World's first 1,000-ton ionic liquid cellulose fiber plant launches, enabling near-zero emission textiles

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters

Facebook

X
BlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail

 

image: 

Ionic liquid-based cellulose fiber

view more 

Credit: IPE

The world's first thousand-ton-scale ionic liquid-based regenerated cellulose fiber project has officially commenced operations in Henan Province, China. Developed by the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the project marks the first large-scale global production of regenerated cellulose fibers using ionic liquids.

This pioneering technology eliminates the need for toxic or explosive solvents traditionally used in fiber production, such as carbon disulfide and NMMO, by employing non-volatile, stable ionic liquids. As a result, the entire process achieves near-zero emissions, with no discharge of wastewater, waste gas, or solid waste.

Ionic liquids are a novel class of media composed of organic cations and organic/inorganic anions. They possess an ionic structure similar to that of table salt (NaCl) and are non-volatile, existing as low-temperature molten salts that are liquid at or near room temperature. Compared to traditional solvents, ionic liquids exhibit a series of superior characteristics, such as high polarity, low volatility, oxidation resistance, and structurally designable and tunable properties, as well as excellent solubility for inorganic and organic compounds, along with polymeric materials.

This technology uses non-volatile, stable ionic liquids as solvents to replace toxic solvents, thereby eliminating the need for strong acids, bases, and carbon disulfide. Meanwhile, ionic liquid recovery technology simplifies the production process, making it greener, more stable, and safer. Compared to traditional fossil fibers, the new process is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 5,000 tons per year, with a solvent recovery rate exceeding 99%.

"This marks the true transformation of cutting-edge ionic liquid spinning technology from lab concept to industrial reality," said Prof. ZHANG Suojiang, lead scientist of the IPE ionic liquids team that developed the technology. "It redefines sustainable fiber manufacturing."

The successful commercialization follows more than a decade of research and development. The IPE team tackled key challenges in ionic liquid design and preparation, cellulose dissolution, spinning process optimization, solvent recovery, and system integration. The technology was validated through successive scaling stages, moving from lab- and ton-scale trials to a 100-ton demonstration, and finally to a continuous, stable 1,000-ton production line.

The resulting filament products meet international quality standards for fineness, tensile strength, elongation, and uniformity.

"This project sets a new benchmark for green industrialization and will play a key role in achieving China's dual carbon goals," said DUAN Xiaoping, vice president of the China Textile Industry Federation. "It can significantly contribute solid industrial strength to the construction of ecological civilization."

---

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

 

How do farmers in Egypt manage agricultural plastic waste?

Higher Education Press

BlueskyMessageWhatsApEmail

 

image: 

Image

view more 

Credit: Hazem S. KASSEM1 , Ahmed MOSA2 , Mondira BHATTACHARYA3 , Mohammed ABOUELNAGA4 , Moshira ELAGAMY4 , Doaa ATIYA4 , Belal ELGAMAL4 , Henny OSBAHR3

The widespread use of plastics in agriculture, known as “plastic agriculture”, includes materials like mulching films and protective covers for crops. These lightweight, low-cost materials help retain heat and moisture, reduce pesticide use, and even promote off-season crop growth. However, the non-degradability of plastics has transformed agriculture from a “low-waste” industry into a “waste management challenge”. Globally, agricultural activities generate approximately 1.56 million tons of plastic waste annually, much of which is burned or buried due to recycling difficulties, leading to soil and air pollution and the formation of microplastics that enter the food chain through rainwater infiltration or wind dispersion. In Egypt, where agriculture plays a significant economic role, plastic agriculture is also prevalent. How do local farmers manage this plastic waste, and what factors influence their willingness to recycle?

To address these questions, a research team from Mansoura University, the Agricultural Research Center, and the University of Reading conducted a study in the agricultural provinces of Dakahlia, Giza, and Minya. The study involved 300 farmers using four types of plastic agriculture systems: open-field films, low tunnels, high tunnels, and net houses. Through stratified random sampling and face-to-face interviews, the team analyzed plastic usage characteristics, disposal methods, recycling barriers, and key motivations. The article was recently published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025621).

