Chementator
Electrified process converts CO2 and biochar into industrial products
The production of salable co-products can substantially improve the economics for CO2 conversion processes. A new electrified thermochemical process developed by startup Reduciner Oy (Espoo, Finland; www.reduciner.com) combines captured CO2 streams with biochar to produce carbon monoxide, along with activated…
Atomically thin photocatalysts unlock new pollution-degradation capabilities
Researchers at the University of Birmingham (www.birmingham.ac.uk) have demonstrated a new production method for ultra-thin catalysts, unlocking new capabilities for the catalytic breakdown of persistent water pollutants. “The production method takes layered materials as the precursor, disperses them in a…
Ionomer-free plastic for vacuum packaging applications results from collaboration
Ionomers (polymers that can form cross-links between chains due to ionized functional groups) are often used for vacuum-packaged products because they have the strength needed to resist puncture and tearing when vacuum is applied. Due to material shortages for ionomer…
Patent granted on system for feeding biomass to high-pressure reactors
One of the challenges for biofuels manufacturing is reliably feeding low-density feedstocks into high-pressure reactors, because it is difficult to feed agricultural and forest residue, as well as municipal solid waste, into pressurized systems without bridging, compaction and flow instability.…
New insights into graphene oxide’s strengthening effects in concrete could accelerate commercial development
The nanomaterial graphene oxide (GO) has been investigated as a way to improve concrete strength, but reported results of GO’s effects have been inconsistent and detailed understanding of the mechanisms of its strength-enhancing effects has been elusive. New studies by…
A scalable method for recovering molybdenum from end-of-life catalysts
Molybdenum is a crucial element in many industrial catalysts used in the production of steels, alloys and specialty chemicals. Much of the global supply chain for molybdenum relies on mining operations in China and Russia, so various efforts are underway…
Methane-to-bioplastics technology takes advantage of wastewater off-gases
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers that are positioned as a promising alternative to conventional plastics. They can be produced from a variety of biological and renewable feedstocks. Mango Materials (MM; Vacaville, Calif.; www.mangomaterials.com) produces PHAs at a pilot plant and…
Targeted magnetic system recovers valuable iron phosphate from sewage sludge
Many wastewater-treatment plants rely on iron-based coagulation to remove phosphorus from water. Following treatment with iron-based coagulants, most iron present in the sewage sludge is in the form of an iron-phosphate mineral known as vivianite. A patented technology called ViviMag…
Micro-architectural alterations remove hurdles that hinder hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells, which use hydrogen and oxygen to generate clean electricity and pure water, are considered among the most promising clean energy sources. However, the accumulation of liquid water inside hydrogen fuel cells is a major roadblock to efficient…
Delayed coking process converts biomass to graphite at reduced temperatures and generates fuels
Demand for synthetic graphite, a top-priority critical material in the U.S., is increasing because of its use in lithium-ion battery anodes and in steel-making. To meet the increased demand, while also cultivating a domestic source of synthetic graphite (most of…