Environmental Technology Research Articles

The Role of Education Leaders in Implementing and Sustaining ICT in Compulsory Education in Morocco

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a profound shift in education, underscoring the urgent need for the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in learning environments. This study investigates the teachers’ perspectives about the role of educational leaders in introducing and sustaining the use of technologies almost three years after the pandemic lockdown. 130 teachers from primary and secondary levels throughout Morocco, who do not anymore use technology, filled a questionnaire enquiring about their challenges and barriers of introducing and sustaining the use of technologies after the pandemic. Findings report that despite the important institutional initiatives in ICT integration in education and the accelerated digital connectivity during Covid-19, Moroccan education still faces major challenges hindering the development of long-term educational technology learning goals. Findings also report that the assets emanating from the efforts deployed during COVID-19 have not been capitalized. This implies that the education leaders need to play a more major role in sustaining technology integration.

Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity in BiFeO3 Nanoparticles through Electrical Polarization

This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic properties in BiFeO3 nanoparticles through an additional electrical polarization (poling) pretreatment process. BiFeO3, a promising multiferroic material with a narrow bandgap of ≈2. 12 eV, is well‐suited forvisible light‐driven photocatalysis. However, its photocatalytic efficiency isoften limited by insufficient photogenerated charge availability. To address this, a poling process was employed to align the ferroelectric domains within BiFeO3 nanoparticles, improving charge separation and enhancing photocatalytic activity. The findings reveal that the poling process preserves the intrinsic bandgap of BiFeO3, maintaining its visible light absorption capability. Steady‐state photoluminescence spectroscopy shows a marked increase in the intensity in poling‐treated samples, indicating enhanced charge carrier generation. Photo degradation experiments using Indigo dye as a model pollutant demonstrate that poling‐treated BiFeO3 achieves a remarkable photodegradation efficiency of 99%, compared to 56% for untreated BiFeO3. Additionally, the poling‐treated BiFeO3 retains 65% of its initial efficiency after four cycles, highlighting its durability for sustained environmental applications. This study underscores the effectiveness of poling in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of BiFeO3 nanoparticles, providing valuable insights into the development of efficient photocatalysts via domain engineering for environmental purification technologies.

Políticas, estrategias y tecnologías ambientales en las empresas mineras de yeso para una gestión sostenible en la Guajira, Colombia

Adopting responsible environmental practices ensures that natural resources are used sustainably. This is essential to ensure that future generations can also benefit from the resources and the environment. For this reason, the objective of this research is to analyze the environmental policies, strategies and technologies used in gypsum mining for sustainable management in La Guajira, Colombia. Considering that they are essential for various reasons, especially in environmental, industrial and extractive contexts such as mining. Furthermore, this study is descriptive and theoretical in nature, adopting a non-experimental research design due to its qualitative nature, so that the variables are not deliberately manipulated. The population of interest is made up of the mining companies Yesos Sdinyc S.A.S., Yesos Colombia S.A.S., and the artisanal gypsum mine in Manaure. The results revealed with regard to environmental policies within companies, there is a lack in their application; Regarding the implementation of environmental strategies and technologies, companies have taken the initiative to improve their mining activities. Despite the efforts of some of these companies to improve and contribute to environmental care, the adoption and implementation of comprehensive strategies that promote efficient management of natural resources and ensure responsible and sustainable operational practices in gypsum mining are recommended.

Influence of Different Factors on Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes by Arc Discharge Method

This passage summarizes the research status of carbon nanotubes and the future development trends. It introduces the preparation techniques of carbon nanotubes, covering both the basic theoretical foundations and practical approaches. The influences of key factors such as discharge atmosphere, catalysts, and temperature on the preparation efficiency and quality of the arc discharge method are thoroughly analyzed. Through a systematic summary and comparison of relevant domestic and international research, the paper reveals several current technological hot spots and difficulties that need to be addressed. Moreover, the essay prospects the future development of carbon nanotubes, highlighting their wide-ranging application potential in global innovation and sustainable development. It is evident that carbon nanotubes hold promising prospects across diverse fields, including electronics, energy storage, composite materials, and environmental technologies, which will play an essential role in meeting future challenges and driving technological advancements.

