Novel magnetic field integration enhances green hydrogen peroxide production

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

 

image: 

Title image

view more 

Credit: ©Hao Li et al.

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of an electrochemical reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide - a vital chemical for industrial applications such as disinfection, bleaching, and sewage treatment. This reaction, called the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), was improved by developing a new class of heterogeneous molecular catalysts with an integrated magnetic field.

The conventional methods of producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) have unfortunate downsides. The process is energy-intensive, and the concentrated end product is difficult to transport safely. To face this issue, the research team looked towards an electrochemical method that is not only more efficient, but also environmentally friendly.

The research team designed a novel catalyst by anchoring cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules on carbon black (CB), then integrating it with polymer-protected magnetic (Mag) nanoparticles. This unique structure enables effective spin state manipulation of the cobalt active sites, significantly enhancing catalytic performance.

The researchers discovered the CoPc/CB-Mag catalyst achieved a remarkable H2O2 production efficiency of 90% and significantly enhanced the reaction's efficiency. Notably, the catalyst requires only minimal amounts of magnetic materials - up to seven orders of magnitude less than previous approaches - making it both safer and more practical for large-scale applications.

"Our integrated magnetic field approach can shift the cobalt center from low-spin to high-spin state without modifying its atomic structure," said Di Zhang of the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), "This spin transition dramatically improves the catalyst's intrinsic activities in both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions."

To understand the fundamental mechanism behind this new catalyst, they used a technique called comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Understanding why and how it works is important for future studies. "We found that the high-spin Co site exhibits stronger binding with oxygen-containing intermediates, which is crucial for efficient catalysis," explained Associate Professor Hao Li, "The magnetic field-induced spin polarization also facilitates electron transfer and spin transitions during the reaction steps, boosting the catalytic kinetics."

"The combination of experimental results and theoretical insights provides a comprehensive picture of how magnetic fields can enhance catalytic performance," added Li, "This can serve as guidance when designing new catalysts in the future."

The findings could lead to the rational design of catalytic active materials, targeting for more efficient and environmentally friendly pathways to produce hydrogen peroxide and other value-added chemicals, contributing to global efforts in sustainable industrial processes and carbon-neutral energy technologies.

Integration of magnetic nanoparticles with molecular catalysts: Schematic illustration showing the CoPc/CB-Mag catalyst with polymer-protected magnetic nanoparticles, enabling spin state manipulation of cobalt centers. 

Catalytic performance enhancement: Comparative results showing improved hydrogen peroxide production efficiency and oxygen evolution reaction performance with the magnetic field-integrated catalyst.

CREdit

©Hao Li et al.

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI
Main WPI program site:  www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

 

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
Tohoku University
Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science

AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.

---

Journal

Advanced Materials

DOI

10.1002/adma.202408461 

Article Title

Spin Manipulation of Heterogeneous Molecular Electrocatalysts by an Integrated Magnetic Field for Efficient Oxygen Redox Reactions

 

Rainforest protection reduces the number of respiratory diseases

Study by the University of Bonn shows that deforestation in the Amazon region is also detrimental to human health

University of Bonn

Rainforest protection is not only good for biodiversity and the climate – it also noticeably improves the health of humans who live in the corresponding regions. This is the conclusion drawn by a current study by the University of Bonn and the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil. In this, the researchers show that measures to combat slash-and-burn techniques significantly reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the air. The number of hospital stays and deaths due to respiratory diseases thus also decreases. The results have been published now in the journal Nature Communications, Earth & Environment.

In 2019, almost 70,000 square kilometers of forest were burned in the Amazon region – this equates to an area the size of Bavaria. Natural fires are normally rare in the damp conditions that prevail there. However, major landowners and landgrabbers often clear huge areas to use them as pastures or for arable farming.

