The field of space photovoltaics (PVs) is on the verge of considerable growth. Unlike terrestrial PVs, space-based solar cells operate in the AM0 environment that involve harsh conditions, such as high-energy particle radiation, atomic oxygen erosion, and extreme temperature cycling, which complicate the application of space PVs. This paper presents a systematic review of the technological evolution from conventional Si-based cells to Ⅲ–Ⅴ multi-junction cells, perovskite solar cells, and emerging thin-film technologies that have been developed to mitigate the aforementioned challenges. Three key dimensions are the focus of this review: cell technology, environmental adaptability, and component optimization. Furthermore, the development pathways of lightweight and flexible technologies are explored, and an in-depth analysis of degradation mechanisms and protection strategies in the space environment is presented. Key future technical challenges, including low-cost manufacturing, ultralightweight design, and in-situ assembly, are examined. Technological breakthroughs expected in the next 5–10 years are also projected.
China's Three-North Region hosts of the world's largest wind and solar installations, yet renewable curtailment persists due to insufficient local demand and congested transmission. Simultaneously, this region faces chronic forage protein shortages, widespread grassland degradation, and weak carbon sink capacity. We propose a Green Biomanufacturing Infrastructure (GBI) paradigm that transforms these intersecting challenges into a fourfold synergy: renewable energy utilization, forage production, ecological restoration, and carbon sequestration. Surplus wind/solar power drives five integrated modules: (1) Direct current (DC)-driven desalination and atmospheric water harvesting for fresh water, (2) Agrivoltaic forage cultivation and ecological grassland restoration, (3) Adaptive plant-factories powered by photovoltaic (PV) and thermal storage with smart light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, (4) Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted microalgal photobioreactors coupled with green ammonia synthesis, and (5) Renewable-powered biomass drying and processing. Together, these systems form flexible “biological loads” that dynamically follow the renewable supply profile. Rather than moving electricity far away or storing it chemically, the green electricity is directly used to create forage, vegetation cover and carbon sinks in situ, thus simultaneously addressing power curtailment, feed security, ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration. This perspective outlines the concept, supporting technologies, and policy measures for realizing such a co-beneficial infrastructure in North China.
A high-performance Cu-Zn/SiO2 catalyst was synthesized using a urea-assisted deposition-precipitation strategy and employed in the chemoselective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF). Characterization results showed that Zn was critical for regulating the catalyst characteristics by improving Cu dispersion, inhibiting particle sintering, and increasing the surface concentration of Cu0/Cu⁺ active sites. Moreover, using urea as a precipitant was essential for ensuring the uniform deposition of Cu and Zn species onto SiO2 microspheres. At a relatively low temperature of 130 °C, the Cu5-Zn5/SiO2 catalyst afforded a BHMF yield of up to 98.1% within 3h. The cooperative effect of Cu0/Cu⁺ active sites and the uniform deposition of Cu and Zn species decisively influenced the efficient hydrogenation of HMF. This finding highlights the potential of the Cu-Zn/SiO2 catalyst for the sustainable upgrading of biomass-derived platform chemicals.
The development of highly efficient, sulfur-free catalysts for the production of second-generation biodiesel is crucial to its sustainable production. Ni-based catalysts with good stability were prepared using ZnAl2O4 spinel as the support for the hydrodecarbonylation of stearyl alcohol to paraffins. The effects of the atomic coordination environment, surface basicity distribution, and oxygen vacancy content of the support on the deoxygenation process were investigated by varying the support calcination temperature. The dehydrogenation capability of the catalysts was found to be closely related to the presence of medium-strength basic sites, which influence not only the selectivity of the decarbonylation pathway but also the hydrogen consumption of the reaction. Oxygen vacancies promote the decarbonylation activity of metallic Ni through an electron-enrichment effect, and their content is directly associated with the support structure. Increasing the support calcination temperature led to the transformation of medium-strength basic sites into strong basic sites (coordinatively unsaturated O2− ions), which was detrimental to the dehydrogenation reaction. Activity evaluations and theoretical calculations demonstrated that the conversion of stearyl alcohol to n-heptadecane proceeds through a continuous dehydrogenation–decarbonylation–hydrogenation sequence, in which decarbonylation is the rate-determining step. Furthermore, transition-state analyses of different reaction pathways indicate that, compared with 1-octadecenone, 1-octadecenal is likely the key intermediate in the synthesis of n-heptadecane from stearyl alcohol because of its more favorable thermodynamic profile.
