➀ Dr. Hans Kleemann of TU Dresden received the 2025 Joachim Herz Prize (€500,000) for his bio-based, recyclable circuit board research under the "UnbeLEAFable" project, aiming to replace conventional electronics components with sustainable alternatives inspired by leaf vascular structures;

➁ The innovation combines biodegradable bioplastics and natural leaf skeletons to create eco-friendly printed circuit boards (PCBs), reducing fossil fuel dependency and enabling efficient recycling of electronic waste, which accounts for 62 million tons annually;

➂ The funding addresses the "Valley of Death" in product development, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, with potential to revolutionize the electronics industry toward a circular economy.

➀ RS Group showcased significant progress in its 2024/25 ESG Report, including a 7% year-on-year reduction in direct CO₂e emissions and achieving 94% recyclable packaging;

➁ Key initiatives focused on advancing sustainability, empowering employees through safety training, supporting over 913,000 youth in skills development, and collaborating with 2,500+ suppliers to raise ethical standards;

➂ The company earned top-tier sustainability recognitions, including CDP's A-List and EcoVadis Platinum status, while aligning ESG strategy with long-term growth through a new Chief Sustainability Officer role.

➀ A joint research project by Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf and Universität Innsbruck explores manganese as a sustainable alternative to rare-earth elements in LED phosphors;

➁ Mn²⁺ in alkali lithosilicates demonstrates stable white-light emission under high temperatures, potentially replacing dual rare-earth phosphors in LEDs;

➂ The innovation addresses geopolitical and cost challenges of rare-earth mining while improving material accessibility and thermal performance for lighting applications.

➀ The EU will enforce a new energy label for smartphones and tablets starting June 2025, evaluating energy efficiency, durability, repairability, and requiring seven-year spare parts availability and software updates;

➁ Developed with Fraunhofer IZM, the label aims to extend device lifespans (e.g., smartphones from 3.0 to 4.1 years), cut e-waste, and save 14 TWh of energy annually by 2030;

➂ Future plans include expanding the initiative to laptops by 2028, reinforcing the EU’s focus on sustainable consumption and circular economy principles.

➀ The EU will enforce a new energy label for smartphones and tablets (Android/iPadOS) from June 20, 2025, evaluating energy efficiency, durability, repairability, and reliability, with Fraunhofer IZM contributing key technical standards;

➁ The label aims to extend device lifespans (3.0 to 4.1 years for midrange phones), reduce e-waste, and save consumers €20 billion by 2030 through requirements like 800+ battery cycles, 7-year spare parts availability, and software/firmware access;

➂ Fraunhofer IZM developed robustness tests (e.g., drop tests) and advocated for reparability metrics, with similar laptop labels planned for 2028.

➀ Fraunhofer IDMT and partners develop a contactless acoustic cleaning method using structure-borne sound to clean PV modules without water or mechanical abrasion, addressing up to 20% yield loss caused by soiling;

➁ The technology targets a rapidly growing market, projected to reach $1.85 billion by 2033, particularly in regions with high dust and water scarcity;

➂ Funded by the German government, the project includes simulation models and algorithms to optimize cleaning efficiency, with a live demonstration at the Intersolar trade fair.

➀ British climate tech company Levidian and Canadian graphene technology company Zentek have entered an agreement to explore the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in the Middle East.

➁ The collaboration aims to combine expertise in carbon capture, graphene production, and materials development to accelerate the roll out of Zentek’s ZenGUARD™ Enhanced Air Filters and other graphene-enhanced products.

➂ Levidian’s patented LOOP system produces clean hydrogen and high-quality graphene by capturing carbon from methane before it’s burned.

➀ Researchers have discovered a way to use a natural waste product from Indian trees to improve supercapacitors, potentially leading to more sustainable energy storage solutions.

➁ The gum kondagogu, secreted by the bark of the Cochlospermum gossypium tree, was combined with sodium alginate to create a protective layer that extends the lifespan of supercapacitors by preventing electrode corrosion.

➂ This breakthrough could significantly reduce electronic waste and enhance the efficiency of energy storage devices, marking a major step forward for green energy technology.

➀ The article introduces a dual-mode film made from nano-engineered scattering fibers derived from upcycled chip bags, designed for sustainable thermal management.

➁ The film absorbs solar energy in cold conditions and reflects it in warm ones, improving building energy efficiency.

➂ The film is constructed with a biopolymer base and silica nanoparticles, and its scalability and environmental responsibility are highlighted.

➀ Regina Luig developed a method for indirect temperature monitoring of the rotor magnets in electric motors during her bachelor's thesis at Hochschule Coburg.

➁ Instead of temperature, she measures changes in the magnetic field, which weaken as the motor heats up.

➂ This innovative approach helps prevent overheating and reduces the need for rare earth materials, thus contributing to the sustainability of electric motors.

The Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena (EAH Jena) is strengthening its international ties and actively responding to global challenges. With the DAAD-funded project 'Space, Bioprocess and Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Economy and Development' (SpEEED), the university is intensifying cooperation with partner universities in South America and Southeast Asia. The project, which runs from January 2025 to the end of 2027, focuses on developing innovative solutions for urgent issues such as climate change and increasing resource consumption.

Global cooperation for sustainable solutions: 'The major problems of our time can only be overcome through international dialogue and cooperation. SpEEED opens up new opportunities for our students to gain international experience and develop practical solutions for global issues,' explains Prof. Dr. Alexander Richter, Professor of Electrical Measurement Technology and Optoelectronics and project contact at EAH Jena.

Student benefits: More than 40 percent of EAH Jena students benefit directly from the measures within the SpEEED project. Especially students from the fields of business administration, electrical engineering and information technology, medical technology and biotechnology, and business engineering can apply for funding for international exchange programs.

➀ Researchers from the University of Glasgow and other institutions have developed compostable smart sensors to improve sustainability in digital agriculture.

➁ These sensors consist of a biodegradable patch and a reusable electronic module, reducing environmental impact by up to 79% over five years compared to traditional sensors.

➂ The sensors can monitor soil pH levels and detect harmful substances like ethephon, contributing to optimized crop production with minimal environmental harm.

➀ Battery production is crucial for industrial and climate policy, with a growing demand for energy storage systems. Challenges include raw material dependence and supply chain fragility.

➁ Advanced laser technology offers solutions for efficient, precise, and sustainable battery production, addressing issues in material processing, electrode production, and recycling.

➂ Innovations in electrode production, cell assembly, and module/pack production are highlighted, along with the integration of AI for process optimization and predictive maintenance.

➀ DigiKey推出新的视频系列《可持续未来》，关注推动环保技术创新的最新进展。

➁ 该系列由Analog Devices赞助，共有三个环节，探讨了在组织内部推动绿色技术和可持续实践的领先企业和个人。

➂ 第一集《优化可持续性》聚焦可持续制造挑战和解决方案，特别强调了灵活制造。

➃ 第二集《连接数字信号》探讨了工厂地面的数字连接和可持续性，例如嵌入式视觉系统如何帮助组织做出更明智的决策。

➄ 第三集《打造可持续未来》讨论了物流技术，例如智能物料流动、工业视觉和自动化机器人系统。

➀ The Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI), in collaboration with other institutions, demonstrates the potential of heat storage systems in Berlin's quest for climate-neutral heating;

➁ The project highlights the importance of land availability, legal uncertainties, and geological conditions for the implementation of heat storage solutions;

➂ Seasonal heat storage systems, particularly aquifer heat storage, are suggested as suitable for Berlin, helping to shift excess heat from summer to winter and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Prof. Dr. Michael Reke and Prof. Dr. Alexander Ferrein were awarded the FH Aachen Research Prize for developing a cross-vehicle software architecture for autonomous vehicles.

The university emphasized the importance of curiosity-driven research and its role in mobility, sustainability, and digitalization. The prize, sponsored by the Sparkasse Aachen Citizens Foundation, recognizes outstanding research and innovation, with additional support from the FH Aachen Sustainability Fund.

Both researchers expressed their gratitude for the prize, which they plan to use to further their vision. The university celebrates the research prize as an annual event, highlighting the importance of research freedom and academic collaboration.

➀ According to a recent study, UNSW scientists are investigating nanomedicine to develop more affordable and environmentally friendly agrichemicals.

➁ Dr. Cong Vu, from the School of Chemistry at UNSW, realized that the nanoparticles created for delivering medications to cancer cells could also be used to encapsulate pesticides for farmers.

➂ Dr. Vu founded NanoSoils Bio to develop more affordable nano-agrochemicals using knowledge from nanomedicine.

➀ Many technical applications integrate new and autonomous functions, making them 'smart'. These products operate based on information from the environment and knowledge bases, evaluated through artificial intelligence methods.

➁ The success of such products depends on mastering today's innovation dynamics and increased product complexity from the idea phase through the entire lifecycle.

➂ The Fraunhofer Smart Systems Community supports companies and explores new dimensions for reliable, trustworthy, and secure applications.

➀ The University of Saarland's research team, led by Professors Stefan Seelecke and Paul Motzki, has developed a new climate technology that is more energy-efficient and sustainable than current methods.

➁ The technology, called Elastocaloric, uses thin wires and sheets made of nickel-titanium to transport heat through deformation.

➂ The team is working on prototypes for vehicles and aims to have the technology ready for practical use within five years.

➀ ASML and imec have signed a new strategic partnership agreement, focusing on research and sustainability.

➁ The agreement aims to deliver valuable solutions in two areas: advancing the semiconductor industry and developing sustainable innovation initiatives.

➂ The collaboration includes ASML's full product portfolio, focusing on high-end nodes and advanced technologies.