Search Results (137)

Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) is increasingly applied in sewage-sludge management and organic-waste treatment because it can improve methane recovery, stabilize mixed substrates, and reduce life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions under appropriate feedstock and operating conditions. However, existing reviews still focus mainly on feedstock types or isolated enhancement measures and less often connect synergistic mechanisms with engineering implementation and carbon outcomes. The specific novelty of this review is to connect functional feedstock classification, mechanism boundaries, engineering controls, and carbon-performance evaluation within one sludge-centered AcoD framework. This review synthesizes recent progress in AcoD of sewage sludge, food waste, livestock manure, crop residues, and industrial organic streams through a chain from feedstock traits to substrate interactions, microbial responses, engineering performance, and carbon benefits. Feedstocks are reorganized by function rather than by waste name, highlighting how carbon-to-nitrogen contrast, buffering capacity, hydrolysis recalcitrance, and inhibitor profiles jointly define synergy potential. Key mechanisms, including C/N balancing, hydrolysis complementarity, inhibitor mitigation, and direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), are discussed together with their applicability limits. Representative evidence shows methane-yield or methane-production increases of about 41–55% for selected food-waste–manure blends, approximately 45% for rice–straw–pig manure systems after cellulolytic pretreatment, and approximately 16–55% for selected additive strategies; these values are illustrative rather than directly comparable because the underlying studies differ in substrates, baselines, reactor configurations, pretreatment conditions, and operating parameters. The review then translates mechanism into practice through pretreatment, reactor-selection templates, operating windows, additive reinforcement, and artificial-intelligence-assisted monitoring. Representative cases and life-cycle evidence indicate that AcoD can improve methane productivity while lowering greenhouse-gas emissions relative to landfill or mono-digestion pathways when energy substitution and nutrient recycling are credibly counted. Remaining bottlenecks include incomplete kinetic integration, limited DIET quantification, insufficient reporting of quantitative operating ranges and additive dosages, and weak coupling of carbon, economics, and regional feedstock dynamics. The revised review therefore treats AcoD as a sludge-centered mechanism-to-engineering framework and highlights two transferability gaps that require stronger standardization: biodegradation/toxicity testing and local co-substrate logistics. Full article

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are promising enzymes for lignocellulose degradation; however, wild-type LPMOs often exhibit limited catalytic activity and stability. In this study, computer-aided virtual saturation mutagenesis was applied to AnLPMO15g from Aspergillus niger, and eight potentially beneficial mutants (S197H, S197F, E185V, E185L, E185M, E185I, Q108M, and A249P) were identified based on predicted changes in unfolding free energy (∆∆G). Six mutants demonstrated enhanced activity in a 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) oxidation assay, which serves as a proxy for peroxidase-like activity. The E185V mutant exhibited a 45% increase over the wild type. The triple mutant E185V/Q108M/A249P further increased the catalytic efficiency by 56%. Notably, when combined with cellulase, E185V/Q108M/A249P enabled a 202.5% increase in reducing sugars from wheat straw, achieving a synergy degree of 1.83, highlighting its potential to improve agricultural residue conversion. Molecular dynamics simulation suggested that the E185V/Q108M/A249P triple mutant induced flexible conformational changes in six residues, which may improve substrate binding affinity. This study presents an effective strategy for engineering AA9 family LPMOs to enhance catalytic performance, facilitating efficient and cost-effective degradation of lignocellulosic biomass with implications for sustainable agricultural waste management and circular bioeconomy. Full article

In nitrate electrochemical reduction reaction (NO₃RR), competing side reactions like hydrogen evolution often lead to poor selectivity and subpar kinetics, limiting practical use. Herein, using iron oxyhydroxide nanoarrays grown on a titanium mesh as the substrate, silver nanoparticles were introduced onto the tips of the iron oxyhydroxide nanowires via electrochemical deposition, thereby forming an Ag/FeOOH heterojunction electrocatalyst. At −0.85 V, Ag/FeOOH demonstrates excellent performance, with 97.56% ammonium selectivity, 92.45% nitrate conversion rate, and an ammonium yield of 3.21 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻². Furthermore, the Zn-NO₃⁻ battery exhibited a power density of 1.28 mW cm⁻². Ag/FeOOH’s structure enhances interfacial nitrate adsorption and reduces NO₃RR energy barriers, accelerating reaction kinetics. It promotes NO₃⁻-to-NO₂⁻ conversion via dual-site synergy, boosting NH₄⁺ yield and advancing electrocatalyst design. Full article

