Search Results (131,627)

Polyphenols are structurally diverse plant secondary metabolites with broad biological activities and growing applications across the food, health, and materials sectors. Conventional extraction based on organic solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol) is often energy-intensive, inefficient, and environmentally burdensome. Ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have therefore emerged as greener alternatives for polyphenol extraction. This review evaluates recent advances in solvent design, extraction performance, and process sustainability. Imidazolium-based ILs frequently achieve high yields and selectivity, particularly when coupled with ultrasound or microwave-assisted extraction, but high cost, synthetic complexity, viscosity-related constraints, and potential toxicity hinder scaleup. By contrast, DESs—especially those derived from choline chloride or lactic acid—are easier to prepare, less costly, and more compatible with industrial implementation, with efficiency enhanced by tailoring hydrogen bond networks, water content, and process intensification. Critical downstream challenges persist for both solvent classes, notably in extract purification and solvent recovery due to low volatility; approaches such as resin adsorption, antisolvent precipitation, and direct formulation have been explored. Overall, ILs and DESs represent compelling alternatives to conventional solvents, and future progress will depend on integrated extraction–recovery strategies, systematic solvent selection, and validation under scalable, sustainable processing conditions. Full article

Mountain orchards in southern China are characterized by fragmented and complex terrain with a wide slope variation range (5~30°), which easily leads to uneven pesticide distribution and pesticide accumulation on gentle slopes. These issues give rise to core technical bottlenecks such as low pesticide utilization rate, poor operational efficiency, and unclear atomization mechanism, hindering the optimization of pesticide application parameters, causing pesticide waste and environmental pollution, and restricting the sustainable development of the mountain fruit industry. To address this problem, this study designed a slope-classified pipeline layout and developed a high-efficiency fixed pipeline system for phytosanitary application in mountain orchards, featuring stable operation, low labor intensity, and easy intelligent transformation. Following the technical route of “theoretical design-atomization mechanism analysis-parameter optimization-laboratory verification-field application”, ruby nozzles with high wear resistance, uniform droplet distribution, and long service life were selected and optimized to meet the demand for long-term fixed pesticide application in mountain orchards. High-speed imaging technology was used to real-time capture the dynamic atomization process of nozzles, providing support for clarifying the atomization mechanism. Advanced methods such as fluorescence tracing were adopted to quantitatively evaluate key indicators including droplet deposition in canopies, and the system performance was verified through laboratory and field tests, laying a scientific foundation for its popularization and application. Field test results showed that the optimal spray pressure should not be less than 8 MPa. The XR9002 nozzle can generate fine droplets to achieve pesticide reduction while forming a stable hollow cone atomization flow. Fluorescence tracing analysis indicated that the droplet deposition on the adaxial leaf surface decreases with increasing altitude (presumably affected by wind speed), while the initial deposition on the abaxial leaf surface is low and shows no significant variation with altitude. Deposition on the adaxial leaf surface decreased with canopy height, while abaxial deposition was much lower (8.9–14.9%). This technology enables high-precision quantitative analysis of droplet deposition. The core innovations of this study are: clarifying the atomization mechanism of ruby high-pressure nozzles under pesticide application conditions in mountain orchards, constructing a slope-classified terrain-adaptive pipeline layout model, and establishing a closed-loop technical system of “atomization mechanism-pipeline layout-parameter optimization-deposition detection”. This study provides theoretical and technical support for green and precision pesticide application in mountain orchards, and has important academic value and broad application prospects for promoting the intelligent upgrading of the fruit industry in southern China. Full article

Electrocatalytic H₂O₂ production via the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a highly sustainable alternative to industrial methods. To further optimize non-noble catalysts, we report an interfacial engineering strategy to stabilize the metastable P6₃/mmc-La₂O₃ phase on SrTiO₃. This symmetry evolution from the low-symmetry $\mathrm{P}\stackrel{\mathrm{-}}{3}\mathrm{m}1$ (trigonal) to the high-symmetry P6₃/mmc (hexagonal) space group yields a composite with >95% H₂O₂ selectivity. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the symmetry-regulated interface optimizes *OOH conversion and suppresses O–O bond cleavage. This work offers a robust design principle for high-performance, noble-metal-free H₂O₂ electrosynthesis. Full article

