Found 381 results
Open Access
Article
14 August 2025A Smart Kinetic Double-Skin Window System for Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Sustainable Buildings
This study presents the design and performance evaluation of a smart kinetic double-skin window system designed to enhance natural ventilation in buildings, especially those limited to single-sided airflow. The system dynamically adjusts external blade angles in response to real-time wind conditions, using environmental sensors and automated control to optimise airflow distribution and energy performance. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted for two blade configurations (7° and 15°) under varying wind speeds and directions. Results show that the 15° configuration enhances airflow reach and achieves up to 40% higher air change rates (ACH) compared to the 7°, making it more suitable for high-demand ventilation scenarios. In contrast, The 7° configuration produces lower but more uniform airflow, which is more appropriate for occupant comfort in residential or office environments. Detailed analysis of velocity fields, pressure distributions, and airflow paths confirms that the system effectively adapts to wind direction, maintaining balanced ventilation through integrated airflow channels. The simulations were validated against experimental data, achieving a Close correlation. While thermal and buoyancy effects were not included, future work will extend the model to hybrid ventilation scenarios. The proposed system demonstrates significant potential for sustainable ventilation applications in new and retrofitted building envelopes.
Open Access
Review
13 August 2025Allowing Space for Nature: Rewilding to Heal the Earth
The term “rewilding” often elicits strong emotions, especially as presented in the media. Thus, anger is provoked that farmers will be forced to waste precious cropland, letting it return to the wild, or from fear that dangerous animals will be released into the urban environment. With equal fervour, others, taking an approving view, comprise the growing movement of guerrilla rewilders, secretly breeding butterflies, birds and beavers, and illegally releasing them (e.g., “beaver bombing”) across the countryside. In truth, rewilding is a complex and widely encompassing proposition, which can be considered as a strategy within the natural climate solutions (NCS) [nature based solutions (NBS)] approach, aimed to restore and enhance wetlands, grasslands, forests, agricultural lands, seascapes etc. While exact definitions may vary, a key feature is that (after some initial support) it minimises the level of human intervention/management in a given region, instead encouraging natural processes to take the lead and self-manage, in the restoration, shaping and enhancement of natural ecosystems and of critical ecosystem functions. The resilience of such ecosystems should also be considered, especially in regard to how the impacts of a changing climate may prevail upon them. Rewilding is informed by science, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and other local (indigenous) knowledge. It is a long-term process with dynamic changes occurring over time, and rather than focussing on reaching a fixed endpoint, provides a continuous journey of letting nature’s processes unfold. This can lead to increased biodiversity, amelioration of and resistance to climate change, and the provision of ecosystem services, benefitting both nature and people, including economic opportunities for local and indigenous communities, along with improved overall health and well-being. Despite its manifold and clear benefits, rewilding (along with other NCS) is not a pancea for all our troubles, many of which are rooted in the systemic issue of human ecological overshoot, and it is this that must be addressed to begin fixing the current global polycrisis.
Open Access
Case Report
11 August 2025Transition to Hydrogen Aviation: A 2030–2050 Scenario Performance Analysis for an Airline
This study presents a realistic hypothetical scenario-based analysis of an airline’s transition from kerosene to hydrogen propulsion between 2030 and 2050, under a Techno-Economic Environmental Risk Assessment (TERA) framework. Two scenarios are modelled: a baseline fleet scenario using only conventional CMRT and CLRT aircraft, and a hydrogen transition scenario that introduces hydrogen-powered Airbus ZEROe and HVLMR aircraft starting in 2035. Using detailed aircraft (Orion from Cranfield) and jet engine (TURBOMATCH from Cranfield) performance simulations across 85 global routes, fuel consumption, energy demand, emissions, and operating costs are assessed. Strategic hydrogen hubs at London Heathrow and Neom Bay enable network feasibility for aircraft with limited range. Key findings show that the hydrogen scenario reduces total fuel mass consumption by approximately 28%, due to hydrogen’s high specific energy, and cuts CO2 emissions by 49%, assuming green hydrogen usage. However, it also results in a 9.6% increase in energy demand and ~15–20% higher cumulative operating costs, driven by greater depreciation, maintenance, and fuel price premiums. While the hydrogen transition introduces higher upfront and operational costs, it offers long-term environmental benefits and compliance with net-zero aviation goals. The study concludes that hydrogen aviation holds strategic promise but faces significant technical challenges, particularly due to the immaturity of hydrogen storage and propulsion systems. Realising this potential will require coordinated investment in infrastructure, policy support, and adaptive route planning.
