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July 17^th 2025

⚡️ Energy

🇩🇪 German scientists launch first floating plant to create synthetic fuels using wind and seawater

Germany has unveiled the world's first floating platform that produces synthetic fuels entirely offshore using wind energy, seawater, and air. Developed by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as part of the H2Mare project, the modular PtX-Wind system includes direct air capture, desalination, electrolysis, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis - all operating without grid connection. This real-world test of a full Power-to-X chain at sea could enable scalable, climate-neutral fuel production for shipping and aviation.

🚀 Space

🇨🇳 Chinese scientists convert lunar soil into oxygen and fuel, boosting moon base sustainability

Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, have developed a photothermal method to extract water from lunar soil and use it to turn CO₂ into oxygen and fuel. Tested with samples from China’s Chang’e-5 mission, the technology combines water extraction and CO₂ conversion in a single step, improving energy efficiency and reducing infrastructure needs. Published in Joule, the breakthrough could support long-term human presence on the Moon by minimizing reliance on Earth-supplied resources.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US researchers create robots with 'metabolism' to self-repair and adapt like living organisms

Scientists at Columbia University have developed a new robotic system called "robot metabolism" that enables machines to grow, heal, and upgrade themselves using modular components. Demonstrated through magnetic building blocks called Truss Links, the system lets robots physically adapt by adding or reusing parts, improving functionality without human input. Published in Science Advances, this innovation could lead to fully autonomous robots ideal for disaster zones and space exploration.

🌎 Sustainability

🇺🇸 US researchers turn food waste into biodegradable plastic and fertilizer to cut landfill and pollution

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a process that converts fermented food waste into biodegradable plastic using Cupriavidus necator bacteria, producing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) for use in eco-friendly packaging. The system, published in Bioresource Technology, also yields a paste-like residue that may serve as organic fertilizer, tackling both food and plastic waste simultaneously. This robust, low-cost method could scale into an industrial solution for landfill reduction and sustainable materials.

🇨🇳 Chinese researchers launch world's first 1,000-ton clean fabric plant to eliminate toxic fiber solvents

China has opened the first large-scale textile facility using ionic liquid technology to produce regenerated cellulose fibers with near-zero emissions. Developed by the Institute of Process Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the process replaces hazardous solvents with recyclable ionic liquids, cutting CO₂ emissions by 5,000 tons annually. This breakthrough sets a new industrial standard for sustainable, non-toxic fiber production.

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Max

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