This overexploitation of Brazil’s green lung destroys the habitats of many species of flora and fauna and also accelerates climate change. However, the current study also takes into account another consequence that is often not given enough attention: The smoke generated during the fires is an important trigger of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

“We have thus investigated to what extent forest protection measures affect the health of people living in the corresponding regions,” explains Yannic Damm. The scientist is a member of Prof. Dr. Jan Börner’s research group at the Institute for Food and Resource Economics (ILR) at the University of Bonn. He conducted the study together with his ILR colleague Dr. Nicolas Gerber and with Prof. Dr. Britaldo Soares-Filho from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil.

How does forest protection affect human health?

The Amazon region of Brazil is divided into two different zones: The legally defined Amazon, which follows the borders of the Amazonian states, and what is known as the Amazon biome, which follows the original forest boundary. “Between 2004 and 2010, a whole range of laws were adopted to curb the ongoing deforestation throughout the Amazon region,” says Damm. “However, in our study, we concentrated on three measures that exclusively apply within the Amazon biome and came into force from 2006.”

The most well-known of these three measures is presumably the Soy Moratorium. In this, globally operating trading companies agreed to no longer purchase soy grown in freshly deforested areas. “As a result, deforestation pressure has measurably reduced,” explains Damm. However, the moratorium (along with the other two resolutions investigated) only applies to the Amazon biome, but not to the neighboring Legal Amazon region with a lower protection status.

The researchers made use of this fact: They compared several hundred municipalities on the biome border with neighboring regions that lay outside of this border and to which the three measures did not, therefore, apply. “In this way, we were able to identify what effect the increased protection efforts had on public health,” highlights Damm. The group evaluated, among other things, the particulate matter pollution in the air, and analyzed the reasons why people in the investigated regions were taken to hospital or died.

Protective measures save 680 human lives per year

The effects of forest protection measures on each of these parameters were clear. The concentration of fine dust particles in the air fell in all of the investigated regions after 2006. However, this decrease was almost 7 percent higher in the municipalities within the biome borders. The number of hospital treatments and deaths due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases also fell. Around four million men, women, and children live in the regions in which the three measures were established. The researchers estimate that around 680 human lives in this group were saved each year thanks to the reduced air pollution.

“Our study has two messages,” explains ILR researcher Prof. Dr. Jan Börner, who is also a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) Sustainable Futures and the Cluster of Excellence “PhenoRob” at the University of Bonn. “Namely, firstly, that the destruction of the rainforest can be successfully curbed. And, secondly, that this benefits not only the diversity of species and the global climate but also very specifically and very quickly the local population. This is an aspect that is still given too little consideration when assessing protective measures.”

Participating institutions and funding:

The University of Bonn and the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil took part in the study. The work was supported with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the EU research and innovation program Horizon Europe.

Journal

Communications Earth & Environment

DOI

10.1038/s43247-024-01840-7 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Health benefits of reduced deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

Article Publication Date

15-Nov-2024

 

Recycling batteries with citric acid

Highly efficient recycling process for NCM lithium-ion batteries

Wiley

A simple, highly efficient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly process could provide a viable pathway for the sustainable recycling of depleted lithium-ion batteries (LIBs): No chemicals beyond citric acid need to be added to leach out and separate over 99 % of the lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese metals contained in NCM batteries. The resulting recycled material can be directly converted into NCM electrodes, reports a research team in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

From smartphones to electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere in our daily lives. They are also an important component of our transition to renewable energy, as they are used to store excess solar and wind energy and send it back into the power grid on demand. The downside is that their limited lifespan results in vast numbers of spent LIBs that contain dangerous heavy metals and other hazardous materials. In addition, metal resources are being depleted.

Most recycling processes suffer from high energy usage, high emissions, and limited or low-quality recovered material. Or they require very large amounts of chemicals, are complicated and expensive, and produce toxic gases and run-off. Leaching with biocompatible acids like citric acid is one alternative to these processes. However, conventional processes (chelation-gel process) require a significant excess of the acid, and the pH value must constantly be adjusted with ammonia—complicated and not very environmentally friendly.

