Jennifer B. Dunn

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide N 2 O emissions-reducing technologies are essential to reduce wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this study, we perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of a technology that intentionally produces N 2 O from WWTP N and uses this gas as an oxidant in the production of phenol and co-product N 2 . We compare the cost and sustainability of producing phenol and N 2 with this technology and via conventional routes (cumene-to-phenol, cryogenic distillation, and pressure swing absorption to N 2 ). Depending on the co-product allocation method, the median cumulative energy demand of the phenol produced from WWTP nitrogen is 30% to 50% higher than phenol from the cumene process, while the global warming potential of phenol produced via this pathway ranges from 10% lower to 40% higher than conventional routes to this chemical. However, depending on the WWTP size, level of N 2 O recovery, and market price of feedstocks and products, producing phenol at WWTP with this technology can produce a positive internal rate of return. We conclude that this technology could be applicable for large-scale WWTPs, but technological advancements are needed.

Many critical minerals underpinning green energy technologies are disproportionately located on or near Indigenous lands. Hence, there is a risk that an improperly managed green energy transition will violate Indigenous rights, thereby mirroring the extractive harms of current fossil fuel-based systems. There is a need to understand the capacity for current decision-making processes to engage with Indigenous Knowledge and uphold Indigenous rights. Several forms of impact assessment, risk assessment, and systems analysis exist to inform permitting, policymaking, and other decision-making processes. Here, we evaluate 18 such assessments to identify risks of Indigenous sovereignty violation. Contextualizing each aspect of our analysis within Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin (Anishinaabe-specific Indigenous Knowledge), we conduct a thematic analysis of over 50 assessment protocol sources in parallel with teachings shared by Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin holders. The teachings of Asemaa, Ma'iingan, and the Seventh Fire Prophecy emphasize consent, connection, and kinship as tenets of sustainability. Yet we find that consultation-based, often ambiguous participation protocols risk undermining consensus-building. Additionally, complex connections between assessments bely methods that isolate elements of sustainability in contradiction to Anishinaabe teachings of intertwined human and ecological well-being. Our analysis culminates in recommendations for co-developing more comprehensive, sovereignty-affirming assessment processes. The implementation of these recommendations will vary across contexts; however, the structure of our analysis provides a broadly applicable example of collaborative research that bridges knowledge systems. As depicted in the Seventh Fire Prophecy, we stand at a sustainability crossroads; ultimately, our analysis seeks to improve assessment protocols and guide decision making toward a more sustainable path.

Lithium is necessary for low-carbon technologies that combat climate change, but lithium extraction is water-intensive. Changes in temperature and precipitation arising from climate change are altering water distribution, which could further strain supplies for new mines and industry, farms, and households. Here we explored how climate change, water use, and mining siting could impact lithium mining in the United States. We analyzed whether there would be sufficient water available to support the single existing and 22 proposed U.S. lithium mines at mid-century under four socioeconomic-climate scenarios and five climate models. Though dependent on socioeconomic-climate scenario, climate model, and lithium deposit type, available water supply in most subbasins would likely be unable to support new mines’ water demands, or even non-mining water demands from other sectors. Water scarcity could hinder the ability of the United States to produce enough lithium to meet domestic demand thereby necessitating higher imports. United States domestic lithium production is likely to be limited by water scarcity in the future, which could make the United States more reliant on imports, suggests an analysis of water use, climate change and mining sites based on five climate models and four socioeconomic climate scenarios.

This repository contains the supporting information and underlying data used in the publication: "Future water constraints on United States lithium mining under climate change" by Trost et al. (2026) The Supplementary Information Excel file contains information and data on mine sites, water use of mines and from literature, and annual production data and estimates. This repository includes python code and data used to conduct the analysis. In order to run the code and source data properly, file directories will need to be updated to the directories where the data and code has been downloaded to. Population_Projections includes code and data to support Figure 8. Temp_Precip_Changes includes code and data to support Figures 4 and 5. Uncertainty Analysis includes code and data to support Figures 6 and 7. Supplemental Data 1 includes location data to support Figure 2 and direct water use estimates of lithium mining from literature to support Figure 1. Water supply data are from Caldwell et al. (2019) and the Water Supply Stress Index Model (WaSSI). Please contact the authors for full access to their data. Water demand data for non-mining sectors are from Warziniack et al. (2022). Please contact the authors for full access to their data.