Design and Implementation of Intelligent Traffic Signal Light Control System based on LoRa Technology

The acceleration of urbanization has left cities around the world facing significant challenges, including traffic congestion and inefficient management. Intelligent transportation systems provide new technological means to address these issues, especially in traffic signal control, where advanced communication technologies play an important role in facilitating the process. The potential of long range radio (LoRa) technology in intelligent traffic signal control systems is attracting growing interest, largely due to its capacity for long-range transmission and low power consumption. This paper explores the potential benefits of LoRa technology in traffic flow monitoring and signal control by reviewing existing studies, especially in the field of long-distance transmission and low-power communication. The study indicates that LoRa technology can effectively boost the efficacy of traffic management, reduce traffic congestion, and provide technical support for the development of future intelligent transportation systems. Nevertheless, the stability of LoRa technology in high-density urban environments and its integration with other technologies still present challenges. Further research can investigate the anti-jamming ability, communication rate optimization, and its potential for wider application of LoRa technology in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to promote more efficient urban traffic management

Innovators and transformers: envisioning a revolution in middle mile logistics with extended range cargo drones

PurposeThis paper investigates the integration of middle mile drones (MMD) into logistics operations, addressing two key questions: (1) What are the drivers, financial implications and upcoming innovations associated with integrating drones into MM logistics? and (2) What challenges need to be overcome for successful implementation of drones in MM logistics?Design/methodology/approachThe study combines expertise from an industry professional with over ten years of experience in drone operations and logistics applications, along with insights gained from discussions with 33 industry executives.FindingsThe research identifies several unique advantages of integrating drones into MM logistics, including their potential to improve operational efficiency in challenging environments. However, significant challenges related to scalability, evolving airframe designs and operational constraints remain. Early-stage use cases demonstrate the viability of MMD technologies in lower-risk logistics environments, but broader implementation requires overcoming the identified challenges.Research limitations/implicationsAs MMD logistics is a nascent field, the study is exploratory and based on early-stage use cases and expert discussions. The limited scope of practical implementations may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Future research should focus on larger-scale operations and empirical studies of MMD integration in diverse logistics contexts.Practical implicationsThe findings offer valuable insights for practitioners related to the costs, benefits and challenges of integrating drones into logistics operations and for policymakers related to societal implications, workforce development, privacy and safety concerns, and environmental impact.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the evolving understanding of drone applications in MM logistics by presenting early use cases and identifying both challenges and opportunities for MMD technology and offers a foundation for future research and practice in this emerging domain.

Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Exhibiting Dual Hydrophilic and Oleophobic Properties without Polar End Groups.

Simultaneously hydrophilic and oleophobic surfaces offer substantial advantages for applications such as antifogging, self-cleaning, and oil-water separation. It remains challenging to engineer such surfaces without requiring polar functional groups. This study introduces HFIL, a novel ionic liquid (IL) coating that achieves simultaneous hydrophilic and oleophobic properties via a one-step dip-coating process without relying on polar functional groups. Key findings show that, despite the bulk form of HFIL having a high hexadecane contact angle (HCA) of 74.1° and an even higher water contact angle (WCA) of 87.6°, the IL forms a stable monolayer on high-energy surfaces exhibiting a much lower WCA of approximately 40° with minimal change to the HCA. Washing tests demonstrate that, even without the polar functional groups, there is a non-zero bonded thickness upon which the oleophobicity is comparable to polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). These properties highlight HFIL's potential for durable applications in antifouling, antifogging, and environmental separation technologies, where selective liquid interactions are essential. This work contributes to a broader understanding of IL-based surface modifications, advancing the development of high-performance coatings.

Dynamic restructuring of electrocatalysts in the activation of small molecules: challenges and opportunities.

