Energy & Sustainability – TechConnect Briefs

Creating a Global Hydrogen Infrastructure from Waste Materials

D. Madden, Eco Energy International, LLC, US

The lack of a hydrogen infrastructure has impeded the implementation of fuel cell technology in many areas worldwide. At the same time, the world is awash with waste materials. For example, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) [...]

Diatom Frustules as Substrates for Photocatalysts

A. Polliack, J. Olsen, J. Thiebes, N. Day, Diatomix, US

Nanomaterials are quickly becoming highly useful for many applications. The public is concerned with the long-term effects of nanomaterials in the environment. Composite materials as substrates for nanoparticles can be tailored to maintain functionality as [...]

Composite Wool – Natural Product Antimicrobial Textiles

J.H. Johnston, S. Aljohani, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

Wool textile products are widely used in apparel, furnishings and floor coverings. They also find use in medical, and healthcare applications such as bandages and masks where unfortunately they can provide environment favourable for microbial [...]

Catalytic technologies for the complete conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals

R. Le Van Mao, Le Van Mao Biochemicals Inc., CA

Catalytic technologies for the complete conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals Raymond Le Van Mao (1,2) (1) Le Van Mao Biochemicals Inc., 1172 Alexis-Nihon, Saint-Laurent QC H4R 1S2 Canada (2) Industrial Catalysis Laboratory, [...]

Waterborne Hybrid Silica-Alumina Coating to Increase Poplar Wood Application Opportunities

B. Del Curto, Politecnico di Milano, IT

Environmental sustainability and health issues are important factors to be considered in developing new coating materials. Sol-gel is a widely studied procedure that represents also a sustainable one, due to the mild process temperature and [...]

Non-aqueous wool fiber dyeing process using reverse micellar approach

C-W Kan, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK

In textile industry, reactive dyeing using nanoscaled dye carrier in non-aqueous solvent mostly find several advantages such as well dispersibility, low viscosity and high diffusion into wool fabric matrix properties can result in shorter dyeing [...]

Colored Magnetic Nanoparticles to Improve the Sustainability of Textile Dyeing

J. Wen, Y. Sun, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US

Current dyeing techniques face growing environmental and economic challenges due to high consumption of water, salts, auxiliaries and energy, and production of substantial amounts of industrial polluting waste waters. This project demonstrated that colorants can [...]

Compact high-voltage DC/pulsed power source

A. Gluschenko, N. Kukhtarev, T. Kukhtareva, Y. Garbovskiy, Alabama A&M university, US

Compact high-voltage DC/pulsed power source Ni. Kukhtarev, T.Kukhtareva Phys. Dep., Alabama A&M University nkukhtarev@gmail.com, c.p.256 -604-9557 A.Glushcnemko and Y.Garbovsky, Univ.of Colorado, Colorado Springs , Market Keywords: high voltage power supply, crystal accelerator, X-ray/electron beam source, [...]

Biochar from waste banana peels as growth promoter for holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and chili pepper (Capsicum annuum)

N. Tan, R.C. So, Ateneo de Manila University, PH

Biochars are porous materials prepared by combustion of biomass under the presence of low oxygen levels. Its application as soil fertilizer has been shown to have positive effects on the plants by increasing the fertility [...]

Poly-Paper: an Innovative Thermoplastic Eco-Composite Material Recyclable with Paper and Cardboard

B. Del Curto, Politecnico di Milano, IT

Environmental, economic, technical and legislative issues can be considered drivers for the development of bio-based and/or biodegradable plastics. According to this numerous studies have been focused on the development of packaging materials based on circular [...]