The results indicated significant differences in how farmers handle various types of plastics. Mulching films used for winter vegetable cultivation are often directly buried or burned in the open, whereas 95.8% of the covering films used for tunnel construction are collected and sent for recycling. This discrepancy arises because mulching films are thin and easily broken, making collection costly and inefficient, while covering films are more intact and easier to process. Further analysis revealed that economic pressure is the biggest barrier to recycling—high recycling costs and labor collection expenses are seen as the “most troublesome issues” by farmers. Additionally, the lack of fixed recycling points and insufficient recycling facilities exacerbate the management challenges. However, farmers do express a willingness to recycle, with financial incentives (such as subsidies) and improved plastic quality identified as the most effective motivators. Notably, larger farms, households with family members involved in agriculture, and those with long-term experience in plastic agriculture are more likely to actively recycle mulching films—larger farms generate enough waste to meet recycling thresholds, family involvement reduces labor costs, and experienced farmers recognize the long-term importance of soil health.

This study presents a realistic picture of plastic waste management among Egyptian farmers and offers concrete directions for policy formulation. For instance, to address high recycling costs, more convenient recycling points and subsidies could be established to alleviate farmers’ burdens. To tackle the fragility of mulching films, improvements in plastic production to enhance durability could be promoted. For smallholder farmers, a “centralized collection + flexible subsidy” scheme could address the “low volume recycling” dilemma. If these measures are implemented, they could not only reduce the threat of microplastics to soil and ecosystems but also facilitate the transition of agriculture from “single-use plastic dependence” to “circular use”, helping Egypt meet its environmental management goals outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

---

Journal

Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering

DOI

10.15302/J-FASE-2025621 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

From plasticulture to pollution: addressing disposal and recycling challenges in egyptian farming systems

 

Water sector must understand human behavior to tackle looming shortfall

University of Surrey

Facebook

MessageWhatsAppEmail

With four areas of the UK now facing drought conditions, new research from the University of Surrey shows that helping households use less water means first understanding their everyday habits – and getting the public onboard attempts to change those habits. 

A collaboration between Surrey academics and more than 100 professionals across the water sector has revealed a major knowledge gap: despite government targets to cut household demand, the sector still has many unanswered questions about how to change behaviour. 

England is projected to face a daily shortfall of five billion litres of freshwater by 2055. The Environment Agency plans to meet 60% of that gap through demand reduction – but there’s growing recognition that achieving this will require more than just installing smart meters and fixing leaks. 

Led by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Institute for Sustainability, the project brought together stakeholders from 60 organisations – including nine UK water companies, policy bodies, manufacturers and innovators. Through workshops, surveys and webinars, they identified 24 pressing questions the sector must answer before it can roll out effective strategies for reducing domestic water use. 

Professor Benjamin Gardner, lead author of the White Paper and Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey, said: 

“Most people don’t know how much water they use. The sector has focused on smart meters, which will raise awareness of water use – but smart meters alone won’t cut it. The real challenge is in helping people to better recognise and understand how they use water and supporting them to continue doing their everyday activities, but in a more water-wise way. To do that, the sector needs to make better use of behavioural science.” 

The study highlights three priority areas for action: 

• Partnering with behavioural scientists to understand how people make water-use decisions and what influences them. 

• Improving knowledge sharing across the sector to accelerate learning and collaboration. 

• Using smart sensors to better understand water usage behind-closed-doors - to unobtrusively gain accurate insight into domestic habits – such as toilet flushing and showering – which are difficult to measure via self-reporting. 

Dr Pablo Pereira-Doel, co-author of the White Paper and Human Insight Lab co-lead at the University of Surrey, said: 

“Technology and behaviour change should work hand in hand. We need to design solutions that fit into real people’s lives – that means understanding the barriers they face, the routines they follow, and what actually motivates change. The sector has the tools, but to use them effectively, it must put people at the heart of the strategy.” 

The behaviours ranked most important to address were fixing in-home leaks, reducing shower length, and improving toilet flush habits. But the researchers stress that simply encouraging people to use less water won’t work without a solid understanding of the psychological and social factors that shape behaviour. 

This White Paper presents a shared research agenda to help the sector make informed, evidence-based choices – integrating behaviour change with technological solutions to secure the UK’s water future. 

Nicci Russell, CEO of Waterwise, the UK’s leading independent voice on water efficiency, said: 

“Understanding how people use water in their daily lives is absolutely essential if we’re going to close the growing gap between supply and demand. Consumer culture has shifted dramatically over the past few decades, and our water systems simply haven’t kept pace. 

“Research into behaviour helps us design smarter policies, technologies and communications that support people to use water more wisely. We can’t afford to ignore the human factor. Water efficiency isn’t just about infrastructure - it’s about people, choices, habits, and values. We must meet people where they are, and that starts with understanding what drives how we use water at home and at work.” 

[ENDS] 

• Professor Benjamin Gardner is available for interview, please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.   

