• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.110-115
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• 2024

Global sustainable energy needs and carbon neutrality goals make hydrogen a key future energy source. South Korea and Japan lead with proactive hydrogen policies, including South Korea's Hydrogen Law and Japan's strategy updates aiming for a hydrogen-centric society by 2050. A notable advance is the solar thermal chemical water-splitting cycle for green hydrogen production, spotlighted by Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) and Niigata University's joint initiative. This method uses solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a carbon-neutral hydrogen production route. The study focuses on international collaboration in solar energy for thermochemical water-splitting and E-fuel production, highlighting breakthroughs in catalyst and reactor design to enhance solar thermal technology's commercial viability for sustainable fuel production. Collaborations, like ARENA in Australia, target global carbon emission reduction and energy system sustainability, contributing to a cleaner, sustainable energy future.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2010

The aim of this work is to analyse and discuss the use of the Economic Evaluation and of some new "metrics" for an appropriate valuation of membrane operations in the logic of Process Intensification. In particular, the proposed approach has the goal to show how the utilized indicators can drive to the choice of the most convenient process. Although in this work the planned procedure is applied, as a case study, to the membrane-based systems for boron and arsenic removal from waters, the suggested approach can be generally applied to any other process of interest.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2024

Background: There is growing international recognition of the need for improvements to national chemical management systems for hazardous chemicals. The European Union has recently introduced the concept of 'essential uses' as a new approach to the management hazardous chemicals by limiting their uses. Objectives: This paper examines the concept of essential uses in chemical management and how to apply it through a case study of essential use. This approach is distinct from the current chemical management system, but seeks to improve its potential benefits by effectively restricting or gradually decreasing the use of hazardous substances. Methods: The concept of essential uses was introduced by reviewing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Cousins's three essentiality categories applied to PFAS, restriction options assessed in the PFAS restriction proposal under REACH, and the California Safer Consumer Products regulations prioritizing 6PPD in motor vehicle tires. Based on these essential uses concepts for PFAS and 6PPD, uses of benzene were classified in accordance with the essential uses approach for products using benzene in South Korea. Results: The essential use concept is able to manage the restriction and authorization of substances of concern through essential uses and non-essential uses and the feasible substitution of uses and substances. Conclusions: If the concept and methodology of essential uses are clearly established, they can be expected to shift the national chemical management paradigm from regulating substances to limiting uses under the existing substance management system.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Nanoplastics (NP) exhibit distinct material properties compared to microplastics (MP), necessitating their separate recognition. Review of research outcomes and policy documents on NP reveals that most policy frameworks predominantly define MPs as solid synthetic polymer materials measuring 5 mm or less, but do not distinguish them from NP. However, recent revisions in regulations by the EU classify NPs as particles that range in size from 1 to 1,000 nm, as confirmed by some academic studies. Research on NPs often relies on experimental investigations centered around water systems, with a focus on high-concentration experimental conditions using spherical polystyrene-based NPs in behavior and impact studies. Notably, the environmental behavior characteristics of NP show differences in influence depending on the NP type, emphasizing the need for field simulation research. These challenges are mirrored in Korean society, so it is necessary to redefine NP to be distinct from MP in both research and policy. This study aimed to assess the current state of NP management globally and domestically and highlight policy considerations and issues in the existing response to NP. Upon comprehensive review, it becomes apparent that reaching an international agreement on MP faces methodological limitations, which could potentially burden efforts to precisely define NP size. Therefore, referencing the EU's recent regulatory revisions is crucial in domestic policy. Specific adjustments should commence from the MP concept through insights from the domestic industry, guidance from the academic community, and thorough discussions to ensure social acceptance.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.466-474
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• 2023

In recent years, the government has strongly promoted multi-purpose utilization of paddy field. However, poor drainage causes waterlogging stress in upland crops, requiring subsurface drainage technology, resulting in high installation and management costs. To address this issue, a low-cost and high-efficiency technique was developed that utilizes wasted coir substrates which have characteristics of high porosity and good drainage, for upland crop cultivation in paddy fields. Soybeans were grown in both paddy soil and wasted coir slab with two planting densities (80×20 cm and 60×20 cm). The results showed that the coir substrates had better performance than the paddy soil in terms of soil physical and chemical properties and the growth and yield of upland crops are improved. The treatments using wasted coir substrate showed a 41.4% increase in yield and a 21.3% increase in protein content compared to PS treatment. Our findings demonstrate that recycling waste coir substrates to grow upland crops is a positive cultivation strategy to solve some drainage problems in paddy fields. This approach offers a sustainable solution for upland crop production while also addressing the issue of waste management in agriculture.