Achieving strong adhesion in underwater or humid environments remains challenging because the interfacial hydration layer prevents direct contact between the adhesive and the substrate. Conventional adhesives typically fail under these conditions, so new strategies are needed to actively displace the water layer and create stable interfacial interactions. In this study, we prepared a series of copolymers with different monomer ratios via photocuring, using methacrylic acid (MAA) and stearyl methacrylate (SMA) as monomers. We focused on their thermal transition behavior and adhesion performance under both dry and underwater conditions. The results show that at an SMA molar fraction of 85%, the copolymer exhibits crystalline melting between 30 and 40 °C, where the storage modulus drops from approximately 10⁷ Pa to 10⁴ Pa, indicating a stiff-to-soft transition. Under dry conditions, this composition shows an adhesion strength of 1.67 MPa to glass, which remains 1.2 MPa underwater, and it can support a hanging load of 5 kg. The copolymer adheres well to glass and aluminum but shows weak adhesion to PTFE. After surface abrasion, the adhesion strength to glass increases to 1.6–1.8 MPa. In summary, the copolymer achieves effective underwater adhesion through the synergy of hydrophobic water displacement, thermally induced stiff-to-soft switching, and hydrogen bonding. Full article

This review evaluates pretreatment strategies for blending the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) with agricultural residues to recover fermentable sugars. Three mechanistic benefits have been hypothesized for such blends: ash-mineral pH buffering, endogenous protein reduction of non-productive cellulase–lignin binding, and inhibitor dilution. These mechanisms are inferred from analogous lignocellulosic systems rather than measured directly in OFMSW–agricultural residue combinations, and their translation into saccharification gains remains substrate- and pretreatment-specific. A synergy index framework with a four-tier classification (true synergy, additive, substitution, and process complementarity) is applied to reclassify the available evidence, alongside an assessment of pretreatment chemistry, enzymatic hydrolysis outcomes, and techno-economic feasibility. Integrated sequential pretreatment, particularly acid-catalyzed steam explosion and deacetylation with mechanical refining, proved most robust for heterogeneous feeds. The strongest Tier I synergy is found for SO₂-catalyzed steam explosion of hybrid poplar–wheat straw (SI 1.29–1.33; 22% monomeric sugar gain). OFMSW combined with organosolv beechwood cellulose at 35–45% OFMSW reached 58–68% saccharification (44–46 g sugar L⁻¹), a Tier III–IV outcome. Matched-control saccharification data for OFMSW–agricultural residue blends specifically have not been reported. Co-processing corn stover with wet organic waste reduced CO₂ mitigation cost from $236 to $67 per ton CO₂-eq under bio-CNG upgrading. Formal synergy quantification, blend-specific inhibitor profiling, and high-solids process intensification are the central prerequisites for commercial translation. Full article

Green roofs offer significant potential for urban stormwater management, yet their capacity to improve runoff water quality is constrained by the limited pollutant retention of conventional substrates and inherent nutrient leaching risks. This critical review synthesizes recent advances in substrate engineering and phytoremediation to establish an integrated framework for transforming green roofs into active bio-filtration systems. Our analysis reveals that amending conventional substrates with waste-derived biosorbents substantially enhances heavy metal and nutrient retention through complementary mechanisms of surface complexation, ion exchange, and microprecipitation. When strategically coupled with hyperaccumulator plant species and rhizospheric microbial communities, these amended substrates significantly reduce contaminant loads in urban runoff while maintaining hydraulic functionality. We critically evaluate standard growing media versus substrates amended with targeted biosorbents: biochar, which enhances heavy metal retention and hydraulic conductivity via surface complexation; seaweed biomass, which provides superior water retention and cation exchange while reducing synthetic fertilizer dependence; and chitin-rich crab shell waste, which promotes microprecipitation of metals and phosphates while valorizing marine waste. The novelty resides not in the materials themselves, but in their synergistic combination and the systematic comparative analysis of their retention mechanisms under green roof hydrological conditions. This review further identifies critical engineering trade-offs, including biosorbent-induced hydraulic conductivity reductions and long-term adsorption site saturation, and provides actionable design thresholds for amendment dosing, substrate depth, and species selection. Ultimately, this work establishes a mechanistic and practical roadmap for next-generation green roofs that simultaneously optimize stormwater retention, runoff quality, and circular economy valorization, highlighting priority research directions for long-term field validation and climate-adaptive standardization. Full article