The accelerating pace of urbanization, along with the expansion of food processing and textile industries, is driving the generation of a significant amount of keratinaceous waste. Over 8.5 billion tons of keratin-rich chicken feathers are produced annually from poultry, yet their recalcitrance hinders sustainable bioconversion and valorization. Consequently, microbial degradation of keratin, mediated by keratinases and associated enzymes, has attracted significant interest for its dual role in producing high-value keratin-derived peptides (KDPs) and advancing sustainable urban transitions aligned with a circular bioeconomy. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of recent developments and breakthroughs in microbial keratin biodegradation into KDPs through protein and metabolic engineering. First, we discuss the mechanistic underpinnings of microbial keratinolysis by highlighting the synergistic interaction of reductases, peptidases, and accessory proteins. Further progress in the engineering of keratinases using rational design, directed evolution, and gene fusion is discussed for the development of robust keratinases with improved stability, substrate specificity, and substrate channeling. We also discuss key strategies for engineering microbial strains explored in recent years to improve their robustness, particularly to control the pathways associated with keratin bioderadation. Finally, we outline future research directions, highlighting the integration of enzyme and metabolic engineering with AI-based technologies as a next-generation strategy for the sustainable valorization of keratinaceous waste.
Cyanobacteria are oxygenic phototrophs that are promising for the CO2-neutral production of a variety of compounds using sunlight. In the environment, they are regularly exposed to fluctuating environmental conditions, and understanding their acclimation responses is advantageous for exploiting their full potential. Particularly, the availability of CO2 and combined nitrogen sources varies in many aquatic habitats. Therefore, the cyanobacterial growth needs to be adjusted towards changing external C/N conditions. In recent years, many small proteins have been newly discovered that are involved in the metabolic acclimation of cyanobacteria. In the present study, we investigated the role of SniP3, a well-conserved, 3kDa nitrogen-starvation-induced protein, that is primarily localized on thylakoid membranes. Deletion of sniP3 resulted in a non-bleaching phenotype, reduced glycogen accumulation under N-deplete conditions and many more distinct metabolic alterations. In contrast, the increased amounts of the signaling metabolite 2-oxoglutarate and the overall transcriptomic changes upon N depletion remained comparable in mutant and wild-type cells. The SniP3 interactome revealed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 (Gap2) as main specific interaction partner. Gap2 activity was lowered in cells of the sniP3 mutant, while the activity of recombinant Gap2 was stimulated in the presence of the soluble N-terminal part of SniP3. Consistent with the interaction between SniP3 and Gap2, the sniP3 mutant was unable to grow heterotrophically with glucose in the dark. Collectively, our results imply that SniP3 plays an important role in the regulation of the cyanobacterial metabolism under fluctuating C/N conditions.
Encapsulating metal nanoparticles inside microporous support materials, such as zeolites, effectively mitigates catalytic deactivation caused by sintering. However, different encapsulation methods may significantly affect catalytic activity and selectivity. In this study, we synthesized Cu-containing mordenite (MOR) zeolites using three distinct approaches: 1) the incipient wetness impregnation of MOR with 1wt.% Cu (Na–Cu/MOR–IMP), 2) tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA)-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, where TEPA was used to stabilize Cu during MOR crystallization (Na–Cu/MOR–TEPA), and 3) solvent-free interzeolite transformation of Cu-containing Faujasite zeolite to Cu–MOR (Na–Cu/MOR–IZT). The prepared materials were tested as catalysts for the direct conversion of CO2 and H2 into alcohols in high-pressure autoclaves. We examined the effects of exchanging zeolite counterions with different alkali metals. At a H₂ partial pressure of 3MPa, Na–Cu/MOR–IMP exhibited a CO₂ conversion of 7% and ethanol selectivity of 21%, while Na–Cu/MOR–TEPA and Na–Cu/MOR–IZT displayed improved selectivity (~34%) with a similar CO₂ conversion (8%). Notably, Cs-exchanged Cu–MOR catalysts demonstrated the highest ethanol productivity, reaching 34.59mmolg⁻¹ h⁻¹ with an ethanol selectivity of 63% at 5MPa H₂. These results highlight the effectiveness of Cu incorporation into MOR zeolites and significant impact of alkali metal promoters on catalytic performance.
