With increasing consumerism depleting finite resources and producing growing quantities of waste, the need for a shift to sustainable, circular products is urgent. Through ReMade@ARI (REcyclable MAterials Development at Analytical Research Infrastructures), more than 50 European research infrastructures, including MAX IV, have formed a consortium to support advanced materials research.
The value of toxic waste for an inclusive circular economy
What if the toxic metalloid arsenic extracted from water treatment processes could be upcycled for economic use? What if this upcycling could benefit marginalized communities most affected by toxic pollution? The questions today are not what if, but when, thanks to seminal work recently reported in Science Advances on commodifying the critical raw material arsenic from groundwater. A novel chemical method developed with measurements from MAX IV’s Balder beamline lays the path to produce amorphous metallic arsenic As(0), valuable in alloys and clean energy systems such as batteries and high-speed electronics, namely semiconductors.
MAX IV battery matrix: kicked-off
Battery researchers across Sweden gathered last week (19/3) to kickstart the Battery matrix at MAX IV. Researchers came from various universities in Sweden, including Chalmers University, Uppsala University, Linköping University, and Lund University. Led by MAX IV’s beamline scientists Robert Temperton and Justus Just, the workshop focus on engaging discussions for a better support toward the battery research community. Other MAX IV’s scientists and functions, including the facility’s Science Director were also present.
Researchers reveal mechanism behind artificial photosynthesis
Researchers have for the first time revealed the mechanism behind artificial photosynthesis. The study is an important step towards more efficient and tailored devices for local sustainable energy production.
Multitasking microalgae fight pollution
Microalgae for pollution removal is the topic of two recent studies by MAX IV users. The storage mechanism of phosphorous in the algae was investigated in detail contributing to method development for pollution removal from wastewater. The phosphorous-containing algae can, in turn, be used to soak up metal pollutants.
Effects of salt particles on climate studied at MAX IV
Clouds have a large effect on the climate. They form around tiny aerosol particles present in the atmosphere. Salt aerosol particles can originate from both sea and inland sources such as desert and playa areas. A unique set-up for studying salt aerosol particles at MAX IV will give insights that can inform climate models.
Ionic liquids key to sustainable energy storage
High-capacity energy storage systems are an important part of the renewable energy transition and can be realised using RTILs, room temperature ionic liquids, as electrolytes.
A research team from University of Tartu, Estonia, recently used beamline FlexPES to study the stability of RTILs for such applications.
Nanoscience for clean water at ForMAX supported by ReMade@ARI
Alejandro Cortés Villena and Alessandro Ciccone from Institute of Molecular Science in Valencia are using the ForMAX beamline as part of their research supported by ReMade@ARI, a collaboration project focusing on Circular Economy. They are studying carbon-based nanomaterials that are going to be used for enabling cleaning of contaminants in water with the help of sunlight through photocatalysis.
Research done at MAX IV contributes to CIGS solar cell world record
A recent publication from Uppsala University reported a world record for efficiency for a CIGS solar cell. Nano X-ray Fluorescence imaging was done at beamline NanoMAX. With this method, the researchers can detect which elements are present in the sample on the nanometre scale. By scanning the sample, they can acquire an image with a
Insights into soot emissions with a newly developed Aerosol Sample Delivery System at MAX IV
A newly developed sample delivery system at MAX IV lets researchers study the properties of aerosol particles. With this knowledge, they can further understand the health and climate effects of soot from burning fuels for transportation or natural emissions.