This repository contains the supporting information and underlying data used in the publication: "Future water constraints on United States lithium mining under climate change" by Trost et al. (2026) The Supplementary Information Excel file contains information and data on mine sites, water use of mines and from literature, and annual production data and estimates. This repository includes python code and data used to conduct the analysis. In order to run the code and source data properly, file directories will need to be updated to the directories where the data and code has been downloaded to. Population_Projections includes code and data to support Figure 8. Temp_Precip_Changes includes code and data to support Figures 4 and 5. Uncertainty Analysis includes code and data to support Figures 6 and 7. Supplemental Data 1 includes location data to support Figure 2 and direct water use estimates of lithium mining from literature to support Figure 1. Water supply data are from Caldwell et al. (2019) and the Water Supply Stress Index Model (WaSSI). Please contact the authors for full access to their data. Water demand data for non-mining sectors are from Warziniack et al. (2022). Please contact the authors for full access to their data.

Life cycle assessments of the minerals used in decarbonization do not consider the greenhouse gas emissions that arise from land use change as mining sites increase to accommodate growing minerals demand. This omission could lead to underestimation of lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle life-cycle GHG emissions. We developed a consequential LCA-inspired model to account for land use change greenhouse gas emissions that predicts per ton mineral life-cycle GHG emissions can increase up to four-fold. Per kWh battery emissions increase by 20-29% for nickel manganese cobalt cathode chemistries. Increases for batteries with LFP cathodes range from 9-16%. This analysis demonstrates how these emissions, previously unaddressed in existing models, could increase the contributions to climate change from mining minerals used in decarbonization technologies.

While printed electronic sensors present significant opportunities for the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial-scale production of these devices also raises numerous environmental concerns, including electronic waste generation and critical mineral depletion. Here, we circumvent these issues by demonstrating high-performance biodegradable printed electronic sensors based exclusively on agripaper substrates and graphene inks sourced from biomass. The agripaper substrate is produced from miscanthus and hemp, which are hardy, drought-tolerant agricultural crops. Meanwhile, the sensing layer is composed of cellulose nanocrystals derived from miscanthus, and graphene nanoplatelets derived from hardwood biochar. These plant-based printing materials are renewable, biodegradable, and readily processable at scale. The resulting printed electronic sensors exhibit superlative humidity sensitivity, showing a relative resistance change of 2.6 over a humidity range of 35–85% RH with response and recovery times of ~1 second and ~4 seconds, respectively. These sensors also perform well under humidity cycling and possess minimal confounding temperature dependence, outperforming traditional devices based on plastic substrates and metallic inks. By utilizing biomass for all raw materials, this additive manufacturing methodology is sustainable, minimizes supply chain risks, and provides an enabling step towards a circular bioeconomy.

ABSTRACT Recycling processes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are imperative to support the sustainable growth of global energy storage systems. This study introduces a scalable method for the upcycling of spent graphite anodes from LIBs to produce electronic‐grade graphene nanoplatelets. In addition to comprehensive materials characterization, the electronic quality of the upcycled graphene is demonstrated by formulating it into a screen printing ink that achieves high‐resolution patterning and thin‐film electrical conductivity exceeding 10 4 S m −1 . This screen printing ink is also used to print planar micro‐supercapacitors with exceptional areal capacitance (1.78 mF cm −2 ), areal energy density (0.247 µWh cm −2 ), and cycling stability (> 10 000 cycles). Life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno‐economic analysis (TEA) highlight the environmental benefits and cost reductions attainable through upcycling of graphite from LIBs. By capturing economic value from spent LIBs, this work fosters a sustainable battery supply chain and provides an abundant and geographically distributed raw material for electronic‐grade graphene.

Summary of emissions and their life-cycle impacts of 19 critical mineral mines in the U.S.

