Japanese Scientists Craft CO2-Absorbing Concrete for Zero-Emission Buildings

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🇯🇵Japanese Scientists Craft CO2-Absorbing Concrete for Zero-Emission Buildings

🧪A New Way to Make Clean Ammonia from Water and Air

🔋Turning Plastic, Batteries, and Food Waste into Everyday Resources

⛽RMIT’s Green Ammonia Process Ready to Support Renewable Energy Transport

📺Your Next OLED TV May Be Cheaper Thanks to Samsung’s Ink Recycling Innovation

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Japanese Scientists Craft CO2-Absorbing Concrete for Zero-Emission Buildings LINK

• Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo and Hokkaido University developed Calcium Carbonate Concrete (CCC) that absorbs more CO₂ than it emits, offering a zero-emission alternative to traditional concrete.

• The process avoids high-temperature calcination by using CO₂ to form calcium carbonate from pulverized concrete waste, then compressing it into solid forms. This method significantly reduces CO₂ emissions typically associated with cement production.

• The team plans to achieve certification under Japan's Building Standards Law and aims to bring CCC into commercial construction use by 2029, currently working to enhance production efficiency while maintaining material strength.

A New Way to Make Clean Ammonia from Water and Air LINK 

• NitroFix is developing a method to produce ammonia using water and air through an electrolyzer, bypassing the carbon-intensive Haber-Bosch process and eliminating the need for separate hydrogen production.

• NitroFix’s proprietary catalyst, originally licensed from Israel's Weizmann Institute, allows ammonia production in a single container, reducing steps and energy costs, especially useful in regions with high natural gas prices.

• The startup, which raised $3.1 million in seed funding, plans to deploy smaller, decentralized production units for industries needing local ammonia supply, aiming to support future demand expected to reach 700 million metric tons by 2050.

Turning Plastic, Batteries, and Food Waste into Everyday Resources LINK 

• Argonne National Laboratory scientists are advancing the circular economy by developing methods to recycle materials from plastics, batteries, and electronic devices, such as converting plastics into lubricants and battery components like lithium and cobalt back into use.

• Projects at Argonne include creating renewable fuels from organic waste and turning CO2 emissions into valuable chemicals like ethanol, with teams working on efficient water purification for industrial reuse under the Great Lakes ReNEW initiative.

• By using tools like shredders, magnets, and catalysts, researchers aim to reduce pollution and waste, ensuring that future recycling solutions are cost-effective and eco-friendly for a sustainable economy.

RMIT’s Green Ammonia Process Ready to Support Renewable Energy Transport LINK

• RMIT University’s low-carbon ammonia production uses liquid metals (copper and gallium) to replace traditional catalysts, lowering heat and pressure requirements by 20% and 98%, respectively, with reduced emissions compared to the Haber-Bosch process.

• This new method, designed for decentralized and small-scale applications, supports the safe transport of hydrogen as a renewable energy source, offering advantages in regions like Australia for global distribution.

• RMIT aims to optimize and expand this technology by partnering with both large chemical producers and smaller ammonia manufacturers, focusing on long-term operation and further exploring liquid metal catalysts for other sustainable energy solutions.

Your Next OLED TV May Be Cheaper Thanks to Samsung’s Ink Recycling Innovation LINK

• Samsung’s new QD ink recycling tech recovers 80% of otherwise wasted quantum dot ink, potentially saving $7.3 million annually in QD-OLED production.

• This process uses advanced synthesis technology to maintain the ink’s original quality, ensuring that recycled ink performs at the same level as fresh ink.

• By lowering production costs without altering the QD-OLED panel development process, Samsung aims to pass savings onto consumers, potentially reducing future display prices.