Engineering最新文献

{"title":"Carbon Footprint Drivers in China’s Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Mitigation Opportunities through Electricity and Chemical Efficiency","authors":"Shen Qu ,&nbsp;Yuchen Hu ,&nbsp;Renke Wei ,&nbsp;Ke Yu ,&nbsp;Zhouyi Liu ,&nbsp;Qi Zhou ,&nbsp;Chenchen Wang ,&nbsp;Lujing Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.01.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.01.021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to address climate change is a global consensus, and municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) should lead the way in low-carbon sustainable development. However, achieving effluent discharge standards often requires considerable energy and chemical consumption during operation, resulting in significant carbon footprints. In this study, GHG emissions are systematically accounted for, and the driving factors of carbon footprint growth in China’s MWWTPs are explored. In 2020, a total of 41.9 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂-eq) were released by the sector, with nearly two-thirds being indirect emissions resulting from energy and material usage. The intensity of electricity, carbon source, and phosphorus removing agent consumption increasingly influence carbon footprint growth over time. Through statistical inference, benchmarks for electricity and chemical consumption intensity are established across all MWWTPs under various operational conditions, and the potential for mitigation through more efficient energy and material utilization is calculated. The results suggest that many MWWTPs offer significant opportunities for emission reduction. Consequently, empirical decarbonization measures, including intelligent device control, optimization of aeration equipment, energy recovery initiatives, and other enhancements to improve operational and carbon efficiency, are recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 106-116"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140129512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-Frequency Dual-Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Real-Time and Artifact-Free Magnetic Robot Navigation","authors":"Renkuan Zhai, Zhangqi Pan, Yuanshi Kou, Chuang Yang, Yang Ruan, Chenli Xu, Linjie He, Jianfeng Zang","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.027","url":null,"abstract":"Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, outfitted with internal gradient coils capable of manipulating magnetic gradients in three-dimensional (3D) space, offer an intriguing platform for the navigation of medical magnetic robots. These robots offer considerable promise for applications in minimally invasive therapy, targeted drug delivery, and theranostic interventions. However, an MRI-driven robot presents a challenging contradiction between real-time control and image resolution, resulting in suboptimal tracking accuracy—attributed to the inefficiency of conventional signal acquisition and the presence of metal artifacts. In this paper, we report a multi-frequency excitation sequence with dual-echo (MFDE) that reduces the repetition time (TR) to 30 ms, allowing the precise tracking of magnetic particles (relative error &lt;1%) without artifacts. The duty cycle of the driving gradient is as high as 77%, and perturbations from the imaging gradients are eliminated. Expanding on these foundations, we adapted our technique to 3D operations. We established an integrated platform for imaging and motion control by creating a three-view window and developing a control joystick to be used in conjunction with the platform. Demonstrations of navigation in a maze, in a phantom vessel, and <em>in vivo</em> animal trials validate its feasibility and effectiveness, providing a significant advancement in the field of MRI-guided magnetic robot control.","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144534026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Deep Sea No. 1 Semi-Submersible Energy Station","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 18-23"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143940292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial-Enhanced Steel Slag Fixation of CO2 from Cement Kiln Flue Gas for the Production of Supplementary Cementitious Material","authors":"Chunxiang Qian ,&nbsp;Yijin Fan ,&nbsp;Yafeng Rui ,&nbsp;Xiao Zhang ,&nbsp;Yangfan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.03.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.03.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The production of cement and concrete using carbonated steel slag as a supplementary cementitious material achieves the dual benefits of efficient steel slag utilization and CO₂ fixation. In this study, a combination of microbial technology and a rotary kiln process was employed to expedite the carbonation of steel slag for CO₂ fixation from cement kiln flue gas. This approach resulted in a significant increase in the CO₂-fixation rate, with a CO₂-fixation ratio of approximately 10% achieved within 1 h and consistent performance across different seasons throughout the year. Investigation revealed that both the CO₂-fixation ratio and the particle fineness are pivotal for increasing the soundness and reactivity of steel slag. When the CO₂-fixation ratio exceeds 8% and the specific surface area is at least 300 m²∙kg⁻¹, the soundness issue of steel slag can be effectively addressed, facilitating the safe utilization of steel slag. Residual microbes present in the carbonated steel slag powder act as nucleating sites, increasing the hydration rate of the silicate phases in Portland cement to form more hydration products. Microbial regulation results in the biogenic calcium carbonate having smaller crystal sizes, which facilitates the formation of monocarboaluminate to increase the strength of hardened cement paste. At the same CO₂-fixation ratio, microbial mineralized steel slag powder exhibits greater hydration activity than carbonated steel slag powder. With a CO₂-fixation ratio of 10% and a specific surface area of 600 m²∙kg⁻¹, replacing 30% of cement clinker with microbial mineralized steel slag powder