In this paper, we demonstrate that life cycle assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool for evaluating the trade-offs between critical mineral acquisition and its resulting environmental impacts, but the applications of LCA to critical mineral mining are inconsistent and limited. These inconsistencies inhibit effective comparison of mines' effects and decision-making in support of environmentally responsible mineral supply chains. To illustrate these limitations, we analyzed how 74 peer-reviewed and gray literature critical mineral mining LCAs applied the four phases of LCA. To further assess how these LCAs account for environmental impacts, we created a data set of critical mining impacts reported in the EJ Atlas. Based on this thorough assessment, we propose a series of guidelines for each LCA phase for application to critical mineral mining. These recommendations provide an opportunity to standardize critical mineral mining LCAs and enable better comparison to inform decision-making and mining policy development.

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide To advance a nitrogen circular economy, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) must use technologies that recover waste nitrogen and transform it into valuable products. One emerging option is partition–release–recover (PRR) technology. It transforms waste nitrogen into cyanophycin-accumulating organism microbial protein (CAO MP), which can be used as a protein source in animal feed. In this study, we perform a life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of a prospective WWTP configuration that incorporates this technology and assess whether it merits further development. Conventional activated sludge and anaerobic/anoxic/oxic WWTP systems are comparator baseline systems. We compare CAO MP to five different protein sources (soybean meal, alfalfa feed, fishmeal, cottonseed feed, and dried distiller grain solubles). The PRR approach has a median GWP that is 1–32% lower than the comparator WWTP systems. The median levelized cost of wastewater treatment using the PRR technology is 34–58% lower than the A 2 O configuration. Finally, CAO MP shows substantially lower global warming potential and water consumption compared to traditional protein sources. We conclude that the PRR pathway to transform waste nitrogen into CAO MP is a promising pathway toward more sustainable nitrogen recovery technology and protein production, warranting further research and development.

Here, to assess the national climate impact of wastewater treatment and inform decarbonization, we assembled a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory of 15,863 facilities in the contiguous USA. Considering location and treatment configurations, we modelled on-site CH4, N2O and CO2 production and emissions associated with energy, chemical inputs and solids disposal. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we estimated median national emissions at 47 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, with on-site process CH4 and N2O emissions exceeding current government estimates by 41%. Treatment configurations with anaerobic digesters are responsible for 16 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year of fugitive methane, outweighing benefits achieved through on-site electricity generation. Systems designed for nutrient removal have the highest greenhouse gas emissions intensity, attributable to energy requirements and N2O production, demonstrating current trade-offs between meeting water quality and climate objectives. We analysed key sensitivities and included a geospatial analysis to highlight the scale and distribution of opportunities for reducing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. Benchmarking greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants is an essential step in developing mitigation strategies. This is now achieved for the USA by modelling over 15,000 facilities using Monte Carlo simulations to obtain a national baseline.

BACKGROUND Operating rooms (ORs) generate substantial waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in part due to common reliance on single-use disposable items widely used in prefabricated surgical kits. This study evaluates the environmental and economic benefits of streamlining surgical kits in a children's hospital. METHOD Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to assess the cradle-to-grave impact of surgical kits, quantifying GHG emissions from raw material extraction through disposal. GHG emissions were modeled using the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model and openLCA software, scaled to annual surgical volumes, and converted using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Iterative stakeholder consultation identified items for removal to minimize waste while maintaining operative needs. Cost savings were calculated from medical supplier data. RESULTS Optimizing three surgical kits (Pediatric Major, Pediatric Minor, and Pediatric Minor-Outpatient) by removing select items (for example, large ring basins, preparation trays, suction tubing, extra gowns) resulted in annual cost savings of $8,608 and GHG reductions of 30,654 g across 2,676 pediatric surgical cases. GHG reductions ranged from 6.9 g to 13.0 g per pack. If applied across all surgical service lines (cases = 26,000), projected GHG reductions would be between 179,400 g and 338,000 g, with a median of 288,600 g, equivalent to 783 miles (1,260 kilometers) driven, or a journey between Chicago and New York City. CONCLUSION Streamlining pediatric surgical kits offers a scalable, cost-effective strategy for reducing the environmental impact of ORs. LCA provides a robust framework for evaluating sustainability in healthcare, supporting informed decision-making to enhance resource efficiency.