• The full White Paper is available in PDF form. 

• A link to the project website can be found here: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/research-projects/leading-uk-water-conservation-through-innovative-technology-and-behaviour-change  

---

DOI

10.17605/OSF.IO/6WN7Y 

 

Human eggs power down to protect themselves

Discovery of low power cellular housekeeping could boost IVF success

Center for Genomic Regulation

Facebook

XLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail

 

image: 

An immature human oocyte fixed and immunolabeled with intracellular organelles markers. Mitochondria are shown in orange, the endoplasmic reticulum is shown in lilac, and the actin cytoskeleton is shown in green. DNA is shown in light blue.

view more 

Credit: Gabriele Zaffagnini/Centro de Regulación Genómica

Human eggs are some of the most patient cells in the body, lying dormant for decades until needed. A study published today in The EMBO Journal shows that the cells deliberately slow the activity of their internal waste disposal systems as they mature, most likely an evolutionary design which keeps metabolism low and damage at bay.

“By looking at more than a hundred freshly donated eggs, the largest dataset of its kind, we found a surprisingly minimalist strategy that helps the cells stay pristine for many years,” says Dr. Elvan Böke, corresponding author of the study and Group Leader at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona.

Women are born with one to two million immature eggs, a stock that dwindles to a few hundred by menopause. Each egg must avoid wear-and-tear for up to five decades before it can support a pregnancy. The new study suggests how they manage it.

Protein recycling is essential housekeeping, and lysosomes and proteasomes are the cell’s main waste disposal units. But every time these cellular components degrade proteins, they consume energy. This in turn can create reactive oxygen species (ROS), harmful molecules that can damage DNA and membranes. The team did not measure ROS directly, but hypothesise that by tapping the brakes on recycling, the egg keeps ROS production to a minimum while still doing enough housekeeping to survive.

The idea meshes with the group’s previous work, published in 2022, which showed that human oocytes deliberately skip a fundamental metabolic reaction to curb ROS production. Taken together, the two studies suggest that human eggs power down in different ways to keep potential damage as low as possible for as long as possible.

The discovery was made possible by collecting over 100 eggs from 21 healthy donors aged 19–34 at Dexeus Mujer, a Barcelona fertility clinic, 70 of which were fertilisation-ready eggs and 30 still-immature oocytes. Using fluorescent probes, they tracked lysosome, proteasome and mitochondrial activity in live cells. All three readouts were roughly 50 percent lower than in the eggs’ own surrounding support cells and fell even further as the cells matured.

Live-imaging showed the eggs literally jettisoning lysosomes into the surrounding fluid during the last hours before ovulation. At the same time, mitochondria and proteasomes migrated to the cell’s outer rim. “It’s a type of spring cleaning we didn’t know human eggs were capable of,” says first author Dr. Gabriele Zaffagnini.

The research is the largest-scale study of healthy human eggs collected directly from women. Most laboratory research to date has relied on eggs that have been ripened artificially in a dish, yet such in-vitro-matured oocytes often behave abnormally and are linked to poorer IVF results.

The study could lead to new strategies to improve success rates for the millions of IVF cycles attempted worldwide each year. “Fertility patients are routinely advised to take random supplements to improve egg metabolism, but evidence for any benefit for pregnant outcomes is patchy,” says Dr. Böke.

“By looking at freshly-donated eggs we’ve found evidence to suggest the opposite approach, maintaining the egg’s naturally quiet metabolism, could be a better idea for preserving quality,” she adds.

The team now plans to examine eggs from older donors and failed IVF cycles to see whether throttling the activity of cellular waste disposal units falters with age or disease.

---

Journal

The EMBO Journal

DOI

10.1038/s44318-025-00493-2 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Human tissue samples

Article Title

The proteostatic landscape of healthy human oocytes

Article Publication Date

16-Jul-2025

 

Your lungs in chip form

Unraveling respiratory illnesses with iPSCs on microfluidic chips

Kyoto University

Facebook

XLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail

 

image: 

Illustration of the iPSC-derived lung chips

view more 

Credit: (KyotoU / Yokokawa lab)

Kyoto, Japan -- Respiratory infections such as COVID-19 have been responsible for numerous pandemics and have placed a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Such viruses can cause significant damage to our lungs, especially to the proximal region, or airway, and distal region, also known as the alveoli.

The responses of different lung regions to such infections are varying and complex, so accurately replicating them using traditional models, such as animals and simple in vitro systems, poses a challenge.