yields an activity index of 87.7%. This study provides a sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions and safely and efficiently utilizing steel slag in the construction materials sector, while expanding the application scope of microbial technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 136-149"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144721912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental Study on the Coupling Dynamics of Metal Jet, Waves, and Bubble During Underwater Explosion of a Shaped Charge","authors":"Yu Tian ,&nbsp;A-Man Zhang ,&nbsp;Liu-Yi Xu ,&nbsp;Fu-Ren Ming","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Unlike conventional spherical charges, a shaped charge generates not only a strong shock wave and a pulsating bubble, but also a high strain rate metal jet and a ballistic wave during the underwater explosion. They show significant characteristic differences and couple each other. This paper designs and conducts experiments with shaped charges to analyze the complicated process. The effects of liner angle and weight of shaped charge on the characteristics of metal jets, waves, and bubbles are discussed. It is found that in underwater explosions, the shaped charge generates the metal jet accompanied by the ballistic wave. Then, the shock wave propagates and superimposes with the ballistic wave, and the generated bubble pulsates periodically. It is revealed that the maximum head velocity of the metal jet versus the liner angle <em>α</em> and length-to-diameter ratio <em>λ</em> of the shaped charge follows the laws of 1/(<em>α</em>/180°)^0.55 and <em>λ</em>^0.16, respectively. The head shape and velocity of the metal jet determine the curvature and propagation speed of the initial ballistic wave, thus impacting the superposition time and region with the shock wave. Our findings also reveal that the metal jet carries away some explosion products, which hinders the bubble development, causing an inward depression of the bubble wall near the metal jet. Therefore, the maximum bubble radius and pulsation period are 5.2% and 3.9% smaller than the spherical charge with the same weight. In addition, the uneven axial energy distribution of the shaped charge leads to an oblique bubble jet formation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 168-187"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144721913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards Sustainable Urban Water System: A Strategic Approach to Advance Decarbonizing Water Management","authors":"Xinyu Pan ,&nbsp;Yumeng Zhao ,&nbsp;Xinlu Lin ,&nbsp;Nianyi Zhao ,&nbsp;Meng Sun ,&nbsp;Jun Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.03.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.03.028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The decarbonization of urban water systems is critical for achieving global climate goals, and reducing the carbon intensity of urban water systems necessitates a paradigm shift from traditional end-of-pipe treatment approaches to alternative technological solutions and holistic planning. This study explores a comprehensive strategy for achieving sustainable urban water management that integrates a decentralized water system (DWS), source separation, and low-carbon water treatment technologies. DWS is fundamental to implementing a sustainable urban water system. This study addresses the social contexts, costs, approaches, and benefits associated with DWS implementation, emphasizing the importance of its construction. Subsequently, the analysis focuses on the on-site source separation of grey water, feces, and yellow water in the DWS, which serves as the primary approach for wastewater reuse and N/P recovery for a sustainable urban water system. Following source separation, low-carbon water treatment technologies based on resource conservation and recovery are thoroughly discussed. Specifically, resource conservation can be achieved through rainwater control, efficiency improvements, and low energy consumption, while resource recovery can be attained through carbon capturing and energy/nutrient recovery. Overall, in response to the challenges in current urban water management, this study proposes a comprehensive strategy that supports a sustainable urban water system, providing theoretical guidance for reducing carbon emissions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 31-39"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual Protein-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogel Scaffolds Synergistically Promote Cartilage Regeneration Through Chondrocyte Differentiation and Immunomodulation","authors":"Huan Lei,&nbsp;Daidi Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.05.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.05.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The treatment of prolonged inflammation and cartilage damage due to osteoarthritis (OA) is a major clinical challenge. We developed a comprehensive cartilage repair therapy using a dual drug-loaded nanocomposite hydrogel that leveraged the spatiotemporal immunomodulatory effects of a naturally degradable protein-based nanocomposite hydrogel. The hydrogel acted as a scaffold that created a favorable microenvironment for cartilage regeneration. The hydrogel recruited macrophages and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which supported the growth and adhesion of osteoblasts, and degraded to provide nutrition. Silk protein nanoparticles were chemically cross-linked with kartogenin, and human-like collagen was physically cross-linked with dexamethasone through hydrogen bonding. In the early stages of cartilage repair, a large quantity of dexamethasone was released. The dexamethasone acted as an anti-inflammatory agent and a spatiotemporal modulator of the polarization of M1 macrophages into M2 macrophages. In the middle and late stages of cartilage repair, kartogenin underwent sustained release from the hydrogel, inducing the differentiation of hMSCs into chondrocytes and maintaining chondrocyte stability. Therefore, kartogenin and dexamethasone acted synergistically to induce cartilage repair. In conclusion, we developed an