Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Drain Water Heat Recovery Applications in Domestic Conditions
The use of energy from waste can be a key means of reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and thus reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Waste energy can be a worthy alternative to conventional energy sources in construction.
  • 588
  • 05 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Graphene Family Nanomaterials (GFN)-TiO2
TiO2 is a naturally occurring oxide of titanium with structural stability and corrosion resistance. Although TiO2 is typically considered to be of low toxicity, the development of TiO2 nanotechnologies has resulted in increased human and environmental exposure, putting TiO2 nanoparticles under toxicological scrutiny. The points of view on the intrinsic properties of TiO2, GFNs (pristine graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO, and graphene quantum dots (GQDs)), and GFN-TiO2 are presented. This entry also explains practical synthesis techniques along with perspective characteristics of these TiO2- and/or graphene-based materials. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity by using GFN-TiO2 and its improved photocatalytic reactions for the treatment of organic, inorganic, and biological pollutants in water and air phases are reported. It is expected that this entry can provide insights into the key to optimizing the photocatalytic activity of GFN-TiO2 and possible directions for future development in these fields.
  • 585
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Online Pipeline Characterisation on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Nowadays, more frequently, it is necessary to perform underwater operations such as surveying an area or inspecting and intervening on industrial infrastructures such as offshore oil and gas rigs or pipeline networks. The use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) has grown as a way to automate these tasks, reducing risks and execution time. One of the used sensing modalities is vision, providing RGB high-quality information in the mid to low range, making it appropriate for manipulation or detail inspection tasks. This research presents the use of a deep neural network to perform pixel-wise 3D segmentation of pipes and valves on underwater point clouds generated using a stereo pair of cameras. In addition, two novel algorithms are built to extract information from the detected instances, providing pipe vectors, gripping points, the position of structural elements such as elbows or connections, and valve type and orientation. The neural network and information algorithms are implemented on an AUV and executed in real-time, validating that the output information stream frame rate of 0.72 fps is high enough to perform manipulation tasks and to ensure full seabed coverage during inspection tasks. The used dataset, along with a trained model and the information algorithms, are provided to the scientific community.
  • 584
  • 11 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Desalination with Solar Stills in Mexico
Access to freshwater for rural populations is increasingly difficult worldwide. Even in coastal regions with abundantly available seawater, this is not suitable to meet the population’s basic needs. Desalination with solar stills represents a simple, inexpensive, and accessible alternative to obtaining freshwater. 
  • 581
  • 28 May 2022
Topic Review
Prospects of Photovoltaic Materials Recycling and Disposal
The End-of-Life (EoL) management of photovoltaic (PV) modules has always present significant concern to the scientific community, especially when large scale emergence of PV waste is expected in the near future. As PV waste contains rare and hazardous materials as its composition, its unregulated disposal poses the problem of polluting the environment and wastage of potentially usable resources. Hence, researchers have delved into the recycling and recovery of materials from PV waste to improve the sustainability of the EoL management of PV modules.
  • 581
  • 21 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Enhancement of Anaerobic Digestion with Nanomaterials
The number of research reporting the addition of nanomaterials to enhance the process of anaerobic digestion has exponentially increased. The benefits of this addition can be observed from different aspects: an increase in biogas production, enrichment of methane in biogas, elimination of foaming problems, a more stable and robust operation, absence of inhibition problems, etc. Several hypotheses have been formulated, with the effect on the redox potential caused by nanoparticles probably being the most accepted, although supplementation with trace materials coming from nanomaterials and the changes in microbial populations have been also highlighted. The types of nanomaterials tested for the improvement of anaerobic digestion is very diverse, although metallic and, especially, iron-based nanoparticles, are the most frequently used.
  • 580
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Rice Industry By-Products for Removing Fluoride/Arsenic from Water
In drinking water, high concentrations of fluoride and arsenic can have adverse effects on human health. Waste deriving from the rice industry (rice husk, rice straw, rice bran) can be promising adsorbent materials, because they are (i) produced in large quantities in many parts of the world, (ii) recoverable in a circular economy perspective, (iii) at low cost if compared to expensive conventional activated carbon, and (iv) easily manageable even in developing countries. For the removal of fluoride, rice husk and rice straw allowed to obtain adsorption capacities in the range of 7.9–15.2 mg/g. Using rice husk for arsenic adsorption, excellent results were achieved with adsorption capacities above 19 mg/g. The best results both for fluorides and arsenic (>50 mg/g) were found with metal- or chemical-modified rice straw and rice husk.
  • 576
  • 31 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Microplastics in Sewage Sludge
The microplastics (MPs) refers to the set of particles of plastic material that have a size of less than 5 mm. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent the last barrier before the discharge of MPs into an aquatic ecosystem.
  • 575
  • 27 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Port-Related Shipping Gas Emissions
The global increase in shipping activity has contributed to the degradation of air quality, which particularly affects traffic-dense port areas. Due to the environmental and public health impacts of air quality in port cities, a number of inventories using varying methodologies have been conducted over the past two decades to manage gas emissions in specific areas. 
  • 574
  • 23 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Importance of Greenery in Hot Areas
Global warming and climate change are critical issues that raise attention on a global level. Worldwide, some cities are warming twice as fast as the surrounding rural areas. Greenery is one of the most influential factors in reducing the outdoor air temperature and enhancing the microclimate in hot areas. 
