Sustainability and environmental consciousness are of paramount importance to people’s lives and well-being. For businesses, they also present an opportunity to drive change and innovation.
This article explores five technologies set to revolutionize the sustainability landscape in 2024 that could hold the key to a greener future.
1. CO2 Absorption
About 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year, which takes hundreds of years to decompose. At the same time, rising levels of atmospheric CO2 could increase the Earth’s temperature by 4.4 C by 2100.
At Singapore’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), researchers are trying to solve both problems at once by using mixed plastic feedstock to generate porous carbon materials for CO2 capture. State-of-the-art CO2 capture and utilization with solid wastes such as steel slag, concrete waste, fly ash, red mud and biomass are also under investigation.
There are significant challenges ahead, so these developments will necessitate close collaboration among industry stakeholders and researchers.
2. Wastewater Treatment
Research teams are exploring an array of innovative technologies to confront the pressing issue of water pollution.
A solution has emerged in the form of an environmentally friendly nanocomposite known as CoFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide (CFO-rGO). This material has the potential for combating water pollution, particularly concerning the removal of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical produced in large quantities primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and correlated to health effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate glands in fetuses, infants and young children.
CFO-rGO has shown the capability to eliminate over 99% of BPA from water sources and stands out due to its recyclability and stability.
3. Sustainable Shelter
UN-Habitat estimates that, by 2030, a staggering 40% of the global population will require access to adequate housing.
In the pursuit of sustainable urban design, 3D-printed construction offers a solution to this escalating demand and also promises substantial environmental benefits. This approach enhances resource efficiency, elevates construction quality, reduces costs and lessens the environmental footprint.
In a recent development, the U.S.-based 3D-printing construction company Mighty Buildings joined forces with Fortera to develop a material that converts CO2 into cement. Also, with the recent unveiling of recyclable 3D-printed homes crafted from natural materials, the future of sustainable housing may be at our doorstep.
4. Supercharged Solar Cells
While solar power holds promise for renewable energy, efficiency and cost-effectiveness have posed challenges. Perovskite solar cells, a type of photovoltaic technology, have emerged as a focal point. They boast a remarkable conversion efficiency of up to 25.5%, surpassing other emerging photovoltaic cells.
However, their practical application is hindered by susceptibility to moisture, heat and voltage, along with concerns about lead-based layer toxicity. To reduce the negative environmental impact, researchers have used encapsulation methods and recycling to extend the life of the entire unit and its components and to prevent lead leakage.
By precisely controlling the crystallinity and surface morphology of perovskite layers, they’ve achieved a 26.08% power conversion efficiency, significantly outperforming silicon solar cells. Widespread commercial adoption of perovskite solar cells will take time, but further research and development could lead to a time when we harness more of the sun’s energy.
5. Boundless Clean Energy
Although the concept of boundless clean energy may appear unattainable, a Chinese research team achieved a historic feat in 2022 that brought it within closer reach. The EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) nuclear fusion reactor superheated a plasma loop to temperatures surpassing the core of the sun.
This milestone serves as a prelude to an even more ambitious endeavor: the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) (“The Way” in Latin). Uniting 35 nations, this collaboration seeks to construct the world’s largest magnetic-fusion device. Fusion is the energy source of the sun and stars. In the heat and gravity at the core of these stellar bodies, hydrogen nuclei collide, fuse into heavier helium atoms and release enormous amounts of energy. In the process, ITER will replicate that here on Earth.
While the timeline remains uncertain, this initiative holds promise for offering a sustainable, carbon-free energy supply.
Conclusion
Looking to 2024, these sustainability-focused technologies will require the collaborative efforts of interdisciplinary teams. As author Robert Swan once said, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
As industry leaders, it is our responsibility to take this opportunity to prioritize sustainable technology. Many of the technologies that were once regulated to the realms of science fiction now seem tantalizingly close. We must be brave enough to reach for it. Here are a few key steps to achieving a more sustainable future:
1. Actively promote collaboration across industries. We all need to work together to accelerate the development of sustainable technology. Actively engaging with researchers and other industry leaders will create a culture of collaboration that is vital to accelerating the development of sustainable technologies.
2. Develop a long-term vision. The technologies mentioned above are some of the key 2024 highlights, but the industry should always be thinking ahead. How can we best prepare for 2030, 2050 and beyond?
3. Commit to transparency in communication. This is a time to build a sincere culture of environmental responsibility. There are many specific challenges, such as ensuring supply chain sustainability, which must not be neglected.
In summary, now is the time for industry leaders to proactively integrate sustainable tech, foster collaboration, address challenges, commit to transparency and invest in a long-term vision. These strategies not only contribute to a greener future but also ensure business resilience in a changing global landscape.
Source: Forbes
