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Breaking Down Barriers: Groundbreaking Recycling Technique Turns ‘Forever Chemicals’ into Renewable Resources

In a major breakthrough, researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a revolutionary technique to efficiently separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes (PFAS) from catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs). This achievement has significant implications for preventing potentially harmful chemicals from contaminating our environment.

PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are known to contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications. The Royal Society of Chemistry has urged government intervention to reduce PFAS levels in UK water supplies.

Fuel cells and water electrolysers, essential components of hydrogen-powered energy systems, rely on CCMs containing precious platinum group metals. However, the strong adhesion between catalyst layers and PFAS membranes has made recycling difficult.

The researchers’ innovative method uses organic solvent soaking and water ultrasonication to effectively separate these materials, revolutionizing the recycling process. Dr. Jake Yang from the University of Leicester School of Chemistry comments, “This method is simple and scalable. We can now separate PFAS membranes from precious metals without harsh chemicals – revolutionizing how we recycle fuel cells.”

Building on this success, a follow-up study introduced a continuous delamination process using high-frequency ultrasound to split the membranes, accelerating recycling. The innovative process creates bubbles that collapse when subjected to high pressure, allowing the precious catalysts to be separated in seconds at room temperature.

This groundbreaking research was carried out in collaboration with Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technologies. Industry-academia partnerships like this underscore the importance of collective efforts in driving technological progress.

Ross Gordon, Principal Research Scientist at Johnson Matthey, says, “The development of high-intensity ultrasound to separate catalyst-loaded membranes is a game-changer in how we approach fuel cell recycling. At Johnson Matthey, we are proud to collaborate on pioneering solutions that accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered energy while making it more sustainable and economically viable.”

As fuel cell demand continues to grow, this breakthrough contributes to the circular economy by enabling efficient recycling of essential clean energy components. The researchers’ efforts support a greener and more affordable future for fuel cell technology while addressing pressing environmental challenges.

As Europe’s reliance on solar energy grows to meet climate and energy security targets, a new challenge has emerged: Saharan dust. This atmospheric phenomenon is reducing photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation across the continent and making it harder to predict.

Researchers at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) presented findings that reveal how mineral dust carried on the wind from North Africa is disrupting PV performance and challenging existing forecasting models. The study, “The Shadow of the Wind: Photovoltaic Power Generation under Europe’s Dusty Skies,” used field data from over 46 Saharan dust events between 2019 and 2023 to explore the impact of dust-laden skies on solar power generation.

The Sahara Desert releases billions of tonnes of fine dust into the atmosphere every year, with tens of millions of tonnes reaching European skies. This dust scatters and absorbs sunlight, reducing irradiance at the surface and promoting cloud formation – all of which degrade PV output. Conventional forecasting tools often miss the mark during these events, leading to underperformance and grid instability.

Dr. György Varga and his team recommend integrating near-real-time dust load data and aerosol-cloud coupling into forecasting models. This would enable more reliable scheduling of solar energy and better preparedness for the variability introduced by atmospheric dust. “There’s a growing need for dynamic forecasting methods that account for both meteorological and mineralogical factors,” Varga says.

Beyond atmospheric effects, Saharan dust also has long-term impacts on the physical infrastructure of solar panels, including contamination and erosion – factors that can further reduce efficiency and increase maintenance costs. This research contributes to ongoing efforts in Hungary and the EU to improve climate resilience and renewable energy management, highlighting the importance of considering both short-term and long-term effects of Saharan dust on Europe’s solar future.

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In the realm of electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring, researchers at Penn State have made a groundbreaking discovery – one that could revolutionize the way we monitor brain activity. Gone are the days of cumbersome metal electrodes; instead, a team of scientists has created hair-like devices for non-invasive, long-term monitoring.

The innovative electrode is designed to mimic human hair and can be worn without drawing attention. This lightweight and flexible device captures stable, high-quality recordings of the brain’s signals for over 24 hours of continuous wear. The traditional metal electrodes used in EEG monitoring are rigid and can shift when someone moves their head, compromising data uniformity.

The new electrode uses a 3D-printed bioadhesive ink that allows it to stick directly onto the scalp without any gloopy gels or skin preparation. This minimizes the gap between the electrode and skin, improving signal quality. The device is also stretchable, ensuring it stays put even when combing hair or wearing a baseball cap.

The researchers found that the new device performed comparably to gold electrodes, the current standard for EEG monitoring. However, the hair-like electrode maintained better contact between the electrode and skin and performed reliably for extended periods without any degradation in signal quality.

According to Tao Zhou, Wormley Family Early Career Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, this technology holds promise for use in consumer health and wellness products, as well as clinical healthcare applications.

The conventional EEG monitoring process can be a cumbersome affair, requiring the application of gels to maintain good surface-to-surface contact between the electrodes and skin. This process is imprecise and can result in different amounts of gel used on the electrodes, affecting brain signal quality.

Zhou explained that this new device will change the impedance – or interface – between the electrodes and scalp, ensuring more consistent and reliable monitoring of EEG signals. The researchers also hope to make the system wireless in the future, allowing people to move around freely during recording sessions.

The team’s findings were published in a study in npc biomedical innovations, with funding from various institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

In conclusion, the development of hair-like electrodes for brain activity monitoring is a significant breakthrough that could revolutionize the field. With its potential for non-invasive, long-term monitoring, this technology has far-reaching implications for healthcare and consumer products alike.