Plastics are essential to modern life, but their predominantly linear use, low recycling rates, and slow breakdown generate persistent pollution. Bio-based production and biodegradation are promising; however, achieving true plastic circularity requires a unified approach that links feedstock choice, polymer structure, material performance, end-of-life processing, and carbon recovery. In this review, we examine biotechnologies for plastic production, degradation, and upcycling across the plastic life cycle. We focus on microbial production of bio-based polymers and monomer platforms, abiotic and biological mechanisms of plastic degradation, and hybrid abiotic–biotic routes that convert plastic waste into recoverable carbon streams. We emphasize polymer chemistry, enzymatic depolymerization, microbial assimilation, chemical pretreatment, and the evidence needed to substantiate degradation claims. We show that ester-containing polymers, including PET, PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT, and PCL, are generally more accessible to hydrolysis and enzymatic attack than C-C backbone polymers such as PE, PP, and PS. Real waste streams, however, remain challenging because additives, crystallinity, product geometry, aging history, and environmental conditions often limit depolymerization. We argue that future progress will depend on controlled depolymerization and carbon retention, rather than passive biodegradation alone. Abiotic processes can open otherwise stable polymer structures, enzymes can add selectivity, and microbial metabolism can funnel mixed intermediates into monomers, bioplastics, and high-value chemicals. Finally, we propose an evidence framework and design principles to guide plastic circularity by linking production, material function, and end-of-life carbon recovery.
Marine plastic pollution is an important issue in global ecological governance. Waste fishing nets are one of the main sources of marine plastic pollution and pose multiple threats to marine ecosystems owing to their poor degradability. In recent years, initial results have been achieved in the recovery of waste fishing nets; however, there are significant problems with the end-of-life disposal process. Current mainstream mechanical recycling methods can only achieve downcycling and cannot fundamentally solve the resource utilization dilemma of waste fishing nets from marine fisheries. This perspective proposes that the optimal path for the high-value and closed-loop resource utilization of waste fishing nets is to first separate mixed plastics through pretreatment and sorting, and then implement directional chemical recycling for single materials such as polyamide 6, polyethylene, and polypropylene. This method provides a solution for developing a circular marine economy.
To achieve an optimal balance between high furfural and co-product yields from lignocellulosic biomass, this study proposed an integrated process for JUNCAO to produce furfural and high-quality cellulose using NaCl-assisted phosphoric acid/methyl isobutyl ketone (H3PO4(aq)/MIBK) biphasic system. Under optimal conditions, a furfural yield of 74.7% and a cellulose recovery of 63.2% were achieved. The chemical composition, fiber morphology, and crystallinity index of the cellulose-rich residue were thoroughly characterized, confirming the high quality of the cellulose. In addition, the cellulose-rich solid was further converted into fermentable glucose by enzymatic hydrolysis and upgraded to dissolving pulp through sequential cooking and bleaching. These successful conversions confirmed the dual potential of the residue for producing both bioenergy and high-value materials. This study established JUNCAO as a highly promising and sustainable feedstock for the production of biomass-derived chemicals and products.
Cβ–H and oxygen activation are both critical during oxidative lignin depolymerization. Usually, a base is needed to promote the reaction. In this study, a series of CoOx@MCM-41-Co-n catalysts were developed, in which the ratio of the dual active sites (CoOx and Co–O–Si) can be simply regulated by changing the timing of silicon source addition, enabling selective base-free C–C oxidative cleavage of the β-O-4 linkage in a lignin model compound using a low cobalt content (1.5wt%). The dual active sites cooperate to achieve high yields of phenol (80.41%) and benzoic acid (80.43%), and the reaction rate reached 166.67mmol·gcat(Co)−1·h-1. A mechanistic study reveals that the CoOx site promotes 1O2 formation to improve oxygen activation ability, while the Co–O–Si site mainly enhances Cβ–H activation, avoiding additional base usage. In addition, the catalytic system is applicable to various methoxy-substituted β-O-4 model substrates and organosolv birch lignin. This study provides new insights into the design of catalysts for the oxidative depolymerization of lignin.
The chemical sector is th e 4th largest manufacturer in Europe in terms of sales. It employs over 1.2 million people directly, and 3.4 million, if the pharmaceutical sector is included. Chemicals are present in more than 90% of manufactured goods, and almost everything from solar panels to pharmaceuticals is made with the help of chemicals. It is still largely based on fossil raw materials and is a major consumer of fossil resources and energy. Because Europe is committed to reducing CO2 emissions from fossil sources in the interest of climate protection, the chemical industry must reduce its fossil fuel footprint. Key measures for achieving this goal are the decarbonization of energy and the defossilization of carbon embedded in chemical products. In this brief, we discuss the status and future trends of renewable energy supplies in Europe, including hydrogen, and the status and trends of the development of green carbon chemicals through recycling, bioproduction in biorefineries, and the use of CO2 as feedstock (CCU, carbon capture and utilization). We also refer to the current approaches to climate neutrality of major chemical producers in Europe.
