Background The conversion of solar energy to fuels requires both water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstocks. These feedstocks provide the carbon and hydrogen atoms necessary to form hydrocarbons. By removing oxygen from one or both of these compounds, liquid hydrocarbon fuels can be produced. Water can be converted into hydrogen and oxygen...

Background Electrochemical sensing is a compact process used to detect chemicals in aqueous solutions (e.g., water, bodily fluids, foods). It can also be used to treat pollutants in drinking and industrial wastewaters. Electrochemical oxidation can generate hydroxyl radicals, which are effective in degrading organic contaminants in water, including...

A variety of techniques are employed in geotechnical engineering practice to improve the in situ properties of soils. Different techniques are applicable to different types of soil. The technology of using microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) as a means of improving the properties of sandy soil has attracted a significant amount of interest...

Shake tables provide a critical tool for simulating earthquake events and testing the response of structures to seismic forces. Simulated earthquake conditions can help civil engineers identify potential weaknesses in the design and suggest ways to improve a structure’s resilience. In a controlled laboratory setting, shake tables can also be...

Background Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology has the potential to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. There are several types of technology that are currently being used to capture and store CO2 such as Direct Air Capture (DAC), power plants, enhanced rock weathering (ERW), etc. Carbon capture technologies are typically...

Wireless underground sensing networks (WUSNs) aim to provide real-time remote sensing of soil properties and monitoring of underground activities. Most subterranean animals have already mastered the use of vibrations for underground communication, localization of prey, and detection of predators. Humans, on the other hand, have yet to develop communication...

Many sites with ground and/or surface water pollution have been identified across the United States. For site characterization, exposure and risk assessment as well as remediation monitoring, it is important to analyze the environment for toxic contaminants at trace levels. However, this sensing is often expensive, especially when attempting...

Background Recent research in the asphalt industry has focused on promoting sustainability through reducing mixing and compaction temperatures. Sulfur-extended asphalt has been studied extensively for this purpose because of the reduction in price of asphalt concrete that sulfur offers, as well as reducing the mixing and compaction temperatures. However,...

Background Many current air-capture designs feature flat air contactor surfaces with air flow predominantly tangential to those surfaces. In many cases, it may be advantageous to induce some turbulence across the sheet to enhance transport into the depth of the material. In general, it is advantageous to create surface roughness that is designed to...

Background Multifunctional coatings are typically made from nanoparticles of magnesium oxide (MgO) that have the ability to carbonate and serve as a permanent carbon-storage medium. The inorganic phase, consisting of MgO particles, is combined with an organic blend comprising an amine-terminated polymer. This organic component facilitates the capture...