Search Results (2,087)

The large-scale production of microbial bioplastics remains limited by high production costs, reliance on refined substrates, and inefficient utilization of agro-industrial residues. Although sugarcane bagasse has been explored as a carbon source for polyhydroxyalkanoate production, studies have predominantly focused on poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), with limited reports on copolymer synthesis from pentose-rich lignocellulosic streams. In this study, a newly isolated Bacillus sp. HLI02 was employed for the biosynthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), using pentosan-rich sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as an inexpensive and sustainable carbon source. Fermentation parameters were systematically optimized at different pH and temperature, and the strain demonstrated efficient conversion of xylose-rich hydrolysate into PHBV without the requirement for external nutrient supplementation. Under optimized conditions (pH 7.0, 37 °C, and C/N ratio of 40), a maximum PHBV yield of 2 g/L, corresponding to 59.5% of cell dry weight, was achieved. Structural and compositional analyses using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed successful PHBV copolymer formation with well-defined structural characteristics. Thermal analysis revealed a decomposition temperature of 166 °C, indicating good thermal stability. The produced PHBV further exhibited favourable biocompatibility and biodegradability, supporting its potential applicability in sustainable packaging and related sectors. This work demonstrates the effective conversion of hemicellulosic sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate into PHBV using a newly isolated Bacillus strain, highlighting an underexplored route for copolymer production from agro-waste–derived C5 sugars. By integrating low-cost feedstock utilization with process optimization and comprehensive polymer characterization, this study contributes to the development of economically viable and sustainable bio-based polymer production strategies. Full article

Power-to-X technologies play a crucial role in accelerating the energy and material transition. A key opportunity lies in integrating these systems with existing bio-based infrastructures such as anaerobic digesters, providing a reliable source of biogenic carbon. Developing effective Power-to-Methanol (PtM) pathways requires a comprehensive understanding of process behavior through detailed simulation, including technical performance, economic feasibility, and environmental consequences. Despite growing interest, substantial variation remains in published levelized methanol costs, and many assessments insufficiently account for the full environmental footprint of production routes. This study evaluates the potential of PtM deployment in the Netherlands by comparing two pathways that utilize biogenic carbon sources: (i) hydrogenation of captured CO₂ using green hydrogen and (ii) dry methane reforming (DMR) of biogas, followed by catalytic syngas conversion to methanol. Results indicate that operational expenses—mainly driven by renewable electricity consumption—far outweigh capital investment. Both routes yield an LCoMeOH of approximately €2630 per tonne, about five times the cost of fossil-based methanol. Life cycle analysis shows that DMR performs more favorably overall, although elevated freshwater ecotoxicity and eutrophication result from digestate application as fertilizer. Continued improvements in renewable energy integration and nutrient recovery technologies are essential for enhancing future economic and environmental performance. Full article

Sustainable nanotechnologies derived from renewable resources are increasingly being positioned at the interface of green chemistry, advanced drug delivery, and translational pharmaceutics. Over the past decade, lignocellulosic nanomaterials, chitin/chitosan platforms, polysaccharide-based nanogels and nano-enabled hydrogels, lignin- and polyphenol-derived nanostructures, and bio-based lipid nanocarriers have been engineered through progressively eco-efficient routes, including solvent-minimized self-assembly, nanoprecipitation, spray drying, hot-melt extrusion, and microfluidic-assisted fabrication. This work provides a structured evidence map of nano-enabled drug delivery and therapeutic platforms derived from renewable biological resources. Specifically, we aim to (i) identify and classify nanoplatform classes and renewable feedstocks; (ii) summarize reported pharmaceutical critical quality attributes (CQAs) and performance and safety endpoints; and (iii) appraise how “renewability” and “green” claims are evidenced (feedstock origin vs. process sustainability) and how frequently translational readiness factors (scalability, quality control, regulatory alignment) are addressed. We critically compare renewable and conventional nanomaterial platforms across key translational dimensions, including carbon footprint, batch consistency, biodegradability, functional tunability, safety/persistence, and scale-up maturity. Finally, we delineate a practical translational pathway—from biomass sourcing and fractionation to nanoformulation, characterization/stability, and GMP scale-up—highlighting cross-cutting enablers such as lifecycle assessment, EHS/toxicology risk assessment, quality-by-design, and regulatory alignment. Collectively, the evidence supports renewable nanomaterials as viable, scalable candidates for next-generation therapeutics, provided that variability control, standardized characterization, and safety-by-design principles are embedded early in development. Full article