Open Access
Article
11 August 2025Noble Metal Sites Modulated Cyano-COF for Boosted Photocatalytic O2 to H2O2 Production
Photocatalytic O2 reduction to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a promising chemical synthesis pathway with green property. However, the development of efficient and stable photocatalysts that enable high selectivity and activity remains an urgent scientific challenge. Herein, cyano-based covalent organic framework (cyano-COF) photocatalysts modulated by noble metal sites (i.e., Pt, Pd, Au, and Ag), denoted as Pt/cyano-COF, Pd/cyano-COF, Au/cyano-COF, and Ag/cyano-COF, are designed and synthesized. The cyano-group (-C≡N), acting as a strong electron acceptor, interacts with the noble metal sites to establish an efficient electron transfer pathway, which facilitates the separation of photogenerated charges, optimizes the reaction pathway, and thus enables boosted generation of H2O2 via the two-step single electron oxygen reduction reaction (O2→·O2−→H2O2). Under visible irradiation, Pt/cyano-COF, Pd/cyano-COF, Au/cyano-COF, and Ag/cyano-COF deliver superior H2O2 production rates of 903 ± 24, 1073 ± 35, 963 ± 9, and 851 ± 56 μmol·g−1·h−1, respectively, much higher than that of pristine cyano-COF (577 ± 69 μmol·h−1·g−1). This study offers profound insights into the mechanism of noble metal sites in the solar-driven selective reduction of O2 to H2O2 synthesis.
Open Access
Article
07 August 2025Daoism, Confucianism, and the Rights of Nature: Transformative Relations in Ecological Governance
Confronting a global ecological crisis, this paper argues that conventional anthropocentric governance models, rooted in instrumental rationality, are inadequate. Drawing on Edoardo Ongaro’s concept of an integrative approach to an ontological and political philosophical understanding of public governance and administration, it proposes a relational framework for ecological governance by integrating the Rights of Nature (RoN) movement with classical Chinese philosophical traditions. The study emphasizes the complementary foundations offered by Daoism, specifically its concepts of ziran (natural spontaneity) and wuwei (non-coercive action) which support decentralized governance aligned with ecological self-organization, and Confucianism, particularly tian ren he yi (unity of heaven and humanity), which embeds ecological stewardship within moral self-cultivation (ren) and social duty (li). Comparative case studies highlight cultural complexities in implementing such relational governance. This paper outlines a tripartite pathway for building transformative capacities within this relational framework and discusses policy implications.
Open Access
Review
07 August 2025Progress in the Study of Transition Metal-Based Carbon Nanotube Composites for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution
Hydrogen is an efficient, clean, and economical energy source, primarily due to its remarkably high energy density. Electrolytic water is considered an attractive and feasible method for hydrogen production. The high cost and scarcity of traditional Pt-based catalysts limit their large-scale application. Transition metals (TMs)-based composites, particularly those integrated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have emerged as promising alternatives due to their high conductivity, surface area, and ability to enhance the catalytic properties of TMs. Currently, there is no systematic summary of TMs-based CNTs composites for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this review, the main synthesis methods, including the wet chemical method, chemical vapor deposition, and electrochemical techniques, were first summarized. Then, the latest advancements of TMs/CNTs composites, focusing on their structure, electronic properties and superior HER catalytic performance, were systematically discussed. The catalytic mechanisms are meticulously examined, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role of CNTs in enhancing charge transfer and stabilizing metal nanoparticles. Finally, this review addresses the current challenges and future development directions for HER catalysts.