To solve this problem, a team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed a micro physiological system, or MPS, capable of emulating different regions of human lungs. Specifically, their device can simulate the airway and alveoli to investigate viral pathologies. Coupled with isogenic iPSCs, the team is preparing for more personalized and accurate treatment of respiratory diseases.

"Our iPSC-derived lung chips enable us to model the distinct responses of proximal and distal lung regions, derived from an isogenic source to respiratory virus infections," states the lead author Sachin Yadav, a PhD student at Kyoto University.

The team's research provides a more accurate platform for studying tissue- and virus-specific disease mechanisms, as well as for evaluating drug effectiveness. Moreover, their approach holds significant promise for addressing future pandemics.

"The insights gained can be used to develop models of other human organs and multi-organ systems, facilitating the study of organ interactions," notes team leader Ryuji Yokokawa.

"The ability to accurately replicate the variations in host responses to different viruses and lung regions can significantly enhance our understanding of emerging viruses and facilitate early drug screening," says senior researcher Takeshi Noda.

“Integrating iPSCs into our MPS offers unparalleled advantages, with the cells providing benefits such as personalized medicine and isogenic models,” adds Shimpei Gotoh, another senior team member.

This chip system has potential applications beyond viral infections, and could be used to enhance personalized medicine by enabling the use of patient-specific iPSCs to study other conditions as well.

###

The paper "Isogenic induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived airway- and alveolus-on-chip models reveal specific innate immune responses" appeared on July 16, 2025 in Nature Biomedical Engineering, with doi: 10.1038/s41551-025-01444-2

About Kyoto University

Kyoto University is one of Japan's premier research institutions, established in 1897. It is renowned for producing numerous Nobel laureates and other prestigious international award winners. With a broad curriculum across arts and sciences, and numerous research centers and facilities, Kyoto University continues to contribute to global scientific and academic advancements. For more information, please visit: http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en

---

Journal

Nature Biomedical Engineering

DOI

10.1038/s41551-025-01444-2 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Isogenic induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived airway- and alveolus-on-chip models reveal specific innate immune responses

Article Publication Date

16-Jul-2025

 

Optimal heart health in children cuts risk of chronic diseases in adulthood

Cardiovascular health metrics – diet, physical activity, sleep, avoiding smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar – found to impact all body systems

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Facebook

XLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail

Optimal heart health from birth through adolescence, as measured by a combination of metrics, leads to long-lasting cardiovascular and overall physical, cognitive and mental health, according to the systematic review published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Benefits include lower risks of cancer, dementia, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression and hearing loss, as well as better cognitive, dental and eye health.

The metrics, developed by the American Heart Association, include lifestyle variables – diet, physical activity, sleep and avoiding smoking – as well as clinical factors, such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Researchers found that even at younger ages, prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health is very low.

“Childhood is a unique window where keeping these cardiovascular health metrics in optimal ranges will have a long-term benefit to all body systems, not just the heart,” said senior author Amanda Marma Perak, MD, MSCI, pediatric cardiologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

“Parents can focus on the four health habits – setting up their child’s daily routines to include a healthy diet, plenty of physical activity, and protected time for sleep, and then making clear their expectations about not smoking or vaping as the child gets older,” she said. “For the four clinical factors, parents can check in with the pediatrician at each well child visit to make sure that their child’s BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are on track for a healthy future.”

Researchers reviewed nearly 500 studies published between January 2010 and January 2021. One study showed that having better cardiovascular health habits could slash the risk for heart attacks even in people with high genetic risk or strong family history. Another study found that adolescents were almost eight times less likely to have poor cardiovascular health when their mothers had better cardiovascular health during pregnancy, suggesting that cardiovascular disease prevention can start even before conception. Dr. Marma Perak was the lead author on that study.

“Early prevention is key to a healthy adulthood. If parents are concerned about their child’s risk factors for heart disease, the Preventive Cardiology Program at Lurie Children’s can help set kids on a healthier path,” said Dr. Marma Perak, who is one of the physicians in the program. “We treat children with risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, or family history of early heart attacks or strokes. Our goal is to improve measures of cardiovascular health and prevent chronic diseases from head to toe.”

The review also highlighted important gaps in the research on cardiovascular health. Minimal research has focused on how to improve this important measure in kids or in moms during pregnancy. Additionally, there were relatively few studies on mental health, particularly in kids and teens, even though results suggested that it is a key factor for achieving ideal cardiovascular health.

The systematic review was partially funded by a Strategically Focused Research Network grant from the American Heart Association, as well as a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

---

Journal

Journal of the American Heart Association