The production of green hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy source, has long been hampered by its high cost. However, researchers from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation (COE-CSI) and the University of Adelaide have made significant strides in developing two innovative systems that harness the power of urea found in urine and wastewater to generate hydrogen efficiently.

Unlike traditional water-splitting electrolysis, which is energy-intensive and costly, these new pathways use significantly less electricity. The researchers’ breakthroughs address several limitations associated with existing urea-based systems, such as low hydrogen yields and the generation of toxic nitrogenous by-products (nitrates and nitrites).

The COE-CSI team, led by Professor Yao Zheng and Professor Shizhang Qiao, has successfully developed two separate systems that overcome these issues. The first system utilizes a membrane-free electrolysis process with a novel copper-based catalyst, while the second employs a platinum-based catalyst on carbon supports to generate hydrogen from urine.

One of the most exciting aspects of this research is the use of human urine as an alternative source for urea production. This green and cost-effective approach has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of making hydrogen, while also remediating nitrogenous waste in aquatic environments.

As Professor Zheng notes, “We need to reduce the cost of making hydrogen, but in a carbon-neutral way.” The researchers’ innovative systems are designed to produce harmless nitrogen gas instead of toxic by-products, and they use between 20-27% less electricity than traditional water-splitting systems.

The University of Adelaide team is committed to building on this fundamental research by developing carbon-supported, non-precious metal catalysts for constructing membrane-free urine-wastewater systems. This will achieve lower-cost recovery of green hydrogen while remediating the wastewater environment.

This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for the global energy crisis and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, it is essential that we develop technologies that not only address our energy needs but also minimize their environmental impact. The COE-CSI team’s work on green hydrogen production from urine and wastewater is a shining example of this vision, and its potential to transform the industry cannot be overstated.

The world of hydrogel manufacturing has just gotten a whole lot greener. Researchers at McGill University, in collaboration with Polytechnique Montréal, have pioneered a groundbreaking method to create hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for toxic chemical initiators. This innovation promises a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable approach to hydrogel fabrication, producing materials that are stronger, more flexible, and highly resistant to freezing and dehydration.

Hydrogels, composed of polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water, have numerous applications in wound dressings, drug delivery, tissue engineering, soft robotics, and more. Traditional hydrogel manufacturing relies on chemical initiators, some of which can be hazardous, particularly in medical applications. These chemicals trigger chemical chain reactions, but the McGill research team has developed an alternative method using ultrasound.

When applied to a liquid precursor, sound waves create microscopic bubbles that collapse with immense energy, triggering gel formation within minutes. This ultrasound-driven technique is dubbed “sonogel.” According to Mechanical Engineering Professor Jianyu Li, who led the research team, the problem they aimed to solve was the reliance on toxic chemical initiators.

“Our method eliminates these substances, making the process safer for the body and better for the environment,” said Li. With sonogel, gel formation occurs in just five minutes, compared to hours or even overnight under UV light. This speed and efficiency have significant implications for biomedical applications.

One of the most exciting possibilities for this technology is in non-invasive medical treatments. Because ultrasound waves can penetrate deep into tissues, this method could enable in-body hydrogel formation without surgery. Imagine injecting a liquid precursor and using ultrasound to solidify it precisely where needed – this could be a game-changer for treating tissue damage and regenerative medicine.

Further refinement of this technique also opens the door to ultrasound-based 3D bioprinting. Instead of relying on light or heat, researchers could use sound waves to precisely “print” hydrogel structures. By leveraging high-intensity focused ultrasound, researchers can shape and build hydrogels with remarkable precision.

According to Jean Provost, one of co-authors of the study and assistant professor of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montréal, this breakthrough has significant potential for safer, greener material production. The sonogel method has the potential to revolutionize biomedical applications and unlock new possibilities for non-invasive medical treatments, making it a truly groundbreaking innovation in the field of hydrogel manufacturing.

The first-ever fossil evidence of an endangered tropical tree species has been discovered in Brunei, a country on the large island of Borneo. This groundbreaking find, led by researchers at Penn State, provides a critical piece of the ancient history of Asia’s rainforests, highlighting the urgent need for conservation in the region.

The research team published their findings in the American Journal of Botany. The fossils, estimated to be at least two million years old, represent the first direct evidence of an endangered tropical tree species in the fossil record. The study identified fossilized leaves of Dryobalanops rappa, a towering dipterocarp tree that still exists today but is endangered and found in the carbon-rich peatlands of Borneo.

“This discovery provides a rare window into the ancient history of Asia’s wet tropical forests,” said Tengxiang Wang, lead author on the paper. “We now have fossil proof that this magnificent tree species has been a dominant part of Borneo’s forests for millions of years, emphasizing its ecological importance and the need to protect its remaining habitats.”

Until now, the fossil record of Asia’s wet tropical forests has been surprisingly scarce compared to other regions, said Peter Wilf, professor of geosciences at Penn State. The team identified the fossils by analyzing microscopic features of the preserved leaf cuticles, which revealed a perfect match with modern Dryobalanops rappa.

“Our findings highlight that these forests are not just rich in biodiversity today but have been home to iconic tree species for millions of years,” Wang said. “Conserving them is not only about protecting present-day species but also about preserving a legacy of ecological resilience that has withstood millions of years.”

The discovery adds an important new perspective to conservation efforts, as it reveals the deep historical roots of dipterocarps, the dominant tree family in Asia’s rainforests. These trees are critical for carbon storage and biodiversity, but they are increasingly threatened by deforestation and habitat destruction.

“The findings add a new dimension to conservation; we are not only protecting modern species but ancient survivors that have been key components of their unique ecosystems for millions of years,” Wang said. “This historical perspective makes both the endangered trees and their habitats even more valuable for conservation.”

Understanding the history of tropical forests is essential for their conservation, especially as many key species face rapid decline. The discovery of fossil evidence can strengthen conservation strategies for threatened species and ecosystems based on their historical significance.

The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Universiti Brunei Darussalam research grants, and a Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment seed grant.