Askoa Ibisate, geographer specialising in fluvial geomorphology, has analysed how the disappearance of the Olloki dam affects sediment transport. Ibisate concluded that the volume of pebbles mobilised by the demolition has increased, and their journey has been extended. The results are particularly significant because the monitoring work has been ongoing for seven years and the authorities are provided with valuable information for predicting the consequences of dam demolition.

Farmers are always looking for smarter ways to boost crop health, and one of the industry’s latest game-changers is polymer-coated, controlled-release fertilizers (PC-CRFs). These high-tech soil enhancers deliver nutrients gradually, ensuring plants get exactly what they need when they need it without the waste of traditional methods.

While PC-CRFs can boost crop efficiency, a new study from University of Missouri researcher Maryam Salehi and collaborators uncovers a downside — microplastic pollution. As the polymer coatings break down in the soil, they release tiny plastic particles into the environment.

Aerospace engineering senior Philip Wilson attended an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) conference. Rohit Raut, a senior physics major, presented his work at a nuclear research symposium, and senior biology major Jaden Rankin had the opportunity to feature her research at an entomology conference. These and other University of Texas at Arlington students were able to showcase their original research at major symposiums thanks to UTA’s expansion of its popular undergraduate research program that provides funding for select students to present at academic conferences.

Elastomers similar to paint coating developed at the University of Luxembourg and the Technical University of Darmstadt, were proven to help detect and monitor potential concrete cracks of existing or future buildings. Much of the tunnels and bridge infrastructure in Europe is over 50 years old, and are approaching end of life with important maintenance needs, posing the threat of more disastrous accidents such as the Morandi Bridge in Genoa in 2018 in Italy (43 deaths and 16 injured). Cost-effective and scalable, this technology could have a revolutionary impact in the safety of critical infrastructure, such as bridges or dams.