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Hydrogels with self-irrigation and slow‑fertilizer-release properties for sustainable agriculture
Background
Water scarcity and inefficient fertilizer use have long hindered sustainable agriculture, as traditional irrigation and nutrient delivery methods often fail to optimize resource utilization and prevent environmental harm.
Existing approaches typically provide static solutions that do not account for fluctuation in environmental conditions,...
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Thermoresponsive hydrogel technology for efficient atmospheric water harvesting
Background
Rapidly growing global water scarcity and the need for decentralized, energy-efficient water collection have driven the search for atmospheric water harvesting systems that can overcome limitations in conventional approaches.
Traditional fog capture or dew condensation methods often depend on high humidity levels, while existing sorbent-based...
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Amphiphilic glycopolymer nanomaterials for pH‐responsive heavy metal and rare earth ion removal
A novel, recyclable polymer technology uses ring‐opening metathesis to create nanoscale, pH-responsive glycopolymers with glucuronic acid side chains that efficiently capture heavy metals and selectively bind rare earth elements from water.
Background
The need for advanced metal ion separation technologies has grown due to increasing environmental...
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Biosynthesized halogenated tryptophan derivatives
A new E. coli-based system uses metabolic engineering and co-cultures to produce various halogenated tryptophan molecules from glucose, providing an environmentally friendly alternative for creating diverse compounds used in pharmaceuticals and other industries.
Background
Halogenated molecules are critical to various industries, including pharmaceuticals,...
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Revolutionizing plastic recycling: FAST-PETase enzyme variant
Background
Plastic waste is a pressing ecological challenge, with a staggering 8.3 billion metric tons produced, of which 6 billion tons become waste. Traditional methods of plastic degradation, such as chemical processes, are costly and generate harmful byproducts. Enzymatic degradation presents a sustainable alternative, with poly (ethylene terephthalate)...
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Plastic-degrading enzymes
Able to break down PET plastics in as little as 24 hours
Overview
Plastic waste poses an ecological challenge. There have been 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics produced—6 billion tons are waste. What do we do with this waste?
The long-term, sustainable solution is to find effective ways to break down the plastic into smaller parts and then...
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Boosting bee health
A cocktail of native gut bacteria promotes health and pathogen resistance in bees
Problem
Honeybees and bumblebees play a crucial role in agricultural pollination, which is essential for human food production. Unfortunately, honeybee populations have experienced significant declines in the United States and around the world over the past decade. These...
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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...
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