Search Results (373)

In alignment with the European Union’s 2050 carbon-neutrality targets, the automotive industry is intensifying efforts to adopt lightweight materials that ensure structural integrity without compromising safety. Press-hardened steels (PHS), offering a combination of ultra-high strength and formability, are at the forefront of these developments. Standard PHS grades rely on Ti–B microalloying; however, further alloying with Nb and V has been proposed to enhance hydrogen embrittlement resistance via microstructural refinement and hydrogen trapping. This study investigates hydrogen transport and mechanical degradation in a Ti–Nb–V microalloyed PHS compared to a conventional Ti-only 22MnB5 grade. Electrochemical permeation, thermal desorption, and mechanical testing were employed to characterize hydrogen diffusivity, solubility, and trapping mechanisms. The Ti–Nb–V variant demonstrated lower hydrogen diffusivity, higher solubility, and improved resistance to delayed fracture, attributable to the presence of fine NbTiV precipitates. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, has a significant, largely beneficial influence on climate change by decreasing material waste and requiring less energy use. The application of AM in the construction and industrial sectors has the potential to reduce carbon emissions. This goal may be accomplished by using material and energy-saving measures, improving manufacturing processes, designing lightweight structures, and reducing transportation operations. While 3DP has the potential to help reduce environmental degradation, it is crucial to recognize the inherent setbacks associated with the technology. Certain AM processes have the potential to emit volatile organic compounds, which contribute to air pollution and hence need improved control. Industrial 3D printers can be excessively expensive, greatly increasing the initial expenditure required to begin a project. Despite these limitations, AM can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate better-built environments, and provide a means to reduce energy usage while supporting global carbon neutrality objectives. Governments should extend financial assistance in the form of subsidies to help reduce equipment purchase costs. Furthermore, AM’s capacity to foster a circular economy and minimize overall environmental effects is dependent on the improvement of material recycling and scalability. Full article

In the face of accelerating climate change and urbanization, sustainable mobility infrastructure plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This article assesses the Sunglider concept—an elevated, solar-powered transport system—through the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Compass, which emphasizes sustainability, inclusion, and esthetic value. Designed by architect Peter Kuczia and collaborators, Sunglider combines photovoltaic energy generation with modular, parametrically designed wooden pylons to form a lightweight, climate-positive mobility solution. The study evaluates the system’s technological feasibility, environmental performance, and urban integration potential, drawing on existing design documentation and simulation-based estimates. While Sunglider demonstrates strong alignment with NEB principles, including zero-emission operation and material circularity, its implementation is challenged by high initial investment, political and planning complexities, and integration into dense urban environments. Mitigation strategies—such as adaptive routing, visual screening, and universal station access—are proposed to address concerns around privacy, esthetics, and accessibility. The article positions Sunglider as a scalable and replicable model for mid-sized European cities, capable of advancing inclusive, carbon-neutral mobility while enhancing the urban experience. It concludes with policy and research recommendations, highlighting the importance of embedding infrastructure innovation within broader ecological and cultural transitions. Full article

Rising global electricity demand and the expansion of distribution networks require a critical assessment of component-level greenhouse gas contributions. Distribution transformers, although indispensable, have significant life-cycle carbon impacts due to the use of materials, manufacturing, and in-service losses. This study conducts a life-cycle assessment of a single-phase, 75 kVA oil-immersed distribution transformer manufactured in Newfoundland, one of the provinces with the cleanest, hydro-dominated grids in Canada, and evaluates it over a 40-year lifespan. Using a cradle-to-use boundary, the analysis quantifies embodied emissions from raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation, alongside operational emissions derived from empirically measured no-load and load losses. All the data are collected directly during the manufacturing process, ensuring high analytical fidelity. The energy efficiency of the transformer is analyzed in MATLAB version R2023b using measured no-load and load losses to generate efficiency, load characteristics under various operating conditions. Under varying load factor scenarios and based on Newfoundland’s 2025 grid intensity of 18 g CO₂e/kWh, the lifetime operational emissions are estimated to range from 0.19 t CO₂e under no-load operation to 4.4 t CO₂e under full-load conditions. A linear regression-based decarbonization model using Microsoft Excel projects grid intensity to reach net-zero around 2037, two years beyond the provincial target, indicating that post-2037 transformer losses will remain energetically relevant but carbon-neutral. Sensitivity analysis reveals that temporary overloading can substantially elevate lifetime emissions, emphasizing the value of smart-grid-enabled load management and optimal transformer sizing. Comparative assessment with fossil fuel-intensive provinces across Canada demonstrates the dominant influence of grid generation mix on life-cycle emissions. Additionally, refurbishment scenarios indicate up to 50% reduction in cradle-to-gate emissions through material reuse and oil reclamation. The findings establish a scalable framework for integrating grid decarbonization trajectories, life-cycle carbon modelling, and circular-economy strategies into sustainable distribution network planning and transformer asset management. Full article