A team at China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Fuzhou University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Tsinghua University, Shenzhen (China) led by Guangmin Zhou and Ruiping Liu has now developed a novel citric-acid-based method for the leeching, separation, and reclamation of metals from NCM cathodes. NCM is a mixed oxide containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese in a lamellar structure. Lithium ions are enclosed between the layers.

The trick to their method: Instead of leeching with an excess of citric acid like conventional methods, they use a relatively small amount. Because of this, only two of the three acid groups in the citric acid dissociate. The released protons break up the lithium-oxygen bonds, releasing lithium ions from the NCM into the solution. Bonds between the other metal ions and the oxygen ions are also broken. Nickel, cobalt, and manganese enter the solution, where they are bound into stable complexes by the citric acid anions. The third acid group of the citric acid then reacts with the hydroxyl group on the same molecule. A ring closure occurs in an intramolecular esterification (Fischer lactonization) reaction. This facilitates the reaction of the intermediates with each other to make a polyester, which gels into solid particles that can easily be separated out. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions are significantly less than in conventional hydrometallurgical recycling processes.

The gel can subsequently be heated to burn off the organic fragment. This results in a new NCM lamellar framework with included lithium ions, which can be used as a high-quality electrode material.

(3235 characters)

About the Author

Dr Ruiping Liu is Professor at the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing). His major research mainly focused on the synthesis of functional materials, and their applications in batteries and catalysts.

---

Journal

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI

10.1002/anie.202414484 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

The Fischer-Lactonization-Driven Mechanism for Ultra-Efficient Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

 

One or many? Exploring the population groups of the largest animal on Earth

University of Washington

 

Hunted nearly to extinction during 20th century whaling, the Antarctic blue whale, the world’s largest animal, went from a population size of roughly 200,000 to little more than 300. The most recent estimate in 2004 put Antarctic blue whales at less than 1% of their pre-whaling levels.

But is this population recovering? Is there just one population of Antarctic blue whales, or multiple? Do these questions matter for conservation?

A team led by Zoe Rand, a University of Washington doctoral student, tackles these questions in a study, published Nov. 14 in Endangered Species Research. Building on the last assessment of Antarctic blue whales in 2004 and using old whaling records, which were surprisingly detailed, Rand and her colleagues investigated if the Antarctic blue whales consist of different populations or are one big circumpolar population. Study co-authors are Trevor Branch, a UW professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, and Jennifer Jackson from the British Antarctic Survey.

Antarctic blue whales are listed as an endangered species, and understanding their population structure is essential for their conservation. Conservation at the population-level increases biodiversity, which helps the species adapt better to environmental changes and increases chances of long-term survival.

During the whaling years, biologists began the Discovery Marking Program. Foot-long metal rods with serial numbers were shot into the muscles of whales. When these whales were caught, the metal rod was returned, and the whale’s size, sex, length and location where it was caught was noted. Looking at where whales were marked compared to where they were caught could shed valuable insight into the movement of Antarctic blue whales, but these data have never been used before to look at population structure.

In this new study, this historical data were used alongside contemporary survey data in Bayesian models to calculate inter-annual movement rates among the three ocean basins that make up the Southern Ocean — Atlantic, Indian and Pacific — which make up the feeding grounds for Antarctic blue whales. The team found frequent mixing among the ocean basins, suggesting that whales do not return to the same basin every year. This points to Antarctic blue whales being one single circumpolar population in the Southern Ocean.

These results are consistent with studies of Antarctic blue whale songs, heard throughout the Southern Ocean. Only one song type has been recorded among the Antarctic blue whales. In comparison, pygmy blue whales have five different songs corresponding to five different populations. These results are also consistent with genetic studies, which found that Antarctic blue whales are more closely related than would be expected if they were separate populations.