This article presents preliminary research on the development of a cast iron–ceramic composite for modern braking systems, such as brake discs. The composite matrix is gray cast iron with flake graphite (EN-GJL-150). The reinforcing phase is a porous ceramic composed of SiC and Al₂O₃ particles introduced separately (10% each) and together (70% SiC + 30% Al₂O₃). These particles were applied as a suspension onto polyurethane foam, yielding a ceramic structure with a pore density of up to 10 ppi. The resulting insert was placed in a mold cavity, and cast iron was poured into it. The resulting samples were treated as brake disc material, with a pad made of the commercial friction material P50094 serving as the countersample. Tribological tests showed that the lowest sample wear (average 2.23 mg/5000 m) was achieved for the composite reinforced with SiC + Al₂O₃ particles. This is probably due to the synergy between the antifriction properties of these particles and the lower friction coefficient (µ = 0.180–0.22). Similar mass loss values and the smallest difference between the tested samples were observed for composites with SiC particles (3.01 mg/5000 m) and Al₂O₃ (3.30 mg/5000 m). The second part consisted of microstructural studies. Microstructural analysis of the EN-GJL-150 + SiC + Al₂O₃ composite revealed a previously unobserved nucleation phenomenon at the cast iron–ceramic interface. This confirmed the general assumptions of Riposan’s theory regarding the involvement of oxide microinclusions and complex manganese sulfides of the (Mn, X)S type in the nucleation and crystallization of graphite precipitates. It was also found that, in the case of “in situ” GJL-150 + SiC + Al₂O₃ composites, this theory should account for the beneficial role of ceramic particles in promoting the uniform distribution of type A graphite flakes, which nucleate on their surfaces in the transition zone. Thus, the nucleating role of oxide microinclusions (the first stage of Riposan’s theory) could be taken over by SiC and Al₂O₃ particles, constituting a substrate for the heterogeneous nucleation of (Mn, X)S sulfides. Full article

The performance requirements of wear-resistant and anti-corrosion coatings for marine equipment continue to increase. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) film has become a preferred protective material due to its high hardness, low friction and chemical inertia. To reveal the tribocorrosion mechanism of Si-doped DLC films in a seawater environment, a Cr-WC-WC/C transition layer and DLC-Si films with different Si contents were prepared by high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) technology on 304 stainless steel. The tribocorrosion tests were carried out under open-circuit potential and dynamic polarization conditions in seawater. The results show that Si doping improved the tribocorrosion resistance of the films. The sample with Si content of 9.26 at.% has the lowest self-corrosion current density, the smallest volume loss, complete wear scar morphology and no obvious substrate exposure. The strengthening mechanism is attributed to Si doping, which induces the formation of a SiO_x passivation film and a hydrated silica gel lubrication layer. This establishes a synergistic solid-chemical lubrication system, inhibits sp² cluster growth, prolongs the diffusion path of corrosive media, and mitigates the damaging wear–corrosion synergy. This study confirms that moderate Si doping can significantly improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of DLC films in a seawater environment, and provides a theoretical basis for the design and application of carbon-based protective coatings for marine equipment. Full article

