Articles tagged with "eco-friendly-materials"
Hyundai Motor & Healthy Seas Celebrate 5 Years of Global Ocean Conservation & Education Leadership - CleanTechnica
Hyundai Motor Company is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its partnership with Healthy Seas, a nonprofit dedicated to removing marine litter and restoring ocean ecosystems. Since the collaboration began in 2018, Hyundai and Healthy Seas have removed 320 tons of marine debris, including abandoned fishing nets from “ghost farm” operations across 10 countries in Europe, Korea, and the United States. These recovered nets are recycled by Aquafil into ECONYL® yarn, which Hyundai uses to produce eco-friendly car floormats for several European vehicle models such as the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9, INSTER, SANTA FE, and NEXO. The partnership emphasizes a circular economy and community-driven sustainability initiatives. In addition to environmental cleanup, the partnership prioritizes education, engaging over 4,861 participants worldwide through workshops, interactive activities, and virtual reality experiences. Hyundai has collaborated with the Technical University of Munich to develop an innovative environmental education program featuring a mobile robotics
energysustainabilityrecyclingmarine-conservationHyundaicircular-economyeco-friendly-materialsCoffee waste turned into eco-friendly concrete, slashes CO2 emissions
Australian researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed an innovative concrete mix that incorporates coffee ground waste transformed into biochar, resulting in a material that is both stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional concrete. By converting spent coffee grounds—an abundant waste stream—into biochar through pyrolysis, the team was able to replace a portion of sand in concrete production. Their experiments showed that substituting 15 percent of sand with coffee biochar increased concrete strength by nearly 30 percent and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by up to 26 percent. Lower substitution rates of 5 and 10 percent also yielded significant CO2 reductions of 15 and 23 percent, respectively, alongside a 31 percent decrease in fossil fuel use and improved impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The process involves heating used coffee grounds to around 350 degrees Celsius to produce a stable, carbon-rich charcoal-like substance that locks carbon within the concrete mix, supporting carbon sequestration. This approach aligns with circular economy principles and Australia
materialssustainable-concretebiocharcarbon-footprint-reductionconstruction-innovationwaste-recyclingeco-friendly-materialsThis self-sufficient modular house was 3D-printed in just one week
The Tiny House Lux, designed by ODA Architects in Luxembourg, represents a pioneering advancement in 3D-printed modular housing. This non-towable tiny house, spanning 47m² with a narrow and elongated layout, was constructed with remarkable speed—the core 3D printing took just one week, and the entire project is expected to be completed within four weeks. The design emphasizes functional efficiency, featuring a living area, kitchen, bathroom, technical space, and bedroom, all arranged to maximize usability within its compact footprint. Sustainability and self-sufficiency are central to the project. The house employs solar-powered underfloor heating using film technology, with solar panels on the roof supplying electricity for heating and other energy needs. The 3D-printed walls incorporate eco-friendly insulation, reducing emissions compared to traditional construction methods. Its modular design allows for assembly, disassembly, and potential relocation, minimizing demolition waste and supporting circular construction practices. Additionally, the house is designed to integrate harmoniously
energysolar-power3D-printingmodular-constructionsustainable-architectureunderfloor-heatingeco-friendly-materialsGoogle teases its new Gemini-powered Google Home speaker, coming in spring 2026
Google has announced its upcoming flagship smart speaker, powered by its new Gemini AI assistant, set to launch in spring 2026 at a price of $99. The device will be available in four colors—Porcelain, Hazel, Berry, and Jade—and is designed with a processor capable of handling advanced AI functions such as background noise suppression, reverb, and echo cancellation. This ensures clearer interaction even in noisy environments. A new light ring will provide visual feedback on the assistant’s status during interactions, particularly in the Gemini Live mode, which requires a Google Home Premium subscription. The launch timing is deliberate, as Google aims first to roll out Gemini AI functionality to existing Google Home devices through an Early Access program, allowing current users to test and provide feedback before the new speaker becomes available. The speaker supports 360-degree audio and can be grouped with other Google Home devices for synchronized playback. Additionally, users will be able to pair two Google Home speakers with a Google TV Streamer to create a surround-s
IoTsmart-homeGoogle-HomeAI-assistantGemini-AIsmart-speakereco-friendly-materialsWorld’s first mushroom-powered toilet turns waste into fertilizer
The University of British Columbia (UBC) has developed the world’s first mushroom-powered, waterless toilet called the MycoToilet, which uses mycelium—the root network of mushrooms—to safely process human waste without the need for plumbing, water, electricity, or chemicals. Launched at the UBC Botanical Garden, this innovative sanitation system transforms waste into nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertilizer, potentially producing about 600 liters of soil and 2,000 liters of liquid fertilizer annually. The pilot phase, starting September 26, 2025, will last six weeks, during which researchers will monitor the mycelium’s effectiveness in waste decomposition and odor control. Designed as a prefabricated, modular structure, the MycoToilet aims to overcome negative perceptions of composting toilets by offering a clean, comfortable, and user-friendly experience. Its design includes rot-resistant cedar panels with antimicrobial charring, a green roof, continuous ventilation via a low-power fan, and accessibility features such as a
energysustainable-sanitationmycelium-technologycomposting-toileteco-friendly-materialswaterless-toiletrenewable-resourcesAussie engineers turn cardboard waste into strong building material
Australian engineers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed a sustainable building material called cardboard-confined rammed earth, which combines cardboard, water, and soil to create strong walls suitable for low-rise buildings. This innovation addresses two major issues: reducing cardboard waste—over 2.2 million tons of which end up in Australian landfills annually—and cutting carbon emissions associated with cement and concrete production, which contribute about 8% of global emissions. The new material has roughly one-quarter of concrete’s carbon footprint and costs less than one-third as much, eliminating the need for cement by using compacted soil confined within cardboard tubes. Inspired by traditional rammed earth construction and designs like Shigeru Ban’s Cardboard Cathedral, the RMIT team has created a formula to determine the material’s strength based on cardboard tube thickness. The material can be produced on-site by compacting soil and water inside cardboard formwork, reducing transportation costs and logistical complexity by relying mostly on locally sourced materials.