The environmental impacts of cotton production in the United States will change with evolving technology and a changing climate. We therefore predict these environmental impacts, including water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, under different future scenarios through 2049. Our predictions, driven by machine learning models and climate projections under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, highlight several key trends. The total water use for cotton production is dominated by irrigation water and is expected to increase slightly by 2049 because of climate change. The current pattern of lower irrigation needs in the East and higher needs in the West will continue. Nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen fertilizer application are significantly influenced by wet and dry climate conditions. These emissions constitute a major source of greenhouse gas emissions for cotton lint production, representing approximately 28% of total emissions under current practices. Regarding energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the declining trend in electricity and diesel usage since 2000 highlights the benefits of technological advancements in agricultural machinery and irrigation systems. The scenarios proposed in this study replace diesel with electricity to power farm equipment, not only meet cost constraints but also provide environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 24% to 32% by 2050. This research provides valuable insights into the future environmental impacts of cotton lint production, examining the integrated effects of climate change, fertilizer management, and electrified agricultural machinery. These findings serve as an important reference for agricultural stakeholders and policymakers.

In this paper, we demonstrate that life cycle assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool for evaluating the trade-offs between critical mineral acquisition and its resulting environmental impacts, but the applications of LCA to critical mineral mining are inconsistent and limited. These inconsistencies inhibit effective comparison of mines’ effects and decision-making in support of environmentally responsible mineral supply chains. To illustrate these limitations, we analyzed how 74 peer-reviewed and gray literature critical mineral mining LCAs applied the four phases of LCA. To further assess how these LCAs account for environmental impacts, we created a dataset of critical mining impacts reported in the EJ Atlas. Based on this thorough assessment, we propose a series of guidelines for each LCA phase for application to critical mineral mining. These recommendations provide an opportunity to standardize critical mineral mining LCAs and enable better comparison to inform decision-making and mining policy development.

Production and pollution data and information for United States critical mineral mines are heavily 14 fragmented across numerous databases and sources, such as government emissions reports and company 15 documents. These disintegrated data complicate fair and consistent analyses and community 16 understanding of mine operations and their impacts. We aggregated location, production, and emissions 17 data for 19 active critical mineral mines in the United States and developed an interactive data 18 compendium map and data set. We also calculate the ecotoxicity, human health cancer, and human 19 health non-cancer life-cycle impacts of the emissions from these mines. Further, we analyze the proximity 20 of these mines to disadvantaged community tracts identified by the Justice40 initiative. All mines are 21 within 29 miles of a disadvantaged tract. Furthermore, we define a methodology to develop probability 22 distribution functions for mining pollution data to support robust mining life cycle inventory data. We also 23 discuss next steps to expand the data compendium to additional critical minerals and other countries like 24 Australia and Chile.

Production and pollution data and information for United States critical mineral mines are heavily 14 fragmented across numerous databases and sources, such as government emissions reports and company 15 documents. These disintegrated data complicate fair and consistent analyses and community 16 understanding of mine operations and their impacts. We aggregated location, production, and emissions 17 data for 19 active critical mineral mines in the United States and developed an interactive data 18 compendium map and data set. We also calculate the ecotoxicity, human health cancer, and human 19 health non-cancer life-cycle impacts of the emissions from these mines. Further, we analyze the proximity 20 of these mines to disadvantaged community tracts identified by the Justice40 initiative. All mines are 21 within 29 miles of a disadvantaged tract. Furthermore, we define a methodology to develop probability 22 distribution functions for mining pollution data to support robust mining life cycle inventory data. We also 23 discuss next steps to expand the data compendium to additional critical minerals and other countries like 24 Australia and Chile.

This article describes the use of life cycle analysis to better understand the environmental impact of a single‐use laryngoscope. This can help to better target waste reduction and find better solutions to improve environmental sustainability in healthcare.

In this paper, we demonstrate that life cycle assessment (LCA) is a valuable tool for evaluating the trade-offs between critical mineral acquisition and its resulting environmental impacts, but the applications of LCA to critical mineral mining are inconsistent and limited. These inconsistencies inhibit fair comparison of mines’ effects and decision-making. To illustrate these limitations, we analyzed the four LCA phases for 56 peer-reviewed or grey literature critical mineral mining LCAs. Additionally, we compiled reported environmental impacts of critical mining from the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas) to guide impact category selection. We elaborate a framework with recommendations for each LCA phase. This framework provides an opportunity to standardize critical mineral mining LCAs and enable better comparison, decision-making, and mining policy.