Continuous monitoring of pathological motor features is vital for post-stroke rehabilitation but remains challenged by power reliance and low sensitivity of wearable sensors. Here, we develop a high-sensitivity, self-powered breathable nanogenerator (BN-TENG) utilizing fish-scale-derived biological hydroxyapatite/carbon (Bio-HAp/C) fillers within electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers. The Bio-HAp/C enhances electron-trapping capability, while a high-resilience ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) spacer optimizes contact-separation dynamics. The BN-TENG achieves a superior sensitivity of 16.28 V·N⁻¹ and remarkable stability over 10,000 cycles. By implementing a multi-node sensing strategy, the sensor successfully captures complex hemiplegic patterns, including compensatory shoulder hiking, distal muscle spasticity, and postural asymmetry. By resolving subtle micro-vibrations missed by traditional electronics, this work provides a sustainable, autonomous interface for characterizing pathological motor features and assessing rehabilitation progress in hemiplegic patients. Full article

CaCO₃/BiO_2−x/CdS (CCO/BO/CS) ternary composite photocatalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method combined with chemical precipitation, and its performance in the photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) under visible light was systematically investigated. Compared with pure BiO_2−x, CdS, and binary BiO_2−x/CdS composites, the CCO/BO/CS system exhibited significantly enhanced Cr(VI) reduction activity. Specifically, the CCO/BO/CS (0.75:1:2 wt) composite achieved a Cr(VI) reduction efficiency of 94.53% within 30 min of visible light irradiation—approximately 94.6 times and 6.1 times higher than those of BiO_2−x (1.0%) and CdS (15.52%). Photoelectrochemical and trapping experiments revealed that the enhanced performance stems from improved charge separation, accelerated interfacial electron transfer, and the promotional role of CaCO₃—likely through lattice distortion—rather than direct photocatalytic participation. This study highlights the innovation of incorporating low-cost, eco-friendly calcium carbonate into semiconductor-based photocatalysts to induce lattice distortion for enhanced charge separation, as an effective strategy for improving the reduction efficiency of Cr(VI). Full article

This study takes the relevant literature published in the past decade as the research object, screens the literature by setting clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, and systematically reviews the thermal insulation performance, durability, and prospects for engineering applications of bio-based thermal insulation materials by means of qualitative integration and comparative analysis. With the advantages of low energy consumption, renewability, and biodegradability, bio-based thermal insulation materials have emerged as a green alternative to traditional thermal insulation materials. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of such materials, which are classified into two categories: natural biomass (e.g., straw bales and cork boards) and bio-based composites. The core thermal insulation indicators include thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and thermal storage coefficient, and the performance is affected by factors such as component ratio, pore structure, temperature, and humidity. The thermal conductivity of some bio-based materials is comparable to that of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mineral wool. In terms of durability, temperature–humidity cycling, corrosion, biological erosion, and mechanical action are the main causes of performance degradation, and composite modification can effectively improve their stability. Current engineering applications face challenges such as thermal insulation performance being susceptible to humidity, poor construction compatibility, high costs, and a lack of relevant standards. Future research should focus on the development of high-performance composite systems, the investigation of long-term durability mechanisms, the innovation of low-cost green preparation technologies, and the establishment of unified standards, so as to promote the large-scale application of bio-based thermal insulation materials in the construction industry and contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality goals. Full article