Constructing inverted wedge-shaped hydrophilic channels with a small apex angle on surfaces with wettability patterns is an effective strategy to promote efficient and complete droplet detachment, which is crucial for applications such as condensation heat transfer and self-cleaning. However, a comprehensive understanding of how wedge geometry parameters affect droplet dynamics has not been established. In this study, we systematically investigate the dynamics of droplet formation and detachment within inverted wedge-shaped superhydrophilic channels fabricated by laser etching on hydrophobic or superhydrophobic substrates. Four distinct droplet detachment mechanisms are revealed. Our results indicate that, within the experimental parameters tested, a slender channel geometry—featuring a narrow upper base, a minimized lower base, and sufficient height—combined with a superhydrophobic substrate, promotes high-position droplet formation, extends the droplet sliding distance, and significantly reduces resistance. This synergy leads to the most efficient detachment mechanism: inertia-driven direct shedding. For the tested configurations, the C1.2/0/40 channel achieved the highest recorded detachment frequency of 318 min⁻¹ at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Furthermore, droplet rebound at the channel tip is observed in some configurations, where two to three droplets must form sequentially and coalesce to trigger a single detachment event. This work provides actionable geometric design strategies for engineering surfaces capable of directional and highly efficient droplet detachment. Full article

Lentils (Lens culinaris; family: Fabaceae) are increasingly recognized as functional legumes with potential benefits for gut health because they provide bioactive peptides, resistant starch, and polyphenol-rich fractions within a shared food matrix. However, most existing studies have focused on individual lentil-derived compounds, and their matrix-dependent complementary interactions during digestion and fermentation remain insufficiently resolved. This review synthesizes current evidence on lentil-derived peptides, resistant starch, and polyphenols, with particular emphasis on their matrix-dependent complementary relationships, digestion-dependent transformation, microbial co-metabolism, and implications for intestinal barrier function. During gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation, lentil proteins, resistant starch, and phenolic compounds undergo sequential transformation, yielding bioactive peptides, fermentable substrates, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and phenolic metabolites that may collectively influence microbial composition and metabolic activity. Emerging evidence suggests that these interconnected processes may support gut health through microbiota–host crosstalk by modulating tight junction-related markers, reducing intestinal permeability, and maintaining epithelial homeostasis. Mechanistically, these effects have been associated with SCFA-mediated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, suppression of TLR4–NF-κB/MAPK inflammatory cascades, and activation of Keap1–Nrf2 antioxidant defenses, thereby attenuating oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses. Current evidence is more consistent with matrix-dependent complementary or convergent actions than with demonstrated synergy. At present, phenolic-rich fractions provide clear pathway-level evidence, whereas fermentation-linked carbohydrate effects are more strongly supported by microbiota- and in vivo-associated outcomes, and protein- or peptide-related mechanisms remain comparatively underdefined. Nevertheless, the evidence base remains limited by the scarcity of integrated studies, well-controlled human intervention trials, and factorial experimental designs capable of distinguishing complementary, additive, and truly synergistic effects among lentil bioactives. This review therefore highlights the need to move from describing coexisting beneficial effects toward formally testing interaction effects within physiologically relevant lentil matrices. Full article

Efficient cultivation is essential for the rose industry. Both substrate formulation and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) application both critical, yet their synergistic effects remain limited. This study investigated the synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis (Bs) and Priestia megaterium (Pm) combined with five substrate formulations on the growth physiology, photosynthetic characteristics, and soil properties of Rosa × hybrida ‘Ruby’. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between substrate and PGPR treatments for most growth and physiological indicators. Orthogonal experiments demonstrated that specific PGPR–substrate combinations significantly enhanced plant growth and photosynthetic performance of the studied cultivar, as well as soil quality. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis identified four substrate–PGPR combinations as optimal, with the T4 substrate (humus/perlite/vermiculite/coconut coir/peat/biochar = 5:1.5:1:1:1:0.5) showing the most pronounced effects. In this T4 substrate, PGPR inoculation significantly altered the rhizobacterial community structure. LEfSe analysis revealed 67 enriched microbial biomarkers—substantially more than single-strain treatments. The relative abundance of beneficial genera such as Acidibacter and Chryseotalea increased, and the combined bacterial treatment enhanced functional pathways associated with signal transduction, cell motility, and RNA processing. Compared to single-strain treatments, the combined bacterial application demonstrated superior regulatory effects on plant growth. The optimal combined treatments increased plant height by up to 42.7%, root activity by 103.0%, soluble protein content by 302.8%, and soil ammonium nitrogen by 168.8%. These findings demonstrated that tailored combinations of PGPR and cultivation substrates highlight the potential for optimizing rose cultivation and improving the rhizosphere microecological environment. Full article