  • 569
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Packaging Based on Design for Life Cycle
Though solutions are needed across all sectors, a material considered to have one of the highest potentials and needs for improvement is plastic. The problems resulting from incorrect handling of plastic waste have been identified to be threatening the environment in a variety of ways. Insufficient collection and waste treatment following the disposal lead to leakage directly into the environment, incineration, or landfilling of the ubiquitous material. The topic of plastic pollution and other end-of-life issues have also been picked up by the public since many products made from this material are used by private households. An example in this context is plastic packaging. With packaging having the largest share amongst plastic production and it being a fast-rotating consumer good, a societal focus has been set on plastic packaging as an environmental threat. Despite the immense benefits of plastic packaging to society, the accumulation and treatment of end-of-life plastics are creating a global environmental challenge. To reduce plastic debris in the environment, for example, in the oceans, it has become clear that a focus on design for life and end-of-life is a priority. This concept, also called Design for Life Cycle (DfLC), has been identified to play a major role in minimizing environmental impacts of all kinds of consumer products.
  • 561
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Isolation of Bioactive Molecules from Waste Streams
Waste is a heterogeneous and complex matrix, the selective isolation of, for example, polyphenolic compounds, is challenging due to its energy efficiency and at least partially its selectivity. Extraction is handled as an emerging technology in biorefinery approaches. Conventional solid liquid extraction with organic solvents is hazardous and environmentally unfriendly. New extraction methods and green solvents open a wider scope of applications.
  • 554
  • 06 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Hexavalent Chromium Removal by Electrochemical Processes
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic species. Its origin is in industrial activities. Therefore, its effective control is realized on a source basis. Although chemical methods proved effective in removing Cr(VI) from wastewaters, more economic solutions with a minimum sludge production have been sought. Among them, the use of electrochemical processes has emerged as a viable solution to the problem. Much research was conducted in this area.
  • 553
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Microbial Fuel Cells
The intensive energy requirement of conventional wastewater treatment for aeration demands an alternative technological option that requires less energy for its operation. Due to its cost-effectiveness, biological processes such as activated sludge have been widely used for wastewater treatment. However, this technique depends on the ability of bacterial population to maintain acceptable effluent quality. If the treatment is interfered with, the bacterial population respond to the varying influents. When this occurs, exceeding effluent limits lead to environmental damage and costly fines. Consequently, treatment facilities have to be overhauled, resulting in a loss of time and financial resources.
  • 552
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Recent Advances of Perovskite Solar Cells
Perovskite solar cells (PSC) have been identified as a game-changer in the world of photovoltaics. This is owing to their rapid development in performance efficiency, increasing from 3.5% to 25.8% in a decade. Further advantages of PSCs include low fabrication costs and high tunability compared to conventional silicon-based solar cells. 
  • 551
  • 05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation in Unsaturated Soil
Unsaturated soil is a form of natural soil whose pores are filled by air and water. Different from saturated soil, the microstructure of unsaturated soil consists of three phases, namely, the solid phase (soil particle), vapor phase, and liquid phase. Due to the matric suction of soil pores, the hydraulic and mechanical behaviors of unsaturated soils present a significant dependence on the moisture condition, which usually results in a series of unpredictable risks, including foundation settlement, landslide, and dam collapse. Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a novel and environmentally friendly technology that can improve the water stability of unsaturated soft or expansive soils.
  • 546
  • 27 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Effects of Temperature/Water Types on Coronavirus Decay
The analysis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) gene copy numbers in wastewater samples can provide quantitative information on Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) cases within a sewer catchment. However, many wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) studies have neglected virus decay during the wastewater transportation process in sewers while back-calculating COVID-19 prevalence. Among various sewer condition parameters, wastewater temperature and dilution by fresh/saltwater infiltration may result in a significant change to the virus decay, in terms of both infectivity and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). 
  • 542
  • 22 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell Systems
Water, energy, and food are indispensable for sustainable economic development. Despite nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, being essential for plant growth and thus food supplies, those present in wastewater are considered an environmental burden. While microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are receiving much interest, combining wastewater treatment with an MFC has emerged as an option for low-cost wastewater treatment. Among others, a constructed wetland (CW) coupled with an MFC (CW-MFC) has the potential to provide a low carbon footprint and low-energy wastewater treatment, as well as nutrient and energy recovery from wastewater. The organic and nutrient removal and power generation by the integrated CW-MFC systems are affected by a number of factors including the organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, system design, plant species, dissolved oxygen, substrate/media type, influent feeding mode, electrode materials and spacing, and external resistance. 
  • 539
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Aluminosilicate Clay Minerals
The current focus on renewable energy sources and the circular economy favors the thermal conversion of low-quality fuels, such as biomass and waste. However, the main limitation of their usability in the power sector is the risk of slagging, fouling, ash deposition, and high-temperature corrosion. These problems may be avoided or significantly mitigated by the application of aluminosilicate clay minerals as fuel additives.
  • 537
  • 13 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Syngas Fermentation
The fermentation of syngas is an attractive technology that can be integrated with gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. The coupling of these two technologies allows for treating a great variety of raw materials. Lignin usually hinders microbial fermentations; thus, the thermal decomposition of the whole material into small molecules allows for the production of fuels and other types of molecules using syngas as substrate, a process performed at mild conditions.
  • 526
  • 23 Oct 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 16
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
ScholarVision Creations
Feedback