Decarbonization technologies promise to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, these technologies contain critical minerals, such as nickel, lithium, and cobalt. Minerals mining can have substantial environmental and social impacts. Prospective LCA can be used to project these impacts and compare them among proposed mines, especially in nations like the U.S. that aim to increase domestic minerals production. We therefore conducted a cradle-to-grave LCA on a proposed copper-nickel mine in the United States. Flotation processing was the largest contributor to energy, water, and greenhouse gas burdens. Wastewater treatment and closure also have sizeable energy and water demands. We also estimate that it takes decades or centuries to restore the carbon stock loss from land clearing from reclamation efforts. This analysis highlights the importance of often-neglected elements of a mine’s life cycle in LCA such as land clearing, wastewater treatment, reclamation, and closure.

From environmental impact statements to regulatory impact assessments, there are a variety of analyses in the United States that measure sustainability to inform federal, state, and/or local decision-making. Without procedures to ensure meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and respect for Indigenous sovereignty, we find that many assessments currently jeopardize the discovery and development of truly sustainable solutions. Specifically, we evaluate how 17 different kinds of assessments (mis)align with Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin (Knowledge) on Asemaa, Ma’iingan, and the Seventh Fire prophecy – teachings that guide sustainable relationships between Physical, Plant, Animal, and Human Worlds. Our analysis is rooted in Anishinology and Two-Eyed Seeing, practices that together guide our approach to bridging Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin and Western scientific Knowledge and elucidate a more robust understanding of sustainability. “Sustainability” stands at a crossroads; ultimately, this analysis provides guidance for improving assessment protocols to ensure that current sustainability efforts do not repeat injustices of the past.

Hierarchical carbon supports, internally coated with PDA and catalyst, enhance reactant mass transport, achieve molecular dispersion of the catalyst, and tune the electronic environment of the Co center.

Recovering nitrogen (N) from wastewater is a potential avenue to reduce reliance on energy-intensive synthetic nitrogen fixation via Haber-Bosch and subsequent treatment of N-laden wastewaters through nitrification-denitrification. However, many technical and economic factors hinder widespread application of N recovery, particularly low N concentrations in municipal wastewater, paucity of high-efficiency separations technologies compatible with biological treatment, and suitable products and markets for recovered N. In this perspective, we contextualize the challenges of N recovery today, propose integrated biological and physicochemical technologies to improve selective and tunable N recovery, and propose an expanded product portfolio for recovered N products beyond fertilizers. We highlight cyanophycin, an N-rich biopolymer produced by a diverse range of bacteria, as a potential target for N bioconcentration and downstream recovery from municipal wastewater. This perspective emphasizes the equal importance of integrated biological systems, physicochemical separations, and market assessment in advancing nitrogen recovery from wastewater.

Desalination is increasingly essential to ensure access to water as climate change and population growth stress fresh water supplies. Already in use in water-stressed regions around the world, desalination generates fresh water from salty sources, and in doing so forms a concentrated brine that requires disposal. There is a growing push for the adoption of zero/minimal liquid discharge (ZLD/MLD) technologies that recover additional water from this brine, thereby reducing the liquid volumes requiring disposal. In this analysis, we evaluated the cost, energy and sustainability impacts of 7 overarching treatment trains with 75 different configurations. We found ZLD/MLD water recoveries ranging from 32.6% to 98.6%, but with steep energy and cost trade-offs that underscore the crucial roles of ion-specific separations, heat integration and clean energy sources. We explored the key trade-offs between cost, energy and water recovery, elucidating the increasingly tight connections that are central to the energy–water nexus and desalination. Desalination brine remains a challenge that zero/minimal liquid discharge aims to solve. Spanning 75 treatment scenarios, this analysis evaluates the trade-offs that underscore the crucial roles of ion specificity, heat integration and clean energy.