In biological systems, macroscopic functions with exceptionally low energy input can be achieved by regulating molecular and ionic motion in narrow chemically defined nanochannels. Biomimetic artificial nanochannels provide a material platform for translating such biological principles into engineered systems. In this perspective, we highlight bionic ultralow energy consumption (UEC) as an emerging design principle for osmotic energy conversion, electrochemical energy storage, and separation of energy-related materials. We argue that UEC enables efficient transport through nanochannels, which is governed not only by the pore size but also by the channel dimensionality and associated free-energy landscape, including dehydration, diffusion, coordination, adsorption, and release. One-dimensional channels provide directional, low-tortuosity pathways; two-dimensional layered nanochannels allow tunable interlayer confinement; and three-dimensional porous frameworks provide dense interconnected transport networks. Recent advances show that these architectures can enhance ion selectivity, accelerate charge storage, and enable precision separation of ions and isotopes. In addition, we present the opportunities and challenges posed by UEC-based nanochannels and discuss possible directions for their future development. By integrating biomimetic channel design, chemical recognition, advanced characterization, and manufacturable architectures, bionic UEC can evolve into a conceptual framework for sustainable energy and separation technologies.
Macroalgae are dominant primary producers that drive carbon sequestration in coastal ecosystems. Macroalgal carbon sequestration primarily refers to the long-term storage of macroalgae-derived organic carbon in the ocean. However, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) formation is frequently observed in non-calcifying macroalgal environments, suggesting the existence of an overlooked inorganic carbon process in macroalgal ecosystems. Here, we introduce multiple pathways that may drive CaCO3 formation in macroalgal ecosystems. These include the effects of macroalgal photosynthesis and carbon-concentrating mechanisms on the seawater carbonate system, the role of phycosphere interfacial properties in facilitating CaCO3 nucleation, and the macroalgae-bacteria synergy that promotes CaCO3 formation. We identified several current knowledge gaps—the unclear carbon sequestration or source effect of CaCO3 formation in macroalgal ecosystems and the stability of CaCO3 minerals in macroalgal ecosystems—that require further investigation. This review advances the understanding of macroalgal carbon cycling beyond organic pathways and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive assessment of macroalgal carbon sequestration, including that of inorganic carbon.
The introduction of mesopores into microporous materials is often assumed to improve the diffusion properties. However, our findings reveal that hierarchical zeolites (containing both microporous and mesoporous structures), demonstrate enhanced diffusion properties compared with purely microporous zeolites only at elevated temperatures. By contrast, at lower temperatures, the diffusion performance is notably compromised. Rapid diffusion in hierarchical zeolites is widely recognized to rely on the full utilization of mesopores. Here, we emphasize that the prerequisite for the full utilization of mesopores is that the molecules must be able to diffuse into the mesoporous region. This was closely related to the movement of molecules at the microporous–mesoporous interface, which acted as a temperature-controlled filter. At low temperatures, only a small fraction of the molecules successfully traversed the interface and diffused into the mesopores, while the majority underwent ineffective collisions and diffused along the interface edges. By contrast, at high temperatures, the increased molecular collisions at the interface enhance the probability of successful traversal, enabling molecules to diffuse directly across the mesopores, significantly increasing the effective diffusion length. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the correlation between the molecular velocity, angle, and success rate of the mesopore entry and exit was conducted. These findings deepen our understanding of molecular diffusion in multiscale porous structures and offer critical insights into the design and optimization of high-performance hierarchical zeolites.
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a suite of technologies designed to separate CO2 from industrial sources or the atmosphere, convert it into value-added products, or permanently sequester it in geological formations. Although essential for achieving global carbon neutrality, the gigatonne-scale deployment of CCUS is currently constrained by high energy penalties in capture, thermodynamic limitations in utilization, and rigorous monitoring requirements to ensure storage security. Artificial intelligence (AI), which encompasses machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and generative algorithms, offers a data-driven approach to addressing multiscale physicochemical challenges by identifying complex correlations in high-dimensional datasets. This review synthesizes AI applications across the CCUS value chain. In the capture domain, we discuss how generative models and high-throughput screening accelerate the discovery of high-performance sorbents and solvents, while surrogate models optimize process dynamics to improve energy efficiency. For utilization, we highlight AI’s role in navigating the vast chemical space of catalysts to overcome thermodynamic scaling relations and optimize biochemical pathways. In geological storage, we analyze how DL architectures, from computer vision for seismic interpretation to Fourier neural operators for rapid plume forecasting, automate site characterization and enhance real-time leakage detection. Furthermore, this review elucidates AI-facilitated system-level integration, enabling techno-economic optimization of capture-transport-storage networks under policy and market uncertainties. Finally, we address critical challenges regarding data standardization, model interpretability, and generalizability, and project a future in which large language models and digital twins drive autonomous, self-optimizing CCUS operations.