This study investigates the multi-scale tribo–thermo–viscoelastic performance of a sustainable bio-based FormuLITE epoxy reinforced with single and hybrid carbon nanofillers (0.1 wt.% total loading) under dry sliding up to 50 N. Pin-on-disk tests at 10, 30, and 50 N showed a consistent reduction in contact pressure and wear volume in the order: neat epoxy > 0.1 CNT > 0.1 GNP > 0.1 ND > 0.1 CNT/GNP > 0.1 CNT/ND > 0.1 GNP/ND. At 50 N and 1500 m sliding distance, neat epoxy exhibited a wear volume of 13.43 mm³ and contact pressure of 13.4 N/cm², while the GNP/ND hybrid reduced wear to 4.86 mm³ and contact pressure to 6.2 N/cm², corresponding to reductions of 64% and 54%, respectively. The accelerating wear coefficient decreased from 2.9 × 10⁻⁶ to 8.5 × 10⁻⁷, confirming slower damage accumulation in hybrid systems. Time-dependent contact pressure analysis revealed reduced asymptotic intensity and suppressed mid-cycle pressure spikes, indicating enhanced tribolayer stability. Effective surface hardness increased from 0.18 GPa (neat epoxy) to 0.30 GPa (GNP/ND), while normalized wear decreased from 1.00 to 0.36. Enhanced damping behavior and improved thermal conductivity in hybrid systems promoted stress redistribution and minimized flash-temperature localization. An interfacial energy-partition framework calibrated to experimental wear data quantitatively linked effective driving pressure, tribofilm stabilization, and surface hardness to material removal. The results demonstrate that wear mitigation in sustainable bio-epoxy systems is governed by coupled mechanical, viscoelastic, and thermal energy redistribution, with GNP/ND hybrids providing the most stable tribological interface under severe sliding. The findings contribute to the development of durable and sustainable bio-epoxy composite systems for engineering applications, supporting broader goals of responsible material utilization and sustainable industrial innovation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9 and SDG 12). Full article

Industrial activities have caused heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu), to seriously threaten groundwater safety through seepage pathways. This study explored the formation of biofilms using microbe-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology to simultaneously reduce seepage in contaminated water and immobilize heavy metals. By optimizing the cementation fluid concentration and the intermittent grouting time, the optimal operating conditions for forming a biofilm were determined to be 1.5 mol/L cementation fluid and an intermittent time of 12 h, under which the stable infiltration rate of the sandy loam soil column can be reduced by more than 80%. We found that this biofilm can effectively inhibit the convective transport of Cd, Cr, Pb, and Cu, with the cumulative convective flux reduction rates reaching 56.25%, 56.25%, 54.54%, and 55.59%, respectively. SEM and XRD analysis indicate that the physical blockage of soil pores by calcium carbonate crystals is the dominant mechanism controlling infiltration flow, while the detection of new mineral phases, such as lead carbonate (PbCO₃), cadmium carbonate (CdCO₃), and basic copper carbonate (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃) provides direct evidence for the chemical co-precipitation immobilization of heavy metals. This study demonstrates that MICP biofilm is a green and sustainable technology for in situ remediation of heavy metal pollution through physical–chemical synergistic effects, offering a promising alternative with a lower environmental footprint compared to conventional methods. Full article