Electrochemical activation of small molecules plays an essential role in sustainable electrosynthesis, environmental technologies, energy storage and conversion. The dynamic structural changes of catalysts during the course of electrochemical reactions pose challenges in the study of reaction kinetics and the design of potent catalysts. This short review aims to provide a balanced view of in situ restructuring of electrocatalysts, including its fundamental thermodynamic origins and how these compare to those in thermal and photocatalysis, and highlighting both the positive and negative impacts of in situ restructuring on the electrocatalyst performance. To this end, examples of in situ electrocatalyst restructuring within a focused scope of reactions (i.e. electrochemical CO2 reduction, hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction and evolution, and dinitrogen and nitrate reduction) are used to demonstrate how restructuring can benefit or adversely affect the desired process outcome. Prospects of manipulating in situ restructuring towards an energy-efficient and durable electrocatalytic process are discussed. The practicality of pulse electrolysis on an industrial scale is questioned, and the need for genius schemes, such as self-healing catalysis, is emphasized.

Application of Slam Technology for Autonomous Mobile Robots in Complex Environments

SLAM technology is widely used in many fields, such as whether it is possible to map the environment and determine the direction of progress while placing a robot in an unknown location in an unknown environment. On this basis, this paper studies the use of autonomous movement of robots in complex environments. This article will first introduce vision technology in dynamic environments and camera-based dynamic environmental sensor technology. Additionally, it will discuss parallel research on real time 3D map optimization and algorithm processing based on cameras. Secondly, the map construction and dynamic maintenance of mobile robots and how to improve the application of Road King tracking algorithm in robots are introduced. Finally, the multi-sensor laser mapping technology and algorithm of mobile robot are introduced. This research will significantly contribute to the development and application of mobile robots capable of processing complex information in challenging environments. The integration of these technologies and algorithms paves the way for more robust and adaptable autonomous navigation systems in real-world applications.

Facilitating collaboration with collaborative technology: Prerequisites and evidence from an explanatory mixed-methods study

Collaboration is widely recognized as essential for mitigating resource dependency and effectively fulfilling public responsibilities. Meanwhile, the use of information technology is expected to enhance communication and strengthen interactions among collaboration participants. Given the substantial annual investments in IT and collaboration initiatives, public managers need to understand how technology, particularly collaborative tools, can be leveraged to achieve better collaboration outcomes. This case study examines the use of collaborative technology in an intraorganizational collaboration context, employing a mixed-methods approach that begins with an experiment followed by semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that the use of collaborative technology alone does not guarantee improvements in the collaboration process or performance. Achieving desired outcomes requires a supportive organizational and technological environment characterized by sustained leadership, thorough planning, active stakeholder engagement, robust communication mechanisms, and a commitment to continuous learning. Most importantly, genuine collaboration and engagement from all parties involved are key to success.

Coal mine methane utilization: environmental friendly catalytic technology for sustainable development

Coal mine methane utilization: environmental friendly catalytic technology for sustainable development

Evaluating Handover Processes in Mobile Networks: Effects on Latency, QoS, and User Experience Across Conditions

The rapid expansion of mobile networks has revolutionized global communication, enabling seamless connectivity for a growing user base. As networks evolve, efficient handover processes—where mobile devices transition between network cells or base stations—are critical to maintaining uninterrupted service. Poorly optimized handovers can result in increased latency, degraded Quality of Service (QoS), and diminished user experience, especially in advanced networks like 5G that demand low latency and high reliability. This study examines the impact of handover processes on key performance metrics such as latency, QoS, and user satisfaction, analyzing their behavior across urban, rural, and heterogeneous technological environments. In densely populated urban areas, frequent handovers risk creating performance bottlenecks, while rural areas face challenges related to sparse infrastructure. Heterogeneous environments, where legacy and next-generation technologies coexist, further complicate efficient transitions. By identifying these challenges, the study proposes strategies to optimize handover efficiency, ensuring seamless connectivity, enhanced QoS, and reduced latency in advanced networks. These findings contribute to improving mobile communication systems, addressing the dynamic demands of 5G and beyond in diverse operational scenarios.