Brazilian soils are prone to a gradual decline in fertility due to intensive agricultural activity combined with natural weathering, which increases the demand for chemical fertilizers. Among potential alternatives, soil remineralization using crushed rock is a promising strategy. Silicate agrominerals (SAs) applied as soil remineralizers have attracted attention due to their ability to supply plant-available nutrients while reducing dependence on conventional mineral fertilizers. This study evaluated the potential of residues from six quarries in Brazil as soil remineralizers as a regulatory screening assessment. Samples were subjected to mineralogical, petrological, and chemical characterization using an integrated approach, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and leaching experiments. XRD analysis revealed that anorthite and augite were the major minerals present in the mining waste. These minerals are less resistant to weathering, which enhances the release of macro- and micronutrients, essential for the development of various crops. Chemically, the samples were dominated by SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, and Al₂O₃, with the sum of bases (K₂O + CaO + MgO) ranging from 11.92% to 16.85%, meeting Brazilian standards for use as a soil remineralizer. Leaching results revealed that pH responses varied significantly among the studied samples for the filler particles, with an alkaline shift reaching values above 9.0 after 72 h. In contrast, the powder particle size samples showed no significant variation between the different materials tested, maintaining nearly constant pH levels throughout the period. This preliminary evaluation demonstrates that mining tailings from Brazilian quarries have potential as a sustainable soil remineralizer. This approach not only offers an alternative for soil fertilization but also promotes waste management and circular economy practices, although further studies are needed to assess long-term effectiveness and safety. Full article

The global shift toward sustainable industrial processes has increased the demand for advanced materials capable of performing under harsh conditions, with high-temperature polymer nanocomposites emerging as a key development area. This study investigates the fabrication of sustainable polysulfone (PSU)/medium-density fiberboard (MDF) nanocomposites through phase inversion, using PSU—a matrix known for its high glass transition temperature—as the base. Membranes were created by adding MDF residue at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 phr (parts per hundred resin). Characterization included analyzing polymer solution viscosity, ATR-FTIR, contact angle, SEM, porosity, equilibrium water content, average pore radius, tensile testing, and permeation performance. Incorporating MDF residue increased solution viscosity and affected porosity and the structure of the top layer. Mechanical testing showed MDF acted as a functional additive, improving the elastic modulus and tensile strength, and supporting overall structural stability under hydraulic stress. The membranes exhibited competitive water flux and maintained high selectivity (80–92% rejection; over 95% turbidity removal) at 1.0 and 2.0 bar. The 3 and 5 phr levels optimized performance, demonstrating that repurposing industrial waste within high-performance matrices is a practical approach for producing durable materials that meet the needs of energy systems and complex industrial separation processes. Full article

Groundwater is a vital freshwater resource that supports domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities in many regions worldwide. Accurate groundwater potential mapping (GPM) is essential for sustainable water resource management; however, traditional empirical and statistical approaches often struggle to capture the complex, nonlinear relationships among hydrogeological variables. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful data-driven approach for improving GPM accuracy and efficiency. This review synthesizes findings from 83 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, focusing on widely used ML algorithms such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, Artificial Neural Networks, and hybrid models. The review evaluates key methodological aspects, including input parameter selection, data partitioning, integration with GIS and remote sensing, and model justification techniques. It also discusses common challenges such as data limitations, regional variability, and model interpretability. The results indicate that ML-based approaches can significantly enhance groundwater prediction when supported by appropriate data and validation strategies. Future research directions include explainable artificial intelligence, uncertainty quantification, multi-source data integration, and improved model transferability. This review provides a comprehensive reference for advancing reliable and sustainable groundwater potential mapping. Full article

