Heng Yi Teah

Producing phosphorus (P) fertilizers with recycled P is desirable for efficient use of P resource. However, the current cost of P recycling facilities in Japan strongly discourages the government from adopting this practice. To expand consideration for a P recycling policy, the concept of social externality was introduced. Social issues, such as the violation of human rights in P mining in the Western Sahara, have been identified in recent studies; nevertheless, a systematic approach towards acc

The middle reaches of Heihe River are located in the oasis of the Gobi Desert where limited freshwater supply supports more than 1.5 million inhabitants. The intense agricultural activities are depleting the groundwater reserve. Consequently, natural landscapes and habitats are degraded. Though such development improves the livelihood of the local community, long-term sustainability of the ecosystem is at risk. Local authorities must be informed holistically to prepare for adapting to the change

We demonstrated that a green campus initiative can reduce the carbon footprint of a university and improve the disaster resilience of the local community. A project sustainability assessment framework was structured to support the initiative. First, an on-campus solar photovoltaic (PV) system was designed. The project performance in terms of financial cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was assessed using life cycle cost analysis (LCC) and a life cycle assessment (LCA), respectively. Then, w

Safer and cleaner synthesis methods of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are developed through experiments with simplified reactions and minimal toxic reagents. However, their efficacy in environmental improvement must be assessed from a cradle-to-gate system perspective to support meaningful decision-making. Previous life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on AgNPs often overemphasize the contribution of Ag sourcing on the synthesis, rendering the development of alternative synthesis methods insignifica

The high-entropy alloy (HEA) CrMnFeCoNi is a prominent catalyst material. High-specific-surface-area HEA powder can be chemically prepared via a conventional direct etching method or a molten salt synthesis method developed in our group. In this study, we compared the catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol using the HEA CrMnFeCoNi powders obtained from the etching method and the molten salt method. The results demonstrated a superior catalytic performance for the HEA prepare

A shrimp farmer in Taiwan practices innovation through trial-and-error for better income and a better environment, but such farmer-based innovation sometimes fails because the biological mechanism is unclear. Systematic field experimentation and laboratory research are often too costly, and simulating ground conditions is often too challenging. To solve this dilemma, we propose a decision support framework that explicitly utilizes farmer experiential knowledge through a participatory approach to

Nanocellulose fibers (CNF) encompass the characteristics of cellulose and nanomaterials, are endowed with great potential for diverse applications. Prior to the extraction of nanocellulose, pretreating biomass to remove lignin and hemicellulose is crucial to ease cellulose isolation at minimal environmental and economic costs. This study presents a comprehensive comparison between acid-chlorite (AC), alkaline peroxide (AP), and hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid (HPAC) treatments, revealing that the

The overarching goal of global energy decarbonization, envisioned to combat climate change, should be coupled with material defossilization, which is just as crucial to target waste accumulation and fossil fuel depletion.

International audience