Under the dual imperatives of carbon neutrality and marine energy transition, hydrogen has emerged as an emerging energy storage carrier, offering a new pathway for offshore wind power consumption. This study addresses the critical challenges of offshore wind power intermittency and hydrogen transport efficiency bottlenecks by proposing an innovative solution. A coordinated planning method for far-offshore wind–hydrogen systems considering nearshore relay points is developed, establishing a multi-stage optimization framework of “offshore hydrogen production—relay point storage and transportation—hierarchical vessel delivery”. By optimizing hydrogen transport routes through coordinated allocation of electrolyzers, storage tanks, and vessel transportation, and designing a hierarchical transportation model that differentiates between ocean-going and nearshore vessels, the simulation results of a coastal area in China demonstrate that, compared with traditional methods, the proposed approach reduces investment costs and operation costs by nearly 10% while decreasing the monthly wind curtailment rate by 10.53%. Full article

Detailed geochemical modelling of the potential groundwater impacts of CO₂ geo-sequestration requires site-specific knowledge of how mobile elements are hosted within rocks. We present a simple sequential extraction procedure analogous to pH conditions produced by different partial pressures of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in contact with water. The procedure consists of three sequential steps: water at pH 7; acetic acid–ammonium acetate at pH 5 and then at pH 3, with the amounts of specific elements extracted by each step considered with respect to the whole rock total element abundance. Our purpose in developing this procedure is three-fold: (1) identify readily mobilized suites of elements for groundwater baseline and monitor bore studies; (2) provide insights regarding the mode/s of occurrence of easily extracted elements within rock samples; and (3) suggest possible mechanisms for the mobilization of rock-sourced elements into groundwater under neutral to moderately acidic pH that can inform the reactive transport modelling of carbon storage sites. In our case study, the second step extracted most of the main mobile elements of interest. Full article

The aviation industry, responsible for approximately 2.5–3.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable energy solutions. Hydrogen, with its high gravimetric energy density and zero carbon emissions during use, has emerged as a promising alternative fuel to support aviation decarbonization. However, its large-scale implementation remains hindered by cryogenic storage requirements, safety risks, infrastructure adaptation, and economic constraints. This study aims to identify and evaluate the primary technical and operational risks associated with hydrogen utilization in aviation through a comprehensive Monte Carlo Simulation-based risk assessment. The analysis specifically focuses on four key domains—hydrogen leakage, cryogenic storage, explosion hazards, and infrastructure challenges—while excluding economic and lifecycle aspects to maintain a technical scope only. A 10,000-iteration simulation was conducted to quantify the probability and impact of each risk factor. Results indicate that hydrogen leakage and explosion hazards represent the most critical risks, with mean risk scores exceeding 20 on a 25-point scale, whereas investment costs and technical expertise were ranked as comparatively low-level risks. Based on these findings, strategic mitigation measures—including real-time leak detection systems, composite cryotank technologies, and standardized safety protocols—are proposed to enhance system reliability and support the safe integration of hydrogen-powered aviation. This study contributes to a data-driven understanding of hydrogen-related risks and provides a technological roadmap for advancing carbon-neutral air transport. Full article

To achieve global carbon-neutrality goals, magnetic levitation (maglev) technologies offer a promising pathway toward sustainable, energy-efficient transportation systems. In this study, a comprehensive methodology was developed to analyse and optimise the levitation performance of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev systems. Several permanent magnet guideway (PMG) configurations were compared, and an optimised PMG Halbach array design was identified that enhances flux concentration and significantly improves levitation performance. To accurately model the electromagnetic interaction between the HTS bulk and the external magnetic field, finite element models based on the H-formulation were established in both two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D). An HTS maglev demonstrator was built using YBCO bulks, and an experimental platform was constructed to measure levitation force. While the 2D model offers fast computation, it shows deviations from the measurements due to geometric simplifications, whereas the 3D model predicts levitation forces for the cylindrical bulk with much higher accuracy, with errors remaining below 10%. The strong agreement between experimental measurements and the 3D simulation across the entire force–height cycle confirms that the proposed model reliably reproduces the electromagnetic coupling and resulting levitation forces in HTS maglev systems. The paper provides a practical and systematic reference for the optimal design and experimental validation of HTS bulk-based maglev systems. Full article