Nitric acid is an indispensable chemical feedstock for industrial applications and the production of artificial fertilizers. Conventional production of this vital chemical is highly energy intensive and emits substantial greenhouse gases. To address these issues, the electrocatalytic nitrogen oxidation reaction (NOR) has emerged as a sustainable alternative, which directly converts atmospheric N2 and H2O into NO3− under ambient conditions. This reaction, when coupled with renewable energy sources, offers carbon-neutral HNO3 synthesis. However, critical challenges to developing commercially viable NOR-based systems persist, including low Faradaic efficiency, unproven reaction scalability, poor solubility of N2 in aqueous electrolytes and NO3− yields that lag behind current industrial benchmarks, as well as the difficulty of elucidating catalyst-specific reaction mechanisms. This review summarizes recent progress toward addressing these hurdles. Two primary NOR pathways are discussed: electrochemical and hybrid electrochemical–chemical pathways. We also detail recent advances in NOR system design, including electrolyte optimization, innovative electrolysis systems, device modifications, and auxiliary strategies, aimed at addressing the inherent challenges in NOR implementation and commercial viability. Furthermore, this review summarizes catalysts and strategies for improving NOR performance.
Plant-derived saponins are a special type of amphiphilic glycosides that have emerged as a promising clean alternative to synthetic oilfield surfactants. Their broad-spectrum industrial applicability arises from their strong biochemical properties and eco-friendly nature. They have shown substantial experimental potential as oilfield surfactants for enhanced oil recovery and the remediation of oil-contaminated soils. With the growing demand for clean and sustainable oilfield chemicals, the focus has shifted toward plants as a source of sustainable saponin surfactants. Plants are virtually unlimited bioresources containing a vastly untapped reservoir of diverse and important compounds of industrial significance. However, low natural yields and the high molecular complexity of plant saponin biosynthesis pathways limit their potential for sustainable industrial applications. Transcriptomic profiling, an evolving biotechnological tool, provides omics-driven insights into key gaps in plant saponin biosynthesis pathways. Hence, we highlight the critical role of transcriptomic profiling in green chemistry and its transformative potential for the oilfield application of plant saponins. From plant genomics to oilfield chemistry via molecular biology for optimal and sustainable saponin production, we propose an effective strategy to maximize fossil fuel production while minimizing ecological concerns. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and principles of a circular economy.
Unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) enable the selective hydroxylation of inert C–H bonds using H2O2 under mild conditions. However, their practical application is fundamentally limited by oxidative deactivation at elevated H2O2 concentrations. Herein, a highly synergistic photobiocatalytic system is constructed by covalently immobilizing UPOs onto a Rh-complex-coordinated covalent organic framework (COF) to facilitate the in-situ generation of H2O2 and sequential enzymatic utilization. Specifically, a COF featuring a pyridinic imine structure (COFPyIm) is designed to precisely anchor Rh(III) complexes. Compared with its bipyridine-structured analog (COFBpy), COFPyIm provides more coordination sites and a shorter electron-transfer distance. Consequently, the photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis rate reached 22.17mM·g-1·h-1, representing a performance improvement of approximately 40%. This enhancement is attributed to the optimized pyridine–imine coordination microenvironment, which promotes charge separation and electron transfer. Subsequently, UPO from Agrocybe aegerita (AaeUPO) is covalently immobilized onto COFPyIm to yield AaeUPO@Rh-COFPyIm, which achieves efficient spatiotemporal coupling between in situ H2O2 generation and enzymatic hydroxylation of the C–H bond. This integrated photobiocatalyst can achieve 90% yield, >99% enantiomeric excess (ee), and a turnover number of 41,666 in the asymmetric hydroxylation of ethylbenzene. It also exhibits excellent reusability (retaining 70.4% of its initial activity after six cycles) and broad substrate scope.