This study is the first time that historical mark-recovery data from the Discovery Marking Program has been analyzed using modern quantitative methods. These data exist for many other hunted whale species, such as fin and sei whales, so the new study’s methods could provide a framework for similar analyses for those whale species too.

There is still a lot scientists don’t know about the Antarctic blue whale. Even though they do not appear to be separated geographically on their feeding waters in different ocean basins, they could still have distinct population structures based on differences in breeding habitats or the timing of migration. However, almost nothing is known about Antarctic blue whale breeding behavior, according to the researchers. Using historical data from whaling alongside contemporary data — such as satellite tagging and photo-identification — remains scientists’ best hope for uncovering the secrets of the largest animal on Earth.

The research was funded by the International Whaling Commission’s Southern Ocean Research Partnership.

###

For more information, contact Rand at zrand@uw.edu and Branch at tbranch@uw.edu.

Text by Niamh Owen-McLaughlin.

---

Journal

Endangered Species Research

DOI

10.3354/esr01361 

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

High historical movement rates of Antarctic blue whales on Southern Ocean feeding grounds estimated from Discovery mark data

Article Publication Date

14-Nov-2024

 

USF study confirms Egyptians drank hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient rituals

New paper’s findings reveal a mix of psychedelic drugs, body fluids and alcohol likely used for fertility rituals

University of South Florida

 

image: 

University of South Florida scholar Davide Tanasi holds a 3D-generated replica of the Egyptian Bes mug.

view more 

Credit: Cassidy Delamarter

TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2024) – A University of South Florida professor found the first-ever physical evidence of hallucinogens in an Egyptian mug, validating written records and centuries-old myths of ancient Egyptian rituals and practices. Through advanced chemical analyses, Davide Tanasi examined one of the world’s few remaining Egyptian Bes mugs.

Such mugs, including the one donated to the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984, are decorated with the head of Bes, an ancient Egyptian god or guardian demon worshiped for protection, fertility, medicinal healing and magical purification. Published Wednesday in Nature’s Scientific Reports, the study sheds light on an ancient Egyptian mystery: The secret of how Bes mugs were used about 2,000 years ago.

“There’s no research out there that has ever found what we found in this study,” Tanasi said. “For the first time, we were able to identify all the chemical signatures of the components of the liquid concoction contained in the Tampa Museum of Art’s Bes mug, including the plants used by Egyptians, all of which have psychotropic and medicinal properties.”

The presence of Bes mugs in different contexts over a long period of time made it extremely difficult to speculate on their contents or roles in ancient Egyptian culture.

“For a very long time now, Egyptologists have been speculating what mugs with the head of Bes could have been used for, and for what kind of beverage, like sacred water, milk, wine or beer,” said Branko van Oppen, curator of Greek and Roman art at the Tampa Museum of Art. “Experts did not know if these mugs were used in daily life, for religious purposes or in magic rituals.”

Several theories about the mugs and vases were formulated on myths, but few of them were ever tested to reveal their exact ingredients until the truth was extracted layer by layer.

Tanasi, who developed this study as part of the Mediterranean Diet Archaeology project promoted by the USF Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment, collaborated with several USF researchers and partners in Italy at the University of Trieste and the University of Milan to perform chemical and DNA analyses. With a pulverized sample from scraping the inner walls of the vase, the team combined numerous analytical techniques for the first time to uncover what the mug last held.

The new tactic was successful and revealed the vase had a cocktail of psychedelic drugs, bodily fluids and alcohol – a combination that Tanasi believes was used in a magical ritual reenacting an Egyptian myth, likely for fertility. The concoction was flavored with honey, sesame seeds, pine nuts, licorice and grapes, which were commonly used to make the beverage look like blood.

“This research teaches us about magic rituals in the Greco-Roman period in Egypt,” Van Oppen said. “Egyptologists believe that people visited the so-called Bes Chambers at Saqqara when they wished to confirm a successful pregnancy because pregnancies in the ancient world were fraught with dangers. So, this combination of ingredients may have been used in a dream-vision inducing magic ritual within the context of this dangerous period of childbirth.”