Adopting a holistic approach to manufacturing that strikes a balance between economic, ecological, and social viability and well-being has the potential to address the grand challenge of climate change and achieve the sustainable development goals.

Exploring a diverse portfolio of technologies for decarbonization is crucial to understanding the potential impacts of different technological solutions and their associated environmental implications. Using high-octane, high-sensitivity biofuel blends in co-optimized multimode engines can increase engine efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. The multimode engine research focuses on the benefits of light-duty vehicle engines, which can operate in multiple modes depending on the vehicle’s load. Low-temperature combustion can improve efficiency and reduce emissions (such as those from oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter) during low-load operation, while spark ignition performance is maintained in high-load operation. These advanced engines can be optimized to run on blends of biobased fuels. This analysis models scenarios for potential market adoption of co-optimized multimode vehicles fueled by three different bioblendstocks: ethanol, isopropanol, and isobutanol. An integrated modeling approach is used to forecast the energy and environmental impacts of the deployment of co-optimized multimode vehicles and fuels in the light-duty sector over the 2020-to-2050 time horizon. The multidisciplinary approach combines vehicle sales modeling, system dynamics modeling of the biorefining industry, and life cycle assessment to estimate the emissions and energy benefits. The models consider market forces such as consumer preferences for vehicle attributes, biofuel supply and demand dynamics subject to biorefinery capacity build-out and bioresource constraints, and forecasted changes to the U.S. bulk energy system over time. Market adoption of co-optimized vehicles is evaluated across a wide parameter space for incremental vehicle cost and engine efficiency improvement. This analysis reveals that the deployment of co-optimized multimode fuels and vehicles results in up to a 5% reduction in annual sector-wide life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, relative to a business-as-usual scenario, but is also indicates environmental trade-offs, such as higher life cycle water-use. Emission benefits could potentially increase beyond 2050, as the new technologies penetrate the market and gain a foothold. Results also show that, under certain circumstances, vehicles with engines co-optimized for use with high-octane, high-sensitivity biofuel blends can be cost-competitive with conventional gasoline, while reducing GHG emissions. Our modeling results indicate that co-optimized multimode fuels and engines can be strategically leveraged in tandem with electrification to decarbonize the light-duty sector. Co-optimized vehicles could play a role in the early years of the time horizon, while electric vehicles (EVs) could become more competitive in the later years, highlighting the complementary benefits of these technologies for GHG reductions.

To assess the national climate impact of wastewater treatment and inform decarbonization, we assembled a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory of 15,867 facilities in the contiguous United States. Considering facility location and treatment configurations, we model on-site CH4, N2O, and CO2 production, and emissions associated with energy, chemical inputs, and solids disposal. Our estimate of 42 million tonnes CO2-eq·year-1 is over 25% higher than current government national wastewater inventories. Without leak detection and repair programs, facilities with anaerobic digesters currently are responsible for 17 million tonnes CO2-eq·year-1 of fugitive methane, outweighing the greenhouse gas offsets achieved through on-site electricity generation. Treatment configurations designed for nitrification have the highest greenhouse gas emissions intensity, attributable to high energy requirements and N2O production, and demonstrating current trade-offs between meeting nutrient removal and climate objectives. We include a geospatial analysis to highlight the scale and distribution of opportunities to reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract Graphite is a commonly used raw material across many industries and the demand for high‐quality graphite has been increasing in recent years, especially as a primary component for lithium‐ion batteries. However, graphite production is currently limited by production shortages, uneven geographical distribution, and significant environmental impacts incurred from conventional processing. Here, an efficient method of synthesizing biomass‐derived graphite from biochar is presented as a sustainable alternative to natural and synthetic graphite. The resulting bio‐graphite equals or exceeds quantitative quality metrics of spheroidized natural graphite, achieving a Raman I D / I G ratio of 0.051 and crystallite size parallel to the graphene layers ( L a ) of 2.08 µm. This bio‐graphite is directly applied as a raw input to liquid‐phase exfoliation of graphene for the scalable production of conductive inks. The spin‐coated films from the bio‐graphene ink exhibit the highest conductivity among all biomass‐derived graphene or carbon materials, reaching 3.58 ± 0.16 × 10 4 S m −1 . Life cycle assessment demonstrates that this bio‐graphite requires less fossil fuel and produces reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to incumbent methods for natural, synthesized, and other bio‐derived graphitic materials. This work thus offers a sustainable, locally adaptable solution for producing state‐of‐the‐art graphite that is suitable for bio‐graphene and other high‐value products.

