Ozone Layer to Recover Within Decades

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. Now, over 40 years later, have we gotten past this potential danger?

The ozone layer, a vital shield that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on track to be fully restored within the next few decades. This remarkable recovery is likely the result of decisive action taken around world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following the 1989 Montreal Protocol.

In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, the ozone layer has shown steady improvement. Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, it has shown steady improvement.

According to the latest UN assessment, the ozone layer is expected to be completely recovered by 2040 across most of the world, with the polar regions taking a bit longer – 2045 for the Arctic and 2066 for the Antarctic.

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Solar Panel Recycling Solution Found

Daily Upsider on December 21, 2023

Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular option for supplemental power, particularly because of its reported environmental impact. However, as solar panels reach the end of their lifespan, the question of how to recycle these materials has become a pressing issue. Researchers from Australia’s Deakin University are working on a groundbreaking solution to this problem.

Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials has been at the forefront of this research, with Dr. Md Mokhlesur Rahman and Prof. Ying (Ian) Chen leading the charge. Their focus is on repurposing the silicon in used solar panels, which is the most valuable component of the panels. This breakthrough could be the missing piece in the puzzle of solar panel recycling.

The team has developed a process to extract silicon from discarded solar panels and then convert it into nano silicon for use in lithium-ion batteries. This innovative approach not only addresses the issue of solar panel waste but also provides a sustainable source of raw battery materials for the future.

The potential impact of this research is enormous. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be around 1.5 million tons of solar panels lying in waste. The ability to recycle and repurpose these materials could generate recovered materials worth $15 billion, based on the 78 million tons of solar panel waste expected to be generated globally by 2050.

The researchers have also found that the recovered silicon can be used in other applications, such as nano-fertilizers and innovative methods for carbon capture. This means that the technology has the potential to create a circular economy in the solar industry, where waste is minimized and resources are reused in a sustainable manner.

Deakin University’s efforts in solar panel recycling are part of a larger initiative called the Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH). This four-year, $380 million project aims to drive new technology in hydrogen, battery storage, and recycling for a circular economy.