Sustainable revalorization of agave bagasse, a lignocellulosic residue from mezcal production, is essential for environmental management. This study evaluated its potential as a substrate for the in vitro cultivation of the wild edible mushroom Pleurotus agaves. Characterization revealed a robust lignocellulosic matrix (70.9–75.87% NDF, 42.05–51.18% ADF and 10% lignin) and significant antioxidant potential, particularly in A. marmorata, which also exhibited higher total reducing sugars (11.94 mg/mL). This provides an energetic advantage for initial mycelial growth. Substrate microstructure was analyzed via microscopy (CLSM/SEM) before and after thermal pretreatment (55 °C). The IE-2038 strain was tested in five formulations: straw (P-55), bagasse (B-55), and straw–bagasse mixtures at 50–50%, 25–75%, and 75–25%. Mycelial growth rates indicated that PB-55 and pB-55 exhibited the fastest fungal colonization (8.2 mm/day and 8.3 mm/day). Microstructural analysis revealed significant damage to the polymeric organization of the bagasse, caused by mezcal production techniques and thermal treatment. This damage made lignin and cellulose more accessible for P. agaves. This synergy is supported by the adaptation of P. agaves to agave stalks. These findings confirm the capacity of bagasse as a sustainably bioprocessed substrate for edible mushroom cultivation, providing an effective alternative for the revalorization of agro-industrial residues that contribute to the circular economy. Full article

Unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds are fundamental building blocks in organic compounds. The difunctionalization of olefins allows for the rapid construction of drugs and complex molecular architectures. This transformation, which simultaneously installs two distinct functional groups across a carbon–carbon double bond, has therefore emerged as prominent research frontier in organic chemistry. In recent years, the synergy between photoredox and transition metal catalysis has emerged as a powerful and sustainable platform for constructing C-X bonds. This review covers advances since 2018 in the asymmetric difunctionalization of olefins enabled by synergistic visible light photoredox and transition metal catalysis, encompassing the construction of both carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds. It systematically summarizes the reaction conditions, substrate scope, mechanisms, and merits and limitations of these catalytic systems, aiming to provide a useful reference for researchers in this field. Full article

The synergy between additively manufactured (AM) polymers and functional PVD coatings is crucial for advanced applications, yet the reliability of these hybrid systems is dictated by the residual stresses induced during deposition. This work presents the first in-depth, nanoscale profiling of residual stresses in Ti6Al4V and SS316 coatings on 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) and Silicon (Si) substrates. A cutting-edge methodology combining Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling with Digital Image Correlation (DIC), rigorously interpreted through the non-integral eigenstrain theory, is employed. Our findings reveal a consistent pattern of compressive stresses near the coating surface but expose a significant tensile stress peak at the coating-substrate interface, a feature not observed on reference silicon substrates. High-resolution electron microscopy and elemental analysis suggest that this stress concentration is associated with the presence of a thin, brittle oxide interlayer formed on the substrate surface. Furthermore, this study quantifies the dominant effect of the low-stiffness polymer substrate, which leads to a strain relief magnitude an order of magnitude higher than in rigid substrates. This work provides critical quantitative data on the failure-driving mechanisms in these emerging material systems and establishes a robust, optimized metrological protocol for their characterization. Full article

CO₂ cycloaddition with epoxides offers a sustainable route for CO₂ utilization, yet the simultaneous activation of both substrates remains challenging. Herein, using UiO-66(Zr)-NH₂ (denoted as UZN) as a model system, we illustrate that dual-active sites consisting of unsaturated Zr⁴⁺ centers and amine groups can efficiently accelerate CO₂ fixation with epoxides under visible light. The unique ensemble in UZN optimizes light harvesting, promotes charge carrier separation, and enriches bifunctional active sites for efficient adsorption and activation of epoxides and CO₂. Consequently, UZN exhibits significantly improved CO₂-epoxide cycloaddition performance compared to UiO-66(Zr)-H (denoted as UZH), achieving a PC yield of 99.5%, with a production rate of 9.97 mmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹. This work establishes a clear coordination–photocatalytic synergy in MOF-based systems and provides fundamental insights and a generalizable strategy for designing advanced catalysts for CO₂ transformation. Full article