Maritime decarbonization has shifted from a long-term aspiration to an engineering and systems-integrated problem under near-term compliance pressure. International regulatory bodies, governments, and a wide array of private-sector coalitions will tighten greenhouse-gas fuel-emission standards from 2028, translating climate targets into enforceable cost signals and accelerating interest in alternative-fuel and retrofit pathways. This review synthesizes the state of the art (SoA) of maritime decarbonization by mapping where technological bottlenecks concentrate along the well-to-wake (WtW) value chain for the main candidate pathways: biofuels, LNG/bio-LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, e-methanol, and electrification, and by benchmarking them side-by-side using a unified framework designed to compare their realizable well-to-wake GHG-reduction potential under maritime operating constraints. Building on that comparative lens, this work aims to connect pathway readiness to the near-term market and regulatory reality, while the alternative-fuel-capable fleet is projected to expand rapidly, creating a structural capability vs. supply gap, in which, for example, ship readiness can outpace low-GHG fuel availability and bunkering rollout. The merged evidence indicates that near-term abatement will be dominated by scalable drop-in biofuels, whereas deep-sea options (ammonia/hydrogen and e-fuels) remain gated by upstream low-GHG production, port infrastructure, and safety/regulatory maturation. Nevertheless, mid-term deployment of low-GHG fuels can act as a system “relief valve”, reducing infrastructure lock-in and accelerating emissions reductions while zero-carbon fuel supply chains scale up. Full article

Growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified research into eco-friendly alternatives to conventional and synthetic leathers. Traditional bovine leather and its chromium-tanning process heavily contribute to water pollution, toxic waste generation, and carbon emissions, while synthetic leather derived from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) presents challenges related to fossil fuel dependence and non-biodegradability. This review explores bio-based and sustainable leather substitutes that are made of plants, microbial cellulose, and mycelium fungi. Plant-based leather substitutes such as Vegea^®, Desserto^®, and Piñatex^® use agricultural waste products to create durable, partially biodegradable composites. Microbial cellulose from kombucha fermentation offers material with good physical and aesthetic properties. Mycelium leather, derived from fungal biomass, demonstrates potential for scalable and low-impact production. Comparative analyses of mechanical and physical properties show that mycelium composites are approaching industrial standards, though challenges remain regarding tensile strength, water resistance, and process standardization. Despite current limitations, bio-based leathers, particularly mycelium composites, offer a promising way toward circular material innovation and carbon-neutral manufacturing in fashion, automotive, design and other industries. Full article

The shipping sector is responsible for a considerable share of global CO₂ emissions and is under pressure to reduce emissions and adopt carbon-neutral fuels. Among the proposed alternatives, methanol produced from green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ represents a promising option. However, the feasibility of its production is significantly influenced by the composition and variability of the bio-CO₂ feedstock, which can negatively impact the complete value chain. To address these challenges, sampling campaigns were carried out at actual bio-CO₂-emitting sites, namely biogas and biomass combustion facilities, to characterize the impurity profiles and determine the appropriate conditioning requirements. A novel membrane gas absorption system with a Diethanolamine solution was deployed directly in the field to capture, as well as purify to a certain extent, the CO₂ stream. The system demonstrated high efficiency in removing most impurities, achieving high CO₂ capture rates and impurity reduction close to 90%. However, residual chlorine species were detected in the CO₂ streams from biogas plants, suggesting the need for additional conditioning to meet the purity specifications required for methanol synthesis. Given that the feedstock composition and upstream process conditions could significantly affect the final output and present considerable variations, the implementation of additional cleaning measures is recommended before synthesis. Full article

The effectiveness of poly(isosorbide carbonate) (PIC)—a bio-based polycarbonate synthesized from isosorbide (ISB)—degradation products in complex soil environments remains unverified. In the present study, the agricultural potential of PIC ammonolysis products—comprising urea and ISB—as a nitrogen (N) fertilizer was evaluated in a soil system. A pot experiment was conducted using komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) to compare PIC degradation products with commercial urea, a urea and ISB mixture, and a no-N control. Application of PIC degradation products significantly enhanced plant growth, yielding fresh weight and N uptake comparable to those associated with commercial urea. The calculated N recovery efficiency for the PIC degradation products was 50%, falling within the typical range (30–60%) for inorganic fertilizers. Contrary to previous in vitro study results, ISB exhibited no significant biostimulant effect in the soil environment, likely owing to rapid microbial degradation. These findings serve as a preliminary proof-of-concept that PIC degradation products are a highly effective and bioavailable N source. Overall, the results suggest that if scaled appropriately, PIC ammonolysis products could contribute to circular use pathways for this specific plastic. Nonetheless, further studies across a broader range of crops and soils are required to confirm the generalizability of these results. Full article