“Religion is one of the most fascinating and puzzling aspects of ancient civilizations,” Tanasi said. “With this study, we’ve found scientific proof that the Egyptian myths have some kind of truth and it helps us shed light on the poorly understood rituals that were likely carried out in the Bes Chambers in Saqqara, near the Great Pyramids at Giza.”

Close-up image of a 3-D replica of the Egyptian Bes mug used in the study.

Credit

Cassidy Delamarter

The Bes mug is on display now at the Tampa Museum of Art and can be viewed in the exhibition, “Prelude: An Introduction to the Permanent Collection.” View a 3D model of the Bes mug produced by the USF Institute for Digital Exploration.

###

Gathering a sample of the Bes [VIDEO] | 

Univeristy of South Florida scholar Davide Tanasi gathers a sample from the Bes mug.

3-D scanning the Bes mug [VIDEO] | 

University of South Florida scholar Davide Tanasi creates a 3-D replica of the Egyptian Bes mug used in the study.

ty of South Florida scholar Davide Tanasi creates a 3-D replica of the Egyptian Bes mug used in the study.

University of South Florida scholar Davide Tanasi creates a 3-D replica of the Egyptian Bes mug used in the study.

Journal

Scientific Reports

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Multianalytical investigation reveals psychotropic substances in a ptolemaic Egyptian vase

Article Publication Date

13-Nov-2024

 

Study finds cannabis-users would reduce use the most for job interviews, caring for children

People who rated the suitability of using cannabis in each situation more highly also were more likely to consider using the drug

University of Kansas

LAWRENCE, KANSAS — People who use cannabis at least once a month may consume the drug before low-stakes activities, but what if they had other responsibilities, such as taking care of their children? 

That question was at the center of a study recently published by a diverse team of authors at the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment and Brown University. The researchers explored how next-day responsibilities affected choices about cannabis consumption among 177 adults.   

Study participants evaluated how much cannabis they would consume at increasing prices in the context of activities scheduled for the next day that spanned work, leisure and caregiving.  

The findings, published in September, showed that people are less likely to consume cannabis if they had an upcoming activity, which is consistent with other studies, and would reduce use the most for job interviews and caring for children.   

However, people who rated the suitability of using cannabis in each situation more highly also were more likely to consider using the drug.  

“One of the things that we know about addictive disorders is that people often will continue to consume the substance despite it causing consequences for them,” said Michael Amlung, associate director for training at the Cofrin Logan Center at the KU Life Span Institute. “That could be an indicator of a potentially more problematic substance use pattern.”  

Choosing to consume substances even when they interfere with fulfilling responsibilities is one of the signs of substance use disorder, identified by the American Psychiatric Association.   

Amlung said that prior research had not explored why or why not people might reduce their cannabis consumption before an activity.  

“The themes that we identified were really unique, and nobody has really looked at the specific reasons for why people might reduce their consumption when they have important activities happening in the near future,” Amlung said.  

Researchers found there were commonalities among people who wouldn't alter their cannabis consumption. This included people who believed cannabis use wouldn’t interfere with their responsibilities, or it was considered socially acceptable, so they would continue their consumption patterns.  

Amlung said there was also a sizable group of study participants who said cannabis had positive effects for them — such as helping them sleep better or reducing anxiety — in which case they could be more likely to consume the drug.  However, Amlung emphasized that the science supporting the viewpoint that cannabis improves sleep or reduces anxiety is inconsistent. 

A diverse team of researchers that included graduate and undergraduate students contributed to the paper, along with faculty and a postdoctoral fellowship researcher. Amlung noted that it’s somewhat unusual for undergraduate students to be authors in a published scientific paper, but they earned their byline with their hard work as equal contributors to the research.  

