels and electrofuels recirculate carbon but depend heavily on supportive public policies. More durable sequestration options include reforestation and reforming captured carbon into solid products, such as incorporating it into cement. Mineralization emerges as a key solution for sustainable, long-term carbon storage by chemically locking carbon dioxide into stable carbonate minerals through reactions with reactive igneous or metamorphic rocks. This method offers advantages over traditional underground sequestration in porous sedimentary rock, where carbon can potentially escape. The US Geological Survey estimates significant underground sequestration capacity, but
energycarbon-capturedirect-air-capturemineralizationdecarbonizationcarbon-sequestrationsustainable-technologyMeta teams with XGS Energy to build a 150 MW geothermal power plant
Meta has partnered with startup XGS Energy to develop a 150 megawatt geothermal power plant in New Mexico, marking the tech giant’s growing interest in geothermal energy as a clean, reliable power source. While specific details about the plant’s location and the terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Meta clarified that the agreement is aimed at advancing geothermal development rather than a direct power purchase contract. This move aligns with a broader trend among tech companies and data center operators who are increasingly exploring geothermal energy due to its ability to provide continuous, emission-free electricity. XGS Energy differentiates itself with a closed-loop geothermal system that circulates water within a sealed well, minimizing water loss, and uses a proprietary mud to enhance heat transfer from surrounding rocks. This technology contrasts with more common open-loop designs that lose some water to the ground over time. The partnership reflects growing momentum in the geothermal sector, with other startups like Fervo Energy securing significant financing to build large-scale plants and companies such as Google investing in geothermal
energygeothermal-energyrenewable-energyMetaXGS-Energypower-plantsustainable-technologyUS scientists build ‘fog guitar’ that strums water from thin air
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an innovative atmospheric water harvesting device called the "fog guitar," which significantly improves upon traditional fog collection methods. Traditional fog nets, used for centuries, suffer from design limitations such as clogging due to small holes and inefficiency from large holes letting droplets pass through. In 2018, the team introduced the "fog harp," which replaced horizontal wires with vertical fibers to increase water collection efficiency by two to seven times. However, the fog harp faced a critical issue: under heavy fog, surface tension caused the vertical fibers to tangle and clump, reducing performance when water was most abundant. To solve this, the researchers created hybrid "fog guitar" designs that reintroduced a limited number of horizontal supports—akin to guitar frets—to prevent fiber tangling while avoiding clogging. By testing seven variations with different numbers of these "frets," they identified an optimal configuration that balances the prevention of tangling and clogging, maximizing water collection efficiency even in dense fog.
energywater-harvestingsustainable-technologyatmospheric-water-collectionfog-harvestinghybrid-designVirginia-Tech-researchWorld’s 5th most efficient supercomputer runs 100% on green energy
Paderborn University’s new supercomputer, Otus, has achieved the rank of fifth most energy-efficient supercomputer globally on the Green 500 list, which benchmarks high-performance computing systems based on energy efficiency rather than raw speed. Otus, developed by Lenovo and pro-com Datensysteme GmbH, features 142,656 processor cores, 108 GPUs, AMD’s latest ‘Turin’ processors, and a five-petabyte IBM Spectrum Scale file system. It operates entirely on renewable energy, uses indirect free cooling for year-round efficiency, and repurposes its exhaust heat to warm buildings, underscoring its sustainability credentials. The supercomputer is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2025. Otus nearly doubles the computing power of its predecessor, Noctua, enabling it to handle a wide range of CPU-intensive tasks such as atomic simulations and quantum computing. Its expandable architecture supports up to 100 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
energysupercomputergreen-energyhigh-performance-computingrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencysustainable-technologySouth Korea turns plastic bottles into hydrogen with solar power
Scientists at South Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Nanoparticle Research, led by Professors Kim Dae-Hyeong and Hyeon Taeghwan, have developed an innovative photocatalytic system that converts plastic waste, specifically PET bottles, into clean hydrogen fuel using sunlight. This system addresses the inefficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production methods by harnessing solar energy to break down plastics into byproducts like ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid while releasing hydrogen. A key advancement is the stabilization of the catalyst within a polymer network at the air-water interface, which prevents common issues such as catalyst loss and reverse reactions, enabling stable operation for over two months even in harsh alkaline conditions. The technology was successfully tested outdoors with a one-square-meter device that produced hydrogen from dissolved plastic bottles under natural sunlight. Its floatable catalyst design allows it to function in various water environments, including seawater and tap water. Importantly, simulations indicate the system can
energyclean-energyhydrogen-productionphotocatalysisplastic-recyclingsolar-powersustainable-technology60-feet long solar-electric catamaran with 800-mile-range sets sail
Revolution Marine Group, a Florida-based company, has unveiled its latest 60-foot solar-electric catamaran, the Oceanwalker S60e, targeting the growing market for eco-friendly yachts. This model features a sleek dual-hull design powered by twin 150 kW (200 hp) electric motors and supported by a 10 kW solar array that powers onboard amenities such as air-conditioning and electric cooking. While the exact electric-only range is undisclosed, the yacht includes two 45 kW diesel generators that extend its total range up to 800 nautical miles, providing flexibility for longer voyages. The yacht also offers customizable interior layouts with three or four cabins, catering to private owners and luxury charters. Construction of the first Oceanwalker S60e is underway at the Fujian Sky Walker shipyard in China, with delivery expected by April 2026. The vessel’s first home will be Club Ki’ama Bahamas, an exclusive solar-powered yacht and residence club on Elizabeth Island. Club Ki’ama’s management praised the yacht as a perfect complement to their sustainable oceanfront community. Revolution Marine’s CEO Edward Sacks emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and quality, hinting at future larger models in the Oceanwalker lineup, signaling ongoing advancements in sustainable marine technology.
