Global Climate News

This study has explored the development of bipyridine-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia, presenting a green alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. It has successfully synthesized Py-Bpy-Fe, achieving a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 91.2% at -1.6 V, and a yield rate of 3909.06 μmol h-1 mg-1COF at -2.0 V. A further enhancement led to the synthesis of Py-PyIm-Fe, which improved the yield rate to 4299.61 μmol h-1 mg-1COF. These innovations provide critical insights for the design of efficient COF-based electrocatalysts for sustainable ammonia production.

This study explored the electronic and optical properties of MX2/WS2 and MX2/MoSe2 heterojunctions using first-principles calculations. The results showed that these heterojunctions are semiconductors with staggered gaps, enhancing the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. The MoTe2/MoSe2 heterojunction demonstrated a photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.84%, surpassing the recently reported 23.45% for the OsNCl/FeNCl heterojunction. These findings identify excellent candidate materials for advancing optoelectronics and photocatalysis.

US-based Idaho National Laboratory has developed the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL), the first new hot cells built in 50 years, to test structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors. SPL aims to cut down irradiated material samples for research and testing in various extreme conditions. The facility is scheduled to go 'hot' in January 2026, with installations and tests of scientific equipment occurring through 2025. This initiative is expected to play a critical role in exploring material properties for sustainable nuclear energy solutions.

In January 2025, the price of crude oil increased significantly, with the Brent price rising by 8.6% in euros and 7.4% in US dollars. Simultaneously, natural gas prices on the European market saw an increase of 7.0%, setting an average price of 48.3€/MWh. These increases were attributed to various factors, including currency depreciation. Overall, prices of imported raw materials also saw a general rise, impacting multiple sectors.

US-based South32 has announced the opportunity for the US to achieve self-reliance on manganese through its Hermosa project in Arizona. The project, which is expected to begin producing manganese by 2027, has also secured grants totaling $186 million from the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. With discussions ongoing with 16 different entities in the battery supply chain, the company is paving the way for a fully integrated domestic supply chain to meet increasing demands, particularly from the transition to clean energy technologies.

India-based A One Steel Group has emphasized the importance of steel in sustainable construction practices. The company focuses on high-quality steel products that are crucial for eco-friendly building projects. Innovations in steel manufacturing have led to decreased carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency, aligning with global sustainability efforts. As the construction industry evolves, A One Steel Group is committed to advancing greener, more efficient construction practices.

Norway has targeted a significant increase in offshore wind capacity, planning to achieve 30 GW of installed capacity by 2040. The need for dynamic power cables, which are essential for transporting electricity generated from offshore renewable sources to land, is rapidly rising. These cables face unique engineering challenges due to environmental factors such as vortex-induced vibrations. SINTEF Ocean has established state-of-the-art testing facilities to conduct full-scale tests and optimize the design and structural integrity of these cables, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of offshore operations.

Residents of Membley Estate in Ruiru, Kenya, have strongly opposed the plans by Strabag International to establish an asphalt and concrete batching plant. Citing health risks, noise pollution, and environmental harm, the community expressed their concerns during a public forum on February 13. John Wachira, Chairman of the Membley Park Residents Association, emphasized the community's unified stance against the plant due to fears of creating an uninhabitable environment.

This review highlights the advancements in photothermal catalysis, focusing on its potential for renewable sustainability. It emphasizes the catalytic site reconstruction and its crucial role in enhancing mass and energy transfer. By discussing various three-dimensional (3D) structures and their mechanisms, the paper provides insights into how these innovations can help bridge the gap between micro-structural behaviors and macro-process in chemical engineering. Challenges in solar-assisted catalytic engineering are also summarized, indicating areas for future research and development.

The research team has developed a new ether-linked alkyl phosphonic acid group onto anthrarufin, which was named (((9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-1,5-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(phosphonic acid) (1,5-DPAQ). This innovation increased the solubility of the compound from 0.07 M to 0.69 M in 1 M KOH, significantly enhancing energy density in aqueous organic redox flow batteries. To address a limiting factor in discharge capacity, an additive, N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamine, was introduced at the anolyte side, resulting in improved capacity and cell voltage during cycling.