“This captures one of the biggest things that KU prides itself on, which is engaging undergraduate students directly in scientific research,” Amlung said. 

If students are planning to go into a research or clinical science field, they should have a strong understanding of what’s involved, he said. 

“The best way for undergraduate students to get that exposure,” said Amlung, “is to actually do research.” 

The research, “Exploring the suitability of cannabis use with next-day responsibilities: A behavioral-economic and qualitative study,” was published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.  

---

Journal

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

DOI

10.1002/jeab.4209 

Method of Research

Survey

Article Title

Exploring the suitability of cannabis use with next-day responsibilities: A behavioral-economic and qualitative study

 

$2.5 million grant fuels workforce development through mining education

University of Arizona College of Engineering

 

image: 

The Freeport-McMoRan booth at the U of A School of Mines and Mineral Resources' Mines for Limitless Minds networking event in 2023. 

view more 

Credit: University of Arizona College of Engineering

A $2.5 million grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation will support the University of Arizona in developing K-12 programs that educate teachers and students about responsible mining and inspire students to pursue education and careers in the mining industry. 

The grant will be shared by the U of A School of Mining and Mineral Resources, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering and the Department of Geosciences Lowell Program in Economic Geology. 

The grant provides scholarships for U of A mining students, enhancing access and attracting top-tier graduate students.

The university offers one of only 13 nationally accredited mining programs, playing a key role in sustainable mining education and preparing future professionals for a workforce focused on sustainable materials and innovation. 

"We have experienced the challenges of a workforce shortage, as have several other industries, and we are committed to collaborating with partners like the University of Arizona to create innovative solutions to address the gap," said Tracy Bame, president of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and director of social responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan. "Our long-standing partnership with the U of A not only addresses our immediate workforce needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term success by helping middle and high school students to see pathways to a future in this critical and dynamic industry, including the attainment of a higher education degree or credential."

Bame says Freeport also is committed to reaching underserved student populations to increase access to higher education and the high-quality employment opportunities. Investing in education and training beyond high schools is critical for resilience and prosperity in Arizona. 

"We know that supporting high-quality education is the strongest lever we have for meeting future workforce needs and increasing socioeconomic opportunity and mobility for everyone," Bame said.

This investment comes as the mining industry also adapts to the increasing demand for minerals crucial to green energy technologies and products such as cellphones, computers, medical devices and defense systems.

"This generous gift from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation directly addresses the critical need for highly skilled engineers in the mining industry. As we push forward into a future where mineral resources are essential for everything from renewable energy to advanced technology, it's imperative that we prepare the next generation of engineers to meet these challenges," said David Hahn, the Craig M. Berge dean of the College of Engineering. "This funding allows us to offer unparalleled opportunities for students, equipping them with the technical skills and hands-on experience necessary to lead in an evolving industry."

The grant to support K-12 outreach programs will provide Southern Arizona students with opportunities to learn about the importance of the mineral resources that shape daily life, where those minerals come from, and modern mining's advancements in producing safe, sustainable resources for the planet's growing population. 

"We need to better support educators in bringing Earth science and mining-related content into classrooms," said Carmala Garzione, dean of the College of Science. "This funding from Freeport-McMoRan will help us close that gap by providing resources for teachers to engage students in conversations about the important role minerals play in modern society. By fostering this understanding, we can inspire the next generation of geoscientists and mining professionals to contribute to sustainable solutions for our planet's resource needs."

This new grant builds on a 2019 $2.5 million award from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, which supported K-12 outreach, funded U of A student scholarships, modernized facilities for mining engineering, and expanded research capacity in the U of A Geotechnical Center of Excellence. It will further enhance K-12 outreach, reaching hundreds of Arizona educators and thousands of students, while enabling leaders to analyze data, test new methods, and refine strategies for increasing student pursuit of higher education in the mining sector which is key to the energy transition and a greener economy. 

