Washing machines might seem clean, but they're actually home to tiny hitchhikers—bacteria. These microscopic critters latch onto surfaces made of metals, polymers, and rubber, forming slimy layers called biofilms. They don't just stick to the machine; they also hitch a ride on clothes. Sweat, skin p
Ever wondered what makes some batteries better than others? The answer might surprise you – it's all about the electrolytes! Lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries are super promising, but they rely heavily on these special chemicals. Think of electrolytes as the battery's lifeblood, helping everything ru
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are gaining traction due to their high safety, low cost, and eco-friendliness. However, the cathode materials need more development. MXenes, with excellent hydrophilicity and conductivity, could be a great fit, but they have issues like slow Zn²⁺ kinetics and struc
Did you know that old batteries could have a second life? Scientists have found a cool use for the graphite inside spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This graphite is special because it has a lot of oxygen-rich groups on its surface. These groups help the graphite absorb microwaves really well. To
Climate change is bringing more heat waves to both land and sea. While many habitats are affected, the intertidal zone is unique because it experiences both atmospheric and marine heat waves. But how do creatures living in this zone handle these extreme temperatures? First, let's look at what cause
Imagine if we could tackle two big problems at once - energy waste and water scarcity. That's where nuclear power plants (NPPs) come in. Did you know that NPPs produce a lot of heat that's often wasted? This heat, known as waste heat, can be used to drive desalination systems. Desalination is the pr
Ever thought about the tiny critters in soil that help plants grow? We're talking about microbes, and they love nitrogen (N)! Scientists have a nifty tool called qSIP to see which microbes are using N. Usually, this is done in a lab. But what about in the real world? Two sites were picked to compare
You know those tiny pieces of plastic that pollute our oceans and rivers? They're not just a problem for the environment, but also for the creatures living in it, like zebrafish. We found out that when these little plastic bits, called nanoplastics, are very small (about 20 nanometers), they can do
You might be familiar with the tiny, tricky organisms called mycoplasmas. These guys can sneak into cell cultures and cause big problems. Researchers often face up to 35% contamination in their cell lines. Cleaning up these cultures with antibiotics is usually a breeze, except when it comes to bacte
Ever wondered how pharmaceuticals disappear from soils over time? Scientists have created a new mathematical model to figure out the answer. This clever tool treats soil particles like tiny balls, considering how tightly pollutants stick to them (called sorption) and how they break down (or dissipat