Pathway for Industry 4.0 implementation in a Lean Manufacturing environment: evidence from Sri Lankan apparel sector

The fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) was based on several technological pillars developed over the years. Organizations are expected to embrace these technologies to realize the benefits associated with I4.0. However, manufacturing organizations that have optimized their operations through lean management philosophies need a clear pathway to embrace the I4.0 technologies without disrupting the existing good practices. Therefore, this study aims to conceptualize a much-needed path for implementing I4.0 technologies in a Lean environment. To achieve that, researchers followed a qualitative approach and an exploratory framework. Researchers started with Apparel organizations with highest export revenue and employed a snowball sampling approach within each organization to identify the most suitable professionals for the study. The data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews conducted through Zoom online platform. The collected data was analyzed through thematic analysis, allowing the identification of different themes. Our findings suggest that such a pathway involves four steps: (1) setting a Lean base, (2) strategic management, (3) human resource development, and (4) getting external support. Since the implementation of I4.0 technologies in a Lean environment is a relatively recent phenomenon, our study provides guidelines for managers and practitioners to help them prioritize efforts and narrow their attention more objectively to the proper mix of procedures and technologies.

Research on Human-Machine Interaction Control Technology for Lower Limb Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robots

In response to the health assurance challenges faced by the elderly population in Chinas aging society and to mitigate the shortage of medical resources while improving the rehabilitation rate of patients with central nervous system injuries, research on lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robots has been widely conducted. Since the 1960s, countries such as Switzerland, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and China have successively developed relatively mature standing and recumbent lower limb exoskeleton systems. This paper builds the kinematic and dynamic models of a lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot based on a two-link mechanism, laying the theoretical foundation and implementation approach for processing position, velocity, and torque sensor signals in human-machine interaction control. Based on domestic and international progress as well as kinematic and dynamic analysis, four types of human-machine interaction control technologiestrajectory tracking control, force-position hybrid control, impedance control, and bioelectrical signal controlare thoroughly analyzed, providing a technical framework for engineering implementation. In the future, lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robots will integrate lightweight materials and structural design, intelligent adaptive algorithms, and environmental perception technologies, utilizing low-cost open-source platforms to optimize human-machine interaction control technology for more efficient, safe, and personalized rehabilitation training

Construction of Key Technology System for Mine Ecological Restoration Under System Perspective

Mine ecological restoration has experienced a long-term development process in China, in which various technologies have been constantly developing and integrating. Based on the related theoretical research and field program, the technical system of mine ecological restoration was constructed, and the characteristics of key technologies were specifically grasped. In this research, the environment, including natural elements and the spatial environment, is the object of mine ecological restoration, which requires further long-term investigation and monitoring. Therefore, natural element restoration technology, space environment restoration technology, and environmental survey and restoration monitoring technology should be considered when establishing technical systems. The research showed that： ① In mine natural element restoration, where soil and water are important, traditional technologies like pollution abatement with physical, chemical, and biological methods have been extensively used. Meanwhile, artificial soil reconstruction and multi-technology joint remediation became the main study focus in soil restoration and artificial wetlands have been gradually constructed as a new method in water restoration, covering water system restoration and pollution control. ② The two tasks of space environment restoration were geological disaster prevention and vegetation re-greening. Major technologies of the former were applied to surface mine slope treatment and mining subsidence area control, the latter of which could be divided into three technical links： vegetation selection, construction, and maintenance. Although many technologies are valid, a few frontiers need to be further pursued. ③ The mine environmental investigation and restoration monitoring were based on 3S technologies, containing GIS, GPS, and RS, all of which are developing rapidly but still have a large space for integration and innovation.