Higher education institutions face a critical methodological challenge in pursuing net-zero commitments: Within the amount ofhe emissions related to Scope 3, including indirect emissions from water consumption, waste disposal, business travel, and mobility, employees commuting represents 50–92% of campus carbon footprints, yet reliable quantification remains elusive due to fragmented data collection and governance silos. The present research investigates how purposeful integration of the Home-to-Work Commuting Plan (HtWCP)—mandatory under Italian Decree 179/2021—into the Climate Neutrality Plan (CNP) could constitute an innovative strategy to enhance emissions accounting rigor while strengthening institutional governance. Stemming from the University of Genoa case study, we show how leveraging mandatory HtWCP survey infrastructure to collect granular mobility behavioral data (transportation mode, commuting distance, and travel frequency) directly addresses the GHG Protocol-specified distance-based methodology for Scope 3 accounting. In turn, the CNP could support the HtWCP in framing mobility actions into a wider long-term perspective, as well as suggesting a compensation mechanism and paradigm for mobility actions that are currently not included. We therefore establish a replicable model that simultaneously advances three institutional dimensions, through the operationalization of the Avoid–Shift–Improve framework within an integrated workflow: (1) methodological rigor—replacing proxy methodologies with actual behavioral data to eliminate the notorious Scope 3 data gap; (2) governance coherence—aligning voluntary and regulatory instruments to reduce fragmentation and enhance cross-functional collaboration; and (3) adaptive management—embedding biennial feedback cycles that enable continuous validation and iterative refinement of emissions reduction strategies. This framework positions universities as institutional innovators capable of modeling integrated governance approaches with potential transferability to municipal, corporate, and public administration contexts. The findings contribute novel evidence to scholarly literature on institutional sustainability, policy integration, and climate governance, whilst establishing methodological standards relevant to international harmonization efforts in carbon accounting. Full article

To identify the emission reduction potential and policy synergies of Tokyo’s road passenger and urban road freight transport under the “carbon neutrality target,” this paper constructs an assessment framework for megacities. First, based on macroeconomic socioeconomic variables (population, GDP, road length, and employment), regression equations are used to predict traffic turnover for different modes of transport from 2021 to 2050. Then, the prediction results are imported into the LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning) model. By adjusting three policy levers—vehicle technology substitution (ZEV: EV/FCEV), energy intensity improvement, and upstream electricity and hydrogen supply decarbonization—a “single-factor vs. multi-factor (policy synergy)” scenario matrix is designed for comparison. The results show that the emission reduction potential of a single measure is limited; upstream decarbonization yields the greatest independent emission reduction effect, while the emission reduction effect of deploying zero-emission vehicles and improving energy efficiency alone is small. In the most ambitious composite scenario, emissions will decrease by approximately 83% by 2050 compared to the baseline scenario, with cumulative emissions decreasing by over 35%. Emissions from rail and taxis will approach zero, while buses and freight will remain the primary residual sources. This indicates that achieving net zero emissions in the transportation sector requires not only accelerated ZEV penetration but also the simultaneous decarbonization of electricity and hydrogen, as well as policy timing design oriented towards fleet replacement cycles. The integrated modeling and scenario analysis presented in this paper provide quantifiable evidence for the formulation of a medium- to long-term emissions reduction roadmap and the optimization of policy mix in Tokyo’s transportation sector. Full article

Methanol is a liquid fuel with high oxygen content and the potential for a closed-loop carbon-neutral production cycle. To investigate the mixture formation and combustion characteristics of a heavy-duty Port Fuel Injection (PFI) methanol engine, a three-dimensional numerical simulation model was established using the CONVERGE 3.0 software. Multi-cycle simulations were performed to analyze the influence of wall film dynamics on engine performance. The results indicate that the “adhesion–evaporation” equilibrium of the intake port wall film determines the in-cylinder mixture concentration. Due to the high latent heat of vaporization of methanol, severe wall-wetting occurs during the initial cycles, causing the actual fuel intake to lag behind the injection and leading to an overly lean mixture and misfire. Regarding injection strategies, the open valve injection (OVI) strategy utilizes high-speed intake airflow to reduce wall adhesion and improve fuel transport efficiency compared to closed valve injection. OVI refers to the fuel injection strategy that injects fuel into the intake port during the intake valve opening phase. The open valve injection strategy (e.g., SOI −500° CA) demonstrates distinct superiority over closed valve strategies (SOI −200°/−100° CA), achieving a 75% reduction in wall film mass. The long injection duration and early phasing allow the high-speed intake airflow to carry fuel directly into the cylinder, significantly minimizing wall film accumulation and avoiding the “fuel starvation” observed in closed-valve strategies. Additionally, OVI fully utilizes methanol’s latent heat to generate an intake cooling effect, which lowers the in-cylinder temperature and helps suppress knock. Furthermore, a dual-injector strategy is proposed to balance spatial atomization and rapid fuel transport, which achieves a 66.7% increase in the fuel amount entering the cylinder compared with the original strategy. This configuration effectively resolves the fuel induction lag, achieving stable combustion starting from the first cycle. Full article