integrated therapeutic system by constructing a cartilage regeneration microenvironment and inducing synergistic drug-based cartilage regeneration. The therapeutic system demonstrated satisfactory efficacy for repairing cartilage damage in rabbits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 150-167"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteria-Photocatalyst Biohybrid System for Sustainable Ammonium Production","authors":"Meiwei Guo,&nbsp;Guangfei Liu,&nbsp;Sen Qiao,&nbsp;Xie Quan","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although the Haber–Bosch process supports the growth of modern agriculture with abundant ammonia and fertilizer production, substantial energy consumption and enormous greenhouse emissions demand an alternative and sustainable approach. Here, we report a novel approach that combines the non-photosynthetic bacterium <em>Shewanella oneidensis</em> MR-1 (<em>S. oneidensis</em> MR-1) with cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) to enable the photosynthesis of ammonium (NH₄⁺) from nitrate (NO₃⁻) using photoexcited electrons as donors. The NO₃⁻ reduction efficiency reached almost 100%, with an NH₄⁺ production selectivity of over 90%. The maximum instantaneous quantum efficiency was 3.01% under light irradiation. The reverse metal-reducing (Mtr) pathway is responsible for the transfer of photoexcited electrons to intracellular compartments. Parallel reaction monitoring analysis illustrated that NO₃⁻ to NH₄⁺ was produced via the dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) pathway in <em>S. oneidensis</em> MR-1. This study provides a facile strategy for light-driven ambient NH₄⁺ synthesis and solar-to-chemical conversion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 52-59"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of Electroactive Biofiltration Dynamic Membrane for Enhanced Wastewater Treatment and Fouling Mitigation: Unraveling the Growth Equilibrium Mechanisms of Fouling Layer","authors":"Chengxin Niu,&nbsp;Wei Shi,&nbsp;Zhouyan Li,&nbsp;Zhiwei Qiu,&nbsp;Yun Guo,&nbsp;Zhiwei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We developed a strategy involving an electroactive biofiltration dynamic membrane (EBDM) for wastewater treatment and membrane fouling mitigation. This approach utilizes a cathode potential within an anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor to establish a growth equilibrium electroactive fouling layer. Over a 240 day operation period, the EBDM exhibited outstanding performance, characterized by an ultralow fouling rate (transmembrane pressure &lt; 2.5 kPa), superior effluent quality (chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal &gt; 93% and turbidity ∼2 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU)), and a 7.2% increase in methane (CH₄) productivity. Morphological analysis revealed that the EBDM acted as a biofilter consisting of a structured, interconnected, multilevel dynamic membrane system with orderly clogging. In the EBDM system, the balanced-growth fouling layers presented fewer biofoulants and looser secondary protein structures. Furthermore, the applied electric field modified the physicochemical properties of the biomass, leading to a decrease in fouling potential. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring analysis indicated that growth equilibrium promoted a looser fouling layer with a lower adsorption mass than did the denser, viscoelastic fouling layer observed in the control reactor. Metagenomic sequencing further demonstrated that continuous electrical stimulation encouraged the development of an electroactive fouling layer with enhanced microbial metabolic functionality on the EBDM. This approach selectively modifies metabolic pathways and increases the degradation of foulants. The EBDM strategy successfully established an ordered-clogging, step-filtered, and balanced-growth electroactive fouling layer, achieving a synergistic effect in reducing membrane fouling, enhancing effluent quality, and improving CH₄ productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 60-71"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Highly Selective Removal of Perchlorate from Water: Roles of Unconventional Hydrogen Bond and Hydrophobic Cavity","authors":"Jian Ao ,&nbsp;Lingjun Bu ,&nbsp;Yangtao Wu ,&nbsp;Jinming Luo ,&nbsp;Shiqing Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.12.029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eng.2024.12.029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Selective perchlorate (ClO₄⁻) removal from surface water is a pressing need due to the stringent perchlorate drinking water limits around the world. Herein, we anchored N⁺–C–H hydrogen bond donors in hydrophobic cavities via interactions of cationic surfactants with montmorillonite to prioritize perchlorate bonding. The prepared adsorbent exhibited high selectivity over commonly occurring competing anions, including SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, HCO₃⁻, and halide anions. High adsorption capacity, fast adsorption kinetics, and excellent regeneration ability (removal efficiency ≥ 80% after 20 cycles) were confirmed via batch experiments. Unconventional CH···O hydrogen bonding was verified as the primary driving force for perchlorate adsorption, which relies on the higher bond energy (∼80 kcal·mol⁻¹) than conventional bonding. The removal efficiency of anions followed the order of the Hofmeister Series, demonstrating the importance of hydrophobic cavities formed by the tail groups of cationic surfactants. The hydrophobic cavities sheltered the C–H bonds from interacting with anions of low hydration energy (e.g., perchlorate). Furthermore, a fixed-bed column test demonstrated that about 2900 bed volumes of the feeding streams (∼500 μg·L⁻¹) can be treated to ≤ 70 μg·L⁻¹, with an enrichment factor of 10.3. Overall, on the basis of the hydrophobicity-induced hydrogen bonding mechanism, a series of low-cost adsorbents can be synthesized and applied for specific perchlorate removal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"50 ","pages":"Pages 88-95"},"PeriodicalIF":11.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}