Abstract The Gemini South telescope is now equipped with a new high-resolution spectrograph called the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST). This instrument provides high-efficiency, high-resolution spectra covering 347–1060 nm in a single exposure of either one or two targets simultaneously, along with precision radial velocity spectroscopy utilizing an internal calibration source. It can operate at a spectral element resolving power of either 76,000 or 56,000, and can reach a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼5 in a 1 hr exposure on a V ∼ 20.8 mag target in median site seeing and dark skies (per resolution element). GHOST was installed on-site in 2022 June, and we report performance after full integration to queue operations in 2023 November, in addition to scientific results enabled by the integration observing runs. These results demonstrate the ability to observe a wide variety of bright and faint targets with high efficiency and precision. With GHOST, new avenues to explore high-resolution spectroscopy have opened up to the astronomical community. These are described, along with the planned and potential upgrades to the instrument.

The absence of scalable and environmentally sustainable methods for producing electronic-grade graphene nanoplatelets remains a barrier to the industrial-scale application of graphene in printed electronics and conductive composites. To address this unmet need, here we report the utilization of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from the perennial tall grass Miscanthus × giganteus as a biorenewable dispersant for the aqueous liquid-phase exfoliation of few-layer graphene nanoplatelets. This CNC-based exfoliation procedure was optimized using a Bayesian machine learning model, resulting in a significant graphite-to-graphene conversion yield of 13.4% and a percolating graphene thin-film electrical conductivity of 3.4 × 10 4 S m –1 . The as-exfoliated graphene dispersions were directly formulated into an aerosol jet printing ink using cellulose-based additives to achieve high-resolution printing (∼20 μm line width). Life cycle assessment of this CNC-based exfoliation method showed substantial improvements for fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption compared to incumbent liquid-phase exfoliation methods for electronic-grade graphene nanoplatelets. Mechanistically, potential mean force calculations from molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the high exfoliation yield can be traced back to the favorable surface interactions between CNCs and graphene. Ultimately, the use of biorenewable CNCs for liquid-phase exfoliation will accelerate the scalable and eco-friendly manufacturing of graphene for electronically conductive applications.

This study uses life cycle analysis to comprehensively evaluate the environmental impact of a pediatric surgical kit, including water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Gemini South telescope is now equipped with a new high-resolution spectrograph called GHOST (the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph). This instrument provides high-efficiency, high-resolution spectra covering 347-1060 nm in a single exposure of either one or two targets simultaneously, along with precision radial velocity spectroscopy utilizing an internal calibration source. It can operate at a spectral element resolving power of either 76000 or 56000, and can reach a SNR$\sim$5 in a 1hr exposure on a V$\sim$20.8 mag target in median site seeing, and dark skies (per resolution element). GHOST was installed on-site in June 2022, and we report performance after full integration to queue operations in November 2023, in addition to scientific results enabled by the integration observing runs. These results demonstrate the ability to observe a wide variety of bright and faint targets with high efficiency and precision. With GHOST, new avenues to explore high-resolution spectroscopy have opened up to the astronomical community. These are described, along with the planned and potential upgrades to the instrument.

Recovering nitrogen (N) from wastewater is a potential avenue to reduce reliance on energy-intensive synthetic nitrogen fixation via Haber-Bosch and subsequent treatment of N-laden wastewaters through nitrification-denitrification. However, many technical and economic factors hinder widespread application of N recovery, particularly low N concentrations in municipal wastewater, paucity of high-efficiency separations technologies compatible with biological treatment, and suitable products and markets for recovered N. In this perspective, we contextualize the challenges of N recovery today, propose integrated biological and physicochemical technologies to improve selective and tunable N recovery, and propose an expanded product portfolio for recovered N products beyond fertilizers. We highlight cyanophycin, an N-rich biopolymer produced by a diverse range of bacteria, as a potential target for N bioconcentration and downstream recovery from municipal wastewater. This perspective emphasizes the equal importance of integrated biological systems, physicochemical separations, and market assessment in advancing nitrogen recovery from wastewater.