Reducing the consumption of energy-intensive cement and promoting the resource utilization of industrial waste are two critical challenges that should be urgently addressed to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality and green sustainable development in the building materials field. Among these, the massive stockpiling of industrial waste such as fly ash and silica fume poses serious threats to the environment and human health, making their efficient utilization an urgent need to alleviate environmental pressure. This study employs the ice-template method to incorporate fly ash and silica fume as functional components into a cement-based system, fabricating a novel composite material. This material features a layered porous structure, which not only reduces cement usage but also results in a lighter weight. The introduction of the ice-templating method successfully constructed an anisotropic lamellar structure, leading to significant enhancements in flexural strength and toughness—by approximately 26.6% and 30%, respectively, vertical to the lamellae compared to conventional dense cement. Meanwhile, the hybrid blend of silica fume and fly ash effectively improved the deformability of the material, as evidenced by a notable increase in compressive failure strain. These excellent behaviors of mechanical properties are attributed to the formation of a multi-scale microstructure characterized by “macroscopically continuous and microscopically dense” features. Moreover, this specific microstructure offers greater advantages in sound absorption performance. The acoustic impedance tube tests demonstrate that the noise reduction coefficient of the novel cement-based material incorporating fly ash and silica fume is improved by 82%, holding promising applications in noise reduction for the construction and transportation fields. This research provides a feasible pathway for the high-value application of industrial solid waste in low-carbon materials. Full article

Under the dual pressures of global climate change and China’s “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” targets, traditional urban development models are insufficient to support sustainable transitions. Smart cities (SCs) have emerged as key platforms for achieving low-carbon urban transformation, yet the systemic causal mechanisms and dynamic transmission pathways of carbon emissions within these cities remain underexplored. This study develops an integrated DEMATEL–ISM–SD modeling framework to systematically identify key drivers, reveal causal structures, and simulate the dynamic evolution of carbon emissions in SCs. Eighteen influencing factors were identified through a comprehensive literature review. DEMATEL analysis evaluated the causal strength and centrality of factors, ISM constructed a five-level hierarchical structure, and a system dynamics model was established for scenario simulation, using Shenzhen as a case study. The results show that green technological innovation capacity exhibits the highest centrality, while energy structure demonstrates the strongest causal influence. SC policy intensity is positioned at the deepest level of the hierarchical structure, serving as a foundational driver that exerts influence on all other factors. Scenario simulations indicate that enhancing green innovation, optimizing industrial and energy structures, and developing smart transportation systems can significantly reduce carbon emissions over time. The research findings reveal the key drivers and transmission pathways of carbon emissions in SCs, providing a reference basis for policy formulation on urban low-carbon transformation and sustainable development. Full article

Under the national carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, electrical equipment plays a crucial role in energy production, transmission, and end-use systems, making the research on its lifecycle carbon emissions and mitigation strategies particularly significant. Based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework, this review systematically examines carbon emission characteristics across raw material acquisition, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and end-of-life recycling stages of electrical equipment. The analysis indicates that the manufacturing and usage stages are generally the main contributors to total lifecycle emissions. Moreover, challenges such as incomplete carbon data, inconsistent boundary definitions, and insufficient recycling systems are highlighted. Correspondingly, this review summarizes key mitigation pathways, including low-carbon design and material optimization, low-carbon manufacturing processes, energy-efficient operation supported by intelligent monitoring, and enhanced recycling and remanufacturing practices. Finally, future perspectives are proposed, emphasizing the need to establish unified LCA databases, develop intelligent and data-driven carbon monitoring systems, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to support the green and low-carbon transformation of electrical equipment industries. Full article

Hydrogen (H₂) is a key clean energy carrier for achieving carbon neutrality, featuring both cleanliness and high efficiency. Biomass-to-hydrogen technologies, with the advantages of strong renewability and low emissions, provide a highly promising alternative to fossil fuel-based hydrogen production. This review summarizes the main pathways and latest research progress in catalytic hydrogen production from biomass, focusing on the role of catalysts and optimization directions in the two major processes of thermochemical and biochemical methods. Despite the rapid development in this field, the large-scale application of biomass-to-hydrogen technologies is still limited by issues such as catalyst deactivation, feedstock composition fluctuations, and low energy efficiency. Traditional biomass-to-hydrogen technologies cannot achieve breakthrough progress in large-scale production in the short term; however, through coupled emerging technologies like biomass electrooxidation for hydrogen production and on-site hydrogen production via aqueous ethanol reforming, biomass-based hydrogen production is expected to solve problems such as low energy efficiency and high transportation difficulties, thereby making an important contribution to the construction of a green and low-carbon hydrogen economy system. Future research should focus on the rational design of stable nanocatalysts, artificial intelligence-driven research and development as well as advanced characterization technologies and the application of integrated systems and process innovation, along with diverse feedstocks and high-value-added product systems. Full article