Topic Review
Tertiary Wastewater Treatment Technologies
The activated sludge process is the most widespread sewage treatment method. It typically consists of a pretreatment step, followed by a primary settling tank, an aerobic degradation process, and, finally, a secondary settling tank. The secondary effluent is then usually chlorinated and discharged to a water body. Tertiary treatment aims at improving the characteristics of the secondary effluent to facilitate its reuse. 
  • 484
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Synthesis Methodologies of Topological Nanomaterials
The discovery of topological materials has opened up new areas in condensed matter physics. These materials are noted for their distinctive electronic properties, unlike conventional insulators and metals. This discovery has not only spurred new research areas but also offered innovative approaches to electronic device design. A key aspect of these materials is now that transforming them into nanostructures enhances the presence of surface or edge states, which are the key components for their unique electronic properties. Synthesis methods are discussed, including vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and chemical conversion techniques. Moreover, the scaling down of topological nanomaterials has revealed new electronic and magnetic properties due to quantum confinement.
  • 349
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Sustainable Consumption and Production History
SCP has two constituents, consumption and production. Shall we treat them separately or together? Sustainable production is “the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are non-polluting, conserving of energy and natural resources, economically viable, safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers”. Sustainable consumption is the use of products and services that have a minimal impact on environment and enable future generations to meet their needs.
  • 650
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Sustainable Biorefineries Based on Catalytic Biomass Conversion
Biorefineries have been profiled as potential alternatives to increase biomass use at the industrial level. However, more efforts are required to improve the sustainability of these facilities through process improvement and product portfolio increase. 
  • 152
  • 05 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Surface-Functionalized Separator
The surface-modified separator plays a role in improving the electrolyte wettability, homogenizing Li+flux, and strengthening the mechanical/thermal property. Due to these favorable benefits, the formation of sharp Li dendrite is efficiently suppressed and the thermal stability of battery is greatly enhanced. In this article, separator-coating materials are classified into six categories in terms of material characteristics to show how each material has different electrochemical properties. We believe that the suggested approach would become a powerful strategy to improve the performance and stability of next-generation batteries such as lithium-metal batteries.
  • 901
  • 23 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrates for Food Safety Detection
Food safety analysis currently relies on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), UV-visible spectrophotometry, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS), all of which require significant time to train qualified food safety testing laboratory operators. These factors have hindered the development of rapid food safety monitoring systems, especially in remote areas or areas with a relative lack of testing resources. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as one of the tools of choice for food safety testing that can overcome these dilemmas. SERS offers advantages over chromatographic mass spectrometry analysis due to its portability, non-destructive nature, and lower cost implications. However, as it currently stands, Raman spectroscopy is a supplemental tool in chemical analysis, reinforcing and enhancing the completeness and coverage of the food safety analysis system. SERS combines portability with non-destructive and cheaper detection costs to gain an advantage over chromatographic mass spectrometry analysis. 
  • 389
  • 10 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Surface Plasmon Coupled Emission Technology
Novel nano-engineering protocols have been actively synergized with fluorescence spectroscopic techniques to yield higher intensity from radiating dipoles, through the process termed plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF). Consequently, the limit of detection of analytes of interest has been dramatically improvised on account of higher sensitivity rendered by augmented fluorescence signals. Metallic thin films sustaining surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have been creatively hybridized with such PEF platforms to realize a substantial upsurge in the global collection efficiency in a judicious technology termed surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE). This Editorial Review by Dr. Seemesh Bhaskar, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, provides a spotlight on the latest developments in SPCE substrate engineering to the broad audience of photo-plasmonics, spectroscopy, micro- & nanotechnology, life sciences, thin films and point-of-care diagnostics.
  • 525
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Supercritical CO2 extraction is a green method that combines economic and environmental benefits. Microalgae, on the other hand, is a biomass in abundance, capable of providing a vast variety of valuable compounds, finding applications in the food industry, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
  • 372
  • 21 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Supercritical Antisolvent Technique for the Preparation of Nanocatalysts
In an era where sustainability is becoming the main driving force for research and development, supercritical fluids-based techniques are presented as a very efficient alternative technology to conventional extraction, purification, and recrystallization processes. Supercritical antisolvent (SAS) precipitation is a novel technique that can replace liquid antisolvent precipitation techniques. Additionally, through the optimization of precipitation operating conditions, morphology, particle size, and particle size distribution of nanoparticles can be controlled. As an antisolvent, supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is far more sustainable than its conventional liquid counterparts; not only does it have a critical point (304 K and 73.8 bar) on its phase diagram that allows for the precipitation processes to be developed so close to room temperature, but also its recovery and, consequently, the precipitated solute purification stage is considerably simpler. This technique can be used efficiently for preparing nanocatalysts to be used in biodiesel production processes.
  • 986
  • 21 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Superconductivity and Hydrogen Economy
Hydrogen as an energy carrier is a promising alternative to fossil fuels, and it becomes more and more popular in developed countries as a carbon-free fuel. The low boiling temperature of hydrogen (20 K or −253.15 °C) provides a unique opportunity to implement superconductors with a critical temperature above 20 K such as MgB2 or high-temperature superconductors. Superconductors increase efficiency and reduce the loss of energy, which could compensate for the high price of LH2 to some extent. Norway is one of the pioneer countries with adequate infrastructure for using liquid hydrogen in the industry, especially in marine technology where a superconducting propulsion system can make a remarkable impact on its economy. Using superconductors in the motor of a propulsion system can increase its efficiency from 95% to 98% when the motor operates at full power. The difference in efficiency is even greater when the motor does not work at full power.
  • 608
  • 19 Oct 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 24