Reducing and managing emissions of mine waters and the minerals dissolved in them, and above all, using these wastes as resources, is an important element of sustainable development in regions undergoing a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel extraction. This article examines selected aspects of mine water management and the mineral substances contained therein, using the Polish hard coal mining industry as a case study, providing valuable insights for both Poland and other mining regions reducing raw material extraction regarding the sustainability of social water demand, mining sector restructuring, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Poland, underground hard coal mining remains a significant source of mine water and mineral salt emissions. Mine waters, discharged into the catchments of major rivers (approximately 200 million m³ per year) along with their dissolved mineral compounds (approximately 1.5 million Mg per year), have repeatedly contributed to serious environmental disruptions, e.g., the phenomena of so-called “fish kill”. This study analyzes both the scale of emissions and the economic utilization of mineralized mine waters discharged to the surface by underground hard coal mining in Poland. Key processes and potential causes for the observed increase in environmental burdens are discussed. Furthermore, the paper presents a current statistical assessment of the trends and scale of emission changes, which can serve as a basis for environmental management decision-making amidst the decarbonization of the economy. Utilizing potential water resources and mineral compounds from mine waters for internal use or within circular economy applications can reduce environmental pressure, support compliance with sustainable development policies, and mitigate long-term impacts on post-mining regions. Full article

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) production is increasingly affected by climatic factors, as well as by phytopathogens and abiotic stress, leading to delays in agronomic interventions and reduced productivity. The objective was to design, implement, and validate a multimodal system (CARYPAR) that enables early disease detection and agile decision-making, characterized by low latency and reduced dependence on cloud connectivity. The methodology integrates climate reanalysis from NASA POWER, biophysical remote sensing variables derived from Sentinel-1/2, and proximal computer vision captured via mobile devices using a late fusion architecture and an optimized convolutional neural network, EfficientNet-V2B0, which discriminates between optimal and pathological conditions in vegetative tissues and fruit. The results of the experimental validation carried out in 160 georeferenced units achieved an overall accuracy of 80.0% and an F1 score of 0.8645 for Bad Fruit. The McNemar test and the operational agreement with agro-industrial experts yielded a Cohen’s Kappa index of κ = 0.6831, with an inference latency reduced to 22.00 ms. It is concluded that the multimodal integration of satellite bio-environmental data with edge computer vision achieves substantial agreement with agronomic expert judgment under heterogeneous field conditions (Cohen’s κ = 0.6831), supporting its role as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for expert assessment. Therefore, its adoption can enhance real-time irrigation management and crop protection, while contributing to traceability and sustainable resource management in agricultural regions with limited connectivity. Full article

Aligned CS/Rx aerogels were fabricated by inducing non-directional ice growth (freeze-molding) followed by low-temperature curing, resulting in monoliths with interconnected channels, a high void fraction, and moldability. The swelling index (S%) was calculated to be 1029, the apparent density 0.496 g·cm⁻³, and the estimated porosity 90% based on micrographic analysis. Aerogels have mechanical behavior Shore A hardness greater than 25. Batch metal removal tests were performed (10 mL, 100 mg·L⁻¹ Cr(VI), 0.19 g adsorbent, 24 h, and pH 5–5.5), and the material achieved 95% metal removal. Additional kinetic and isothermal results were obtained using CS85R15 on a packed column (20 to 140 mg·L⁻¹, 1000 mL Cr(VI), 0.80 g adsorbent, 24 h, and pH 5–5.5). Equilibrium data were consistent with a heterogeneous surface hosting a specific site, as reflected in the joint Freundlich/Langmuir fit (q_max 100.8 mg·g⁻¹ for Langmuir). This confirmed the preservation of chitosan functionalities (–OH/–NH) after processing, while XPS detected chromium on the surface with signals consistent with the partial reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on the aerogel surface. This highlights the relevance of adsorption-based technologies for water remediation, where high-porosity and low-density materials allow for short diffusion pathways and capture electrostatics by protonated amines and redox conversion of hazardous substances. The soft-cure freeze-molding technique is simple, scalable, and compatible with packed-bed/column operation, providing a material platform for tailoring the microstructure (sheets and channels) and surface chemistry to regenerable sorbents for industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

