6-May-2026 Vanadium batteries could stabilize power grids and help prevent blackouts in Ecuador Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral This document evaluates the transient stability and technical impact of integrating stand-alone battery energy storage systems (BESS) into Ecuador’s National Interconnected System. A 10 MW vanadium redox flow battery is modeled and simulated through electromagnetic transient analysis developed in the DIgSILENT PowerFactory simulation software. Voltage restoration and energy recovery during temporary faults are evaluated at dispatch levels of 20% and 60%. Journal Journal of Energy Storage
6-May-2026 An autonomous "flying" boat Norwegian University of Science and Technology This winter, people in Trondheim have caught glimpses of a boat that seems to fly over the water out on the fjord. Many have also taken part in test trips. NTNU researchers have investigated what it will take for people to trust a boat that runs almost without a crew on board.
6-May-2026 Reusing rubble in new constructions, the innovative recycled concrete of SARCOS Politecnico di Milano Steel & recycled concrete composite slabs with equivalent, and in some cases superior, performances compared to traditional ones: this is the outcome of the SARCOS (Steel And Recycled COncrete Slab) project, conducted by a joint research team from the University of Cagliari and Politecnico di Milano, funded by the PRIN2022 call of the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Journal Materials and Structures
5-May-2026 New laterite biochar composite offers sustainable solution for arsenic-contaminated water Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University Arsenic contamination in water remains a serious public health challenge in many parts of the world, especially in regions where groundwater is widely used for drinking and irrigation. A study published in Biochar reports an eco-friendly adsorbent made from biochar and laterite minerals that can efficiently remove both major forms of arsenic from water while remaining regenerable and safe for disposal. Journal Biochar
5-May-2026 Waste-derived biochar could help remove troublesome natural organic matter from water Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University A review highlights how modified biochar can capture and break down humic acid, a key precursor of harmful disinfection byproducts in drinking water treatment Journal Biochar
5-May-2026 Louisiana’s shrinking coast offers a narrowing window for managed retreat Yale University Louisiana is losing its coast faster than anywhere else in the U.S. What happens next could become a blueprint — or a warning — for vulnerable communities around the globe. Journal Nature Sustainability
4-May-2026 Biochar can boost soil microbial life by more than 20%, global field study finds Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University A global analysis of field experiments suggests that biochar, a carbon-rich material made by heating organic biomass with limited oxygen, can significantly increase soil microbial biomass carbon, an important indicator of soil health and biological activity. Journal Biochar
4-May-2026 Invasive plant transformed into biochar helps suppress tomato bacterial wilt and improve soil health Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University A plant best known as an ecological problem may offer a new tool for healthier soils and more resilient crops. A study published in Biochar reports that biochar made from Solidago canadensis L., an invasive plant in southern China, can be modified with silicon to suppress bacterial wilt, improve soil quality, and promote beneficial soil microbes. Journal Biochar