Decarbonization technologies promise to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, these technologies contain critical minerals, such as nickel, lithium, and cobalt. Minerals mining can have substantial environmental and social impacts. Prospective LCA can be used to project these impacts and compare them among proposed mines, especially in nations like the U.S. that aim to increase domestic minerals production. We therefore conducted a cradle-to-grave LCA on a proposed copper-nickel mine in the United States. Flotation processing was the largest contributor to energy, water, and greenhouse gas burdens. Wastewater treatment and closure also have sizeable energy and water demands. We also estimate that it takes decades or centuries to restore the carbon stock loss from land clearing from reclamation efforts. This analysis highlights the importance of often-neglected elements of a mine’s life cycle in LCA such as land clearing, wastewater treatment, reclamation, and closure.

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) show promise as more sustainable alternatives to conventional isocyanate-based polyurethanes (PUs). In this study, polyhydroxyurethane (PHU) and nonisocyanate polythiourethane (NIPTU) production and reprocessing models inform the results of a techno-economic analysis and a life cycle assessment. The profitability of selling PHU and NIPTU is rationalized by identifying significant production costs, indicating that raw materials drive the costs of PHU and NIPTU production and reprocessing. After stepping along a path of process improvements, PHU and NIPTU can achieve minimum selling prices (MSPs) of 3.15 and 4.39 USD kg –1, respectively. Depolymerization yields need to be optimized, and polycondensation reactions need to be investigated for the reprocessing of NIPUs into secondary (2°) NIPUs. Of the NIPUs examined here, PHU has a low depolymerization yield and NIPTU has a high depolymerization yield. Fossil energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water consumption are reported for the biobased production of PHU, NIPTU, 2° PHU, and 2° NIPTU and compared with baseline values for fossil-based PU production. There are options for reducing environmental impacts, which could make these pathways more sustainable. If barriers to implementation are overcome, 2° NIPUs can be manufactured at lower cost and environmental impacts than those of virgin NIPUs.

Graphite, an important ingredient in the energy transition, faces supply constraints in the U.S. Natural gas decomposition (NGD) coupled with graphitization could be an emerging source of graphite. We investigate using abundant U.S. natural gas resources to produce graphite via natural gas decomposition (NGD) coupled with graphitization at the Eagle Ford shale. When NGD uses wind power, it is possible to produce graphite at 94 % less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional synthetic graphite and 93 % less emissions than natural graphite. In addition, producing graphite in the U.S. with NGD could meet graphite demand through 2050. The co-produced H2 exhibits life-cycle GHG emissions between 0.71 to 0.78 kg CO2e/kg H2, well below the Inflation Reduction Act's threshold of 4 kg CO2e/kg for tax credit eligibility. Furthermore, decomposing NG to H2 and graphite in the most promising scenario reduces baseline NG system emissions (cradle-to-grave) by 78 %.

Shale gas is revolutionizing the U.S. energy and chemical commodity landscape and can ease the transition to a sustainable decarbonized economy. This work develops an equation-oriented (EO) multiscale modeling framework using the open-source IDAES-PSE platform that tractably incorporates microkinetic detail in process design via reduced-order kinetic (ROK) models. Using multiobjective optimization with embedded heat integration and life-cycle analysis, we simultaneously minimize the minimum selling price of liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., liquid fuels/additives from shale gas) and process emissions (via a CO 2 tax). Optimization reduces greenhouse gas emissions per MJ of fuel produced by over 35% compared to the literature and achieves a carbon efficiency of 87%. The optimizer changes the recycling rate, temperatures, and pressures to mitigate the effect of ROK model-form uncertainty on product portfolio predictions. Moreover, we show that the optimal process design is insensitive to changing CO 2 tax rates. Finally, the EO framework enables a fast sensitivity analysis of shale gas composition variability across 12 regions of the Eagle Ford basin. These results highlight the benefits of the open-source EO framework: fast, scalable, customized, and reproducible system analysis and optimization for sustainable energy technologies beyond shale utilization.