"The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation has generously supported mining education at the U of A for years," said John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. "This new gift will help the U of A train the next generation of leaders of an industry with deep historic and ongoing importance to Arizona's economy."

Freeport-McMoRan has partnered with the U of A for nearly two decades and has donated more than $6 million to the university since 2005. The company's support of the university goes back even further – Phelps Dodge, a company Freeport-McMoRan acquired in 2007, has been contributing to the university since the 1940s, when it helped fund the construction of the Mines and Metallurgy building. This latest gift, provided through the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting the communities where it operates and advancing education in mining and mineral resources.

 

AMERIKA

Research finds no significant negative impact of repealing a Depression-era law allowing companies to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage

Report comes as Federal government considers ending practice that allows businesses to pay workers with disabilities far below minimum wage

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

PHILADELPHIA—Debate continues to swirl nationally on the fate of a practice born of an 86-year-old federal statute allowing companies to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages: anything below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, but for some roles as little as 25-cents-per-hour. Those in favor of repealing this statute highlight assumptions about reduced productivity along with the unfairness of this wage level—often used elsewhere to pay, for example, food service workers who typically make additional wages in tips. Those against repeal have voiced concerns that, without subminimum wage laws, employment opportunities for workers with disabilities may dwindle.

However, one new study has found no significant negative impacts in states that have already ended the practice, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. The findings, published today in JAMA Health Forum, include important policy considerations for lawmakers to consider as a new Congress takes shape.

Researchers studied two states—Maryland and New Hampshire—that had phased-out the practice, created in 1938 as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to incentivize businesses to hire disabled soldiers, who were thought to be less productive in mainstream workforce. Currently, employers paying subminimum wages to people with disabilities must receive a 14c certificate that is approved by the Department of Labor (DOL). Many do so in what are known as sheltered workshops, often separating these employees—a majority of whom have intellectual and psychiatric disabilities—from their co-workers who do not have disabilities.

In the study, there was increased labor force participation of people with cognitive disabilities in these states after repeal of this law, with varying effects at the individual state level.

“We know that employment and wages are important determinants of health,” added Atheendar Venkataramani, MD, PhD, associate professor of Health Policy and Medicine and senior author. “This builds on previous studies that have shown employment and financial stability to be key drivers of health disparities among people with disabilities. Among people with intellectual disabilities, studies have found integrated employment to be associated with better psychological well-being and self-esteem and job satisfaction.”

Labor force participation rose in both states following repeal, indicating the “inclusive nature of repeal, as it brings people with cognitive disabilities previously not connected with employment resources into the labor force. This points towards the fact that these people are able to work in equal paying, fully integrated jobs as their peers who do not have a disability, given the right resources—something that was perceived not to be the case when this law was first drafted,” added lead author Mihir Kakara, MBBS, MSHP, formerly a Neurology fellow with Penn, and now assistant professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

The team also underscored the importance of state-by-state solutions should the use of 14c roles be repealed nationally, including the utility of funding for integrated employment into more typical workplace environments. But taken together, the results are an important first glimpse at a future where workplace dignity is valued differently, while still ensuring a net benefit to the economy.

The future of the practice is likely to made clearer soon: a bipartisan bill to phase out subminimum wage roles and creating more inclusive jobs was introduced in the previous Congress, while the Biden Administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the 14c program, with a decision anticipated soon.

###

Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.

The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $550 million awarded in the 2022 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts” in medicine, Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries and innovations that have shaped modern medicine, including recent breakthroughs such as CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System’s patient care facilities stretch from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. These include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Health, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.

Penn Medicine is an $11.1 billion enterprise powered by more than 49,000 talented faculty and staff.

 

---

Journal

JAMA Health Forum

DOI

10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.4034 

Article Title

Repeal of SubminimumWages and Social Determinants of Health Among People With Disabilities

Article Publication Date

15-Nov-2024