In-Situ Polymerization for Catalytic Graphitization of Boronated PAN Using Aluminum and Zirconium Containing Co-Catalysts

In-situ polymerization is an effective method for integrating co-catalysts homogeneously into the polymer matrix. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-derived highly graphitized carbon is a state-of-the-art material with diverse applications, including materials for energy storage devices, electrocatalysis, sensing, adsorption, and making structural composites of various technologies. Such highly graphitized materials can be effectively obtained through in-situ polymerization. The addition of external catalysts during in-situ polymerization not only enhances the polymerization rate but also facilitates the degree of graphitization and quality of graphitic carbon upon graphitization at moderate temperatures. In this study, we apply an in-situ polymerization technique to integrate aluminum triflate (Al(OTf)3) and zirconocene dichloride (C5H5)2ZrCl2 co-catalyst into a boronated polyacrylonitrile (B-PAN) matrix. The in-situ polymerization ensures the uniform distribution of the co-catalyst without aggregation, facilitating the formation of a well-ordered graphitic structure at a moderated temperature. Boronated polyacrylonitrile (B-PAN) solutions, with and without co-catalyst (Al(OTf)3, (C5H5)2ZrCl2 or both) were prepared through polymerization process, dried in an oven, and then subjected to graphitization at 1250 °C with a heating rate of 1 °C min−1 for 1 h under an N2 atmosphere. The resulting graphitic carbon was characterized to determine the impact of co-catalyst on the degree of graphitization. This study provides valuable insights into synthesizing high-quality graphitic carbon materials, offering promising pathways for their scalable production through the strategic use of in-situ polymerization and co-catalysis. These materials have potential applications in various fields, including environmental technologies, energy storage, and conversion, offering a pathway to design facile and economical graphitic carbon materials.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Human Moral Decision-Making: Navigating Family Loyalty and Social Justice

In today's rapidly developing technological environment, artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into various social fields, bringing moral challenges to human interaction and decision-making processes. This study investigates the moral dilemmas individuals face when there is a conflict between family loyalty and social justice, especially in cases involving family members. The study used a sample of 117 participants to explore how individuals decide to expose or cover up minor thefts from family members and whether the participation of artificial intelligence affects their decision-making. Although artificial intelligence can guide decision-making according to legal standards, survey results show that humans usually tend to prioritize family relationships over this objective assessment, especially in the case of minor violations. This study has contributed to the fields of moral psychology and emerging artificial intelligence ethics. It provides empirical data on how the existence of artificial intelligence changes human responses to moral dilemmas involving family loyalty and fairness. The conclusion of the study points out that as artificial intelligence is further integrated into human moral decision-making, it faces major psychological and ethical challenges, which provides new insights into the potential role that artificial intelligence may play in solving or deepening future moral and social conflicts.

Trends, challenges, and research pathways in emerging contaminants: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis.

The growing concern over environmental pollution has spurred extensive research into various contaminants impacting ecosystems and human health. Emerging contaminants (ECs), including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, nanomaterials, and microplastics, have garnered significant attention due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of EC research, aiming to detail the research landscape, highlight significant contributions, and identify influential researchers and pivotal studies. Data were sourced from the Web of Science, encompassing 62,670 documents from January 2000 to May 2024. Advanced bibliometric tools, including Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace, were employed to analyze publication outputs, citation metrics, and collaboration patterns. The analysis revealed an exponential increase in EC research, with annual publications growing from fewer than 1,000 before 2006 to nearly 7,000 by 2022. Environmental Science & Technology emerged as the most influential journal. Based on the number of publications and citations as a country, China and the United States led in research outputs. Co-authorship and collaboration networks highlighted key hubs and prominent researchers, with significant contributions from environmental sciences, chemical engineering, and toxicology. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified core themes, such as degradation, removal, and the impacts of ECs, reflecting evolving research interests and emerging topics. This bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the development and current state of EC research, serving as a resource for guiding future research efforts and fostering collaborations. The study indicates the critical need for continued research to address the challenges posed by ECs and develop effective regulatory policies and remediation strategies.

A Review of Environmental Perception Technology Based on Multi-Sensor Information Fusion in Autonomous Driving

A Review of Environmental Perception Technology Based on Multi-Sensor Information Fusion in Autonomous Driving

Keyword extraction-based audio and video recognition technology in mobile office environment

Keyword extraction-based audio and video recognition technology in mobile office environment