Open Access
Communication
05 August 2025Autoimmune Adverse Events Following Immunization
Adverse events (AEs) following immunization can include autoimmune AEs for some vaccines and combinations. This study retrospectively examines autoimmune AEs to detect safety signals for vaccines and concomitantly administered vaccines in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database. This study focuses on which vaccines were administered or coadministered for retrospective analysis of analyzed autoimmune AEs. Observed results include multiple autoimmune AE safety signals: human papillomavirus (HPV) Cervarix, HPV Gardasil, hepatitis (Hep) A + Hep B (Twinrix), Lyme disease (LYMErix), coadministered COVID-19 Moderna + Pfizer-BioNTech, Hep B (Engerix-B), and others. Identified arthritis AE safety signals include Lyme disease (LYMErix), rubella (Meruvax II), HPV (Cervarix), Anthrax (Biothrax) + Smallpox (Dryvax), and more. Coadministered DTaP + HepB + IPV (Pediarix) + Hib (Pedvaxhib) + Pneumococcal (Prevnar13) + Rotavirus (Rotarix) may be exhibiting synergy AE rate for eczema AEs. Thirty five influenza vaccines were observed with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) AE safety signals, plus additional safety signals for multiple other vaccines. influenza (H1N1 monovalent) (GSK) exhibits a very high rate for narcolepsy AEs.
Open Access
Article
01 August 2025Eastern Lubber Grasshopper Extract-Inspired Silver Nanoparticles Selectively Inhibit Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a protein/polypeptide-rich aqueous extract from the Eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera), as a natural reducing and capping agent. The resulting AgNPs exhibited relatively uniform sizes (10–60 nm) and were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Disk diffusion tests against five bacterial strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Burkholderia cenocepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) demonstrated that the insect-extract-induced AgNPs selectively and significantly inhibited MRSA growth, with an average value of zone of inhibition of 9.16 ± 1.11 mm (n = 4). Statistical analysis confirmed the superior antibacterial activity of the Eastern lubber grasshopper-derived AgNPs against MRSA compared to citrate-capped AgNPs and free silver ions. These findings reveal the potential of insect-derived AgNPs as selective, green-synthesized antibacterial agents with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Open Access
Article
31 July 2025Experimental Study on the Strength Distribution and Pore Distribution of Industrial Pellet and DRI
Against the backdrop of the “dual-carbon” goals driving the steel industry's transition toward hydrogen metallurgy, the hydrogen-based shaft furnace process has emerged as a focal point due to its low-carbon emissions. This study employs compression testing, mercury intrusion porosimeter, and industrial computed tomography characterization to compare the mechanical properties and pore structures of industrial pellets and direct reduced iron (DRI). The results show that the compressive strength and mass specific breakage energy of DRI are lower than those of pellets, and the breakage characteristic parameters at the same particle size are lower, making it more prone to breakage; the compressive strength of both increases with the increase of particle size, the mass specific breakage energy decreases with the increase of particle size, and the strength growth rate of pellets is faster. In terms of pore structure, pellets are mainly composed of uniform macropores of 3428 nm with a porosity of 22.3%; DRI has a porosity of 48.8%, mainly composed of 3431 nm macropores and 831 nm micropores, with a low tortuosity index, which is conducive to gas diffusion. This study provides parameters and theoretical basis for modeling of burden movement and crushing in shaft furnace.
Open Access
Article
31 July 2025Single Shift Segmentation Improves Moderate Flood Estimates under Nonstationary Conditions across the United States
Precipitation, particularly at high quantiles, has been reported to increase in various regions across the globe, raising pluvial flood risk. One of the main challenges in reliable flood frequency analysis is handling nonstationarity arising from climate variability or anthropogenic disturbances such as land use/cover change or river regulation. To separate these nonstationary footprints, we analyzed annual maximum peak flow records from 18 reference (minimally disturbed) and 66 non-reference stream gages, each with more than 100 years of flood records across the United States. Next, we used a nonparametric Pettitt test to identify statistically significant change points. When present, the flood record was split into pre- and post-change segments with a Log-Pearson III distribution fitted to each. Depending on the region and site type, using a segmented record improved the quantile estimate. At the majority of reference sites, post-change data produced the highest flood quantiles, reflecting recent climate-driven nonstationarity. Conversely, at several non-reference sites, pre-change data returned larger estimates, indicating that long-standing anthropogenic disturbances can attenuate the signal of climatic variations. Our study confirms that fitting a flood frequency model to the segment that minimizes nonstationarity, rather than the entire record, returns more reliable estimates for moderate flood magnitudes of up to a 25-year return interval. The approach highlights the need to understand the population from which flood records are extracted, to separate those populations where appropriate, and then fit a statistical distribution. This practical approach offers a simple thought process for updating moderate flood forecasts to guide infrastructure design or rehabilitation in the current dynamic environment, an era of constant change that needs flexibility in everything we design.