Owing to the increasing demand for wearable electronics, flexible energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors, have gained interest in the electronic industry. In this context, asymmetric configurations have emerged as a promising strategy for the development of wider potential window supercapacitors. On the other hand, MOF-derived synthesis of transition metal oxides is known to result in porous materials, which exhibit better electrochemical performance. In this work, a MOF-derived Fe₂O₃ coating on carbon fiber woven substrate is proposed as a negative supercapacitor electrode for asymmetric flexible devices. Moreover, the MOF calcination time was evaluated in order to ensure the best electrochemical performance possible, achieving for the sample calcined for 2 h a specific capacitance of 18.8 F/g at a current density of 200 mA/g and an excellent rate capability. In addition, not only was this promising material obtained, but an asymmetric flexible supercapacitor based on two MOF-derived TMO coatings on carbon fiber woven electrodes was manufactured and characterized as a proof of concept. This supercapacitor displayed a specific capacitance of 229 mF/cm², an energy density of 0.067 mWh/cm² and a power density of 0.11 mW/cm² at 0.15 mA/cm². Moreover, the flexible supercapacitor retained 94.1% of its capacitance even after being bent to 90°. Full article

Designing high-speed wide-angle optics for large-format mirrorless cameras presents a fundamental engineering conflict between the short flange back distance and the requirement for high-resolution aberration correction. To address this challenge, this study proposes a compact 18.5 mm F/2.0 lens system utilizing a modified retrofocus architecture equipped with an internal floating-focus mechanism. The design methodology integrates glass-molded aspherical surfaces to suppress high-order aberrations and employs passive athermalization strategies to maintain stability across a temperature range of −30 °C to +70 °C. Performance was rigorously evaluated using numerical simulations in Zemax OpticStudio, alongside comprehensive Monte Carlo tolerance analysis. Simulation results demonstrate exceptional optical performance, with the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) exceeding 0.5 at a spatial frequency of 100 lp/mm across the field. Furthermore, focus breathing is restricted to less than 1%, and optical distortion is strictly controlled within 2%. The Monte Carlo tolerance analysis predicts a manufacturing yield exceeding 80% under standard industrial precision levels. Ultimately, this work provides a theoretically sound, athermally stable, and highly manufacturable solution suitable for next-generation high-resolution mirrorless sensors. Full article

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) is an extensively utilized herb, encompassing numerous bioactive compounds that hold significant interest in the food and pharmaceutical industries. High-throughput phenotyping is a rapid and non-invasive technique, providing diverse phenotypic trait observation and measurement. However, basic knowledge regarding the diversity among varieties beneficial for large-scale production in terms of yield and secondary metabolites under a controlled greenhouse environment is limited. Hence, we assessed and classified 12 Thai accessions and two commercial cultivars by evaluating growth, yield, and secondary metabolites at each harvesting time using an advanced NSTDA-Plant Phenomics platform. Notably, accessions OC130, OC141, OC072, and OC059 demonstrated stable metabolite production and antioxidant activity, highlighting their potential as superior accessions for further cultivation and utilization. These findings underscore the potential for tailored cultivation practices to manipulate secondary metabolite synthesis, thereby enhancing the medicinal properties and market value of Thai holy basil. The implications of this study extend to farmers, providing valuable insights into the phenotypic variation and practical avenues under consistent environmental conditions. Breeders can observe genetic diversity to improve basil varieties with desirable traits for specific environmental niches. Moreover, modern agricultural practices can benefit from understanding the impact of controlled environments on secondary metabolite synthesis. Full article