energysolar-powerelectric-yachthybrid-propulsionsustainable-technologylithium-batteriesmarine-energy-systemsLithium battery waste gets AI-powered fix from Hong Kong startup
Hong Kong startup Achelous Pure Metals is addressing the growing global e-waste crisis, particularly lithium-ion battery waste, with an AI-powered, portable recycling system designed for urban centers. The company has developed a robot-assisted pilot line capable of sorting, shredding, and filtering materials from non-electric vehicle lithium batteries. Their process includes vacuum and heat treatments to safely extract hazardous substances and uses nanoparticle-based separation to isolate critical metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from the "black mass" residue. Achelous aims to scale and deploy this eco-friendly recycling technology starting in Hong Kong and expanding across Southeast Asia. Despite deploying technology at a client facility in Jiangsu province capable of processing up to 10,000 tonnes of battery waste annually, the startup faces challenges due to oversupply and falling prices of recycled lithium products. Lithium carbonate prices have dropped nearly 90% from late 2022 to mid-2024 amid a surge in China’s recycling capacity and black mass competition. In response, Achelous is pivoting by expanding its Hong Kong operations and helping partners across Southeast Asia establish micro-factories to produce black mass for export to China. The company is also exploring recycling opportunities for lithium batteries from security transceivers and working with local firms in Malaysia and Singapore to meet future recycled content regulations and compliance tracking. This initiative comes amid a mounting global e-waste problem, with 62 million tonnes generated in 2022 and projections reaching 82 million tonnes by 2030. Metals in e-waste are valued at $91 billion, yet only 22% was properly recycled in 2022. Governments worldwide, including the EU, are tightening regulations to increase lithium recovery rates, underscoring the urgent need for innovative recycling solutions like those developed by Achelous Pure Metals.
energylithium-batteriesbattery-recyclingAI-powered-recyclinge-waste-managementmaterials-recoverysustainable-technologyMIT turns seawater, soda cans into 90% cleaner hydrogen fuel
hydrogenclean-energysustainable-technologyaluminum-recyclingcarbon-footprintgreen-hydrogenrenewable-energyNovel self-healing circuit board could solve world's e-waste crisis
materialse-wasterecyclingself-healingcircuit-boardsustainable-technologyliquid-metal100% Solid-State EV Batteries Seal The Deal: No More Gasmobiles - CleanTechnica
energysolid-state-batterieselectric-vehiclessustainable-technologybattery-technologyautomotive-innovationmaterials-scienceMIT’s super carbon sucking tech is 6 times faster, 20% cheaper than rivals
energycarbon-captureclimate-changeMITnanofiltrationCO2-removalsustainable-technologyGrain-sized cooling tech cuts energy use by 70%, doubles efficiency
energymaterialsthermoelectric-coolingrefrigeration-technologynanoengineeringefficiencysustainable-technologyMetal-free solar battery stores power for 2 days with 90% retention
energysolar-batteryorganic-materialsenergy-storagesustainable-technologysolar-harvestingcharge-retentionA New Flow Battery Takes On The Data Center Energy Crisis
energyflow-batteryrenewable-energyenergy-storagedata-centerssustainable-technologyclean-technologyABB deploys PixelPaint at Mercedes-Benz plant in Germany
robotautomationmanufacturingpainting-technologyprecision-engineeringsustainable-technologyMercedes-BenzSYNCRAFT Wins Energy Globe Award For Breakthrough In Activated Carbon Usage
energyactivated-carbonwastewater-treatmentsustainable-technologyenvironmental-innovationbiomass-powerclean-energy4 More NIO Houses, 112 More Power Swap Stations & Charging Stations
energybattery-swapcharging-stationsNIOsustainable-technologyelectric-vehiclesclean-energy