Tag: CO2

In the Netherlands, corn is a source of sustainable tiles. In California, however, a startup is using corn waste to create a super-absorbent and biodegradable material to replace the petrochemical liners in products like nappies and hygiene pads. The team developed special microorganisms to convert the corn’s sugar into a polymer, which can absorb as much liquid as materials...

Crispy cutlery and edible cups make a good snack for those on the go. But there are healthier options out there. A startup in the metropolitan area of Munich has taken a well-known high-protein, high-fibre meal and turned it into a drink. Its patent-pending process will see organic porridge turned into a liquid dish. Enzymes break down the starch...

Rapidly-spreading algae can be repurposed as building material. Now, an Austrian startup is using waste from construction to store CO2 safely and create new materials at the same time. First the scrap material is analysed. Whether rubble or slag from iron or steel production, ash from incinerator plants or cement waste. Based on a sample, a patented process determines...

Optimised shipping routes lead to reduced emissions. CO2 emissions can also be spiked by algae on ships’ hulls and changes in flow behaviour. Now, a startup in Singapore is specialising in the removal of algae on container ships and other types of vessels. A robot inspects the extent of the damage, using patented technology to generate clear images even...

Lunar micturition comes with unexpected benefits. The role human excretions play on earth has recently preoccupied an American-based research team. More specifically, the biochar made from solid human excrement, which has proved ideal as fertiliser once microplastics and chemicals have been removed from it. Mixing the biochar with nutrients from urine could provide 15% of the phosphorus needed to...

Oil slicks could be removed using sunflowers. As for potholes… In the world devised by a new British research team, they wouldn’t exist in the first place - because road surfaces would be able to mend cracks that appeared themselves. Reducing CO2 emissions generated through repair work. Using AI, the team studied the organic molecules contained in petroleum component...

Algae and robots can combine to reduce CO2 in our oceans. A New York-based research team is deploying algae-like bacteria’s photosynthesis capabilities to lower carbon dioxide levels indoors. A cyanobacteria-infused anode is embedded in a bio-based solar cell. Five of these solar cells are attached as leaves to an artificial plant structure which is placed in a pot. Capillary...

People can grow sustainable vegetables from their sofas and know exactly where they come from. The same cannot be said for supermarket-bought food, even organic produce. Which is why an Argentinian startup is developing solutions to verify the agricultural supply chain’s sustainability. First, NASA images of the production area are analysed. This helps determine whether areas were created through...