Palm oil waste (POW) is generated during the production of palm oil, and a large quantity of this waste often travels to landfills for disposal. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the circular economy approach to sustainable engineering and environmental applications of POW, including its generation, disposal concerns, challenges, and prospects. This review provides an overview of the features, composition, and prospective applications of several POWs, including palm oil clinkers (POCs), palm oil fuel ashes (POFAs), palm oil kernel shells (POKSs), and palm oil fibres (POFs). Furthermore, this overview describes the different applications that POW has found, such as sustainable construction materials, renewable energy production, and environmental remediation. Moreover, this review discusses the leaching and risk assessment of POW. The overview also discusses the circular economy implications of using POW. The results showed that while some wastes are reused and recycled, a good quantity are still discarded in environmentally harmful ways. With this overview of a wide circular economy approach to the sustainable use of POW, there will be a rallying call to experts and researchers to identify research gaps that could contribute to the sustainable use of POW. The results of this overview of the sustainable engineering and environmental applications of POW with a circular economy approach indicate that cleaner production technologies and better environmental sustainability of the palm oil industry are feasible through proper waste management, renewable energy generation, resulting in minimal environmental impacts. Furthermore, this analysis will be very useful in providing tools to engineers, environmentalists, and other relevant stakeholders to enable the efficient and sustainable use of POW in the global circular economy. Full article

Accurate estimation of object attitude is essential for understanding motion behavior and achieving dynamic tracking. Existing image-based methods often suffer from low efficiency and limited accuracy, while the potential of deep learning has not been fully exploited in this field. To address these limitations, a lightweight deep learning method for attitude estimation is proposed and validated on spherical particles. A synthetic dataset is generated through VTK-based rendering and automatic annotation, providing large-scale training samples with known Euler angles. An improved MobileNetV1 backbone is developed by integrating Squeeze-and-Excitation blocks, a dual-scale Pyramid Pooling Module, global average pooling, and a regression-oriented multilayer perceptron, which enhances feature extraction and enables direct Euler angle prediction. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves an average error of 0.308° on synthetic test images. Furthermore, a solid particle was fabricated through 3D printing and physical measurements were conducted, where the network combined with image preprocessing and augmentation achieved an average error of about 0.5° on real images, demonstrating a lightweight and deployment-friendly framework for practical attitude estimation. The results verify the effectiveness of the method and demonstrate its potential for accurate and computationally efficient attitude measurement in applications such as fluid dynamics, industrial inspection, and motion tracking. Full article

To address the problems of coarse grains and unsatisfactory mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8.5Al-1Zn alloy, which hinder its application in dissolvable bridge plugs, this study took the alloy as the research object and subjected it to plastic deformation via hot extrusion with an extrusion ratio of 12. Through the use of Combined Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Testing and Characterization Techniques, the macroscopic mechanical properties, microstructural evolution, and extrusion deformation mechanism of the alloy in both as-cast and as-extruded states were systematically investigated. The results indicate that hot extrusion deformation significantly enhances the comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloy. Compared with the as-cast alloy, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the as-extruded alloy are increased by 104.0%, 314.9%, and 166.7%, respectively, with the static toughness increasing by 809.1%. The as-cast alloy exhibits coarse grains, Al element segregation, and high-density dislocations. After hot extrusion, dynamic recrystallization dominates the grain refinement, reducing the grain size by approximately 60%. Solute atoms precipitate to form multiphase structures and coherent nano-scale precipitates, along with the formation of tensile twins and a weakened bimodal texture. The improved yield strength of the as-extruded alloy stems from the synergistic effect of multiple strengthening mechanisms, among which precipitation strengthening induced by nano-precipitates is the primary contributor. The enhanced plasticity is attributed to grain refinement and texture regulation. This study clarifies the extrusion deformation mechanism of the Mg-8.5Al-1Zn alloy for dissolvable bridge plugs and verifies the rationality of the hot extrusion process with an extrusion ratio of 12, providing technical support for its industrial application in dissolvable bridge plugs and the performance regulation of similar dissolvable magnesium alloys. Full article