materialssustainable-building-materialscardboard-waste-recyclingrammed-earth-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductiongreen-constructioneco-friendly-materialsConstruction materials could be greener, lighter with ceramic clay blend
Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Sao Carlos (UFSCar) have developed a novel approach to repurpose large amounts of sargassum algae, which have been increasingly accumulating on Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines, causing environmental and economic problems. Instead of discarding the seaweed in landfills, the team incorporated sargassum into ceramic clay mixtures at 20% and 40% concentrations. These mixtures were then sintered at various temperatures using both conventional and microwave ovens to produce lightweight ceramic clay aggregates. The study found that adding sargassum notably reduced the density of the materials, with microwave-sintered samples meeting strength requirements across all tested temperatures. A comprehensive life cycle assessment revealed that the algae-infused ceramics offer environmental benefits by reducing natural resource consumption and enhancing energy efficiency in construction materials. The researchers successfully incorporated up to 30% sargassum into panels, fully replacing limestone ash, while maintaining or improving durability and mechanical performance in
materialssustainable-constructionceramic-claysargassum-algaelightweight-aggregateslife-cycle-assessmenteco-friendly-materialsUS engineer spins bacteria into strong plastic-like eco-sheets
A team led by Maksud Rahman, assistant professor at the University of Houston, has developed a novel single-step method to grow biodegradable bacterial cellulose sheets that are strong enough to rival conventional plastics. By using a custom rotational culture device that guides bacterial motion through controlled fluid flow, the researchers produced aligned cellulose nanofibers, resulting in flexible, strong, and multifunctional sheets. These sheets have potential applications ranging from packaging and medical dressings to textiles and green electronics, offering an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The innovation also includes enhancing the bacterial cellulose by incorporating boron nitride nanosheets into the nutrient solution, creating hybrid composites with significantly improved properties such as tensile strength up to 553 MPa and thermal conductivity three times higher than untreated samples. Published in Nature Communications, this scalable, bottom-up biosynthesis approach leverages biological processes combined with mechanical design, avoiding energy-intensive manufacturing typical of traditional bioplastics. The team envisions widespread adoption of this sustainable material across various industries aiming to
materialsbiodegradable-plasticsbacterial-cellulosenanofiberseco-friendly-materialscomposite-materialsthermal-conductivityScientists 3D-print thermal insulation fibres from wheat straw
Researchers led by Dr. Chi Zhou at the University at Buffalo have developed a sustainable thermal insulation material by 3D-printing fibers derived from wheat straw, an agricultural byproduct typically burned after harvest. Wheat straw’s natural fibrous and porous structure provides effective thermal insulation, high mechanical strength, and enhanced flame retardancy compared to other organic materials. The process involves pulping wheat straw into a slurry, drying it into a thick ink, and cross-linking the fibers with an organic binder to ensure material integrity before 3D printing. This innovation offers a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional insulation materials like glass and rock wool, which rely heavily on fossil fuels and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. To address the slow printing speed of early methods, Zhou’s team redesigned the 3D printer with a slot-die nozzle and multiple nozzles for faster, more uniform material deposition, making the process scalable for industrial production. Using wheat straw not only reduces environmental impact by lowering emissions and decreasing agricultural waste but
materials3D-printingthermal-insulationsustainable-materialswheat-strawbiomasseco-friendly-materialsBiodegradable microplastics could pose diabetes threat, harm gut
A recent study highlights potential health risks posed by biodegradable microplastics, specifically polylactic acid (PLA), widely used in eco-friendly food packaging and disposable tableware. Unlike conventional plastics, PLA is derived from renewable resources like corn starch and sugar cane and has been considered a sustainable alternative. However, the study reveals that PLA microplastics do not merely pass through the digestive system but enter the metabolic cycle of gut bacteria and intestinal cells. Using mouse models, researchers found that certain gut bacteria secrete enzymes that break down PLA microplastics, turning them into carbon sources that may contribute to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hyperuricemia, which can lead to gout and kidney stones. Additionally, PLA microplastic fragments in gut epithelial cells reduce the production of linear short-chain fatty acids, essential energy sources for these cells, resulting in decreased appetite and weight loss in mice. The study also suggests that PLA microplastics may promote harmful bacteria like Helicobacter muridarum, potentially disrupting the gut microbiome balance by displacing beneficial microbes. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the researchers propose that frequent plastic consumption may have conditioned gut microbiota to recognize and metabolize these particles. Importantly, the study notes that the adverse effects might be reversible if exposure to PLA microplastics ceases for six to twelve months. This research raises concerns about the hidden health impacts of biodegradable plastics previously regarded as safe alternatives to conventional plastics.
materialsbiodegradable-plasticsmicroplasticspolylactic-acideco-friendly-materialshealth-impactgut-bacteriaAI sorts 1 million rock samples to find cement substitutes in waste
materialsAIcement-substituteseco-friendly-materialsconcrete-sustainabilitymachine-learningalternative-materials