India-based researchers at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) examined the promising potential of bacterial biorefineries for biodiesel production. The study showed that this approach achieves high removal efficiency of CO2, SO2, and NO, and produces 274 g of biomass with 58% lipids to generate biodiesel. A life cycle assessment highlighted the sustainable practices adopted. The techno-economic analysis indicated a net present value of $193 per litre of biodiesel produced, reinforcing the viability of bacterial biorefineries in fostering a circular economy.

The study explored the thermoelectric properties of SnTe single crystals, achieving a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of approximately 0.71 at 873 K. By doping with Mg, Ag, and Bi, the ZT was further enhanced to 0.75 at 811 K. Co-doping strategies generated power factors up to 22.8 μWcm⁻¹K⁻² and lowered thermal conductivity to ultra-low values, yielding ZT values of approximately 1.6 and 2.01 at 873 K. The findings indicate significant potential for advanced thermoelectric materials.

India-based researchers from Guru Nanak Dev University and CSIR-National Physical Laboratory have developed a novel method for creating WO3 and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites, significantly improving their performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction. The optimal integration of MWCNTs with WO3 showed a minimal overpotential of 0.2 V, thus demonstrating its potential as a highly efficient electrocatalyst. This advancement contributes positively to clean energy technologies and hydrogen production.

The study investigated the use of macroporous iron foam (Fe Foam) as a precursor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts. Aimed at enhancing the yield of light olefins (C2-C4), the research evaluated various promoters, including sodium, cesium, rubidium, and potassium permanganate. The findings concluded that the KMn/Fe Foam catalyst achieved a maximum active carbide phase (θ-Fe3C), resulting in the highest light olefins selectivity of 48.0% and overall olefins selectivity of 78.4%.

US-based researchers have demonstrated a Co₃O₄-CdS heterojunction photocatalyst that efficiently converts formate into syngas under alkaline conditions, achieving a production rate of approximately 3300 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹. This dual-function catalyst operates without sacrificial agents or noble metals, resulting in near-zero CO₂ emissions. The system not only recycles CO₂ into formic acid but also promotes a closed carbon loop, making it a promising solution for sustainable syngas production.

This study systematically investigated the critical parameters influencing the green synthesis of Aluminum Fumarate, also known as MOF A520 or MIL-53(Al)_Fu. Through hydrothermal methods, researchers explored the impact of various factors on crystallization, ultimately leading to enhanced yield and purity at a reduced cost. The findings bridge the gap between laboratory-scale synthesis and industrial-scale production, providing insights previously unavailable in literature.

The research team proposed a simple bromination modification coupled with a pyrolysis strategy to fabricate a pitch-derived hard carbon anode (BHC-x). This innovative method enhances the microstructure and electrochemical performance of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The optimized BHC-1500 achieved an impressive reversible capacity of 250.0 mAh g‒1 at 0.1 A g‒1 and maintained a capacity of 150 mAh g‒1 at a higher rate of 5 A g‒1, significantly outperforming its unbrominated counterparts.

The review revisited the synthesis of urea using metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, demonstrating a nearly fivefold increase in yield rate compared to existing catalysts. This work builds on findings from a 2024 Nature Synthesis paper and highlights the efficiency and stability of MOF-based materials as promising catalysts. The past two years saw several high-impact publications focusing on MOF applications in electrocatalytic urea synthesis, showcasing their potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

Researchers have integrated first-principles-based high-throughput computations with machine learning techniques to predict the thermodynamic stability and optoelectronic properties of 920 valency-satisfied selenide compounds. They identified the edge-sharing orthorhombic Pnma phase as the most stable structure for most ternary selenides and screened candidates for photovoltaic applications. The study found that seven candidates, including SrZrSe3 and SrHfSe3, are optimal for photovoltaic applications, with synthesized single-phase forms showing strong optical absorption. This study lays the groundwork for future research in identifying photoactive materials for sustainable energy technologies.

Research has successfully developed a novel NaF-rich composite sodium anode designed to allow sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) to operate reliably across a wide temperature range from −40 to 60 °C. This new anode configuration, termed NaF@Na, embeds a NaF-rich solid electrolyte interphase, enhancing thermal stability and improving electrochemical performance. The SMBs achieved a remarkable capacity retention of 90% after 400 cycles at ultra-low temperature, paving the way for practical applications in energy storage.