Saline irrigation water is increasingly used in arid and coastal regions, posing serious constraints to soil health and wheat yield, particularly in saline–sodic soils. A two-season field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of compost, biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter chroococcum), and their combinations on soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, wheat growth, yield, and physiological traits under two irrigation water salinity levels (3 and 6 dS m⁻¹). Two wheat varieties differing in salt tolerance (Miser 4 and Sakha 95) were tested. Salinity significantly increased soil EC and ESP and reduced plant growth, yield, and nutrient content, while integrated bio-organic treatments markedly alleviated these adverse effects. Compost combined with Azotobacter chroococcum markedly improved soil physical conditions, enhanced microbial biomass carbon, reduced sodicity indicators, and promoted wheat productivity across both seasons. Multivariate analyses including principal component analysis (PCA), redundancy analysis (RDA), and self-organizing maps (SOMs) revealed a strong positive association between yield traits, microbial activity, and soil fertility, and negative correlations with salinity stress indicators. The results demonstrate that combining compost with biofertilizers induces both immediate and residual improvements in saline–sodic soils, enhances wheat resilience to salinity stress, and offers a sustainable approach for improving cereal production under salt-affected environments. Full article

Bacteria-based self-healing concrete is extensively shown to improve strength and durability; yet, the mechanistic relationship among microbial activity, damage progression, and transport resistance is still ambiguous. This study examines the interrelated mechanical and transport properties of concrete that incorporates Bacillus subtilis by directly substituting mixing water. Concrete mixtures with 0%, 5%, and 10% bacterial solution were assessed for compressive strength, complete stress–strain response, split tensile strength, flexural toughness, fast chloride ion penetration, and capillary sorptivity. X-ray diffraction was employed for microstructural validation. Results indicate a dose-dependent shift from brittle to quasi-ductile behavior, marked by augmented strain capacity, postponed crack localization, and improved post-cracking energy absorption. The mechanical alterations resulted in substantial decreases in chloride ion penetrability (up to 57%) and capillary sorptivity (up to 60%), signifying a drop in crack-assisted transport. X-ray diffraction verified the production of calcite resulting from microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation. The results indicate that the improvement in durability of bacterial concrete is attributable not only to pore filling but also to altered damage mechanisms that diminish the connectedness of transport channels, underscoring the potential of Bacillus subtilis as a bio-admixture for resilient structural concrete. Full article

The UK faces an urgent challenge to simultaneously accelerate housing delivery and reduce whole-life carbon emissions, yet robust empirical evidence on the carbon performance of modular steel housing remains limited. This study aims to quantify the carbon impacts of a modular light-gauge steel frame social housing dwelling in the UK and to benchmark its performance against contemporary low-carbon construction typologies. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was conducted using primary project data from a real modular housing development, with embodied carbon modelled in One Click LCA and operational energy assessed through SAP 10.2-verified datasets. The results indicate a total whole-life carbon footprint of 91.3 tCO₂e over a 50-year period, with embodied emissions (A1–A3) accounting for 38.2% and operational energy and water use contributing 48.1%. The normalised embodied carbon intensity of 366 kgCO₂e/m² (A1–A5) is comparable to recent high-performing cross-laminated timber buildings, demonstrating that optimised modular steel systems can allow for low-carbon outcomes typically associated with bio-based construction. Sensitivity analysis shows that low-carbon foundation concrete, bio-based insulation, and steel optimisation can reduce upfront emissions by approximately 8–10%. Dynamic energy simulations were also used to assess how different design choices influence operational carbon emissions. This study provides transparent, real-project evidence of the whole-life carbon performance of UK modular light-gauge steel frame housing and identifies practical design strategies for further decarbonisation. The findings support informed decision-making for policymakers, designers, and housing providers seeking scalable, low-carbon residential solutions. Full article