Search results for Physical+sciences+%3e+Environment

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Direct electrodeposition of Li from Li ions enhanced by electromagnetism
Background Dr. Thomas C. Underwood and his team have developed a technology by which brine phase Li+ ions are converted directly to Li metals through electromagnetic-enhanced electroreduction, which is available for licensing. Dr. Underwood is an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at UT Austin with...
Sustainable sequins and paillettes
“In one year, British women purchase 33 million sequined garments and accessories at a cost of £415 million.”* Problem The current products available in the marketplace are derived from non-compostable plastics. Some of the sustainable versions are created from upcycling plastics, but the source of the material is still harmful to...
Functionalized kapok fiber filter for oil and bacteria removal
Problem statement Contaminated water from the produced water industry must be treated prior to discharge, reuse, or recycling. Advanced treatment is often necessary to meet increasingly strict regulations, leading to membrane filtration use in produced water treatment. These membranes are susceptible to different forms of fouling, especially when organics...
Atmospheric water irrigation enabled by super moisture absorbent gels
Overview The global population is projected to reach 9.6 billion people by 2025, requiring food production to increase by 70% to meet the demand of the huge population. Water is most limiting natural resource for agricultural production due to the freshwater shortage and enormous need for irrigation. Dry cropland accounts for 84% of the cultivated...
Tunable ionization platform
Background Different molecules have different ionization energies. Commercially available photo-ionization detectors (PIDs) emit light to ionize the molecules of interest. However, these PIDs require distinct lamps dependent upon the ionization energy required. In fact there are four types of lamps available, each with a different, fixed ionization...
Novel electrowetting-based microfluidic system for heat pipe applications
Problem statement Currently, heat pipes use a passive wick to pump liquid back from the condenser to the evaporator. The heat transport capacity of these heat pipes is limited by the capillary pressure generated in the internal wick which pumps condensate to the evaporator. Transporting heat over long distances is challenging, since the fluid transport...