20 Apr 2026

A Simple Room-Temperature Refurbishment Method for Sulfated Lead-Acid Batteries Using Ammonium Acetate Treatment

Abstract: Current recycling paradigms of lead-acid batteries (LABs) involve the use of toxic, polluting, and energy- demanding processes. Here we report a novel strategy to refurbish LABs which failed due to the formation of hard sulfation on the anodes. We used ammonium acetate (NH4Ac) to selectively dissolve the water-insoluble lead sulfate (PbSO4) crystals which cause the hard sulfation from commercial LAB anodes and electrodeposit metallic lead on a new surface. The remarkable removal of hard sulfation was characterized by a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The treatment replenished a fresh LAB anode surface, recovering the capacity from ~0 % to 99 %. The dissolved Pb2+ was retrieved with an efficiency of >99.9 % through electrodeposition, completing a refurbishing process that minimizes the release of heavy metals into the environment. We demonstrated a proof-of-concept refurbishing of a full commercial LAB, which recovered 35 % of its capacity. With a noteworthy capacity renewal and minimal release of hazardous materials, NH4Ac refurbishing promises to be an environment-friendly and economic alternative recycling paradigm for the LAB industry.

22 Jan 2026

Knowledge Gaps and Education Opportunities on Direct Potable Reuse: Interviews with Customers of a Large, Southwestern United States Water Utility

Abstract: Water scarcity is a global public health threat that has increased urgency in implementing new sustainable practices to protect water supplies, such as the use of direct potable reuse, or “advanced water purification (AWP)". The study objective was to use interviews to characterize knowledge gaps and community outreach strategies to increase successful AWP implementation in an arid city in the southwestern United States. Through partnership with a water utility in an urbanized area of Arizona, 6000 individuals were emailed for invitation to participate in interviews. Interviews were conducted over Zoom and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts underwent inductive thematic analysis. Twenty-two individuals participated in interviews, and saturation of themes was reached. Five main themes emerged: 1) Conflation of filters with all treatment and the influence of residential technologies, 2) individual-level control over decisions to use advanced purified water, 3) desire for regulation, testing, and transparency about testing results, 4) concerns about specific chemicals, 5) educational resources to strengthen community engagement. Participants expressed lack of knowledge about how water is delivered to their residences by expressing the desire for opting in or out of system-wide treatment approaches.

5 Sep 2023

Dining Facility Whole-Building Evaluation to Reduce Solid Waste: Opportunities and Best Practices for Optimization and Management of Food Waste

On military installations, an average of 1.2 pounds in food waste is dis-posed per person per day, accounting for 68% of dining facility (DFAC) refuse and 46% of the total installation refuse stream, making food waste the heaviest portion of installation solid waste. At a single installation, this can contribute up to 1.5 million dollars lost yearly from food waste alone. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4715.23 (DoD 2016) establishes policy and prescribes procedures to implement waste management through waste prevention and recycling. The US Army Installation Management Commands (IMCOM) installations have limited resources and limited personnel to study which source reduction methods are optimal to reduce food waste given their unique mission requirements. This study identifies opportunities for optimization and management of solid waste across IMCOM installations. Recycling is not enough to significantly reduce the economic or environmental costs to the DoD. Army installations pay over $100 million annually in disposal fees. Source reduction is emphasized in regulations but not prioritized in process modifications or technology solutions. Additionally, food waste contributes to excessive global greenhouse gas emissions, which affect global warming and climate change. A multitiered approach is necessary, placing more emphasis on source reduction advances and initiatives.